College question

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>I am an American high school student (about to enter junior year). I've had my heart set on going to college in the UK/Ireland for quite some time now, and I want to ensure that I don't sacrifice quality for location.
There are tons of lovely schools with lovely credentials in the UK/Ireland area, but many of them seem pretty hard to get into. </p>

<p>I plan to major in Maths/Physics.
I've done a bit of research on:
•Durham University
•Trinity College
•Oxford University
•Cambridge University
•University of Edinburgh
•University of Glasgow
among others.</p>

<p>I'm particular interested in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Trinity.
This year, I am beginning study at the North Carolina School of Science and Math. They offer much higher level courses than my home high school... </p>

<p>I'm starting with AP Calc 2 (section 2 of 3) this year, and I got a 3 on my Calc 1 exam (A overall in the course itself, though). I'll also be taking AMPS (advanced math problem solving), and Modeling with Differential Equations this year. Next year, I plan on going really heavy with math courses as well.</p>

<p>I've yet to take a physics course, but am starting this year with Physics w/Advaned Topics, and will follow up with several higher physics courses.</p>

<p>I'll be taking 11 AP weighted sections (some courses cover more than one section) this year, and more than that next year.</p>

<p>I got a 191 on my PSAT
1860 on SAT- 620s in every section, essay score 8. (I plan on retaking. I want at least a 2000)</p>

<p>My weighted GPA was, at the end of this year, a 4.7: unweighted is at least a 3.89
NCSSM GPA will be calculated separately, and all of their courses are weighted at least a 5.</p>

<p>Can someone maybe address my odds of competing?</p>

2

<p>Remember that GPA almost always doesn’t count for UK applications.</p>

<p>Off the top of my head, I wouldn’t know the SAT scores that every school on your list are looking for.</p>

<p>They are all definitely going to want to look at the grades you get on your AP tests (the actual standardized tests themselves, not the grade you get in the course. So they won’t care about the “A” you got in the Calc 1 course, and they will probably be very concerned over the fact that you got a “3” on the actual test). You will need at least three really good scores on AP tests, and I think for the schools of the caliber you have listed here you will need 4s or 5s.</p>

<p>It really looks to me like you are either going to have to really “hit the books” and improve your scores (for Oxford you would need an SAT of 2100 and at least three AP tests with scores of “5”), or else set your sights a little “lower” on colleges and unis that are easier to get into.</p>

3

<p>TheRealKEVP is right: they will only look at your top-line numbers, and Oxford/Cambridge would require a significant jump. </p>

<p>You will really need at least some 4s in relevant APs, and your SAT up to 2000 to look at Trinity (also, Maynooth, just outside Dublin, has a great physics program). Look carefully at their course descriptions.</p>