Applying to Oxbridge/UK universities as an American
I'll be applying to colleges in the fall and after meeting a guy who'll be attending the University of Central London I've been convinced to apply to some UK universities as well; I'd been thinking about it for some time beforehand.
It seems that you can only apply to either Oxford or Cambridge in a year, and that at UK universities you have to indicate your major (though they have a different word for it) when applying, and can't really change it afterward without extreme difficulty.
I'm looking to study the general skills needed for data science to eventually work in quantitative finance, but I'm uncertain as to which university/department to apply to, or whether study in England creates a non-negligible disadvantage when looking for (e.g.) Wall Street jobs after undergrad (or maybe after a master's, since both universities offer standard programs to get a master's degree after four years).
My understanding is that Cambridge is generally considered to be more geared toward the sciences, though apparently the more reliable the source the more likely it is for it to tell me that this is a fiction and that there isn't any significant difference? This would suggest that a bigger aspect of decision-making would be the admission process itself (Oxford requires the MAT admissions exam and Cambridge the STEP exam, of which I am presumably better at one or the other). Or maybe the specific college/department matters?
Which brings me to the department question, since that can't be changed post-acceptance. Basically Math, CS, and some subject called Maths and Computer Science are options, though it's possible that Maths and Computer Science is like the Math and CS major at MIT, which exists but no one really seems to take. And then there are colleges, of which you can indicate your order of preference but which apparently don't really affect much?
Anyway, actual questions that can't be easily Googled:
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What is your general impression of Oxbridge grads in terms of their competency and career options?
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What factors should go into these decisions and to what extent do they actually matter?
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Do you know anyone who has applied or been accepted to a top UK school from America? What has been their experience?
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Speaking of which, what is the general regard as to which are the top schools beyond Oxbridge for finance/quant stuff?
In general (there are always some exceptions), extremely intelligent and generally successful in terms of career options / entrepreneurship. The same level as H/Y/P/S/M. One difference is that Ivies look for more well roundness in their applicants whereas Oxbridge is purist in intellectual specialization.
Cambridge is slightly stronger in STEM but both are world class across the board and will open any doors. I would focus more on getting in than nitpicking over details as admissions are extremely competitive (e.g. I know BCG/McKinsey guys who were rejected from Oxbridge)
Yes. Some Americans get frustrated at UK schools as they feel forced to specialize too early, but for some this is the reason they chose the UK system. It's a matter of personal preference. US university life is more frenetic and fast paced in general whereas Oxbridge is more of an intellectual oasis.
Imperial College London for STEM, LSE for finance/econ, UCL solid all around. Warwick is strong at getting grads into IB.
Thanks for the step-by-step reply.
The specialization aspect definitely appeals to me personally, being extremely certain about my interests. Sometimes I even lean toward the "education you coulda got for $1.50 in late fees at the public library" view where college should be for very technical or career-related skills.
I've also come to the conclusion that whichever school will more likely accept me is the better choice (beggars can't be choosers haha).
Right now, my understanding is that the only difference in the actual admissions portfolio will be that Oxford's entrance exam (the MAT) is given to several majors (Maths, Computer Science, Maths and Computer Science, Computer Science and Philosophy, etc.) whereas Cambridge's exam (STEP) is given post-interview and only to Maths students. Further, there's a general impression from reading forum posts that Oxford is marginally-to-somewhat easier and that the STEP is more of a test for which kids study for several months beforehand.
After taking a practice test for the MAT and STEP maybe I can see where I stand and make a decision. The difference overall might be small anyway.
Another poster gave an identical list to yours, and I've seen similar things online, so Oxbridge/ICL/LSE/UCL/Warwick sounds like at least one option; given that you can apply to up to five schools using their common application, and that each is like $20, there might not be any good reason not to fill up the slots.
Do you have any thoughts on the decision between Maths, Computer Science, and "Maths and Computer Science" or the like? At US schools like MIT, "Math and CS" is a major that exists, but that no one really takes, possibly due to logistical-type coordination between the math and CS department, but reading testimonials and watching videos it seems that Maths and CS doesn't have the same unpopularity over there. My guess would also be that the choice of degree doesn't matter too much for job prospects, and that the decision should be a combination of my interests (which I know) and my likelihood of acceptance (which I . . . don't know, at least not yet).
From my limited knowledge (didn't attend either but studied in UK):
1) Careers seem to be very open no matter what you studied. Obviously if the degree is more geared towards what you want to do then you might have a better chance but it seems oxbridge grads with any degree can get top jobs.
2) Study what you enjoy so you can get a first class degree. Probably most important.
3) Unfortunately no.
4) LSE / Imperial / UCL
Thanks for the systematic reply.
Yeah, the lack of importance of what specifically you studied matches what I've heard about top American schools, so that makes sense. That would suggest that my decision should be based on what I'm interested in (Math/CS) and my likelihood of getting in (which might be higher for CS . . . I'm not really sure).
Another poster gave an identical list to yours, and I've seen similar things online, so Oxbridge/ICL/LSE/UCL/Warwick sounds like at least one option; given that you can apply to up to five schools using their common application, and that each is like $20, there might not be any good reason not to fill up the slots.
Is it inconveniently difficult for an Oxbridge grad to find work back in New York City? I would expect most of them to stay in England, but is that just convenience/the path of least resistance or is it challenging for some particular reason to find a job on Wall Street from over there?
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