Overseas Universities

The most discerning school leavers will be aware that a tremendous wealth of choices and opportunities await those who are prepared to consider pursuing their undergraduate studies abroad. There has long been a healthy interest in international destinations among sixth formers at Godolphin and Latymer, reflecting in part the broad perspectives shaped by the global city they call home. US and Canadian universities have traditionally led the way among those leavers moving abroad; however, in recent years the range of destinations has broadened considerably, both within the US and Canada, but also in continental Europe, where an increasing number of more accessible and affordable options in countries such as Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany are attracting interest.

For students considering international opportunities, there has never been a more exciting range of courses and experiences on offer, and we have set out some basic principles to bear in mind through the application process.

Students should always build a balanced college list in order to maximise their chances of success. This could involve applying to more than one country; we have recently seen an increasing number of students applying to Europe and Canada alongside their applications in the UK or the US. It should also include a range of aspirational and less selective choices. In the US, there are many outstanding global research universities which are not ‘Ivy League’ such as The University of Chicago, Georgetown or Duke University. There are also colleges with a specific focus, such as Babson College - known for their entrepreneurship programme - or St John’s College - best known for their Great Books curriculum. Students should not fall into the trap of thinking it is not relevant to look closely at what is taught simply because the US offers a broad based education.

Financial fit is also an important factor to think about during the college search process, with tuition and fees varying considerably from country to country. While students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Europe can typically complete their degree in a specific subject in three years, a US degree is completed over the course of four years and offers more flexibility.

Building a compelling application

What makes an application compelling is the extent to which it reflects the student’s readiness for university-level academic work and the qualities they demonstrate, such as leadership, intellectual curiosity, resilience and willingness to collaborate. The application should be a reflection of who the student is both in and outside the classroom, and the ways they would contribute to the university community if admitted. Each student has their own strengths, so each application is unique - the admission officers’ job is to evaluate all the components to see if the student is a good match for their community.

Many overseas universities will ask for a motivational letter or a personal essay. For

European universities, the essay will focus on what they would like to study and how well their experiences so far have prepared them for advanced study in their field of interest. For most US universities, the essay should reflect the student’s voice through the description of a milestone, event or activity which has had a significant impact on their personality and values.

US colleges use the personal essay to find out more about who the student is beyond their grades and test scores. One of the best ways to think about it is: if someone found this essay in a school corridor, could they, just by reading it, identify the essay as belonging to a specific student - hence as uniquely theirs? Another good consideration for a college essay is ensuring that the student has been reflective. A long list of extracurricular activities is exactly that - a list. What makes an essay strong is reflecting on what the student has learned through their life experiences. By being reflective, students demonstrate their ability to think flexibly and avoid pre-conceptions, and a willingness to learn from others and the experiences they encounter. www.godolphinandlatymer.com

One final aspect of the process is to be aware of the different deadlines and requirements for international applications. Some European universities have rolling admissions and others have multiple rounds of applications, whereas most US colleges have strict deadlines through the early and regular cycles. Even within the US, different states and regions may have different application forms and timelines - for example, the University of California campuses have a separate process where students are asked to self-report their grades. Therefore, it is important to get bespoke advice on the different application requirements based on the student’s goals, interests and aspirations; if in doubt, reach out to your school for guidance.