London School for Americans?

Question

My husband has accepted an offer in London next year. My daughter is a straight A student in a top private school in Manhattan. She is entering 8th grade this fall. I know American School in London, and American community school in 2 or 3 other areas. My worry is that she will suffer by completing HS in London, as we definitely want her to do her university in US. Does anyone go through this kind of process? Whether college counseling and advisers are easily available in London? There may be some issues holding back us for 1-2 ys. How bad is it if we move to London when she enters 10th grade. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Is it certain she'll want to go to university in the US? I notice you said 'we definitely want her to do her university in US'...sorry, but at that time, she'll be eighteen, and an adult, and may decide differently.

If she went to uni in the UK, it'll take her only three years to do a bachelor's degree, as opposed to four, and if at such time as she begins university you have been residing in the UK for three years prior, she will be eligible for home fees of only £3000 a year (which is loaned to you by the government and paid back only when you're earning over £15,000 a year). This is much cheaper than the US, isn't it?

Why not have your daughter go into the UK system? It is widely regarded as an excellent education system, particularly for higher education. Many UK universities are regarded as among the best in the world. There is also not so much pressure to get into them (i.e. with work experience, volunteering, extra-curricular activities-instead it is purely on your grades, so you only have to concentrate on studying hard).

And going into the UK system will not mean she will not be able to get into US universities, will it? She will still, at eighteen, hold internationally recognised qualifications (A-levels).

By sticking to an American school and living in an 'American community' won't you be disadvantaging yourselves into not integrating properly, or giving your daughter a chance to experience Britain properly? It's not like we speak a different language. If you wanted to live the American way of life, why not just stay in the US???

Answer 2

The American School in London has excellent college placement in US schools. Call them and get the specifics, but I've seen dozens go to very top American colleges and the parents I've known who send their kids there are well educated and demanding.