<p>I'm a British 19 year old guy who is studying independently with the help of a government funded tutor whilst recovering from a long running illness which forced me to leave school five years ago. I have a while to go before I am in any position to apply for university but I need to know, do I have any chance of gaining entry to a US college (with financial aid, we are a poor family)? Specifically somewhere like St Olaf?</p>
<p>I have five GCSES in English Language, English Literature, Science, Maths and French (grades AAABB). I will have A Levels in History, Geography and Biology and an AS Level in French (grades AAAB).</p>
<p>My major concern is my total lack of ECs, on account of being ill these past five years. I have very little chance of acquiring any now that I've left school. However I am saving up for a gap year studying Norwegian in Norway.</p>
<p>Posting this in two forums as I have no idea where it belongs.</p>
<p>With your A-Level results (AAA) plus a B at AS-Level, you would most certainly get into a good university in the UK. Why do you want to study in the US, which is far more expensive ? </p>
<p>On your specific question, I believe your set of GCSE’s and A-Levels would fulfill the minimum secondary school course requirements for admission into US colleges and could even get you some additional AP credit. Your grades are also pretty good and you have a compelling life story. To apply to a US college, you still need though to take the SAT (both general and subject tests if the latter are required by your intended college) and get a good score. I don´t think the lack of EC’s will be a major factor since adcoms will probably take your personal circumstances into account and will also understand that you come from a different (i.e. foreign) school culture where EC’s don’t play the major role they play in America.</p>
<p>PS: BTW, in most UK universities, you are not considered a “mature student” unless you are 21 or older by the time you apply for undergraduate admission.</p>
<p>bruno123 is correct. The lack of EC’s won’t be a major hurdle, although admission committees will want to see that you have some interests outside of schoolwork. But these don’t need to be “activities” per se. Perhaps you enjoy sketching or reading books by a particular author or you write poetry. Admission committees understand that international applicants typically didn’t grow up with EC-mania the way many Americans do.</p>
<p>However, bruno123 is also correct when noting that you will need strong SAT’s. It is EXTREMELY difficult for international applicants to get financial aid. The bar is set very high, and --at most colleges–applicants who would skate through the admission gates if they had no need for financial assistance will be turned away, if they do. Test scores are often one of the key deciding factors when internationals are seeking aid.</p>
<p>Good luck to you!</p>
<p>If your dream is to srudy in the US then do so. Don’t let people tell you otherwise. You have really good grades and from what most unis say, they are aware of lack of ECs in different countries and you could always state that you were ill etc. Your grades speak for themselves. Go for it.</p>
<p>It is difficult to get aid, but if you have good sats too as well as a good application, I can’t see why you shouldn’t try. A lot of students here get aid - some full, as you have seen the posts.</p>
<p>I would also advise you to check with your LEA in the UK - the student loans company will fund your course as long as it is something you cannot do in the UK. I am not sure if there’s a limit on how much they can pay out but it may help you get a place since you could show that you can pay some of it.
The only thing is that I believe you have to write to the SLC and explain what you want to study, why etc then they will come back to you with how much they can let you have.
Good Luck
p.s. you are not even really a mature student. Mature students in the UK are 21 plus</p>