I’m applying for K100 Architecture programs for the fall of 2016, and I have no idea was schools I qualify for. I was a high achieving student throughout high school who took 10 AP and Honors level courses never scoring lower than a “B” in one semester. I also was the Editor in Chief of my newspaper for two years, was in every play or musical, volunteered outside of school, presented my artwork in local gallery shows, took a gap year after high school to work in Ghana and South Africa for a year, etc, etc. Unfortunately, my understanding of the UK application system is that they’re considerably less holistic than the admission officers in the US. That being said, I have serious gaps in my application, especially as an arch student. For instance, I never took Calculus, and though I’m enrolling in an online course this summer, that already means I can’t get into one of my top choices, Edinburgh. Also, despite taking so many AP and Honors courses, I only took two AP exams (because I didn’t want to miss out on more in depth studies of the same subjects in uni) and while I received 5s on both, this puts my application in jeopardy at most high ranked universities because they all require a minimum of 3 AP tests scored at 4s and 5s. FYI I graduated with a 3.781 GPA which isn’t exceptional, but in the US colleges would take into consideration my excessive extracurricular and leadership roles.
I know this is all incredibly convoluted but I am so utterly lost on figuring out what level of universities I can get into. My top schools right now are Newcastle, Cardiff, Sheffield and Nottingham (no more Edinburgh since I can’t get in). Do I have any chance whatsoever at these unis? If so, how do I package my UCAS application to make it clear that I am a competitive candidate?
The good news is that (in general*), UK universities tell you what they want, and if you have that you will get an offer.
Moreover, they put what they want on their web pages, usually in a tab called “Entry Requirements”. If they don’t list AP equivalencies, a “5” on an AP will count as an “A” at A-level (and in some of the lower ranked unis, a 4 will as well). SAT equivalences vary, but in the 700’s will always count as an A (for some unis, mid-600s will).
As you have noticed, the bad news is that all UK universities will require 3 standardized test scores (many will accept SATIIs in lieu of APs). There is simply no way around that. So, no: you have no chance at those 4 universities unless you get a third score. As admissions stay open, you could take some SATIIs and apply with those.
Just a couple of side notes:
=> most (probably all- read the websites) will want a portfolio
=> If your goal is to become an architect, be sure you understand the whole process. A BA in Architecture is not the same as a BArchitecture- you will still need to do the MArch + various practical courses/work practice to be qualified to work in either the UK or the US. It takes about 7 years to qualify as an architect in the UK, v. 7-11 in the US.
*exceptions apply for highly competitive courses and a handful of top unis
what’s wrong w school in the US?
Wait, are you in HS? Why can’t you take AP tests now?
And taking AP tests doesn’t preclude you from taking classes you want in college. You can choose to not send the scores to a school, or even after you send the scores, you may take classes covered by those AP tests (the credits for those AP tests would go away, though).
I’m taking two gap years so I’ll be applying for 2016 but I graduated 2014. Obviously I took the SAT and my score is in the 97th percentile so it’s quite high. And I have two AP tests. Does this qualify as 3 standardized tests?
No- you need some combination of 3 APs or SATIIs (for unis who accept them). Note that at least one of those unis wants one of the tests to be in Art.
You still haven’t answered why you can’t take AP tests or SATII’s now.
2 gap years? How/why did that happen?