Studying in the US vs. UK - Interview with Max Spohn
Studying in the US vs. UK
Are you confused if studying in the UK is more suitable for you or the US?
Read through this interview with our Global Director of Research and Analytics, Max Spohn who has educational experience in the UK and US to gain a deeper understanding into the cultures and decide what’s right for you!
Max has studied PPE at UCL and then did a Master’s degree studying Behavioural Sciences at UPenn.
Q - Why did you decide to study in the US after spending significant time in the UK for your undergraduate degree?
A - I have always wanted to study in the US. My choice depended on the subject that I wanted to study, i.e Behavioural Sciences and not many schools provide a niche subject like that. I applied to 3 universities in the UK and 1 in the US, out of which I received 3 offers and UPenn was the best. It is important to note that masters are fairly rare in the US, more are professional oriented rather than academic.
Q - How would you say your university experience in the US is different from the UK?
A - The US is definitely more flexible. The courses offered are very flexible too, so you can study the subjects you are truly interested in. Moreover, there are more opportunities and encouragement, for example, we have collaborations for design challenges with different companies. There are more activities outside academics, which may be favorable to some people and may not be to the others.
Q - In terms of jobs and careers services, how is the university experience in both countries different?
A - In the US, you can do a half professional masters between Msc. and MBA for work. There are opportunities on campus and there is a mindset that you have to get a job after your degree and there is definitely ten times more pressure to get a job. In the ivies, there is direct hiring by companies and also projects with employers like Deloitte, Spotify etc. to help you get to know the company better and decide if the work environment is suitable for you. There is much more variety in my opinion.
Q - How was the application process to the US for you? Do you have any tips?
A - It was a relatively straightforward process. There is a CV required. I truly believe that your letter of purpose and essays for applications should remain pretty standard for all, if you have to change them completely, they are not an authentic representation of you. What I wrote for LSE, Warwick and UCL were very similar to what I would write for a job. The key word is passion and making the reader know why you want to study that specific subject. You should also fit in your life goals and whatever research you have undertaken previously.
For the US, it was a personal story which obviously did portray my passion, but also highlighted my strengths. It is truly subjective. A friend of mine actually wrote about her passion for football and related it to behavioural sciences. It definitely has to be something creative but don’t write sob stories as different people have different tastes. Make a good argument, don’t ramble and don’t waste a single word that doesn’t help your entire argument.
Q - Did you take the GRE? How did you research the application process and university?
A - I did not take the GRE and discussed my work regularly with people who studied with me. It is best to talk to people who are already studying there and are similar to you. It is very important to choose the right programme for you so that you can actually make a successful application.
Q - How are academics different in both countries? What kind of people are suitable for studying in the US in your opinion?
A - In the US, there is a lot more work, therefore the challenge is time and not the content. You are expected to be proactive and indulge in non- academic activities too, like challenges with companies or working as a Research Assistant. In the US, there are amazing teachers and so far I have never had a single bad teacher. Suitability truly depends on how you are comfortable learning. There is more emphasis on lectures in the US and greater flexibility as compared to the UK. Group work is given a lot of importance in the US as compared to the UK where I might have only done 1 group project. Students are expected to be more involved in research too.
*The answers are not quoted