I know this thread is a month old but as I´ll be attending Edinburgh this coming term I thought I´d give my two cents:) -
As far as acceptance rates go, it´s very hard to make an accurate acceptance rate for UK universities because of their system. Since they offer people conditional offers (meaning they have to get certain grades on exams to get in) their “offer rate” is different from their “accepted offer rate”. Honestly St. Andrews and Edinburgh are very similar…if you are in range for one, you’re in range for the other, I would say. Again, like someone said before, St. Andrews did ask me for my transcript while Edinburgh never did.
On to the questions:
- How do you declare your major? From the very beginning you apply to the focus/major you want? (meaning, in the US you have a year or two to test the waters, in the UK you gear yourself to whatever from application and then on?)
—At both universities you will apply to a course, unlike how in the US we apply to a university. Basically, when you apply, you are declaring your major then and there. Since St. A’s and Ed are both Scottish, there’s more room for changing (for example I have the option to switch from International Relations to Politics if I so desire) in the first two years, but it gets harder each year to switch. So if you are going to go to school in Scotland, you’ll need to know what you want to study.
- In the States your GPA and SAT scores are really- is it mostly the same over there or do they place more importance on other things?
—For UK universities, AP scores, SAT IIs, ACT/SAT are your most important things. APs and SAT IIs are the closest thing we have in the US to their schooling system (A-levels) so they place high importance on them. Take APs and do well if you want to go to St. A’s or Ed, they want 4s and 5s. Your GPA is important but it’s not nearly as impactful as your test scores are in terms of gettting in.
- Does college life differ that differently from that of US schools?
—The system in general is different. In terms of actual study, you’ll only be in class for a few hours a week, and you´’ll be expected to do lots and lots of self study. They also don’t do lots of quizzes and tests during the semester to make sure you’re keeping up. Many subjects will have 3 large essays and one huge test per semester.
As far as social life and such, sports are not huge in the way they are in the US in terms of school spirit. Mascots and varsity sports aren’t really a thing they do. However, if you’re into soccer, you’ll be just fine. Both schools have tons of societies and clubs you can join, so it’s not hard to stay active and involved.
- Do you think visiting is important? Or will pictures suffice?
—VISIT VISIT VISIT. I would reccomend visiting any school you are thinking of attending, but especially the ones that are overseas, if you are able to. Two years ago I went to Scotland dead-set on going to St. Andrews based on what I had seen online. After visiting both schools I came to realize that St. Andrews was far too small for me and that Ed was a much better fit. I would 100% reccomend visiting if you can.
If you can’t visit keep in mind:
-Edinburgh is a city of 500,000 people and the uni has 30,000 students
-St. Andrews is a much much smaller city and a uni of 9,000 students
-However, both schools have about the same amount of American students (2,000)
It really just depends on what you’re looking for in a school.
- What fields/majors are they best known for? (like, NYU has a great film program, Harvard is assoc. with law, etc.)
St. Andrews is well known for International Relations, Divinity, Theology, History…those types of subjects. They are strong in Medicine as well.
Edinburgh is very strong in the sciences, medicine included. They also have a great English program, business is good, and their law school is very good as well.
This was a massive post. I apologize. But I was in your shoes a year ago and would have loved to had someone tell me all this before I started haha. If you ever have any questions about applying overseas, don’t hesitate to contact me! Like I said, I chose Edinburgh, but I´ve been through the process and have been to both schools as well. Best of luck in your university process!