Cambridge/Oxford Acceptance-US Student

<p>Hey guys,
I'm a US student applying to Cambridge.
Ethnicity:Indian
GPA: 3.67 UW, Kind of low but consider that I did the IB program at my school.
ACT: 34(35 English, 34 Math, 35 Writing, 31 Science)
AP's:
Freshman Year - AP US Government(5), AP Comp Sci AB(4)
Sophomore Year - AP Environmental Science(5), AP Calculus BC(5), AP Physics Mechanics(5), E&M(4), AP Human Geography(4), AP US History(5)
Junior Year(Projected) - AP English Lit(5), AP European History(5), AP Macroeconomics(5), AP Microeconomics(5), AP Psychology(5), AP Biology(5)
IB's:
Junior Year(Projected) - IB Economics(7), IB Spanish (4 or 5)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Newspaper Club - 4 Years
DECA Business Club - 3 Years
Model UN - 4 Years
Schoolwide SGA - 3 Years
Countywide SGA Executive Board - 2 Years
Math Honor Society - 2 Years
Science Honor Society - 2 Years
Social Studies Honor Society - 2 Years
National Honor Society - 2 Years
Started school investment club with $10,000(Privately Financed by me/parents)
Internship for Java/Computer Engineer(Graduate of MIT, 4 years)
Robotics Team (3 Years)</p>

<p>Oxbridge is definitely more ACT-heavy but it’s reachable.</p>

<p>ummm…no, Oxbridge is not “definitely more ACT-heavy”! ACTs are accepted, but more importantly: what subject are you planning to apply to study at Cambridge? Based on what you have put up, I would guess Natural Sciences. The great thing about the UK is that they tell you right up front what the requirements are. </p>

<p>For Nat Sci, as an IB student, you will need 2 sciences and a math, 2 at higher level and 1 at standard level with scores of 7,7,6</p>

<p>With the specific recommendations for each specialty area here: <a href=“Study at Cambridge | University of Cambridge”>Study at Cambridge | University of Cambridge;

<p>Depending on the college you apply to you may also have to submit written work or take other tests.</p>

<p>Using your APs, Calc, Physics and Bio are good. Your CompSci and E&M scores aren’t great- Cambridge might wonder at the 4s, </p>

<p>Your ECs will only matter to the extent that they make the case for why you are a good candidate for the course you want to study- which is the case you make in your PS.</p>

<p>And sorry to be narky, but really, you need to at least LOOK at the info on the Cambridge website.</p>

<p>I meant ACT-heavy as in GPA vs. ACT… although it’s still a reach.</p>

<p>I’m interested in a degree in Economics/Finance. I like science but dont see it as a career oppurtunity. If there was the possibility of a double major, it would be Computer Science/Finance(or Econ). Also, is law an undergraduate degree in England? I’ve heard different statements.</p>

<p>Please go LOOK at the Cambridge site. They don’t do “double majors” in the way that you mean it: you do a single subject, or a double subject- and that is all you do. Here is a list of the courses you can take at Cambridge: </p>

<p><a href=“Study at Cambridge | University of Cambridge”>Study at Cambridge | University of Cambridge;

<p>Click on any one of them and you will see everything you will study in your college career. For example, in Econ you have 5 compulsory classes- all in economics- the first year. In second year you have 3 compulsory classes and 1 chosen from a list of 6 options, and in final year you have 2 compulsory and 2 optional courses, plus a 7500 word dissertation. That’s it. No GenEd, no taking random other classes in other subjects. No double majors.</p>

<p>The point is, for the UK in general and Oxbridge in particular, you aren’t just “interested” in a subject- you are committed to it. Part of your application is a Personal Statement in which you demonstrate the depth and breadth of your interest in the subject. I guessed NatSci for you because looking at your list it was the subject and ECs in which you have the most depth. </p>

<p>You do have enough APs to apply for Econ (even though Macro + Micro = 1 AP); the same IB requirements would apply (7,7,6), with a 7 in Math, and a preference for Economics or Business to be one of the others; plus individual college requirements (most have one, usually a test at interview).</p>

<p>Based on the list of ECs I don’t see anything that says ‘economics’ very clearly- but that is part of the narrative art- to show how the way you spend your time outside of the classroom reflects in your interest in and aptitude for Economics.</p>

<p>FYI, putting down that you started an investment club with a $10K donation from your parents does say anything good about you. Putting down that you started an investment club that has, over x number of years, shown a return of y would be worthwhile, otherwise leave it out.</p>

<p>Oh, yes, there is a law undergraduate degree in the UK. Do your homework carefully, as unless you plan to work in the UK (and have a passport that will let you do that) there are complications for coming back to the US.</p>

<p>I have the reports, but not putting it up here for privacy reasons. And I read the website, there is no way I can take Econ HL as my school doesn’t offer it. Also, I don’t get my IB HL scores till I already graduate(US student) so how would they consider those?</p>

<p>Also, should I include legacies? I don’t want people to say that I got in because of my family.</p>

<p>I can take care of the legal issues, but thank you. By complications do you mean it will be hard to get hired as a lawyer here, or the passport stuff?</p>

<p>Again thanks,
I’ll take another look at the Cambridge website after I get done with AP’s.</p>

<p>BUMP</p>

<p>BUMP</p>

<p>I would definitely take a close look at admissions requirements at Oxbridge… It’s really hard to say. Remember that you can only apply to one of those schools, not both.</p>

<p>Yes I realize that. What about other schools? LSE for example or others</p>

<p>BUMP</p>

<p>bump</p>