Hi guys. So I’m an international considering applying to the US with British A level qualifications. But the problem is that I got very bad grades for my GCSEs(9&10th grade), I got all C’s and D’s because of problems at home. I am sitting my A level(US equivalent of grade 11 and 12 ) exams in January and the provisional results will come out on March 3 and I am very positive that I will get at least AAAA but most of the university deadlines for application are in December or January.
So basically my question is that will my A level grades be considered in such a scenario. I would let them know on 3rd March. Or would they just consider my GCSEs and other aspects of my application?
Will 3 March be too late?
I understand that there are many things that are considered but I don’t want to go through all the process if they would not consider my A level grades. The American university application process is very tiring and I don’t want to go through it if it does not result in anything.
I would be applying to Ivy league, Rice and other higher ranked universities.
Plus I’ve got 1540 on the SAT and haven’t taken subject tests yet.
And my only real extra curricular is that I work in my mum’s real estate business full time. Also I’m self studying for my A levels so I guess that would be considered home schooling, I don’t go to school and will only go there in January to sit my exams.
I stopped going to school after my GCSEs(9&10th grade exams) to work in my mum’s firm.
What schools can I get into? I want to major in economics.
@That’s tough. Normally, US Colleges look at 9-11 grades. Your SAT is excellent though. Do you have any financial constraints? What are your options in the UK?
@Communist007 You could apply for a Spring semester start date. Those deadlines seem to be October 1. Why the US? Would your AAAA not get you into an excellent UK school???
Most higher ranked universities don’t seem to have spring semester start dates.
Yes that’s what my question is. Do I even have a chance at the ivy league and other comparative universities? Because I think there is no point in applying otherwise.
I would love to go to a good uni in the US but i guess it’s unlikely that I will get in?
$100,000 budget means $25,000 per year – that’s low for an American education.
You would need substantial financial aid. Given how competitive the Ivies are for international students (10-15% overall) I think it’s unlikely you’d get in, much less with enough FA to attend.
Sorry. For an international student, the reality of studying in America is that unless you’re extraordinarily accomplished (and lucky), the first criteria is a great deal of money.
You need to apply for Fall 2018 with your ALevel PREDICTED results. If you’re homeschooled, your mum will be in charge of certifying those by November (for ED/EA) or January (RD). In the meanwhile you will need to take three SAT subjects since you’re homeschooled (aim for 740+).
For Economics, apply to Hamilton, Colgate, NYU Stern, Fordham, Middlebury. Run the NPC and apply ED to one. These are all universities with very strong placement that may be interested in the fact you’ve worked full time for two years (“holistic admissions” look at different factors). Your “additional information” will have to include serious, detailed information about those GCSEs, and a vague “problems at home” won’t be sufficient (we don’t need to know more).
Some (but not all) would be easier admits for you than larger Ivy League alternatives. In terms of well-funded financial aid programs, opportunities for direct instruction from senior faculty and academics in general, the site includes some of the U.S.'s top colleges.
If you are able to construct a short list of potential choices, they should be congenial in informing of you of which information will be eligible for consideration.
I understand that I will have to apply with predicted grades. Can I let them know my results once they are out? And if I can let them know will they consider them or just my predictions? Also who do I get my references from?
Yes I am planning to take 3 Subject tests- Maths, Literature and World History. Are these subjects fine?
I see. Are those the only ones that I could get into? Are there any others?
In terms of the U.S. college landscape, the schools that @MYOS1634 recommended (#12), such as Middlebury and Colgate, range to the very highly selective and may be very difficult admits:
You’ll have to let them know your official results once they’re out, yes, but for EA/ED/RD you’ll have to have your mother certify your predicted results.
Yes, the three SAT2 tests are good.
Most of those are really, really good universities that offer something that’s not offered in the UK (mentorship, smaller classes with lots of contacts with professors, and a community). They’re reaches or matches, BTW (not safeties).
There are others, yes.
Have you stated whether you are male or female? That could be a factor in some recommendations.
Can we assume you would like to study economics, with perhaps some finance courses? The majority of the Ivy League do not offer undergraduate business majors, for example.
