I did go to the open day! You’re right, I think out of all the courses and universities in the UK, this UCL economics program with a year abroad is probably the best for me and maybe most similar to what I’m seeking in the US, relatively liberal and with a good reputation. London is a good city too. The main thing worrying me is just being restricted to an economics degree with no flexibility to change (although as you said there is freedom to take some other classes), especially if I don’t end up liking it or something. Even in the US with an economics degree, I could spend a significant portion studying other subjects. I’m struggling with the same problem, because I feel like for the cost of university in the US, it’s only worth passing up UCL for an equal/better school so yeah, hard to lower standards. UCL will definitely give more certain opportunities but at the same time I think I would be happier at a US college even if the reputation isn’t as good. But nothing is for sure, so it’s a difficult decision!
@tinker I feel exactly the same.
@jojo15 I think that your grades and test scores get you into consideration if they are above a certain mark, and from then on it’s other factors, many of which are subjective. But it sounds like you were a very strong applicant.
@Alfonsia I get what your saying but I don’t agree. My friends brother was in exactly the same position 2 years ago, and got into Duke. My close friend said that on paper I’m a lot better, and was surprised at how his brother got in and I didn’t. His test scores and grades were on par/slightly lower than mine. The difference is he’s Sudanese (diversity) and must’ve had better essays and LoR.
They do reject many people with very high grades and scores (like jojo15) but the scores and grades were not the reason. People with lower scores like AnotherBrit got in to Stanford (the most competitive school I can think of). I think there is a way with my grades and test scores, and due to UCL being a very good school, if I try again I won’t lower my standards, but criticise me if you must.
I think everyone’s stories are all different. It is your life so you know what is best for you. There have been many cases of success and failure after a gap year but they are probably like the chance thread - they give you an idea but they cannot tell you your own outcome. I actually chose a top LAC over Imperial College London and never regretted it one bit. They give me so much money and a liberal arts education is the one thing that I REALLY want to experience. Regardless of what you choose, I wish you best of luck.
If you want to bring the ‘diversity’ thing into play, I am also ethnically Chinese which some people would say would have worked against me (as well as needing pretty much full aid).
Perhaps UCL would be the best option for you. You’re allowed to take a class in a subject other than Econ I think? And if you’re still set on the US you can go there for a Masters.
All I can say is that I was incredibly sincere in my essays, and wrote in my own voice - slang and all. Some schools probably hated it (funnily enough the Ivies which are stereotypically more ‘snobby’) but luckily Stanford didn’t.
@AnotherBrit Would you mind telling me what your extracurriculars were like? They must’ve been good.
You may have already read this, but I thought it was interesting. Best of luck to you.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/from-the-expat-blog-advice-on-applying-to-u-s-colleges-1426018187
In case the the link does not work for you:
March 10, 2015 4:09 p.m. ET
Young expats applying to U.S. colleges face distinct challenges—and advantages, says Timothy J. Olson, a U.S. citizen who grew up in Japan and worked 27 years at the American School in Japan mostly as a school counselor. The Wall Street Journal asked Mr. Olson questions American families living overseas with college-bound children may have.
Do expat students have a better chance of getting into selective U.S. colleges and universities than their U.S.-based peers?
I’ll start with the good news. At a vast majority of U.S. universities, the answer is, yes. American students who have lived abroad bring a welcome perspective into the college classroom or dorm room. Time and again, college admissions representatives remark how open-minded and sophisticated most expat kids are in general (there are of course exceptions!).Colleges also know that the quality of education students are typically getting at international schools is top-notch.
This is not necessarily so for those 40 to 50 uber-selective institutions (those with admission rates of 20% or less). For the most part, these are world-renowned, and applications pour in from every corner of the globe.
Coming from overseas, especially from well-represented countries such as India, China and Korea, even if you are not of their nationality, may put you in an even more selective pool of high-achieving students.
Admissions officers want to know how you took advantage of your overseas opportunities. Did you actively seek out others unlike yourself, in and out of school? Did you learn the local language? Did you give back to the community? Colleges aren’t interested in students who stayed in the foreign enclave, unaffected by the country surrounding them.
How does the application process differ for expat students?
Applying online has reduced a lot of the hassles. At international schools where English is the language of instruction, the curriculum will likely be either Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB), both very familiar to U.S. admissions offices. But if you attend a local school—especially if the language of instruction is not English—there will likely be a few added steps in the application process. You’ll need to make sure the school provides official translations of transcripts. Teacher recommendations written in the local language should be provided with English versions. Unlike international schools, a local school may not have a school profile or similar document explaining the school’s curriculum and grading scale. You’ll need to ask the school to prepare that information in English.
Should expat students emphasize their international experience in college application essays?
Not always. Sure, the fact you live overseas or encountered unique situations as an expat can tell the admissions reader something significant about who you are. Or who you used to be and have now become. It can be the hook that sets you apart from other Americans with similar grades and test scores or an identical list of activities. But beware: The international-themed essay is not always the better one to submit. Writing about, say, your many hours of Boy Scout or community service back in the U.S. might actually be the better window into you.
—For more of Timothy J. Olson’s expat college-entrance tips, go to WSJ.com/Expat, the Journal’s digital hub for expats and global nomads. Follow us at WSJ Expat and
OP isn’t a US citizen though. I would be interested in how schools approach the kids that have theoretically functional GCs but haven’t lived in the USA for years, they must just incorporate that risk into their yield protection but a certain amount of these young people who have unexpired GCs based on their parents corporate moves etc may very well find they are not able to use them when they try to re enter the USA without appropriate paperwork for returning residents. The only way they really will know that is when they land in immigration.
@Alfonsia I don’t know all the rules, but Immigration told me that as long as I enter the US at least once a year, all is fine. I don’t think there is any risk unless I don’t go to the US for over a year.
Many top colleges count permanent residents same as citizens. As a PR, I don’t think those colleges would look at his finaid need in the way they may check for truer international applicants. I suspect the issue here boils down to two things: many more citizens of the UK apply than these schools can accommodate. And, just being there and finishing hs there isn’t a particular pull. More has to come through in the app. Yes, essays, the supps and LoRs matter. We don’t know what should make OP’s case so different from so many US kids who live abroad while their parents are working or whatever.
http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/international-travel-permanent-resident
Now adults would be cognizant of these issues, but as a minor or just turned 18 yr old turning up with a GC based on your parent’s status, it would really behoove you to make sure you understand how things can go wrong (or can be prefectly fine) in immigration. The mere fact that you will have attended a UK school full time for obviously enough time to get O and A levels means you have not lived in the USA for a time. Not knowing the rules will make secondary screening very straightforward for immigration staff. Make sure you CAN live in the USA before making serious plans. Make sure you have your re entry permit. Hopefully your parents have a US home address, tax returns, US paperwork, come back for decent periods etc.
http://lawandborder.com/risk-abandoning-green-card-abroad-6-months/ (many sites with info are pay for the lawyer driven, but it is what it is).
Thanks for your advice on all this. I will check things but I’m fairly sure my resident status is fine and they do treat PRs the same as citizens when it comes to aid. I would prefer to focus on ways to make my application stronger, or whether to take a gap year or transfer… at the moment I have no idea. I’ve decided I will slightly lower my standards however; I will choose from the schools I applied to which ones fit me best, and add the University of Southern California and maybe another.
@hugo0777 “It doesn’t matter where you go” isn’t garbage. I’d say it proves true more often than not, although obviously getting into and attending Harvard or Yale would have done wonders for any career you might have chosen. Looking at your grades you’re obviously a very bright, competent individual. That won’t ever change. Sorry about your disappointment but this only defeats you if you let it.
Your stats aren’t that impressive tbh. Its entirely possible for someone with your stats to get into a Ivy League, but it isn’t the most “tragic” case I’ve seen with admissions.