UK vs USA for an international undergraduate

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the comparative advantages of obtaining an undergraduate degree from Cambridge versus institutions in the USA for future PhD applications. Participants confirm that a degree from Cambridge does not disadvantage candidates; in fact, many UK graduates, particularly from prestigious institutions like Cambridge, Oxford, and Imperial College London, successfully pursue PhDs in the United States. Additionally, undergraduates at Cambridge can engage in substantial research opportunities, often during summer placements at renowned research facilities such as CERN and the Max Planck Institute.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the UK higher education system, particularly Cambridge University
  • Familiarity with the US graduate school application process
  • Knowledge of research opportunities available to undergraduates
  • Awareness of notable research institutions like CERN and the Max Planck Institute
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the application process for US PhD programs for international students
  • Explore undergraduate research opportunities at Cambridge University
  • Investigate the impact of undergraduate research experience on PhD admissions
  • Learn about networking opportunities with alumni from Cambridge who pursued PhDs in the US
USEFUL FOR

Prospective undergraduate students considering Cambridge, current students seeking research opportunities, and individuals planning to apply for PhD programs in the United States.

GloriousPanda
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I ask because I just received an offer from Cambridge and from a few great places in the US. I want to go on to do a PhD, probably in the United States. Finance isn't an issue. In your experience, does being from a place in the UK (albeit as great as Cambridge) put one at an automatic disadvantage to grad school committees? Would people with some experience know if a motivated undergraduate at Cambridge can produce some substantial research, since undergrad research is not that prevalent in the UK?
 
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No, being at Cambridge is not a disadvantage at all. A lot of people from the UK (most from Cambridge, Oxford, or ICL) do their PhDs in the U.S. There are several people in my year who did their undergrad in the UK. I think a lot of them did research over the summer at various places like CERN, the Max Planck institute, etc.
 
I almost choked on what I was eating when I read even the remote possibility that getting a degree from Cambridge might put one at a "disadvantage".

Zz.
 

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