<p>I am currently a US citizen and I am curious if anyone has any information on applying to colleges in the UK. Such as oxford, cambridge, Kings college, Imperial college, University of leeds. Such as is being native american still an advantage when applying over there? And any social information on what college life is like? There's no college prolwer for the UK:)</p>
<p>I’m currently studying in a UK boarding school. Unlike how the US unis handles their applications, UK unis really only care about grades and how good your are and how interested you are in the subject. They could not care less about your extra curricular activities.</p>
<p>They care about grades and money. There is not any scholarship money for foreign students, even at their top schools.</p>
<p>There is an online forum similar to CC for information about colleges in the UK. I can’t remember the name…</p>
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<p>It is called the Student Room.</p>
<p>If you want to apply to a UK school you must apply through UCAS, it’s sort of like the common application. And you’re only allowed to apply to 5 schools, and cannot apply to Oxford and Cambridge at the same time. By the way the deadlines for Oxford and Cambridge are earlier than the other schools, around October 15 I think. </p>
<p>The UK focuses more on test scores than anything else really. The equivalent of A-levels in the United States are AP exams. You need to score 5’s in at least three exams or near 800’s on three SAT II exams in the major you’re looking to go in. The school you apply to has everything to do with your major, you don’t really focus on things that doesn’t have to do with your major… so you have to be sure that’s what you want to do because changing it is unlikely. You can’t be all wishy-washy, you have to be sure.</p>
<p>Your ACT/SAT exams don’t matter as much as AP exams or SAT II exams, but they do. Having high scores on both of them is a plus. And if you happen to take IB classes that will really help you as long as you scored high in what you’ve taken so far. You’re also allowed to post projected scores for senior year on exams you’re planning to take, and that helps to know that you’re planning. But they expect that you achieve those scores.</p>
<p>If you’re not rich, going to a school in the UK is going to be really hard for you. And P.S, UK schools don’t give a damn about legacies, extracurricular’s, how much you love the school. They don’t do the whole holistic thing. It doesn’t matter how much you love the school, if you don’t have the exams and the scores you’re not qualified. And rank isn’t even really considered, gpa too.</p>
<p>Just my opinion, if you want to apply to Oxbridge, Oxford tends to be kinder than Cambridge. Cambridge feels like U.S students just aren’t ready and need a year of a college in America before even considering applying. But by all means, if you’re more into Science and Math Cambridge is for you while Oxford is better for English. The schools are pretty much the same but stronger or weaker depending.</p>
<p>808charlie, I was a UK hopeful like you, but unfortunately, my finances simply aren’t strong enough to go overseas, even if I do get in. I would recommend you have a good, long talk with your parents about the money involved with studying overseas. There is no financial aid whatsoever over there, so every cost is out of pocket.</p>
<p>Tuition is around 25k USD, plus another 15k as estimated Cost of Living Expenses. But hey, if you’ve got the money and the grades, by all means, go ahead and apply.</p>
<p>808:</p>
<p>It is my understand that they go mainly by standardized test scores, and don’t care much about ECs.</p>
<p>While it is true that they like Americans who can pay full tuitiion, it is still very hard to get into schools like Oxford or LSE.</p>
<p>I would take a look at Warwick and St Andrews. Somewhat easier to get into.</p>
<p>Also, for some reason you are not allowed to apply to both Oxford and Cambridge.</p>
<p>Not sure why.</p>
<p>Also, Oxford has an entrance exam you have to take. And then, an interview process.
And when you apply, they give your application to one of their colleges. So it is kind of wierd. For some reason, you are applying to that particular college, not the University as a whole.</p>
<p>In addition, I understand that they care more about your grades and test scores in your expected field of study.</p>
<p>Also, you basically apply to study a particular subject. You can’t really apply as an “undecided” major.</p>
<p>And you don’t get to take a lot of electives at many of these schools. </p>
<p>Also, I understand that many top UK schools view most American students as inferior (because we are supposedly one year behind)</p>
<p>I know a little about St Andrews. I have read that there are three “tribes” there, the native Scots, the Brits, and the Americans. And that it is hard to crossover and become part of another “tribe”, unless, of course, you are a pretty girl. Pretty girls can be members of all three tribes.</p>
<p>They also have what are called “league” tables, which are similar to the US News rankings.</p>
<p>Look at the ones for 2013, which you can find on the internet.</p>