<p>I have been thinking lately that I want to apply to Cambridge or some other University in the UK. However when I looked at what you need to join I didn't understand some concepts. Like what is an "A-level" course? All my life I have learned about American colleges, you know: SAT/ACT, straight A's honors/APs, and do plenty of extra-curricular activities. What do the colleges over there look for? What tests do I need? And if you have ANY extra information about anything pertaining to UK universities or Cambridge or anything, PLEASE post! :) Thank you for reading/posting. :)</p>
<p>You would be an international or overseas or foreign applicant in the UK. Figure out what the correct terminology is, and read the admissions requirements for the right category of students. Some will have specific requirements for students from the US.</p>
<p>And find out if your parents will pay for it all. There probably will be no scholarship or financial aid available.</p>
<p>A-levels are qualifications which UK high students study for to gain entry to university. You don’t need to take them so they are irrelevant to you. Go to the international section of the websites of the universities you are interested in to find out the US entry requirements. These will probably depend on which course (effectively major, which you must decide upon application and which is extremely difficult to change) you apply for.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! :)</p>
<p>Be aware that the Cambridge application deadline on UCAS is Oct. 15 whereas other UK universities have deadlines Jan 15.
You need to have demonstrated a certain level of specialization to apply, have several AP’s with scores of 5 or preferably some IB HL’s, and your statement must explain how your specific academic background as well as other experiences (internship, shadowing, research, independent project…) prepared you for the exact course the university is offering. You apply to a specific major and will be selected for that major; it is then exceedingly difficult to change majors since you only take classes for that subject. You can also apply as a freshman in college and won’t be considered a transfer.</p>
<p>Among other things, Cambridge will require you to have a minimum of 5 scores of 5 on APs, of which as many as possible should be relevant to the subject you want to study. </p>
<p>Every university puts the requirements for each subject on their website. Typically it will be something like "AAB at A level, to include [subject] and [subject]. For that section you can substitute 5, 5,4 on an AP (or strong 700s / strong 600s on SATII), covering those subjects. </p>
<p>Then, as happymomof1 says, you need to go to the International section and see what else is required (usually an SAT score). And as MYOS1634 points out, you need to pick one subject and demonstrate why you are a good fit for that subject. </p>
<p>All of this is moot if you decide to answer the siren song of St Andrews, which is on the common app.</p>
<p>Cambridge does have some funding available- USCam is a poster on this forum who is currently at Cambridge and can help with that.</p>
<p>Also, you might find it helpful to check out the americans applying to colleges in the UK site on the student room website.</p>
<p>Hi yes, Cambridge does have some funding available. It’s through the Cambridge Overseas Trust (not actually part of the uni but associated with it, funded through donations) which might have a new name now actually…I vaguely recall some renaming email. But if you google “Cambridge Overseas Trust” it should come right up. The process for applying is simple, much easier than US financial aid applications. In addition to the Trust, if you really actually need money in order to attend, I would suggest applying to one of the richer colleges (St. John’s, Trinity) which may have more money to throw around if you are accepted. But I would be very surprised if a student who could prove they needed funding to attend wouldn’t be provided some money at ANY college–if they let you in, they generally try very hard to ensure you can come. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>