Looking to transfer to Oxford or LSE - anyone with experience at these institutions?

Transfer Students
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<p>I am planning on applying to Oxford for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and LSE for International Relations. I will be applying with the first year of an undergraduate degree from the US. I scored a 32 on the ACT(35 in english, 34's in science and reading, and a lowly 26 in math) and on the SAT I got a 760 in Critical reasoning, 680 in writing, and 560 in mathematics. However, I only took one AP test and no SAT subject tests.</p>

<p>This year I'll be attending Southern Methodist University, studying towards a double-major in Business and Markets & Culture. Do you think my current qualifications, a strong personal statement, good performance on the TSA test for Oxford, in addition to a high GPA from SMU this year will receive strong consideration from either of those universities. Will strong performance in college make up for the AP/SAT II deficiencies?</p>

<p>I would also consider studying History and Politics at Oxford, or Economics at LSE. With my low math scores would it be advisable to apply to History and Politics instead of PPE? I will be taking pre-cal and business calculus at SMU this year if that will help.</p>

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<p>I’m somewhat in the same situation, except that I’m planning on spending two full years in an american uni before applying to a british one. I’m undecided between applying for PPP at oxford or PPS at cambridge, since you can’t apply to both.
I know this dosen’t help much with your question, but I thought you’d like to know you aren’t the only one in this dilema. :slight_smile:
I believe oxford strictly applies the 1400/ 700 rule with few exceptions. Either repeat the SAT (altho im not sure they’ll recive it if you do it in Oct) or don’t submit your SAT scores at all, and just submit your college transcript.
Good luck! and remember, if it dosen’t work out this year you can try again next year when you would have pulled up your scores a bit. It would be a smart idea to take A-level/ AP exams this summer in subjects corresponding to the courses you take in college- you wouldn’t have anything to loose since you would already know the material, and the university would have a way of comparing you to other students just out of HS.
Wishing you all the best!</p>

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<p>Haha, well I may be able to provide some insight as I actually applied (actually, just this past year!).</p>

<p>Just so you know, the UK system and US system are VERY different. The US emphasizes a broad, liberal arts education where you have general education requirements and your major. In the UK though, the classes you take are strictly related to your major. Therefore, you have to realize that it is NOT easy to switch majors. In most cases, you would have to start from scratch if you switched. Likewise, you cannot “transfer” as you would think you can like in the US. If you “transfer”, you’re actually applying again as a freshmen. However, many people DO start 1 year of college in the US and then go to the UK and “restart” since they only go for 3 years, since they don’t do general education.</p>

<p>Ok, with that out of the way, now onto your “chances” or whatever you may call them. When applying to UK universities, numbers are EVERYTHING. They could care less about what EC’s you did or who your parents are. And even then, it’s not really GPA heavy, it’s test score heavy. I am fairly certain that Oxbridge has certain requirements for testing. I believe when I applied, it was a 1400 (CR+M) (with a 700 W preferable) or a 32 ACT. That’s MINIMUM. So note, many people will be higher. Also, they require you to have a minimum of a 5 on three AP exams or a 700+ SAT2 score on 3 exams. As I only applied to Oxford, I’m not sure on LSE’s requirements, but I can guarantee you they will be similar. Based on this, if you want to be apply, you will be required to take 3 SAT2 exams just to be considered.</p>

<p>Hopefully this helps you out a bit, but unfortunately things don’t look that great. Truthfully, a strong start to college won’t make a difference since you apply again as a freshmen. Also, the date to apply is VERY early (I think it was October for Oxbridge?) so if you wanted to do the SAT2s you’d HAVE to do them right away (and even then I’m not sure if you’d make the deadline). Truthfully, I’d say your best course of action at the moment would be to excel at SMU and then transfer to somewhere in the US.</p>

<p>But just so you know, even if you do manage to get all of this together, it’s still not over. This is just to be asked to interview at Oxford/LSE. IF you get asked to interview, THAT will be the determining factor. However, interviews in the UK are drastically different than in the US as it’s a test of your knowledge, not a get to know you sorta deal. If you have more questions though, feel free to PM me.</p>

<p>Also Yasmin, hopefully this post helps you out a bit! If you have any questions too, PM me :)</p>

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<p>Thanks, I think I will still apply as their website says the first year of an undergraduate degree may fulfill the requirements.</p>