need some help from you guys who went to uni in London or attend courses in London...I do have some troubles with my lil' brother who only just finished school and is now in his gap year...gap year? he is actually doing nothing but clubbing, big pimping and travelling...so to say he is living large at the moment..i was abroad in the last months, so i wasn't there to take care of him and my mom didn't tell me about his lifestyle...so i returned home and heard a lot of stories about him...okay so now i had the idea to get him out of his "gang", a bunch of private school kids and to send him over to London for higher education...if he stayed in Paris he would go to uni with his friends and things wouldn't change...he is indeed a smart boy unlike most of his friends, so moving abroad might be the key...

so that's the story....now my questions


he wants do study either law or business...so what do u think are the best colleges concerning educational standards and social standards...and i do not need any Times' rankings or whatever as they do not reflect the reality which students of minority groups are actually facing in Uni.
so where do you have black students, focused black students who could be a good influence?

we are thinking about applying to

KINGS
SOAS
UCL - went to the site of the Law Society and i couldn't see anything but rich white kids, not a single black student
LSE - i am not really fond of LSE since i know a couple of alumnis..and LSE is an elite uni that attracts mostly the world's most priviliged kids...am i wrong? but it is London's most prestigious uni...but i think LSE wouldn't be the best place for my brother..
Queen Mary


and outside of the UoL

City - it all sounds good to me but it's not an university of the UoL-system...and going to London for educational purpose is all about UoL.


So i really need your personal experiences and views...thanks a lot....

...not a bean huh?confused3

Does nobody here dolawor business in a London uni?!

Really don't believe that at, anyhoo - I'll try and take this one...

As you know I'm doing the French/Biochem thing over here in sunny Lyon but as a London native can still offer a little...

Know a lot of blacks (mainly female) who study/ied Lawat Kings...and what I take from their experiences is that its a good place to be both socially and academically.

From a UCL tip I personally don't take to it...although 'academically' higher than Kings I applied for it twice rejected both their offers as it just didn't feel right...

As for the others, location, location, location...Queen Mary is situated in the East of London (ASIAN/Black)and when I visited for an open day saw it was quite 'ethnic' which is always good...

LSE is literally opposite Kings...I hear what you're saying about all that elitist ish but its a damn good uni so if lil bro can get in he would be a fool to turn it down - the beauty is take on the powers that be and win - fight the stereotype by going against the grain.

Err...I would add that you should alsoconsidertaking the 'either or' approach which is basically, either go to the best uni possible whatever the racial mix and knuckle down,or, look for the best racial/cultural/social mix in a uni then see about the course...priorities priorities...

I would also recommend looking outside of London as there other Uni's/Further education establishments which offerequallyexcellent and credible Law/Business deptsand don't get enough of a shout out...I've come to realise during my short time travelling days that London is not the end all and be all of anything. You must never forget that it is not (just)where you get your degree that counts but also what you do with it ie-where youMAKE it take you...can't big up internships/work experience/voluntary placements enough and usually it is the 'lower placed' uni's which can offer the best and most varied opportunities abroad and in industry.As a black head you can't just expect to wow anybody with a degree you've gotta show your other key skills and attributes.

This post is really a bit messed up as its late and knowI've definitely generalisedthings (plus strayed off topic!)but hope you can see the general idea...try not to focus on the obviou big guns and also know that whatever the establishment, culturally/socially rewarding try to beef upthe social calender with things outside of host uni to show diversity; work towards meeting people off campus and at other unis so you don't miss out just cos your uni's dry...

More to add but I'm over tired...sometimes French is a m*#+?!%$

Go to www.opendays.com.

www.ucas.com (The site you use to actually apply for university)

Visit the universities, look at their site.. Phone them.. see if you can have a 'drop-in' session.

Check entry requirements for the course he wants to study, because if the point or grade entry is low and if your brother is bright he going to be very unstimulated when totally surrounded by 'weaker' people. On the otherhand, it is important to look at the diversity of the university, no point going to the most ''pretigious'' Uni, to not see a reflection of your self.It can be a daunting and isolating experience.

Again it depends on the individual, but do have a look.

Spark