<p>Hey. I'm an American looking to study at University of Edinburgh starting fall2013. I have yet to find a solid thread where Americans can post what hey know about the university's admissions, personal statement, and overall experience. </p>
<p>Let's start off with admission... On the website it clearly states minimums requiered for admission, but if you exceed those requierements are you guaranteed an offer? Ive read that ameicans who exceed requierments are almost always admitted. Any truth? Anyone out there who has beeb accepted and is willing to post stats?</p>
<p>Personal statement... Im nervous. Any tips etc? I have a general idea about what im supposed to write about, but anythin we shoukd avoid or be sure to include?</p>
<p>Overall experience. Double majoring possible? Are there minors? Study abroad? Lets hear it!</p>
<p>I would suggest that you try to look for answers on the studentroom as well. I get most of my information from there. I applied to Edinburgh but wasn’t accepted as I hadn’t finished my SATs yet. Got accepted to Liverpool for law though. UCAS has some advice on your personal essay, I don’t know how to describe my essay or really what to say. (again look on studentroom and for example essay)</p>
<p>By the way, I’m a European citizen studying in California, just finished high school. I don’t know if you need to take the IBT or any English language test since you have been speaking English all your life, unlike me.</p>
<p>I don’t know specifically about Edinburgh, but generally UK unis are not going to allow you to “double major” or “minor”. (The word “major” is not used in the UK, UK students instead say “I am reading {whatever}” instead of “I am majoring in {whatever}”. The majors themselves are often called “courses”. Unless my info is out-of-date)</p>
<p>UK colleges and unis generally want to see someone who is committed to the subject they are hoping to read, not someone who wants to just “dabble” in many different fields. This I know is one thing that your personal statement should reflect.</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>This is not specifically about Edinburgh as I have no experience of Edinburgh uni myself. But just Uk unis in general.</p>
<p>Firstly, I advise you to google “The student room”.</p>
<p>sScondly you need to know that universities in Scotland, of which Edinburgh is one, are a bit different to England, Wales and NI, though they are all in the same application system. Unlike the rest of the UK, a degree course in Scotland lasts usually 4 years,a nd leads to an undergraduate masters. There is also a bit more flexibility, in that you take what are effectibvely “minor” subjects in the first year and you can swop to study these subjects as your “major” in later years. However, no matter how they try to spin it to get your money, this is in no way as flexible as US colleges. You need pre-requisites nearly always. For example, if you want to switch to French in second year, you will need to meet the entry requirements for French (probably A-level or High French or equivalent), and also probably have stidied it in the first year. There is no special beginners class. You are meant to have the background knowledge from (high) school.</p>
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<p>Very factual and focussed. Not well-rounded (worst possiblle type of student as far as UK admissions are concerned. Not focussed and will drop out). Totally different from US-style essays ** No personal journeys! ** I strongly recommend you begin “I would like to study subject X because…”. There are millions of personal statements on the web to help you. for that reason admissions probably place elss emphasis on the statement than they used to (too much plagurism). </p>
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<p>Look on the Edinburgh web-site for the possible combinations of courses and study abroad options. If you study a language study abroad will probably be compulsory. however, for some courses may not allow any study abroad (I don’t know about any specific Edinburgh courses myself).</p>
<p>You need to do some research and work out what you are going to apply to study (has to be chosen on the application form).</p>
<p>Hello @collegegerm,
I applied to U of Edinburgh for 2012 entry and received a conditional offer.
I also visited about a month ago.</p>
<p>I agree with @cupcake that the student room.co.uk is a fantastic resource. I also recommend you check out theuniguide.■■■■■■■■■■ which is a blog by a current American student at Edinburgh.</p>
<p>Yes, it seems to be true that if an international students meets entry requirements they will receive an offer (it even says so in the prospectus).</p>
<p>What degree are you applying for?</p>
<p>The student room has great resources for personal statement reviews and writing tips. Have you begun working on yours? I can look over it for you if you like.</p>
<p>Do you want my stats?</p>
<p>Yes I do want your stats! I’m either applying for Sustainable Development or International Relations. I’ll probably apply to both</p>
<p>@collegerm, Sorry, I only just saw your reply.
I’ll send you a PM.</p>