Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
Jan 17th 2010, 6:45 pm
#16
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
Certainly makes it crucial for one to be thinking ahead to where their children will want to study at the university level!
Jan 17th 2010, 6:54 pm
#18
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,352
Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
Out of curiosity ...
Are you saying that regardless of which US high school the student attended and their grades their qualifications are never considered as high as British A Levels? Advanced Placement examinations in high school are used to earn university credit in the US.
Just wondering because certainly at least some US high schools have very demanding programs. Some of my high school friends went on to attend Harvard or other ivy leagues and are very accomplished today.
Off topic, so that's all I'll say about that ...
Are you saying that regardless of which US high school the student attended and their grades their qualifications are never considered as high as British A Levels? Advanced Placement examinations in high school are used to earn university credit in the US.
Just wondering because certainly at least some US high schools have very demanding programs. Some of my high school friends went on to attend Harvard or other ivy leagues and are very accomplished today.
Off topic, so that's all I'll say about that ...
A student with a 4.0 GPA from an American high school would not be accepted. The student would have to have taken AP examinations in Maths and two other subjects, and gotten scores of 4, 4, and 3. Alternatively, if the student has a transcript of university courses, this would be considered in lieu of the AP exams.
I can't speak for other unis, but that's what we did.
Jan 17th 2010, 7:01 pm
#19
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,352
Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
Well, this article says the same:
"According to the British Council, A levels are similar to the American Advanced Placements[4] which are themselves equivalent to first year courses of America's four year bachelor degrees."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCE_Advanced_Level
The issue seem to be a lack of a standardized test in the US to finish high school. Therefore a 4.0 at one school is very different from a 4.0 at another school. (This is VERY true by the way.)
This system seems to penalize US students who would want to earn degrees at British universities as not all US high schools have advanced placement classes and they are certainly not available for all subjects. (I took AP classes for English and French, for instance.)
Very interesting. I am positive that I could have been successful at a British university and that this is true of many American students. Would they have that chance though? Maybe not. I suspect that AP examinations are more difficult, at least in some cases, than A-levels but as there is no equivalent of an A-level in the US, that's what is used.
"According to the British Council, A levels are similar to the American Advanced Placements[4] which are themselves equivalent to first year courses of America's four year bachelor degrees."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCE_Advanced_Level
The issue seem to be a lack of a standardized test in the US to finish high school. Therefore a 4.0 at one school is very different from a 4.0 at another school. (This is VERY true by the way.)
This system seems to penalize US students who would want to earn degrees at British universities as not all US high schools have advanced placement classes and they are certainly not available for all subjects. (I took AP classes for English and French, for instance.)
Very interesting. I am positive that I could have been successful at a British university and that this is true of many American students. Would they have that chance though? Maybe not. I suspect that AP examinations are more difficult, at least in some cases, than A-levels but as there is no equivalent of an A-level in the US, that's what is used.
A 17 or 18 year old US high school student will still be taking history, English, and probably some art or music component, even if he/she "knows" he/she wishes to be an engineer. The system is set up so that the decision of what you want to be can be taken at a much later age. At 14 I wanted to be an engineer. Then at 17 I wanted to be a photographer. In senior year I dropped calculus. I enrolled in a photojournalism course for (US) university. The following year I ended up changing to engineering after all. My dropping calc didn't matter as I had to take calc as a freshman engineer anyway. For that matter, I was also taking history, philosophy, english etc as required courses at uni, because of the liberal arts component. (this component is also why undergrad degrees are 4 years in the US and 3 years in the UK.)
It all boils down to the main difference (in my opinion) between US and UK schooling - UK students choose their interests early on and focus toward them, resulting in an in depth understanding of a limited range of subjects, and US students have a lot more flexibility in choice and can change their plans with little negative impact, but end up with a less specialised (or later specialised) main topic with a broad but light exposure to other subjects.
Thus, the US preparation is insufficient for the depth expected as a UK uni prerequisite.
Jan 17th 2010, 9:01 pm
#20
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Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
Kids should stay in the UK, especially if they plan on going to uni after as they need 3 years residence to get home rates, though with this being a temporary placement you might be able to wing it.
Greenwich area is a really nice part of CT, but it is well expensive to live there and it's a big commuter burb for rich folk to get into NYC.
There is a couple of private Brit schools in the area though, which aren't cheap and no idea how easy to get into, but that might be something to consider if you can swing the employer stumping the fees for as they can either continue with the UK studies or do the IB - international baccalaureate
Greenwich area is a really nice part of CT, but it is well expensive to live there and it's a big commuter burb for rich folk to get into NYC.
There is a couple of private Brit schools in the area though, which aren't cheap and no idea how easy to get into, but that might be something to consider if you can swing the employer stumping the fees for as they can either continue with the UK studies or do the IB - international baccalaureate
Jan 17th 2010, 9:14 pm
#21
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
That is correct. But given my firm are offering me a short 18 month assignment to the US all expenses paid which I must add only surfaced during a recent business trip to the States is potentially too good an opportunity to miss, plus unlike Australia I don't have to quit my job to go.
Plus, the Aussie visa lasts for 5 years and I only need to be there for 2 to apply for Citizenship, so in theory we can do both
Plus, the Aussie visa lasts for 5 years and I only need to be there for 2 to apply for Citizenship, so in theory we can do both
Jan 17th 2010, 9:15 pm
#22
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
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Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
What is the authority to which an unreasonable decision can be appealed?
Jan 20th 2010, 12:37 pm
#24
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Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
Well, this article says the same:
"According to the British Council, A levels are similar to the American Advanced Placements[4] which are themselves equivalent to first year courses of America's four year bachelor degrees."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCE_Advanced_Level
"The issue seem to be a lack of a standardized test in the US to finish high school. Therefore a 4.0 at one school is very different from a 4.0 at another school. (This is VERY true by the way.)"This system seems to penalize US students who would want to earn degrees at British universities as not all US high schools have advanced placement classes and they are certainly not available for all subjects. (I took AP classes for English and French, for instance.)
Very interesting. I am positive that I could have been successful at a British university and that this is true of many American students. Would they have that chance though? Maybe not. I suspect that AP examinations are more difficult, at least in some cases, than A-levels but as there is no equivalent of an A-level in the US, that's what is used.
"According to the British Council, A levels are similar to the American Advanced Placements[4] which are themselves equivalent to first year courses of America's four year bachelor degrees."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCE_Advanced_Level
"The issue seem to be a lack of a standardized test in the US to finish high school. Therefore a 4.0 at one school is very different from a 4.0 at another school. (This is VERY true by the way.)"This system seems to penalize US students who would want to earn degrees at British universities as not all US high schools have advanced placement classes and they are certainly not available for all subjects. (I took AP classes for English and French, for instance.)
Very interesting. I am positive that I could have been successful at a British university and that this is true of many American students. Would they have that chance though? Maybe not. I suspect that AP examinations are more difficult, at least in some cases, than A-levels but as there is no equivalent of an A-level in the US, that's what is used.
I remember being at our sons first day of University orientation, the speaker said "Don't be surprised if your sons or daughters, test scores & class work grades go down. They may have been A students with 4.0, now have to work at maintaining 3's", basically went on to explain all high schools are not created equal, especially when, grading & testing.
Many moons ago when I went to school in UK , there were maybe 1 or 2 "Gifted children" in the grade or whole school, when our now 21 yr old went to school in NYC, 25% of the school, were super smart "Gifted Children".
I always thought gifted, meant you played the piano well, great singer, actor, sports star etc
Reg. Frank R.__________________
"Happiness loves Happiness" (FR)
"All Bread is not created equal"
Last edited by frrussre; Jan 20th 2010 at 12:42 pm. Reason: Don't type while half asleep
Jan 20th 2010, 6:39 pm
#25
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Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
[QUOTE=frrussre;8265935I remember being at our sons first day of University orientation, the speaker said "Don't be surprised if your sons or daughters, test scores & class work grades go down. They may have been A students with 4.0, now have to work at maintaining 3's", basically went on to explain all high schools are not created equal, especially when, grading & testing.[/QUOTE]
This is so true!! Our 17 yr old has been to 3 High schools already since starting in high school (long story) he came back to his original HS in Dec 08 after doing 18 months in a HS in Colorado.
His school here has a totally 'unique' way of grading (10 point grading system) anything under 95% is a B ...very tough to get straight A's at this school. His last school in CO was a more 'normal' grading system, My Son was a straight A student there in every class..but, the colleges recognise that a student with all A's from his school here in IL worked a lot harder to get them than students in another school may have.
According to my Son, this is the only school in the State that grades this way, although that could just be him
This is so true!! Our 17 yr old has been to 3 High schools already since starting in high school (long story) he came back to his original HS in Dec 08 after doing 18 months in a HS in Colorado.
His school here has a totally 'unique' way of grading (10 point grading system) anything under 95% is a B ...very tough to get straight A's at this school. His last school in CO was a more 'normal' grading system, My Son was a straight A student there in every class..but, the colleges recognise that a student with all A's from his school here in IL worked a lot harder to get them than students in another school may have.
According to my Son, this is the only school in the State that grades this way, although that could just be him
Jan 26th 2010, 3:08 pm
#26
Just Joined
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Location: Cincinnati OH
Posts: 19
Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
Jan 26th 2010, 3:22 pm
#27
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,352
Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
Not impossible, he may just need to do a bit more first. If he enrolls in some entry level university classes in the US, in the subjects he is most interested in, then he can use his first year results as qualifications.
He may not even have to do that, depending on what he wants to study and where he wants to do it. The best approach is for him to think about what and where he might want to be, and contact the admissions departments of any universities as soon as possible so they can advise him on the best route for entry to their programme.
He may not even have to do that, depending on what he wants to study and where he wants to do it. The best approach is for him to think about what and where he might want to be, and contact the admissions departments of any universities as soon as possible so they can advise him on the best route for entry to their programme.
Jan 26th 2010, 3:25 pm
#28
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Location: Cincinnati OH
Posts: 19
Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
Not impossible, he may just need to do a bit more first. If he enrolls in some entry level university classes in the US, in the subjects he is most interested in, then he can use his first year results as qualifications.
He may not even have to do that, depending on what he wants to study and where he wants to do it. The best approach is for him to think about what and where he might want to be, and contact the admissions departments of any universities as soon as possible so they can advise him on the best route for entry to their programme.
He may not even have to do that, depending on what he wants to study and where he wants to do it. The best approach is for him to think about what and where he might want to be, and contact the admissions departments of any universities as soon as possible so they can advise him on the best route for entry to their programme.
Jan 26th 2010, 5:32 pm
#29
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Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
A friend of my daughter's got accepted at St Andrews uni...his high school grades were average. If you can pay international fees I think there's a good chance of getting into a reasonable UK uni.
Jan 26th 2010, 5:46 pm
#30
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Location: Cincinnati OH
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Re: Schooling for 17 Year A-Level Student
I have no idea which way he'll jump right now... the jury is still out but we'll see. In all of this I have just wanted to keep doors and options open to him Really appreciate your support.