Planning for College Overseas?

[Paige]

My DS is very interested in going to college overseas. Among other reasons, he likes the European (or maybe just British) system where he can really focus on what he's interested in instead of spending half his time on general education courses. He doesn't want to just do a semester abroad. 

 

Any ideas on how to guide him in course selection, extracurricular activities, and testing to make his applications attractive overseas? I think perhaps there is a difference between what American and European universities prefer to see in applications. He's going to PS High School but was homeschooled through 8th grade. 

 

He's focusing on English speaking countries but really likes the idea of living in the Nordic countries and Iceland because he loves snow and cold. How important are foreign language skills?

[chiguirre]

The British universities use AP scores in lieu of their A levels. They usually require 3 or 4 APs with a 5 score, but you'll have to check each school and major individually to see what you need. Alternatively, some will also consider students with Associate degrees.

[Laura Corin]

Chiguirre is right.  The APs need to be relevant to the intended course.

 

For reference, Scottish degrees are usually four years. You normally start by studying three subjects and then pick one or two of those to continue with after the first year or two.

 

English degrees are normally three years (unless you have a year abroad) and you study only one or two subjects from the beginning.

 

Here's one not-very-prestigious university:

 

https://le.ac.uk/student-life/international-students/countries-list/north-america/usa

 

And a more prestigious one (it gives AP equivalents for the A level entrance offers stated elsewhere in the website):

 

https://www.dur.ac.uk/international/country.information/

 

ETA: extracurricular activities are typically less important: selection is very largely based on academic performance, rather than other factors.  Quite a lot of European countries have courses taught in English - look at the Netherlands in particular.

Edited January 28, 2017 by Laura Corin

[madteaparty]

I've found very little but some British schools visit certain open houses in the US twice a year. I don't know how a homeschooler can access these but I thought at least a couple of these were open to the public. I haven't tried to attend yet.

[3andme]

This thread on a similar topic may be helpful.

[8filltheheart]

You might find more revealing info here: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/united-kingdom/