I returned to university this week as a postgrad and was reminded of the status of UCL through the course of inductions. My decision was a two horse race - UCL or University of Cambridge. UCL is a top 10 university in global excellence and impact rankings, coming in at 9 while Cambridge sits at 6. MIT and Imperial sit at first and second with the likes of Oxford and Harvard ahead of them. It's distinguished company but I couldn't begin to entertain attending a US university as a foreign student right now given the political backdrop of America. It feels surreal to even write something like that.
There was a real energy and palpable excitement on campus; perhaps it was my perception and own enthusiasm, but London always feels better when the sun is shining. I suspect 22 degrees will next be seen on a thermometer in summer next year when I'll be deep in research. But I'm optimistic that I'll have mastered navigating the rabbit warren of buildings and lecture theatres by then.
