What do I do? Do I go back to the US or do I continue with the UK?

Last summer I applied to transfer to US schools from my LAC. I was on a sports team there, but I wanted a change.

I had the opportunity to go to Vandy, USC, Georgetown (spring admit) and a school in the UK called UCL. I took a risk and went to UCL.

Now I'm a semester plus in and I feel like I've made a mistake. Academics seem worse. Career opps seem worse as well--not just for IB too; the recruiting is so competitive especially since my school increased its enrollment by 3 times, jeopardizing its target status. Recruiting has not been going well for me here. 

I have the opportunity to go back to the US LAC (I wouldn't be on the team). Do I take it? I can also roll the dice again for the other schools. Do I do that as well?

I'm so worn out and confused. I just need some help.

 

Go back to the US and leverage this experience abroad. Don't consider it as a failure.

IBD in the UK is more competitive because there are less positions and there is no "culture of networking".

 

UCL increased enrollment 3 times?? Man this is dumb and it does indeed jeopardize its target status. But experience abroad is good experience, so make the most out of it and come back to the US for grad school or something 

 

So, what would that look like? Finish at UCL then go immediately to grad school (maybe a masters) and apply to US IB or whatever from there? Try to find something in the UK that isn't a complete waste of time and work at that for a couple years before coming back? I don't really know what to do at this point so any help would be great.

 

multiple factors play a role here: pandemic, brexit, mass immigration over the years, and a general inconsistent immediate future (could be true for many places)

While the school is good, I can understand how difficult it must feel like at the moment. I'd think you are better off in the US if you have an existing network. Exposure to a foreign culture is always a positive, so I wouldn't say you lost out. Return to the US, network/apply everywhere and you'll be fine.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  1-800-273-8255
 

I don't really have a network anywhere. And I'm not that wild about returning to my old college. Would this change your suggestion?

 

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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  1-800-273-8255

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