<p>I'm applying this year to UChicago and Northwestern for undergrad entry. I'm just wondering how likely entry is.</p>
<p>I've yet to take my SAT I but I'd like to think it'll be 2100+. I'm not taking any Subject tests because I have my A-levels completed: A<em>AB in English Literature, Politics and Mathematics respectively. I'm retaking an exam in my maths to get that to an A in January, and I'm also taking a module in Shakespeare at the Open University. I have a C in AS French, and at GCSE I have 2 A</em>, 6 A and 2 B.</p>
<p>I'm going to write and rewrite all the essays I can with as much flair as I can muster.</p>
<p>My ECs aren't that great, but I'm hoping that the admissions tutors will realise that they're not really encouraged in the UK. I was given membership to NAGTY (top 5% of students academically in the country), so I've put that down. I have alot of work experience to put down (4-500 hours so far), volunteer work (like 130 hours), and some canvassing I did for the Lib Dems during the election. I was a prefect in secondary school so I put that down (still have the badge, lol). I'm going to start my Duke of Edinburgh gold award this year.</p>
<p>My main (constructive) hobby is writing - I've entered a few competitions, and I'm doing NaNoWriMo this year. I've not won any accalaides for it, but I've won a contest hosted by a games company. (no prize :x)</p>
<p>Also, I'll be applying for as much financial aid as I can x_x</p>
<p>So, what do you lot think? I really appreciate your feedback!</p>
<p>Hiya I’m a little curious as to why you aren’t applying to need blind US schools? I’ve read its pretty tough getting financial aid as an international applicant, wouldn’t it be a good idea to apply to some of the universities which guarantee aid to internationals if they need it.</p>
<p>I think you have a fair chance,but remember that the two schools you have mentioned are highly competitive e.g. UChicago accepts only 3000 out of 18000+ applicants.I would suggest adding 4-5 liberal arts colleges to your list,its very rare for an intl student to apply to only 2 schools.By the way I love your Alevel subject combination-very unique…</p>
<p>The sole reason I’m applying to these colleges is bacause my boyfriend lives, and is going to college, in Illinois. It wouldn’t make sense for me to apply to a needs-blind school and still be a few time zones away. I’m applying to this as a chance, alongside my British UCAS application (for English Literature at Bristol, Durham, York, Leeds and Liverpool, if you were curious). Northwestern and Chicago have both stated to me in emails that, if I were to be admitted, they’d give me the funding I’d need to attend, so that’s fine. I’m already applying to crazy schools (Bristol and Durham have a 25:1 applicants to admission ratio for my course) so Chicago is actually an easier admission by those standards. Also, thank you macmill about my A-level choices I like a bit of variety in school, another reason that I’m applying to American schools!</p>
<p>In my opinion, your courses are not rigorous enough for both UChigao and Northwestern. Still, don’t hesitate to give a try as you have done very well in the subjects you took.
Good Luck!</p>
<p>@confidential2015 - how are they not? They’re university entrance level examinations, and that’s the standard that Oxford expect of state school students for some courses.</p>
<p>@2college2college - thanks.</p>
<p>Oh, I forgot to mention: my reference is spotless. “Gifted” etc :)</p>
<p>@macmill - which of the needs-blind colleges (Amherst, Yale, Harvard, Princeton and Dartmouth) do you think would be the best bet? Some information has come out about British tuition fee rises which has worried me. I’m leaning towards Amherst College right now.</p>
<p>@muffinz I would go for Amherst,although,again,its ultra competitive.What do you want to study?As you research colleges,dont just look at need blind schools.Some colleges,although not need blind,still admit intl students with high need.examples are grinell,macalester,oberlin,middlebury,and especially MOUNT HOLYOKE for girls,they are VERY generous withaid.</p>
<p>Several of the women’s colleges would be good bets. Also look at Smith and Bryn Mawr.</p>
<p>I agree that you need to look past the few need blind schools. They have plenty of UK applicants that can pay so they don’t need to use their international aid funds to attract UK students.</p>
<p>I want to major in English, but really what I want to take advantage of in the states is the wide curriculum so that I can try a bit of everything and make an informed decision about my major. As I said previously, my main objective with this application is to get into a college near my boyfriend - I also want a fun experience. Amherst’s good points are that it’s close to where my boyfriend is applying for, also close to another friend, it has a great reputation and I could very easily graduate from there with less debt than I would accumulate at British schools. So, the colleges I would apply to would have to give funding and be in the Chicago area, and as far as I know there are two in the Chicago area who do it - Northwestern and Chicago. I don’t really want to go to an all girls school because for starters I’ve always been in comprehensive schools, and because I don’t get along very well with girls. Also, I’d like to minimise the amount of colleges I apply for because the costs of applications are going to stack up alot. Out of what you’ve suggested, what do you think would be most suitable?</p>
<p>I’m confused. Amherst is nowhere near Chicago. I’d also have to say what you’re trying to achieve-a lower cost education in the states-is not very likely unless you’re an academic rock star or have a world class EC. In the end, from what ive seen, unfortunately most who will be successful coming to the US with aid will not be picky about where the school is or whether it’s single sex. There is so little money available, they apply widely and just hope for one acceptance.</p>
<p>Also realize that all of these colleges will expect your parents to contribute. They will look at their income and assets and as they do for Americans, probably ask them to pay more than they think they can afford. In my experience, European families are horrified when they see what American schools expect which is generally one third of their income plus 5.6% of their assets.</p>
<p>You seem to be concerned about geography.You must bear in mind that even if you are in the same state you will probably never see each other anyway as undergrads hardly ever leave campus and are always superbusy.Be realistic- Why are you limiting yourself atthis point?just apply to amherst and as many others(regardless of location) as possible and see what happens.For english lit I would seriously look at Oberlin,they have a strong program in that,and give good aid too.In the end its really about YOU getting a good education,whether in illinois or massachusetts or wherever else,youll soon realise its not that serious.</p>
<p>I have an application to British schools which is in progress - I have an unconditional offer to study at the University of Liverpool, which is world class, as well as applications to Bristol, Durham, Leeds and York pending. Past this, I’m not fussed about studying in America, my main reason behind it is to either be closer to my boyfriend, or to get a cheaper deal than I would here (my boyfriend is applying to Boston University, too. I’m not that bad at Geography.)</p>
<p>As for my parental income, it’s £23k PA, all of it goes on paying bills. My mother may retire next year, which will diminish funds futher. I can’t see American schools being able to take any money from my parents purse at all.</p>
<p>@2college2college; although I realise you’re attempting to help, generally you have not been very knowledgeable about my situation and haven’t listened to what I’m attempting to achieve. Getting into an American school, or even accepting the place if I’m admitted, is not a life or death situation for me, although I would like it. As for the aid, I’d like you to provide some verifcation on those statistics before I’ll take you seriously.</p>
<p>@macmill; I’d rather be within an hour of eachother on weekends and the like than six time zones away. Most of the undergraduates I know are NOT superbusy, as they have plenty of time to chat to me on the internet. If I was that concerned about school reputation in programmes I’d take Durham as my first choice if given an offer - these applications are a matter of location and program breadth.</p>
<p>I really don’t feel like you two understand what I want to do.</p>
<p>I am an A Level student too and I know how rigorous they are. I think you don’t know that there are some low-weight/light subjects in A level and English Language and Literature is one of them. Even Politics falls under the list of soft subjects.</p>
<p>@macmill Before you post anything, please research about the topic and find out the correct information. Don’t post your hypothesis. Your baseless assumptions might seriously hurt somebody else’s future.</p>
<p>@confidential2015: Excuse me - do you know what the Trinity College, Cambridge blacklist ([Trinity</a> College Cambridge - Acceptable A-level Combinations](<a href=“Trinity College Cambridge | University of Cambridge”>Trinity College Cambridge | University of Cambridge)) is? English Literature and Mathematics are both considered “suitable subjects” for study of any degree. Politics is considered “suitable as a third subject”. Frankly, if the combination is good enough for Cambridge, or grades good enough for Oxford, then it’s good enough for anyone. Thanks.</p>
<p>@2college2college: Please list your experience and credentials. You sound like a 13 year old kid who’s regurgitating what they’ve read on this website.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help, (particularly macmill), but I think I’m done here.</p>
<p>@muffinz i do hope u get into the school of your dreams(amherst??)you hadnt mentioned the BU thing,so now I think I fully understand.Oh and last time I forgot to mention Brandeis + tufts,theyre also in MA,I think…best of luck though… @2colleges I dont know why you would advise me to research on A levels when that is the very curriculum I took(3 science+2arts and according to me there is nothing like an easy A level. some of your comments are not so nice…</p>
I like a bit of variety in school, another reason that I’m applying to American schools!</p>