Well, where does she want to work? Where does she have citizenship/residency? What are possible goals in life?
There are still paths back to Europe, though, from the US (masters afterwards, assuming cost is no object).
For you, the English unis would cost about the same as an in-state public for Americans.
The type of assessment at English unis would be very different from the American colleges. Does your D have an opinion on that?
What school at USC?
From a strictly brand perspective, all 3 English unis are strong in the UK as you know. LSE would have the most prestige worldwide. The LACs in the UK and Warwick/UCL in the US would be highly esteemed by those who know (in academia and global prestige industries), but go outside those groups and they are almost unknown (outside those groups, most Americans would only know of Oxbridge, probably LSE and St. Andrews, and maybe Imperial). But I wouldn’t worry about that; the education is what matters.
USC is pretty well-known (especially in Asia, outside the US). They also have strong school spirit and a famously proud alumni base, though many/most still stay in CA after graduation. It’s seen as a good school but not an Ivy/Oxbridge-equivalent as I (and many in the know) would consider LSE, Bowdoin, and Wesleyan. The type of education, assessment, flexibility, broadness would be American-style like the LACs but with more big classes. The culture is very different, though. USC is very pre-professional (evidently, so is Warwick) and socially, frats/sororities are a big deal. It’s not the type of place for someone who wants to live the life of the mind.
Another thing to keep in mind is that while LACs tend to be in a bubble, USC, while it has a campus, is very much in LA, which may be considered by some to have a facile culture.
Understatement (or irony, or sarcasm) aren’t qualities most people associate with LA and Angelenos.
@PurpleTitan …she is an UK Citizen and most probably will come back to the UK (ideally after a few years working in the US if employment/work permit works out). I also see she could work in Asia at some point in future …as she has done a few projects there and is interested in the region. At this stage - she thinks she would want to go into some sort of consulting career post college and then move into grad school and then to the Pharma sector post that. Frankly, I would expect these to change once she goes to college …but that’s what’s on her mind at the moment. Having said that I don’t find her to be as professionally-focused as some of her school mates who are applying to undergrad business schools in the US (stern etc) …
…at USC she applied for econ major at Dornsife…I think intuitively the broader assessment etc might suit her more as she is coming from an IB background …
For me - am coming down to picking one from the US and then comparing with LSE. If I had my way - would be Bowdoin vs LSE …the big school construct of USC both excites and frightens me in equal measure
Honestly, USC seems to be the worst fit (location, program, and most importantly SIZE). Sorry you have the ‘friend factor’ to deal with. I’m not sure why someone would pay top dollar to go to a huge Uni in the US when they are trying to get something different than the UK.
Tufts would be a great middle option…somewhere between a LAC and a larger Uni. For kids coming from Europe - Boston is the most cosmopolitan of the choices (with the exception of NYU) and the location can’t be beat for traveling back home. Bowdoin has the great academic LAC experience but a more traditional American college experience from a social perspective (middle of nowhere, drinking in a frat house, no bars/clubs/airports/public transport).
For jobs in consulting, banking, etc., kids at Marshall would have an edge at USC. Not saying it’s impossible to land something form Dornsife, but companies would look to Marshall first.
At Warwick/UCL, there is the possibility of exchange abroad for a year in the US/Canada, but only a few kids get picked.
And finally, getting a work permit straight out of undergrad in the US would be tough if you are not an American citizen/permanent resident.
@suzyQ7 …understand Tufts decisions will be out later this week so will see how that develops …we had a lovely visit there …but understand it is Super competitive to get in …so have v little hope
BTW, the one area where USC probably holds an advantage over everyone is in the entertainment industry. if she wants to enter that business, USC is a good choice.
Just jumping in here. Completely agree with this statement that @PurpleTitan made with regard to USC:
My 2 cents, I’d eliminate USC unless she wants journalism or the entertainment industry. However, if she still insists on it, I’d insist she visit before making the final decision. She should see how she feels about the very long trip. She should also see how she feels about the neighborhood of LA where USC is.
^ I’m just thinking, maybe Tufts would be a better fit for your DD? It is a slightly larger school, easier to get to than Wes or Bowdoin and being in close proximity to Boston might make for a better all around “USA College Experience” which many UK kids going to the USA are looking for.
@PurpleTitan you have a lot of insight, but wouldn’t you agree that Wes is also a great place for someone interested in the entertainment biz? It’s pretty good at producing media darlings. I love Wes btw, so that’s not a criticism.
OP, I think your D will get into Tufts. It’s not more difficult than Bowdoin, and she’s doing pretty well. All those colleges have accepteance rates in the teens. Tufts is the best of all worlds, IMO. Lovely school. And if she is a little conservative, she will find friends. Tufts has a good mix of all types of kids. She will find out in a day, right?
@purpletitan Not sure I understand the question, are you asking for a UK equivalent of Wesleyan?
If so, I just think it is really hard to compare a US LAC to any of the British universities given the usual size difference. I know that some of the UK universities have more of a close-knit community feel among the students, such as Durham and St. Andrews. Also, both Durham and St A’s rank highly, just behind Oxbridge, in liberal arts/humanities majors such as History and English.
I will say that I am a big fan of Wesleyan. I probably know at least 10 friends or work acquaintances who are Wesleyan grads and all are extremely successful people who are also well-rounded and interesting. I am surprised that Wes does not rank higher in the USNWR rankings.
@londondad have you visited Wes? I feel like Wes is less popular now because of location and unwelcoming political environment. Also, some threads on CC have questioned recent quality of academics. (Warning-Anecdotal comments based on CC and small selection of opinions)
@Lindagaf …yes heard Tufts decisions come out either thu or fri …will update once we hear. The only difference (not sure how relevant) is she did interview at Bowdoin and Wes …but For Tufts that wasn’t possible…So fingers crossed