<p>Hi Achilles09. Okay I tried to respond to your PM but apparently you can only PM if you have 15 or more posts or something? Anyway it deleted my very long answer so here is the shorter version. </p>
<p>Your AP’s are great, your course load for next year should be just fine. Econ counts for 2 because it’s 2 seperate AP tests (Macro and Micro). So for one course you can get two 5’s. </p>
<p>SAT: Yup, totally fine. What was your math score specifically (the higher the better if you want to do Science at Cam). </p>
<p>ACT: I’m not sure if they even ask for it. It’s really not a big deal to them. 33 is good, maybe retake if it’s not too much trouble? (I was 35). </p>
<p>ECs: Definitely include your breast cancer charity stuff, shows a deeper interest in your subject (always a good thing). </p>
<p>About Finances: this is tricky for the UK. A lot of people will tell you that the UK has no financial aid for internationals-this is NOT true. I’m not sure whether you would be charged as an EU or overseas student. If you can get EU status, definitely try to (way cheaper, 9000 pounds/year vs 27000/year). If you’re classed as an overseas student, there’s a few sources of funding available.
- Cambridge Overseas Trust-created just for this situation. It’s privately funded (the largest doner is HRH Prince Charles) and provides partial and some full scholarships for overseas students. I have a 9000 pound/year scholarship from them. Applying is very easy. Once you get an offer, you simply write a page or so on why you need the funding, explain the circumstance, and they come back with an offer. Unfortunately their funding is not unlimited (9000/year is quite a big one although they DO offer some full scholarships), which brings us to…
- US Student Loans-I know, they suck. But I decided that it was worth it to me to go live, study, and experience an amazing school abroad. So yes, I’ll graduate in debt but I think it’s worth it. This is just me though, obviously different for everyone.
- The college-Some colleges are richer than others. The richest is Trinity followed by Saint John’s. Go on their sites (and those of other colleges) and look at their Finance sections. They definitely offer some scholarships. Also look for ones specifically targeting Americans/Overseas students/Whatever you’re going to study (see below). If you’re not sure or need more help, feel free to email the admissions person at the college. Tell them your circumstance, that you want to apply but are afraid you won’t be able to afford it. Say you know you can apply to the Trust but just in case they can’t cover you enough, are there other scholarships/help available to students in your circumstance. Despite what some other people on CC seem to think, Cambridge genuinely wants everyone qualified to be able to come, even if you can’t afford it. This could have a significant affect on what college you apply to (Downing, for instance, is quite well known for NatSci but has like, no money, so maybe not the best choice). </p>
<p>Your Major: Okay this is another hard one. Premed doesn’t exist in the UK. UK students apply to be doctors at this stage (right after their equivalent of High School). They go into a Medicine program which is 3 years (maybe 4, not 100% sure) and then reapply/apply to a different school to continue their course for another 3/4 years. Afterwards, they’re basically ready to be doctors (okay well they have residencies and stuff but basically). They don’t have the MCAT. What you need to do is find out what courses you need to take to be ready for the MCAT. Ask a doctor or friend in Med school what they needed. Then you have to compare that to what Cam offers. It may be the the first part of becoming a doctor (that 3/4 year course) will get to prepared. It may not.
Biology- At Cam biology is part of Natural Sciences (NatSci). As a NatSci, your first year starts out fairly general (Chemistry, Biology or Physics, Math, and other course). As you progress, it gets more and mroe specific. NatSci is usually a 4 year course, at the end of which you graduate with a Masters (most UK courses are three years, at the end of which you have a normal undergrad degree). You can take if for 3 years if you like and graduate without a masters. I do not know if doing BioNatSci would prepare you for the MCAT. Again, you’d have to check the courses. Once you know what you need to take to be prepared for the MCAT, maybe email department secretaries to see if that course structure is possible. Also hunt around the course’s site to see if you can find a course plan and check for yourself. </p>
<p>As for me, I’m going into my second year at Downing studying an arts subject (hence my limited knowledge on the science side of things-although I do have a lot of NatSci/Medic friends so I’m not totally blagging it). I had a 2300 SAT, 35 ACT, and six 5’s when I applied (finished HS having taken 13 APs). I had to fly to Cam to interview. </p>
<p>Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!</p>