<p>My grades are...okay? I'd say my GPA is 3.5 or 3.7 in regular classes. I'm only taking one AP class this year, and one Honors class. I take an "enriched" Physics class and Italian III. I'd like to take more AP English or History or Politics classes next year but I'm awful at math and science. I'm a junior so I haven't taken my SAT's yet (what should I strive for?)
I was wondering if it's difficult for an American to get into an British school? I'm not planning on going to Oxford or Cambridge but I'd like to go to a good school and study history or education.
As for EC's, I'm very involved with my town's historical society (I'm either a volunteer or an intern? not sure) and I'm an intern for a gubernatorial campaign. Also I plan to start an internship at a museum but they haven't gotten back to me. I also volunteer alot, I was awarded for volunteering more than 100+ hours last year and I'll definitely get to 500 by the time I graduate. I'm not really involved in clubs at school, most of them I just leave after a year or so.
So what are some schools for someone like me? And is it more difficult for American students to go?</p>
<p>You need to start doing A LOT of research.</p>
<p>Some of the basic differences between the UK and US are as follows.</p>
<p>You usually have to apply for one specific course (effectively your major, but there are no minors) and it is very difficult to change your mind (to switch you might have to drop out and reapply).</p>
<p>There is one common app at
<a href=“http://www.ucas.com%5B/url%5D”>www.ucas.com</a></p>
<p>You can only apply for 5 universities (plus St Andrews as you can use their separate process for US students).</p>
<p>Admissions are usually based on standardised tests like APs or SATs.</p>
<p>ECs are irrelevant to admissions unless they are very specifically related to the course you are applying for (some of yours might be useful for History for example).</p>
<p>Financial aid for foreign students is very rare.</p>
<p>A BA lasts 3 years for most courses in England, Wales and NI. In Scotland you study for 4 years and get an MA at the end.</p>
<p>Being “well rounded” is not at all desirable. UK unis like focussed students with an interest in one subject.</p>
<p>I hope that helps. Good luck with your application.</p>
<p>Cupcake’s advice is excellent. Additionally;</p>
<p>The ucas site above is essential viewing. Their website has a search function so you can see all the universities which do the course you want. </p>
<p>As well as ‘single’ honours ie studying just one subject, you can also do ‘joint’ honours where you study half and half e.g. History and Education. Be careful re: the education part. There are degrees in ‘Educational Studies’ which are the theory of education, psychology, public policy etc (I studied this at York, loved it!). But ‘Education’ more often means its a teaching qualification for the particular country. Getting the qualification recognised back in the US might not be possible.</p>
<p>There are no general education requirements as you’re expected to be literate and numerate on leaving school. There is more flexibility these days to take courses outside of your main department and often foreign language classes can count for credit towards your degree as well. Each university is different however so you need to think about this when choosing where to study. The traditional Scottish universities e.g. Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, St Andrew’s let students take 3+ different subjects in their first year so its much easier to switch course without needing to drop out. Good option if you can’t decide. </p>
<p>You might also find Scottish universities ask for lower grades as they tend to look at Scottish student’s junior year exams for entry.</p>
<p>Examples of requirements from good uni websites re: APs and SATs who do History and Education degrees:</p>
<p>Aberystwyth- ’ A minimum of four AP Exams with scores of 3 or more is usually required. Some degree programs may require five or six exams. Higher scores and/or specific scores in specific subjects may also be required. The critical reading section of the SAT (with a minimum score of 550) is also required in all cases. The SAT mathematics section (minimum score 550) may be required for some subjects (e.g., science, mathematics, accounting and related subjects). SAT Subject Tests (minimum score 550) are suitable alternatives to AP Exams; usually three SAT Subject Tests are required and, again, higher scores and specific subjects may be required, depending on the degree program applied for at Aberystwyth.’</p>
<p>Birmingham- 'A combined SAT 1 (SATR) score of minimum 1800 (at least 1900 for subjects where standard offer is AAB or higher), PLUS at least 3 subjects in Advanced Placements, are normally required.</p>
<p>Normally only Group A AP subjects will be considered and some degree programmes will require Advanced Placements in specific subjects.’</p>
<p>Strathclyde- 'Most undergraduate students apply to Strathclyde with a strong High School Diploma and a range of test scores e.g. SAT I scores above 1800 (600 minimum in each SAT I test) and 2 individual SAT II subject test scores above 600 and/or 2 APs with grades at 4 or above (a combination of SAT II tests and AP tests is also fine)…</p>
<p>If you are taking the ACT we would accept scores of 27 and above in place of the SAT I along with 2 SAT II subject test scores and/or APs. AP courses are not an essential admissions requirement but we do like to see evidence that students have followed a challenging curriculum and course load within their school.’</p>
<p>Lastly, just for comparison:</p>
<p>Cambridge (Kings)- ‘Most successful US applicants offer at least three Advanced Placement courses, and we would expect candidates to achieve 5, 5, 5 in the most relevant subjects. We do not make offers on SAT scores, but in addition to SAT I or ACT we encourage candidates to submit three SAT II subject tests (our students’ individual scores are typically above 700)’</p>
<p>I would strongly advise you take no notice of the website linked above! It has no connection with reality. For example, studying in Oxford and Cambridge is described as very peaceful and quiet (didn’t notice the drinking partying culture then). It also advises students to find accommodation from strangers using dodgy websites rather than university housing offices (who will always find accommodation for international students as a priority). </p>
<p>Plus a whole lot of random things like suggesting studying to be a vet because England has an agricultural based society (in about 1700this may have been correct. Now probably 1% of people work in agriculture). </p>
<p>Avoid!</p>
<p>Looks like the post I was discussing has been removed. Just wanted to say I didn’t mean Highland Poppy, who gives excellent advice.</p>
<p>I did my JYA at the London School of Economics and my masters degree at St. Andrews. Both are excellent schools.</p>
<p>Both schools have A LOT of international students in the student body. Depending on what you are looking for, that can be a positive or negative thing. Also, the LSE is in a big city while St. Andrews is a small town. Another thing to think about.</p>
<p>FWIW, I didn’t have stellar grades either, but I did go to a top tier college, so I don’t know if that made any difference with getting in to St.Andrews as a grad student and the LSE as a JYA student. I don’t know what St. Andrews’ acceptance rate is like for undergrads from overseas. I do know the LSE has a very low acceptance rate. I don’t know where you go to high school, but either way I would consider either of these. They’re both a lot of fun and very challenging!</p>
<p>If I may ask, agentwood, what were your SAT/ACT/AP scores?</p>
<p>Honestly, I can’t remember. It was so long ago! I think my SATs were in the 1300s (before the written part).</p>
<p>I had 4s on my APs (Euro History and International Politics).</p>
<p>Thanks, mate.</p>