<p>I am considering going to school in England . Any advice?</p>
<p>-When you interview, it is very different from America. They don’t want to hear about your gold fish and your life struggles, they want to see you solve math problems and answer biology questions. This is what I’ve heard, at least. </p>
<p>-I wouldn’t commit to it unless you’ve actually been to the UK. If you have, then by all means. If you have not, go to a school for which you are overqualified where they will give you plenty of study abroad opportunities.</p>
<p>-Be prepared to pay. Also, just run a google search to find places that welcome overseas students vs those that don’t. There are both.</p>
<p>-Be very aware that their system and the American system are two very different things. Just do your research, 'kay?</p>
<p>In England, school refers to pre-college education / primary & secondary levels. When you refer to higher education (tertiary level) such as baccalaureate (BS, BA, AB), MA, MS, MSc, PhD, and such, you’re referring to university studies. So, are you intending to study for college degree or you’re looking for a boarding school for your A-Levels? </p>
<p>Only Oxford and Cambridge interview in the formal sense. And, as RML notes, third level in the UK is always uni, not college (even though at Oxbridge you belong to a college within the university).</p>
<p>In the UK you apply to study one subject, and that is ALL you study. Every university has incredibly detailed info on each course. If you dig, you will find details down to exactly what subjects you will take each year of your course. Your application essay- aka Personal Statement- demonstrates why you want to study that subject, and why you are a good candidate for that subject. Be sure that the idea of studying that subject for three or four years fills your heart with gladness.</p>
<p>With the exception of about half a dozen universities who accept the Common App, you apply through UCAS. You pay one fee, you upload one essay, your recommender uploads one recommendation and you fill in one set of details. That application goes to a max of 5 <em>courses</em> (same course at 5 different unis, 5 variations on a course at 1 uni, or any combination therein- but remember that everybody sees the same essay, so it has to be applicable to all 5). </p>
<p>Except for the unis that are on the Common App, your transcript is relatively meaningless. Except for those that relate <em>specifically</em> to the subject that you are applying to study, your ECs are relatively meaningless. What counts is standardized testing: SAT / Subject tests / APs. Every single course at every single university posts its “typical offer”- the marks that UK students usually need to get an offer of a place. For short hand, figure that a 5 on an AP or mid 700s on a Subject test Is an A at A level, a 4 / mid 600s a B and so on (there is some variation amongst unis- this is just a quick and dirty reckoning). Note that not all APs are equal (see here: <a href=“http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/explore-your-options/entry-requirements/tariff-tables/app”>http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/explore-your-options/entry-requirements/tariff-tables/app</a>), and the more competitive the uni the more important it is for the tests to be in subjects relevant to the subject that you are applying to study. In some subjects, specific tests are required (for example, math is required for econ at most unis). Be sure to check the requirements for the subject that you want to study as well as the general requirements. </p>
<p>In general, the UK unis do much less handholding than the US ones do: you will be expected to know what you want to do, and to be able to navigate the process by doing your own homework. People will be helpful, but when you ask for help have done enough work to be able to ask a specific question. This also true with professors.</p>
<p>Continuing assessment is much less of a factor- in many courses your total mark for the year will be the final exam. Think about whether that suits you. </p>
<p>Financial aid is pretty much a non-starter, but you can use FAFSA.</p>
<p>Useful resources include the British council guide to coming to the UK to study: <a href=“http://www.educationuk.org/global/”>http://www.educationuk.org/global/</a>
and the UK Council for international student affairs: <a href=“http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/”>UKCISA - international student advice and guidance; Both of these sites have a fair amount of practical advice. </p>