<p>hey I live in the states, but I was wondering if anyone could offer some input on good universities in the UK:</p>
<p>University College
Cambridge
Oxford</p>
<ul>
<li>all prestigious, I know, but how good are these schools for humanities/arts? what are some other schools with strong arts programs?</li>
<li>can anyone give me an idea of how difficult it is for americans to get into universities like these?</li>
</ul>
<p>Tawny, you need to take as many AP exams as possible in your Junior year and do well on your SAT. I would say 5s in your English, History and a foreign Language APs are expected if you want a decent chance of getting into a top English university with the desire to study the humanities. Economics and Math would be a plus. </p>
<p>Remember, English universities do not have the same Liberal Arts approach to undergraduate education as US universities do. In the UK, universities start you off on your major from day one. So universities in England expect their students to come in haing reached a certain level of general education. That is why English universities want to see so many APs. </p>
<p>English universities do not care as much about essays and ECs (although they do matter) as US universities do. </p>
<p>Also remember that the application process is significantly different in England. Here are two major characteristics:</p>
<p>1) In England, you do not apply to each university independently. Instead, they use a central, common application called UCCAS. I believe you are limited to just 5 or 6 universities.</p>
<p>2) You cannot apply to Cambridge and Oxford in the same academic year.</p>
<p>3) English universities do not usually accept candidates...they give them offers, predicated on the results of future A Level (in your case AP) exams.</p>
<p>thank you Alexandre, for all that helpful information!</p>
<p>well...for Oxbridge. Their interviews and tests are also very important factors. Due to the amount of straight As students applying over there, i think the interviews and the test will determine who will be best suited to study over there.</p>
<p>For Oxford (Cambridge may be slightly different - check their web site):</p>
<p>1) Meet basic quals, which they state on the web site are 700+ M&V on SATs, top grades, and lots of SAT IIs and APs. They stated that (for 2004) they got 270 US applications and accepted 20% of those students. [They DO care about ECs, but not in the same way as the top US schools. It's not necessary, to be, for example, the absolute top baton twirler or center forward in your state, just that you have 2-3 interests that are well developed so that you will be likely to enjoy yourself outside of class and add to the life of the university].</p>
<p>2) Get a fabulous reference from your school head or guidance counselor. There is only one required.</p>
<p>3) Write a succinct personal statement that is clear about why you want to study the subject(s) and relates your current or recent past studies to the course (degree).</p>
<p>4) Remember the early dates! Pick Oxford or Cam and get everything to them by no later than October 15.</p>
<p>5) Send all SAT, SAT II, AP scores, and college transcripts (if any) directly to the admissions office.</p>
<p>6) Depending on the subject, you may need to send samples of graded written work - select work that demonstrates your analytical abilities. Print out the cover sheet from the admission web site and allow plenty of time to get the teacher to certify the paper and to mail it by the deadline. </p>
<p>7) If you are in North America, there are interviews offered in November in NYC or Vancouver. If you are invited for an interview, you have made the first cut, and it is mandatory. If in another country, you will either have to go to Oxford or check the web site for information (I don't know the arrangements).</p>
<p>8) You will sit a test in your subject on the same day as every other applicant. You have to arrange for a school official or an official testing center to proctor you and they must fax the test to the admissions office.</p>
<p>9) You will also need to apply through UCAS, the central online service for UK university admissions - here is the link for internationals. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.ucas.com/studyuk/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.ucas.com/studyuk/index.html</a></p>
<p>You can apply to up to five additional universities, so look at the London Times lists for your subjects and select several that suit your tastes and are well-reputed in your subjects.</p>
<p>10) You will receive notification by the last week in December. If you get an offer, you will have to meet the conditions specified on the offer letter. </p>
<p>11) You can then select Oxford as your first choice in UCAS and also select an "insurance" choice (in case you don't meet the offer conditions but do meet the conditions of another university, for example 555 in APs versus 554).</p>
<p>12) When you meet your offer conditions, have the scores sent immediately. They will then notify UCAS that the offer is firm, and you must confirm your acceptance in the online UCAS system.</p>
<p>Best of luck! My son decided to apply at the last minute and I was rushing to the post office overnighting everything, so it was quite hectic. Start early!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all of this information, it's really appreciated!</p>
<p>If you're not from the EU, you can apply to Oxford and Cambridge in the same year. :)</p>
<p>no u cant....</p>
<p>Are you sure Poubelle. I know I couldn't back in 1991. Maybe they have changed the rule, but last I checked, nobody, regardless of nationality or location, could apply to both Cambridge and Oxford at the same time.</p>
<p>Only certain scholars can. No one else is allowed to.</p>
<p>Do universities in the UK look at all 4 years of high-school? or only certain years...</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
Only certain scholars can. No one else is allowed to.
[/QUOTE]
Yes. If you are applying for an Organ scholarship for example you can apply to colleges of both Oxford and Cambridge but its highly highly unlikely you will be eligible to apply to both.</p>
<p>If you are applying to be admitted as an "Organ scholar", I believe you are allowed to apply to both Cambridge and Oxford in the same academic year.</p>
<p>Otherwise, it's only to one or the other, regardless of the country you apply from.</p>
<p>EDIT: Ooops, ansiarach, you beat me to it! :D</p>
<p>what about canadian unis, where will you rate them</p>