Benchmark Associates

St. Andrews University

This spring, I had the pleasure of attending counselor tours of St. Andrews University and University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Students from the US looking for an adventurous and unique international experience with students from around the world often consider these schools. UK universities require students to take responsibility for their learning, take the initiative to choose their readings, and immerse themselves in their passions through the seminar and tutorial system.

The University of Edinburgh offers a variety of interesting programs of study including a veterinary program with volunteer opportunities at farms and clinics, culminating in a DVM.  Veterinary students may want to consider this program as 40 of the 80 available spots are offered to Americans. English Literature, a popular major at Edinburgh, includes lectures by visiting writers like J.K. Rowling. Studying at the University of Edinburgh is surprisingly affordable for US students, and the city of Edinburgh offers a vibrant and historic venue. Admission requirements for American students are less stringent than those for UK students, with a minimum of 600 on each section of the SAT, two APs with a score of 4 or higher, or two SAT subject tests with a 650 or higher. The one-step admissions process for all UK universities is quite straightforward.

University of Edinburgh

In contrast to the urban campus of Edinburgh, the University of St. Andrews (pictured at top) is located in a pastoral college town that is home to several famous golf courses.  Approximately 5900 undergraduates and 1300 post-graduates, including many  international students, live in this quaint Scottish town. St. Andrews uniquely combines a small, liberal arts program with a research university and will be celebrating its 600th year in 2010. Top programs include philosophy, physics, chemistry, history, and English. Over 15 percent of the students are from North America, and many enjoy the beaches and outdoor pursuits in this scenic location alongside the North Sea. The curriculum, which does not include a core, draws many students who wish to immerse themselves early in their area of focus. In March, the recently appointed president was highlighted in The New York Times.

Closer to home, I attended a counselor tour of Cornish College of the Arts located in several buildings in Seattle. One of the few AICAD (Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design) colleges on the West Coast, Cornish is one of the few arts colleges offering housing for all freshmen. This new facility will open for students this Fall. Cornish is also one of only three art schools in the country to offer music, theater, dance and art. A computer gaming program has recently been added to the curriculum. Portfolios are required, and students must take courses in humanities and sciences.