<p>I am planning on applying to Oxford for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and LSE for International Relations. I will be applying with the first year of an undergraduate degree from the US. I scored a 32 on the ACT(35 in english, 34's in science and reading, and a lowly 26 in math) and on the SAT I got a 760 in Critical reasoning, 680 in writing, and 560 in mathematics. However, I only took one AP test and no SAT subject tests.</p>
<p>This year I'll be attending Southern Methodist University, studying towards a double-major in Business and Markets & Culture. Do you think my current qualifications, a strong personal statement, good performance on the TSA test for Oxford, in addition to a high GPA from SMU this year will receive strong consideration from either of those universities. Will strong performance in college make up for the AP/SAT II deficiencies?</p>
<p>I would also consider studying History and Politics at Oxford, or Economics at LSE. With my low math scores would it be advisable to apply to History and Politics instead of PPE? I will be taking pre-cal and business calculus at SMU this year if that will help.</p>
<p>Also, in regards to the personal statement, how should I go about writing a statement that pertains to two different courses at two different universities?</p>
<p>First, I am assuming you are going to be applying as a first-year student (not a transfer student). Transferring into either Oxford or LSE is very difficult, and they don’t seem to do it unless the student has exceptional circumstances. Thus, you have to be willing to give up the year or two that you have spend at college here in order to go there.</p>
<p>There are two big things that will hurt your application. First, you only have one AP test. AP/IB scores are major components of the application for American first-year students. Most schools expect that you will have taken at least 3 AP exams, and a successful applicant generally has more than this minimum. Second, your low maths scores will hurt your application to any of the economics-based degrees. Economics is a math-based course, and many applicants you will compete against have taken Further Maths (UK) or Calc BC (US). </p>
<p>I’m not sure how the schools will weigh your college performance against your high school performance. Having finished only one year, I would guess that the high school performance is still a huge factor in their decision - mainly because AP/SAT scores are a more standard way of judging people than college GPA.</p>
<p>Thanks, I will be taking pre-calculus and business calculus this year, and possibly statistics as well. Would a high GPA in those courses qualify me? And yes, I will be applying as a first year student.</p>
<p>Since AP tests are basically meant to get you out of taking college classes, wouldn’t college classes make up for the deficiency in AP scores?</p>
<p>Compared to college courses, AP exams are an easier way to compare students from many different backgrounds because they are standardized. For instance, a pre-calc class at one school could be much tougher than the class at another school, so it really isn’t fair to compare students based on a grade basis. Since the AP test is the same for every student that year, it provides a way to compare students. </p>
<p>Additionally, you are applying as a first year student. Thus, every other applicant will have A-Levels/AP/IB etc. They need something to compare you against this class, so you will probably have to have strong AP test scores to be competitive.</p>
<p>Thus, while college courses may help, AP tests are definitely a critical part of your application unless you have strong circumstances in college.</p>
<p>Did you take Algebra II last year? If so, I’d suggest retaking the SAT/ACT. Both assume knowledge of Alg II (and possibly precalc, I can’t remember) so you’ll probably do a lot better in math this time around. That said, UK schools like to see a number of AP scores. You could take the college equivalent of the AP class and then take the test. I believe some schools make conditional offers. However, they’d want to see 5s. I’m not sure Business Calculus would be adequate preparation for the exam.</p>
<p>Out of curiousity, any particular reason you’re planning to apply to these two schools?</p>