<p>Hey guys! So I've lived in America all my life, but I didn't learn how to speak English until I was 7, because my parents are both from the former USSR. I'm tri-lingual, and have been to over 25 countries, so I've experienced culture shock, people, etc.
I'm also slightly familiar with the UCAS system, but not entirely. I know I can only apply to a maximum of 5 schools (which I will). I also need help with the so-called "ratings." Everyone is familiar with the top schools: Oxford, Cambridge, etc., but which schools are actually the best.
I definitely know I want to major in International Relations and want to pick a school that is acclaimed in it, but also will give me flexibility in choosing classes, etc.
In the UK, I am looking for schools with a similar "ranking" or academic rigor such as American University, George Washington University, and Georgetown University (remember, not overall, but for International Relations/Studies/Affairs). If you could give a list of up to 5-10 schools, that would be great!!
Also, if anybody who is experienced, or attending a school there, or even someone who is from the UK who could explain this process a little bit clearer, would be much appreciated :)</p>
<p>You will not have any flexibility. Your classes will all be in IR and you won’t have electives or gen ed courses.
You will need to have 4-6 AP scores of 5 (or 4 if the school is less selective). You’ll have to write a statement about how your secondary school curriculum has prepared you for the university’s offerings and what you’ll bring to the major. (NOT what you, personally, will bring to the university as a person, athlete, etc. Only as a scholar, or how your experiences will impact your learning and will enrich the classroom experience).
The top school for IR is LSE, but King’s College (London), St Andrews, SOAS, UCL, Warwick, Bristol… are all well-ranked.</p>
<p>Thanks!
And I didn’t mean flexibility in the sort of sense of “gen ed” classes and taking math 
(one of the main reasons I want to study in the UK, I definitely know IR is my path). What could/would be flexible? Will I be able to take classes in a foreign language, economics, politics, etc. (all worthwhile and important things to know for IR. Similar to how you need to know bio, chem, organic chem, etc. for pre-med)??
Also, I don’t like SOAS, Warwick, St. Andrews, or LSE.
I’m definitely planning on applying to King’s and UCL. Would you [or anyone else] be able to advise me on the program in Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, Queen Mary, and Birmingham?
Thanks again for the info :)</p>
<p>You’ll only be able to take the classes planned for you. So if the school that admits you has these requirements, yes you will take economics. If it doesn’t, then you won’t. Therefore you need to look at the exact program at each school (go to the website and read, or use UCAS, their website is well done).
In addition look at the program’s basic requirements for admission to determine how difficult it is to get in (even if it’s in English terms, seeing A<em>AA, AAB , BBB, ABB, BCC… tells you how difficult it is. Note that a British A is not an American A, since there are 8 letters to the grading scale, not 5 like in the US. Essentially, a British A = American A+, a British B = American A, etc; there also is a special A with distinction called A</em> which is limited to a very small percentage nationally; typically top programs will require excellents grades in math and English at lower levels, which may be met with SATs in the 700s, PLUS 3 A Levels (= 5-6 APs). In order to be competitive, you’ll probably need 4-5 5s for AAB schools.
An AP 5 in one foreign language is likely necessary for admission if you apply for IR, as well as AP Euro, AP World, AP Economics, and one or two others.
Note that all your schools are part of the Russell Group, which is the “Top 20”, “elite” group of British universities. Therefore, you should pick 3-4 of them and apply to 1-2 outside that group.
Look into Queen’s Belfast - Belfast is a happening city and Queen’s is excellent. I’d recommend it over Glasgow.
What don’t you like about SOAS, Warwick, St Andrews, and LSE? This may help us in giving you better advice.</p>
<p>A vote for University of Edinburgh- great IR program and there are some double honors courses that allow for a bit more flexibility. They do not require a language AP, and Edinburgh is a great college town. It is also well ranked internationally. </p>
<p>But- MYOS1634 is right: you will have only a few options, and it will be between specific courses, not around other departments. Also, if you are looking at London schools, consider housing and student centers- it can be harder to knit into a uni if it is largely a commuter school.</p>
<p>I’m a rising senior, so my options are limited. I’ve already taken AP Macroeconomics, AP Government, AP Language and Composition, AP Psychology, and AP Russian. I received high marks on ALL of them (4’s or 5’s). Next year I’m taking AP Environmental Science, AP Art, AP Human Geography and AP Literature and Composition.
I received an SAT score of 2100, and I’m planning on taking it again in October to raise it at 2200+. Also, I’ve taken the SAT II in US History (720), and planning on taking the Spanish, English, and World History SAT II in November (since AP scores for senior year don’t come out until July).
That should be sufficient, correct?
MYOS1634: I don’t like the program over at LSE and Warwick. I’ve already been to the UK, and I’ve visited St. Andrews - I simply don’t like the area, and the thought of living there, but applying to a school that I might not get into (if I do though), and living there is still a turn-off.
With SOAS, there’s a focus on African and Asian studies (obviously), but I’d be able to get in there (most likely). I don’t know if I like it yet - but I like their option of flexibility, and having to learn another language. If I went to an American university, I would study abroad in Africa and Australia to get some classes in African and Asian studies, but I don’t want it to be my concentration… I don’t know, it’s tempting.
And in terms of how difficult it is to get in, I looked at a number of university websites, and they have an “International Students” section, and they have listed for many countries, including the US’s, education equivalents for admissions. Thanks for that information, tho :)</p>
<p>collegemom3717: What universities should I avoid if they’re commuter? I want one that has housing and student centers.
Also, yes, I just want the specific courses. I just want some flexibility in taking different classes that actually pertain to my BA/MA instead of having three years, with all three/four courses set in stone for me.</p>
<p>I don’t understand why you dislike SOAS. It has one of the best politics/IR departments in the country. You don’t just focus on Africa and Asia, you can if you want to… but there are lots of options. What course at UCL are you applying to by the way? Both the ESPS and Politic courses are very European-orientated. I know KCL has just started an IR course (based at the world famous War Studies department), might be worth a look.</p>
<p>In my opinion anyone who is interested in IR/global politics/area studies and is coming to study in the UK, they would be silly not to study in London. Sure, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham, Aberystwyth and a few others are all excellent… but living in London will give you so many opportunities that you wont get anywhere else in the country.</p>
<p>The London colleges are all essentially commuter colleges: although they do provide accommodation, either in their own halls or through “intercollegiate” halls (students from any university can stay there), but most students live in private rented accommodation. Also, King’s notes on their website that “the majority of King’s residences are close to our teaching campuses”. To be fair, having cast a vote for Edinburgh, I should note that the same holds for Edinburgh. Two big differences though: first, Edinburgh is essentially a college town- it is much smaller, and much more centralized, and second, there is a center to the University (although there are buildings scattered throughout the town). </p>
<p>There is no doubt that London has a lot to offer, but imo it is better for grad school- unless your only focus for undergrad is vocational. </p>
<p>fyi, US News & World Report ranks University of Manchester as #24 <em>in the world</em> for IR; Kings as #26, UCL as #32, and Edinburgh as #35. [The only higher rated ones in the UK are Oxford (2), LSE (3), and Cambridge (6)] Manchester has a definite center, a lively student population, and is very international-student friendly. All students live in Halls first year, and a significant proportion do for all 3 years (apparently, Fallowfield is the one you want). I have a contact who was just graduated, and who worked in the Social Sciences Admissions office while there. She is happy to answer any questions if you would like- just pm me for her email address.</p>
<p>nordicblue: For SOAS, if I got in and chose to go there… I looked at what is available in 2014, and out of 32 course options, only 10 are available that are not focused on Asian/African studies, and that’s if 200+ other students don’t take my spot and sign up for those exact classes. I don’t like limits. If I have the possibility of applying to another school that I would be able to get into AND take classes in, then yes, of course I’ll go there. I might apply, I’m not too sure yet.
For UCL, I actually looked into it more closely and as an “American,” I need to complete a year of college/university AND have all my information/stats from high school to be considered for undergraduate for UCL. That’s a waste of my time (and also ESPS is <em>European</em> and not <em>International</em>) :P.</p>
<p>For KCL… I actually REALLY like it… I’m having a hard time picking between the normal IR program and the War program…
And to make it more clear, I’m really looking into London 
(don’t like St Andrews, Aberystwyth, or Durham, also)</p>
<p>collegemom3717: Thanks for the info! In the US, there are “dorms” in which people are assigned roomates and are with them for the duration of two semesters. I know it’s different in the UK - you pick a residence hall [and are there for the duration of your time there ?] - but it’s pretty similar, right? I’m sort of getting mixed signals from what you’re telling me, from what my British friend has told me, and from what the Internet is telling me… (concerning housing in London)</p>
<p>Like I said before, I’ve been to the UK, and I LOVE MANCHESTER and I love the program. Definite application, no if’s, and’s, or but’s.
I would REALLY appreciate it if you could message me the e-mail. Thanks, will do!</p>
<p>And Edinburgh… I don’t know… I really like the program, and I could easily get in with the academic stats they give. Something is off, though. I’m even more un-easy about this than SOAS.</p>
<p>Thanks a ton, you guys! So far, KCL (maybe I’ll apply to both programmes) and Manchester (possibly SOAS). I’m also looking into Bristol, Birmingham, and Glasgow…</p>
<p>Thank you everyone who has helped me so far!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>But that is true for many, many universities in Britain. Normally a student lives in university accommodation for the first year, then rents a flat with friends for the second and third. I know that at UCL every first year undergrad is guaranteed accommodation and nearly all of it is within 5 minutes walk from the university.</p>
<p>Edinburgh may be smaller than London but the university is much more widely dispersed throughout the city. I went to UCL and I can tell you it does feel very much like a small campus inside a city, all the facilities are within a few minutes walk of the quad. I never had to leave Bloomsbury except for the odd exam. In the second and third years most people choose to live further out and they do have to get a bus or train to uni… but a 15 minute commute is hardly the end of the world.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I disagree, London has a lot to offer undergraduates as well. I was able to make use of the amazing museums, the British Library (which I have to say is the best library for research in the world), endless internship possibilities and cultural events (such as events at foreign embassies or lectures from foreign academics and politicians). The fact there are so many specialist institutions in London means they attract the very best academics, researchers, public speakers and students in their fields.</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of US News & World and I certainly wouldn’t pay attention to any ranking list. Everyone knows that Oxbridge and the London colleges are the bet universities in Britain, Manchester just does not compare.</p>
<p>Alright, that housing situation sounds similar to what happens in the US (4-year college: first two years is on campus, usually third is abroad, and fourth is at your own place or “off-campus” that really isn’t off campus).
Since I’m going to another country that’s not even on the same continent, I just don’t want to be the only girl living in accommodation first year. And I like walking, so that’s not a problem haha</p>
<p>And for Edinburgh, I want to stick to bigger cities if possible (like London). I love the city the also the number of possibilities there. I definitely want to intern or have something amazing on my resume besides going abroad for collegiate study.</p>
<p>US News = QS ranking.
And ManU through and through I really like the city and the program there, so wherever I get it, I’ll compare and go visit again.</p>
<p>The norm in the UK is to live in “halls” (like dorms) for the first year and after than rent a shared house from a private landlord. The vast majority of UK unis have no central “campus” (Bath, Warwick, York and Lancaster are some I know do). Even if you live in halls, there is no guarentee you will be on a campus or near the teaching buildings of the university. In most cases halls are spread out throughout a city. A commuter university would be considered one in which most students live at home with their parents. Living a distance away from the university and having to walk/train/bus/cycle (or drive in the unlikely event you can afford to buy and insure a car in the UK and can find anywhere to park it) to lectures is the norm. If a 15 minutes journey is too far, 99% of UK unis, including Manchester, are not for you.</p>
<p>Look at st. Andrews and also at durham</p>
<p>cupcake: I can mind the travel, that’s not the thing, though. I just want to assimilate the first year and have some sort of place to go to back to since I’m an international student. And if I’m looking at schools in the city, then the buildings are bound to be not on in one place Main concern: just not to live by myself the first year or not with anyone at all my first year.</p>
<p>Momzie: I already stated in this long thread that I don’t like St. Andrews and Durham earlier, but thanks for the suggestion :)</p>
<p>Update: KCL (maybe two programs, at least one), Manchester, and Glasgow are three/four that I’m applying to.</p>
<p>Unless you go out of your way to find a one bed room (inevitably expensive) flat in a non-student area, you are not going to be living alone. You will get a single room in halls though. It’s not really culturally acceptable in the UK to share a bedroom with a stranger.</p>
<p>US students are often terrified of being in a single room in case this means they cannot make friends. I have never met anyone in the UK who is the least bit worried about this!</p>
<p>Yeah oxiclean, don’t worry about the single room thing. In the states people in single rooms sometimes do have a harder time but that’s usually because they’re one of the only people with a single. Since everyone in the UK has a single it’s not really a problem. In my housing the hallways/kitchens just became common hang out spots.</p>
<p>alright, thanks so much!</p>