Hi everyone! I have what I feel is a unique situation, and I was hoping someone on here would have some insight.
I’m not happy at all at my current college. I never wanted to go there to begin with. It’s not a bad school or anything, but it’s kind of a party school. I’m very serious about academics, and it’s just not the right environment for me. I knew that going in, I went as a compromise with my family, (I go to this school and they’ll pay for it entirely) and then the situation changed so I kind of got screwed over. This should be my Junior year, but I only have sophomore hours because I went part-time for the first two years because of the family issue.
I’m most interested in transferring to the University of St. Andrews, but I’m also interested in Trinity College Dublin or the University of Edinburgh. I’m not necessarily opposed to entering as a new student either. Originally I was picky about which course I wanted apply to, but I’m so unhappy at my current college that I’m a bit more flexible in that area if it means getting into a school that I actually want to be at.
My ACT is 28, my current GPA is 4.0, and my weighted high school GPA was 4.136. My AP scores weren’t too great unfortunately. I had one 2 and 2 3s. In my defense, I didn’t know that accommodations were available for students with ADHD. Would it be a good idea to take some SAT subject tests? My original plan for my freshman year in college was to retake the ACT and take the Literature, US History, and World History SAT subject tests and then apply to the schools I wanted to go to, but that went out the window with everything that happened.
My other question was about the personal statement. I feel like I should explain the part time thing because I feel like it looks bad, but I don’t want to look like I’m making excuses. I also don’t really like to share personal problems.
Overall, I have had trouble finding information about international transfer students, aside from the entry requirements. Have any of you had any experience in that area?
When you talk to the unis, ask them if they can offer any advanced standing for the past university level coursework you’ve done. Depending on what classes you’ve taken, you might find that some foreign unis might allow you to “skip” their first year. It may also be the case that you can’t do that - but it sounds like you’re prepared for that possibility.
These unis will require you to have at least three AP exams or SAT II subject tests, and the unis you list will normally want 5, 5, 5, or at worst, 4, 4, 4. So you’ll need to take the SAT II tests (unless the uni says they can take the ACT instead - ask if it’s not clear based on their website.) The subjects you take depend on what you want to “major” in at the unis.
Although they require three SAT II tests, many top level UK unis tell me they really would prefer (or really require) you take five, and that one be in math, another in English, plus three more - which ones, again, would depend on what you plan to do your course in there, and what their entry requirements are for that program. So before you sign up for random SAT II tests, check the entry requirements, and consider taking math and English as well as any other subjects you plan to take. Talk to admissions at the unis as well. (It may be possible for your math SAT II to be a 3/4; it may be possible that your math section of the ACT may work for this as well. Talk to admissions.)
I’m not concerned about you being part-time in credit load v. full time. Don’t use your personal statement for that. You don’t need to address that - it’s not a concern.
If you need aid to help you pay for these schools, then consider applying to them, but also applying to some US schools that would give you some or all of what you like about these schools, and which perhaps also offer a study abroad program so you can spend a year abroad at these schools. These US schools could be a financial backup should the UK schools not end up being affordable.
@sunshinebulbb
You can find admission requirements here for Edinburgh. You will be applying with your college grades.
https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/country/americas/united-states-of-america
International admissions office is very helpful and will be happy to answer your questions. See if they are going to be in your area in the near future. I think tours start in October.
UCAS PS guidance is here
https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/how-write-ucas-undergraduate-personal-statement