Hi, I want to apply to Edin as a Philosophy major. My scores
ACT: 31 Composite,
A.P. Environmental Science: 4
A.P. English Composition: 4
A.P. U.S. History: 4
A.P. Chinese: 5
Do these scores give me a good chance at getting into Edinburgh under Philosophy as an American student?
just realized I may have posted in the wrong subforum
seems good. I am an international student in a private school, and pretty much everyone in our year gets accepted to edinburgh university. Im not kidding when i say literally everyone. Our year has 100 students, and on average no less than 80 students get accepted to edinburgh. I’d say your chances are good, provided you had a good personal statement 
Environmental science counts as half AP. Provided that you are not Chinese heritage or native speaker, you should be good for at least a conditional offer. Are you taking any APs this year?
The stated requirements are below. No mention of some AP’s being better than others or about heritage language being a problem.
All subjects in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science and the College of Science and Engineering require completion of the High School Diploma, plus one of the following as a minimum requirement:
A successful completion of one year of University in the USA; OR
SAT score of 1800 (600 minimum in Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing) plus two APs at Grade 4; OR
SAT score of 1800 (600 minimum in Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing) plus two SAT Subject tests with 650 minimum; OR
ACT Composite score of 27 minimum plus two SAT Subject tests with 650 minimum; OR
ACT Composite score of 27 minimum plus two APs at Grade 4; OR
Three APs at Grade 4 minimum; OR
Three SAT Subject tests with 650 minimum
“No mention of some AP’s being better than others or about heritage language being a problem.”
They may not say it on their website, but it’s pretty standard to regard some APs as less demanding. The official UCAS tariff lists them here: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/entry-requirements/tariff/tariff-tables/966
Again, being a native speaker of a language means that a high score in an exam designed for non-native learners will not be quite as impressive as it would for one of those who have started the language from scratch.
The philosophy course has slightly higher requirements than the bare minimum for entry overall - they ask English applicants for AAB at A level, which would equate to 5, 5 and 4 in ‘Group A’ AP subjects.
Are you taking any APs this academic year?
Alternatively any SAT2 subject tests?
I am very skeptical that a heritage language would matter as the UCAS does not ask if you have a heritage language or what language you primarily speak at home.
I have no definitive knowledge, but UK certificates for Welsh are described as first or second language and treated accordingly. Perhaps a query to the Uni if appropriate?
Good luck.
I didn’t realize that the Philosophy course has a higher minimum than other courses, I am Chinese heritage but not a native speaker
I am going to take the SAT II Maths in November.
Are you taking any APs this year?
A.P. Literature
Also, since the UCAS application personal statement wants you to write about the major, and you can request up to five majors, do you have to mention all five majors in the essay?
Uni might ask for a 4 in lit as part of your conditional offer. Your 5 choices should be closely related, as UK schools look for very focused candidates. It is very difficult to demonstrate interest in a certain subject if you have 5 all over the map.
I see! I’m mostly interested in Philosophy, Politics, and History type of subjects.
There is Philosophy and Politics degree, for example. Click on what you will study and scroll down to program structure. It will give you very clear idea of what is covered. Look up other courses that might interest you.
http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/degrees/index.php?action=programme&code=VL52
Thanks!
Also, when should I submit my application by? The SAT IIs are 11/5/16. Say I submit then, with the SATII math grade as pending and worse comes to worst and I don’t qualify their standards/conditional offer, would I get to keep trying until admissions day or sucks to be me. Would it be better to submit right after I take the SATII or to wait until I get the score back (11/25/16)
The sooner you submit your application, the sooner you will hear back. Uni might not even be interested in your math sat. Just list it as pending and shoot for 650+. It does not have to happen in November. Any chance of taking world history sat?
Yes. Should I take it?
Also, does that mean, even if I don’t get above a 650 on my first try I can keep trying?
WH sat is more relevant to your degree choice than math. It also shows an ability to retain large volume of information, which is needed for philosophy majors.
Yes, you can keep trying.