<p>I am an international student whose school follows the A-level curriculum.
I just want to know what the differences are between applying to an American university as opposed to a UK one. Are the college essays the same thing as personal statements, because I have viewed examples of both and they look very different to me?
Also, I am in Yr 12 (same as junior year) and i was wondering how much prep is needed for SATs? And when are the SAT exams usually held during the year?</p>
<p>Hello, I applied to UK universities last year and am applying to US universities this year so I guess I have enough experience to answer your question. The UK universities put little emphasis on the applicants’ ECs except for those outside their intended subject at university and even in those cases the ECs are no where as important as they are to the US universities. The personal statement to the UK, more or less, to me is more like you telling unis directly about the reasons you chose your subject while essays for the US applications are far more complicated and covering many more aspects of your life in depth. I have no experience with the new SAT so I can’t comment but the prep time is probably depended on your English ability and how quick you absorb new information. </p>
<p>*quickly</p>
<p>@jojo15- Okay, so if you are applying to the UK, the EC’s don’t matter as much, unless they are related to your intended subject of study? So, for example, I am thinking of applying for neuroscience/medicine- so the UK would only consider the EC’s that related to that, and doing EC’s that are art-based, drama-based or music-based won’t really help my case?</p>
<p>Also, do US universities prefer an all-rounder student ( a student who has EC’s beyond their subject of study, like art, drama and music, which aren’t related to med/neuro at all) or do they prefer a student who has EC’s that reflect their chosen subject of study? </p>
<p>I haven’t done very many EC’s so far, and I was wondering if I could get away with doing ones mainly focused on sciences, as I am thinking of applying to both UK and US universities. Will I be disadvantaged in any way if I do this?</p>
<p>@lexieA Correct. The UK unis are really number-driven so do well on your A-Levels and entrance tests. I assume you’re international to UK unis? Just a reminder that medicine is exceptionally hard to get in for internationals as they have certain quotas.
You can be an all-rounder or a specialist applying to US. Science is a pretty good choice. Good luck!</p>