I have heard that the universities in UK like LSE count easy AP exams as half? And they require 4 of them? Is this true? If yes then which AP exams are counted as half?
Group B is usually counted as half. What APs do you have and what subject are you applying for?
https://www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/ap-subject-groupings.docx
The UK, apparently including LSE, now officially counts all APs as full APs. Having said that, unofficially, there is still a view that B list subjects are ‘less’- and remember that each uni gets to decide what it will take for them to make you an offer. Micro + Macro and Comp Gov + US are well established pairs. Research and Seminar are often specifically excluded.
LSE requires 5 APs, with a minimum of 3 5s and 2 4s. For many courses specific subjects are required; most of your APs should relate to the course you are applying to study.
So if I take the AP exams for Macro, micro, psychology, human geography, and English i’d be good for LSE? Im focusing on majoring in either business or social sciences.
I think you need to back up and look at what studying at LSE (and the UK) is actually like. You don’t ‘major’ in business or social sciences, you take a tightly structured course in a specific area. For example, courses that are close to a US ‘business’ course include a BSc in Math, Stats and Business OR in Management OR Finance OR Actuarial Science OR Accounting and Finance OR Financial Math and Stats. In most (if not all- I didn’t look it up) of those courses you have no choice in your first year classes, and you choose from a narrow list in then next two years. You can get year by year break downs of what you will study in each path from the LSE website.
LSE is very big on math, and I would be deeply surprised if you were offered any of those courses without having any. Also, LSE notes that it prefers typical ‘academic’ subjects, and imo human geography would fall into that category.
LSE is a tough admit for Americans (I know people who got into Oxford but not LSE, and two whose offers from LSE were tougher than offers from Oxbridge). For most UK unis, meeting the stated requirements as an international fee-paying student is usually enough to get an offer, but Oxbridge, LSE and Imperial are exceptions and typcially want to see more than the minimum.
What about UCL
Look at your specific program, for example for a BA in History they require:
"We are looking for academic students with a genuine interest in and enthusiasm for the social sciences, with a particular emphasis on international history. There is no one ‘ideal’ subject combination, however common sixth form subject choices include a combination of History; English; Economics; Government and Politics; Sociology, modern languages and Philosophy. A level History (or equivalent) is not a required subject.
Mathematics and Further Mathematics at A level will be considered, so long as they are combined with an essay writing subject."
Honestly I think your AP’s are not broad and strong enough. I’d want to see one of the tougher history exams and maybe a language.
As stated above if doing any of the degree programs that include Econ they will want to see math.
They are not looking for someone who got the minimum of five 5’s in the easiest AP’s they could cobble together.
Can u give me the link to where this is written?
How about taking English literature as well?
Also , what do you suggest. Should I study in UK or US?
What year in school are you, what exams have you already taken and what scores did you get? What do you want to do with your degree?
Im in my senior year of high school. Im taking the SAT and TOEFL this year. I took the olevels in junior year too. I have 3A*s 2As and 2 Bs in them. My GPA is 3.6
So it doesn’t sound like you are in the US. Why are you asking about US entry standards and not looking at what they expect from your country?
I want to study in UK so I want to know their requirements. Most university sites are so vague and hardly ever respond to emails
What country are you attending high school in?
If you took O levels, why would you not be taking A levels? Unless you moved, and arranging A levels would be difficult, they may hold the decision to opt for US exams against you. Particularly with this set of exams, it looks like you’re trying to take the easy way out. Remember, minimum standards are just that - minimums. You will still be compared to everybody else who met those minimum standards
Actually, the UK websites are extremely specific, but you sometimes have to cross-check and do some digging.
- Pick the actual subject that you want to study: they don't do 'majors' US-style. Start by reading the descriptions of courses under headings that are interesting to you. For almost all unis you will be able to see exactly what you will study each year.
- When you see a course that looks interesting to you, look at the requirements. In general, if the A-level offer is for an A you can substitute the equivalent AP with a score of 5 (though some unis will take a 4 for an A). Look first for specific requirements. For example, most economics courses require math.
- Once you have chosen some courses and identified what the subject-specific requirements are, go look at the International Qualifications page, where you will find things such as what SAT/ACT scores are required, the equivalencies for A level v AP, and whether or not SAT subject tests are accepted.
- Work out an essay (Personal Statement) that discusses your interest in, and preparedness for, the courses you are applying to study. As all of the unis you apply to see the same essay, be sure that the essay works for all of the courses you are applying to.
Im doing high school and took olevels out of interest
…said no 17 year old ever*
The requirements for LSE, in the STPM, A levels and APs are all listed on their web site. Course descriptions are on all UK websites.
Whether you should apply to the US or the UK (and which unis in either place) depends on many factors, most of which have not been addressed here. I suggest that you do some more research online and/or some more thinking about what you want from uni and come back with more developed questions (I think the ‘will these APs do it for LSE’ question has been asked & answered).
*unless there is an * after the ‘interest’!
What country are you in high school in? It’s really hard to give you advice without that information. It does not sound like you are in the US (I have never, ever heard of a US high school student taking O levels. Not even sure how that would happen)
LSE and other UK schools will expect you to use the qualifications they have posted for your country. The only real international qualifications that they are usually ok with from any country is IB and it does not sound like you are at an IB school.