I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
Apr 16th 2019, 10:27 pm
#46
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,505
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
Some numbers to get you started, my daughter is just about to complete her first year in College:
Year One - $18k in total costs, counted as In State Tuition. That is very roughly split three ways - Fees, Accommodation and Food
Year Two - $12k in total costs is our current estimate - we can reduce the food costs (in year one her College requires us to spend a minimum amount) and a significant drop in Accommodation costs as she can now live off campus (Year One they had to live in Dorms).
Year Three & Four - $7k ish each year is our expected amount - this is because we expect to have a Green Card in hand, and she will be eligible for the Hope Scholarship as a minimum. This is specific to Georgia and ensures 80% of tuition costs are covered, but can be up to 100% depending on GPA maintained. Other States have similar.
Our daughter cannot work currently as she is on a an L2 Dependent Visa, linked to my work based Visa, so we are funding the cost of this. Fortunately, she should walk away without Student Debt as a result. Otherwise that's $44k in this example. Assuming you come in with the GC sorted and you find a College with a Scholarship, in this example it would be $28k for 4 years but you could work.
However, you are talking about Colleges with a name, so expect to see those numbers become increasingly eye watering.
You also mention about needing to cram two year - you will not. Rest assured, your expected GCSE performance (very impressive) will set you up well and I would well imagine you'll be actually getting College credits before you start college. You would be well placed fr applying to the UK still, with a little International flavour as a bonus - Oxford & Cambridge are not going to select you because of your grades, everyone will have those. Layer in some USA work experience and Volunteering (our daughters High School gave credits for Volunteering for example and College requires it for Scholarships) and you may find yourself with a good background story to sell your way into such and establishment.
Best bet after all this - swallow some pride and speak to your parents about it. I'd be amazed if they know more than you do after reading three pages of this. They need to know what you are worried about and be offered the opportunity to work with you to find the best solution. We offered our daughter the option of staying in the UK with her grandparents but we provided her with all the information to show her the path in the USA. For her, the move was the right thing to do and has actually worked out better for her than staying because of how the system here gradually moves from generic studies to a Major.
Year One - $18k in total costs, counted as In State Tuition. That is very roughly split three ways - Fees, Accommodation and Food
Year Two - $12k in total costs is our current estimate - we can reduce the food costs (in year one her College requires us to spend a minimum amount) and a significant drop in Accommodation costs as she can now live off campus (Year One they had to live in Dorms).
Year Three & Four - $7k ish each year is our expected amount - this is because we expect to have a Green Card in hand, and she will be eligible for the Hope Scholarship as a minimum. This is specific to Georgia and ensures 80% of tuition costs are covered, but can be up to 100% depending on GPA maintained. Other States have similar.
Our daughter cannot work currently as she is on a an L2 Dependent Visa, linked to my work based Visa, so we are funding the cost of this. Fortunately, she should walk away without Student Debt as a result. Otherwise that's $44k in this example. Assuming you come in with the GC sorted and you find a College with a Scholarship, in this example it would be $28k for 4 years but you could work.
However, you are talking about Colleges with a name, so expect to see those numbers become increasingly eye watering.
You also mention about needing to cram two year - you will not. Rest assured, your expected GCSE performance (very impressive) will set you up well and I would well imagine you'll be actually getting College credits before you start college. You would be well placed fr applying to the UK still, with a little International flavour as a bonus - Oxford & Cambridge are not going to select you because of your grades, everyone will have those. Layer in some USA work experience and Volunteering (our daughters High School gave credits for Volunteering for example and College requires it for Scholarships) and you may find yourself with a good background story to sell your way into such and establishment.
Best bet after all this - swallow some pride and speak to your parents about it. I'd be amazed if they know more than you do after reading three pages of this. They need to know what you are worried about and be offered the opportunity to work with you to find the best solution. We offered our daughter the option of staying in the UK with her grandparents but we provided her with all the information to show her the path in the USA. For her, the move was the right thing to do and has actually worked out better for her than staying because of how the system here gradually moves from generic studies to a Major.
Eyewatering indeed. University of Chicago and Northwestern University, in my area, have tuition just over $50k per year. This does not include any living or other expenses.
Apr 16th 2019, 10:52 pm
#47
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
What is very common in Austin is for students to attend one or two years of community college and then transfer in to UT Austin. You get the basics of a degree course for approx $1.5K per year and then finish with the higher level courses at the university. Your degree will state UT Austin.
If you can get into a good CS degree program, your summer internships will probably pay for your degree and more. Good CS grads are getting extremely good salaries and sign on bonuses for when they start work.
What we were advised was to NOT count on getting scholarships to pay for the fancy degree course. Most students don't get much and end up with large amounts of debt. Great if your chosen path is well paid, not good if it isn't,
If Britain is still in the EU when you are ready for applying, then look at Netherlands and Sweden perhaps?
If you can get into a good CS degree program, your summer internships will probably pay for your degree and more. Good CS grads are getting extremely good salaries and sign on bonuses for when they start work.
What we were advised was to NOT count on getting scholarships to pay for the fancy degree course. Most students don't get much and end up with large amounts of debt. Great if your chosen path is well paid, not good if it isn't,
If Britain is still in the EU when you are ready for applying, then look at Netherlands and Sweden perhaps?
Apr 16th 2019, 11:39 pm
#48
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
As you're talking about loans and no money, suggest you do 2 years of community college and then transfer to a 4 year University (for the remaining 2 years). Will likely work out a lot cheaper. No employer will know the difference.
Edit just realized PF said this
Edit just realized PF said this
Apr 17th 2019, 1:51 am
#49
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 13
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
...
If I was to stay here, I feel as though I’d finely get through A-Levels, and then attend a nice Russel group uni. Now that I’m moving, I feel as though this’ll significantly hurt my career prospects, would anyone agree with that? While I haven’t completely counted US unis out, I imagine it’d be really hard to get into a good one considering I only have 2 years to make up for anything I’ve missed.
As others have mentioned, undergrad degrees being a year shorter and lot less expensive are a relative bargain compared to some of the more elite US universities. That said, I wouldn't completely discount going to a US university depending on the subject. I've seen some astonishing offers made recently in finance and tech to US grads which in the long run, would definitely pay off against the upfront savings of a cheaper education. I haven't heard of anything close to those types of offers in the UK for UK grads. Even if you're eligible from an immigration standpoint, it would be harder to get those offers coming from a UK university.
Longer term, do you think you'd work in the UK or the US? That would definitely play into my thinking on UK vs US.
Apr 17th 2019, 6:26 am
#50
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
Hello
Some resources that you may find interesting:
The Facebook group "Paying for college 101". It's not just about finance, but also lots of info about strategies regarding which universities to apply to, how to narrow down choices, college tours/visits/overnighters/acceptance days, scholarships etc.
The Facebook page for the website/company Homeschooling for College Credit is fascinating and provides lots of ways for high schoolers to earn college credits, including online courses. I don;t particularly like the website, but the info is great. Homeschooling for college credit
College credit/recognition for prior learning via CLEP: https://clep.collegeboard.org/
Some resources that you may find interesting:
The Facebook group "Paying for college 101". It's not just about finance, but also lots of info about strategies regarding which universities to apply to, how to narrow down choices, college tours/visits/overnighters/acceptance days, scholarships etc.
The Facebook page for the website/company Homeschooling for College Credit is fascinating and provides lots of ways for high schoolers to earn college credits, including online courses. I don;t particularly like the website, but the info is great. Homeschooling for college credit
College credit/recognition for prior learning via CLEP: https://clep.collegeboard.org/
Apr 17th 2019, 7:58 pm
#51
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 15
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
Possibly controversial but you might actually make yourself a more attractive student to a UK university being one paying international fees and some grades (your GCSEs) they can reference against. International students and their associated higher fees are an important revenue stream for UK universities. From what I've seen, AP courses are easier than A-levels too so you're lowering the bar of entry and that's what they'll look at in addition to your GCSEs which would be a good reference point for any admissions person compared to AP courses. For example, what I did in my Further Maths A-level many years ago made some of the AP Maths stuff I've seen here (admittedly, only in passing) seem trivial. That Russell group aspiration could possibly be narrowed down into something a bit more elite with your fee status.
As others have mentioned, undergrad degrees being a year shorter and lot less expensive are a relative bargain compared to some of the more elite US universities. That said, I wouldn't completely discount going to a US university depending on the subject. I've seen some astonishing offers made recently in finance and tech to US grads which in the long run, would definitely pay off against the upfront savings of a cheaper education. I haven't heard of anything close to those types of offers in the UK for UK grads. Even if you're eligible from an immigration standpoint, it would be harder to get those offers coming from a UK university.
Longer term, do you think you'd work in the UK or the US? That would definitely play into my thinking on UK vs US.
As others have mentioned, undergrad degrees being a year shorter and lot less expensive are a relative bargain compared to some of the more elite US universities. That said, I wouldn't completely discount going to a US university depending on the subject. I've seen some astonishing offers made recently in finance and tech to US grads which in the long run, would definitely pay off against the upfront savings of a cheaper education. I haven't heard of anything close to those types of offers in the UK for UK grads. Even if you're eligible from an immigration standpoint, it would be harder to get those offers coming from a UK university.
Longer term, do you think you'd work in the UK or the US? That would definitely play into my thinking on UK vs US.
Apr 17th 2019, 8:18 pm
#52
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,159
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
Good luck.
Apr 17th 2019, 9:05 pm
#53
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,854
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
As someone that moved countries before I was 16 and houses about 14 times before University, as well as Schools multiple times, my advise would first be to think about where you want to work after University. While many people keep some good childhood friends, most people know less people at university and so form new friendships and networks there during the 3/UK 4/US years. If your goal is to live and work in America I think a US school and building a US network and new friend will serve you better. While studying in the UK may be cheaper you will be developing UK networks and friends, that you would leave if you moved to the US, and the Russel Group is not really a thing in the US (my undergrad was at a Russel Group University). I know from a lot of time in New York bars from 2001-2010 before meeting my wife that pretty much the first question anyone new you meet would ask would be where you went to school, the sports and logo’ed shirts make it a much bigger deal than the UK.
Apr 17th 2019, 11:21 pm
#54
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
Apr 17th 2019, 11:28 pm
#55
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: State College Pa.
Posts: 1,585
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
Yes, I explained that on page 1 of this thread.....
If you're academically good, the system here is actually competitive, and WANTS you to enhance their school - somewhat different from the UK. I don't hear of fees being waived.
And number 2 son is already being asked to continue on to his MSc in Civil engineering. Someday though I'd like him to get a proper job :-)
If you're academically good, the system here is actually competitive, and WANTS you to enhance their school - somewhat different from the UK. I don't hear of fees being waived.
And number 2 son is already being asked to continue on to his MSc in Civil engineering. Someday though I'd like him to get a proper job :-)
Apr 18th 2019, 2:25 am
#56
Turning into a PA gal!
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: State College PA, finally!
Posts: 3,563
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
My parents aren't US citizens, but from what I’ve heard this process has been going on for quite a long time (a considerable amount of my life), and it’s all started to fall into place around now. In fact, I could’ve possibly moved a year ago, but my parents delayed this so I could first finish my GCSEs. Was this a wise move, and will it have any benefits.
You have been asking some very sensible questions and also listening to the answers which is more than some "adult" posters do when requesting help.
Apr 18th 2019, 3:21 am
#57
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
In other words, the schools are not going to be keen to credit someone who arrives half way through the high school program, with exceptional GPA points if that puts them in the top tier for financial help with college at the expense of someone who did all four years in the public school system in that state.
Apr 18th 2019, 11:19 am
#58
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,167
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
My opinion is always against the grain, however, find a relative to stay with in the UK and finish your education (all the way through grad school if you so wish). If after that you would like the idea of coming to the US, and find a path to do so (others on here with more expertise than me), then do so and you will find you will be extremely competitive in the job market.
H
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Apr 18th 2019, 11:36 am
#59
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: bute
Posts: 9,740
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...es_in_Maryland
Lots of places in Maryland to study. My experience of working with Americans taught me that they are on average probably bettr-educated than those who went to univesity in the UK !
If you go to the USA and then come back to the UK to study, you would be treated as non-resident and would be liable to international fees - as many posters here have explained.
Lots of places in Maryland to study. My experience of working with Americans taught me that they are on average probably bettr-educated than those who went to univesity in the UK !
If you go to the USA and then come back to the UK to study, you would be treated as non-resident and would be liable to international fees - as many posters here have explained.
Apr 18th 2019, 12:31 pm
#60
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: I'm a 15 year old moving to the USA, would appreciate any help!
My opinion is always against the grain, however, find a relative to stay with in the UK and finish your education (all the way through grad school if you so wish). If after that you would like the idea of coming to the US, and find a path to do so (others on here with more expertise than me), then do so and you will find you will be extremely competitive in the job market. ...