Hi guys!
I really want to go to college somewhere in Europe… right now I really like University of Edinburgh (for computer science or software engineering).
I’m doing a high school exchange year in Denmark for this coming school year (my senior year). Because of this, I will not be taking any AP classes next year.
By the end of my high school career, I will have taken 2 AP classes (but 3 AP tests because I am taking the APUSH test even though I didn’t take the class).
I will also have 5 honors courses under my belt.
I expect that at the time I graduate, my GPA will be around 3.85-3.9
Like I said, I will also be going on on a high school exchange to Denmark, which I know looks good to American colleges (I’m not sure about European ones?).
I expect to have a pretty good SAT score (my PSAT score was a 1310 for reference).
What would you say my chances for getting into University of Edinburgh are?
What are your AP scores and in what subjects?
UK unis traditionally would look for at least 3 high scores in subjects related to what you will read (your major) as, at a Scottish uni, outside of the first year, you will be taking almost all your classes in the subject you are studying (CS in your case). The last 3 years at a Scottish uni (and all 3 years at an English uni) are equivalent to the last 2 years in your major + a year of grad-level classes in the US.
Edinburgh would list what they would expect for CS. Both subjects and scores. They’ll likely require a high math (Calc) score.
Here is the Edinburgh page for US applicants
You should also check the specifics for the course you are applying for. If A* pass at A’ level math is required then you have to have taken an equivalent AP and achieve a grade 5.
If you manage to pass the Studentereksamen (or some subjects) in Denmark, it’ll count as equivalent of AP’s. You’ll need a score of 12 (very, very hard to get) for Arts, Humanities, and Social sciences, and a score of 10 (very hard to get) for Science&Engineering. You’ll need all subjects listed under “Scottish Highers” AND “National 5” either through Studentereksamen or AP.
I picked Sports Science because it’s the first that I found: you’d need an AP in English + AP Bio or AP Chem or AP Physics + Calculus and Psychology.
You would need English + AP Calc BC with a 5 and probably a higher course than that + your choice of STEM courses, which could be achieved by combining your coursework in Denmark and your current APs.
What AP’s have you taken so far?
The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow has a good reputation for Computer Science and all kinds of Engineering. You might check it out too.