Questions about SAT&AP for UCAS

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>I'm kinda confused with system of UCAS. If you could answer these questions or give me some advice, I would be really happy and released from my anxiety. Thank you in advance. </p>

<ul>
<li><p>For SAT and AP tests which are not taken yet, should I put "pending" on their scores? How can my referrer put my predicted scores down? In my reference? Or can he put it down somewhere in the application page of my UCAS account? (He doesn't know well about UCAS system.) </p></li>
<li><p>Will universities choose the highest score for each section of SAT, regardless of the date when the test was taken (like superscore)? </p></li>
<li><p>I heard that AP tests not related to one's future major are not counted. Are all of AP Physics, Statistics, and Computer Science, and Environmental Science considered as related to biology? </p></li>
<li><p>I will apply to competitive schools such as ICL. Does this mean that I will be rescinded if one of scores of my next AP tests will be 4 (in AP macroeconomics or environmental science) even though the predicted score was 5? What if my highest SAT score will be slightly lower than the predicted one? </p></li>
<li><p>I have no EC's with direct connection with biology, since they are mostly about math and its research. Can I make up this by emphasizing in my PS that I did my EC's because genetics and molecular biology, ones of topics of the course to which I applied, have strong connection with math?</p></li>
</ul>

2

<ol>
<li>Yes, for examinations you have yet to take, you put “pending.” Your referee must include “predicted” grades in his or her reference.</li>
<li>You normally enter each section of the SAT separately, so it is assumed that universities will superscore, but this cannot be guaranteed, as policies vary from university to university.</li>
<li>Again, different schools will look at your APs differently. If you want to study biology, you should have normally studied AP Biology and Chemistry. You should check with universities for specifics.</li>
<li>In order to be competitive, you should try to get top grades. For most top UK schools, this is five 5s in AP, but again policies vary. Also, once you are accepted, you will be given a “conditional offer”, which will have the requirements that you need to meet before September 1, 2014. These conditions could be higher than your predicted grades, so you should try to get top grades.</li>
<li>Your ECs do not need to be directly related, e.g. you could say that “I have partaken in some physics research, which has greatly broadened my research and analytical skills that I will use in my biology degree.”</li>
</ol>

3

<p>Just to add to MeIsHM, there is only one Biology AP, so de facto you will need some non-bio APs. The point is that the others should be consistent with your field of interest and meet the requirements of the course. </p>

<p>ICL for Bio requires two 5s in Biology and either a math or other science (chemistry preferred); and a 4 in another subject (another science preferred). If you fall short on those, you are unlikely to keep your place. See here for US qualifications:</p>

<p><a href=“https://workspace.imperial.ac.uk/college/Public/pdfs/Life%20Sciences%20international%20qualifications.pdf[/url]”>https://workspace.imperial.ac.uk/college/Public/pdfs/Life%20Sciences%20international%20qualifications.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>and here for the general requirements:</p>

<p>[Entry</a> requirements](<a href=“Imperial College London”>Imperial College London)</p>

<p>Note that those are minimums, and they may put other conditions on (depending on what scores you have already). If you don’t have any APs taken at all when you apply your chances go down substantially, as they have nothing to evaluate you on, so if that is your situation get some SAT II marks of 720+ in relevant subjects to get you started (note that they will not double count, so doing Bio SAT II and Bio AP only counts once).</p>

<p>Also, be aware that Stats, ES and Comp Sci are considered “B” courses on the UCAS tariff chart (here: [Advanced</a> Placement Programme - US & Canada | UCAS](<a href=“http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/explore-your-options/entry-requirements/tariff-tables/app]Advanced”>http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/explore-your-options/entry-requirements/tariff-tables/app)), so a “5” on one of them gets you only 50 tariff points compared to 120 for an “A” course. Different unis put different amounts of weight on tariff points, but as an example at ICL the average tariff points for admitted students last year was 520. If you have the bio, math and chem, you will have 360, plus 150 for comp sci, ES, and stats puts you at 510, so in the ball park. </p>

<p>After you apply you will get either a rejection, a conditional acceptance or an unconditional acceptance. An unconditional is just what it says- it won’t matter how your APs turn out. If you have enough relevant tests with the right marks, that is a possibility. If you get a conditional, it will be based on the predictions your referee provides, but may not be identical. I’ve never heard of an SAT condition- usually people have that before they apply. If you don’t meet your conditions, depending on the uni, the competitiveness of the course and how far off you were it is not impossible that you could keep your offer, but it is case by case. I would strongly suggest that you apply to several courses, some less competitive. It is one fee and one submission, so it is as easy to apply to 4 or 5 as it is to one (not counting the choosing of the uni part!). If you have good stats you are likely to get an unconditional offer from a good but not as highly ranked uni, which is a great safety cushion. Once all your responses have come in you “Firm” your first choice and “Insure” your safe choice, and wait for your results.</p>

4

<p>Thanks so much for greatly helpful advice and information! </p>

<p>So far I got:</p>

<p>5’s in:
Japanese
Physics C Mechanics
Physics C E&C
Statistics
Calculus AB
Calculus BC</p>

<p>4’s in:
Computer Science A
Chemistry</p>

<p>So far I think I got about 630 tariff points. </p>

<p>I will probably get:</p>

<p>5’s in:
Macroeconomics
Biology
Physics B </p>

<p>4 in:
Environmental Science</p>

<p>My tariff points will rise to about 900 if my prediction will be right. </p>

<p>I have strong SAT II scores (but I know they are useless), but my SAT I is kinda weak (2100~2150).</p>

5

<p>so I didn’t see your other posting, but will second Real’s question: why not Oxford (oh ok, or the Other Place)? Your SAT isn’t super, but not low enough to rule you out (official cut off is 2100, and more than 2200 they don’t care), and your APs matter a lot more.</p>

6

<p>Oh, I was asked the same question before. But there are three reasons why I couldn’t apply to Oxford. </p>

<p>1: I had never considered to study in UK until two weeks ago, so the deadline for Oxford was already over.</p>

<p>2: I began to take SAT so late that, until recently, I couldn’t know how much I could get. </p>

<p>3: Most importantly, I don’t think I can get 700 in critical reading section of SAT, which is one of requirements of Oxford, since I’m an international student.</p>

7

<p>Ah…well also check out Durham - it’s a collegiate uni like Ox, and has some great science options.</p>

8

<p>Thanks for your nice advice! I will apply to Durham and York, since I found that their biology department’s ranking is so high.</p>