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I am from California (Bay area) and have to choose between Cambridge(Maths with Computer Science )- conditional offer on STEP I & II maths papers need 70% to be offered a firm place at Cambridge in October, Unconditional offer from University College London ( Mathematics with Computer Science or Economics) and UCLA (USA) - Mathematics with Economics.

I really enjoy Mathematics and eventually want to do an MBA at Harvard/Stanford. I have visited and was accepted at the Cambridge and UCL but being a US high school student I am debating about the UCLA option as well. It has a fine maths and business school. Could some one please guide me as to the pro and cons here? Also the transition in the UK system from US. I did very well on my APs. Need to decide soon. My grandad lives in London and I grew up in SF so I have family there.Also prestige matters me as well.

Many Thanks

By Londoner (Londoner) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 02:28 am: Edit

In terms of Prestige, UCL does not hold its ground with Cambridge and UCLA.

Plus, London is v. expensive- even though its a wicked city...

If your doing STEP papers and find them not too impossible, you will do fine at Cam. Maths there is not only v. difficult,but it's taught in a strange way that u will not be used to (they make you come up with new methods and kinda prove wrong everything you have learnt so far). I know all this because a friend of mine is studying math at cam (i was going to apply, but then realised that i dont like math that much )

I dont know much about UCLA. Except that its a v. good 'maths and sciences' place.

Good luck deciding. PS> which college at Cam?

By Marwanzeibak (Marwanzeibak) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 03:07 am: Edit

In terms of prestige, Cambridge definitely ranks the highest. Along with Oxford, Cambridge is the best school in England, and is considered to be in the same league as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and other Ivy Leaguers. If you can get your scores on the STEP Papers, then you should go to Cambridge.

By Asdf (Asdf) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 12:28 pm: Edit

Yeah, I'd say there's no question here. Go to Cambridge!

By Yashpatel (Yashpatel) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 12:39 am: Edit

I would be attending Churchill College in Cambridge if I went there. Also, I was wondering if it is possible for me to change my degree from math to something such as economics once I was already accepted there after having taken the step papers.

By Yashpatel (Yashpatel) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 02:36 am: Edit

Are there any UK Students on the Board that have some ideas on this subject. University College London is ranked No. 1 over Cambridge in economics (Times Good Guide Educational supplement) and I want to go to a prestige US business school for an MBA after an undergraduate degree in the UK. Any thoughts would help.

Thank you.

By Moshe (Moshe) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 12:36 pm: Edit

UCL certainly beats Cambridge in Economics (although you should go on the FT, rather than Times guide). Cambridge is the best school in Europe for Science, and is a beautiful town, although Churchill college is quite far out.

By Londoner (Londoner) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 02:55 pm: Edit

Yash,

I'm a UK student. I would advise Cambridge. Economics course is wicked (but i thought u were accepted for maths and computer science?) and the name 'Cambridge' beats UCL and UCLA by miles. Even if you studied Basketmaking at Cambrige, you would be viewed with greater respect than someone who did Economics and Politics at UCL.

Choose Cambrige. You'll regret it if you dont, trust me.

By Moshe (Moshe) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 05:27 pm: Edit

Economics is infamously our very poorest subject. The degree isn't well respected by other economists, or by the top graduate school in England, LSE. But in America, or for other professions; it almost certainly will be, as Londoner says. It depends on what you plan to go on to.

But yeah, it's a lovely university, and really easy socially.

"Even if you studied Basketmaking at Cambrige, you would be viewed with greater respect than someone who did Economics and Politics at UCL."... there's no respect for the PGCE-er's