1) Depending upon the exchange rate, it can be half as expensive as attending an Ivy League.

2) It sucks that people can “see through” the “M.A.” designation at Oxbridge, because I can tell you — the amount of work required was equal to a BA+MA degree. I went from Oxford to an M.A. program at the University of Chicago and found that my reading list included books required in the first term of first year at Oxford.

3) Specialization has a number of advantages, and a number of disadvantages. Through my education I excel at making connections between ideas but don’t have a great understanding of the state-of-the-art of other fields.

4) Oxbridge is way behind the U.S. at integrating technology into its educational process throughout all disciplines. This is a major failing.

5) Oxbridge’s curriculum changes very slowly. This has certain advantages and disadvantages as well — it is hesitant to adopt trends, which means it avoids being swept up by flavor-of-the-month theories. It also means you end up being less marketable.

6) Oxford’s undergrad academic standards are far higher and harder than the Ivy League. American students I knew, who had gone straight from American high-school educations (even top-tier private ones) found themselves struggling academically. I knew people from Sarah Lawrence doing a year abroad at Oxford. They were shocked: A-level work at SL would be B– at Oxford. A summa-cum-laude graduate of Yale read some of my undergraduate essays, and was astounded at the amount of research they entailed.

7) Oxbridge’s career-counseling and alumni network is virtually nonexistent in the U.S. I do not have the advantage of the “old-school tie” in gaining employment.

Point 2: As I recall, the BA degree at Cambridge was a three-year program.

Point 3: And, most absurdly, the MA degree at Cambridge or Oxford is NOT an earned degree. You get it automatically for living one year past your BA.