She is a full IBD candidate, tests she has already taken are:
SL Math- 5
SL Spanish- 5
APUSH- 5
APHUG-5
AP Art History- 4
AP Euro- 3
AP Spanish- 3
SAT II Chem- 700
New SAT- 1390
GPA W- 4.5, U- 3.8
She’s taking a bunch more IB tests this year, but the stress is sort of off now as she will likely go to Durham or St. A where she has unconditionals. Her stats aren’t super high, but Durham raved about how much they loved her personal statement and extracurriculars and St. A interviewer was also very impressed with her extracurriculars. Makes me wonder if some UK schools do take those in to account, at least a little? Also interesting that she got unconditionals at the two schools where she visited and interviewed at the departments. In both cases she spoke directly to the person reviewing her app.
hgt730 – if you accept the the joint Modern History and IR, you can always drop the IR second semester of your first year. However, if you only accept Modern History, it is more difficult (maybe even impossible) to add IR as a module because of its popularity. My son (American) did the joint degree and really enjoyed it. The other advantage (at least while he was there – he graduated this Spring) is that you were not required to write a dissertation with that joint degree, which gave him more flexibility to take additional modules that interested him. Check out the course catalogue for more details.
P.S. his sister/my daughter applied through Common App for Geography and IR mid-October and is still waiting for an offer. Was interested to read the posts above about the high number of applications. Good luck to all who are waiting!
Unconditional for Comparative Literature and English came in around 8am California time!! So excited! visiting in early february but im 99% sure it’s my top choice!
I just saw this thread today and thought I would post. I was accepted on November 18 for the IR degree program through UCAS. I had submitted my application in early October.
ACT- 30 (31 SS)
GPA- 3.5
APs- US History 5
SAT 2- US History 750
Literature- 620
I have two friends who applied for History and Art History who also heard back in late November and one friend who applied for Marine Biology who still hasn’t heard back yet and submitted in October. So I would say the decisions are taking a bit for some applicants.
I received a call from the head of international admissions saying that she was thrilled to offer me a place to study History of Art and hoped I would accept. She quoted my personal statement, address, etc, and said that I would receive my acceptance email and letter in the mail that week. That was Christmas week, and I had not heard back before the offices closed. Has this happened to anyone else? I’m sure it’s nothing to be concerned about, but I’d really like to go ahead and accept my offer already!
Excited to attend this fall.
@erindee I am a little puzzled. You received an unconditional offer for IR with 1 AP at 5 and a 31 ACT. (SAT II in US History is the same subject as the AP and the Lit doesn’t meet the minimum 650). You must have rocked up with a banging PS and CR.
My kid also received an unconditional without exactly meeting the criteria stated on the web page. It happens. She interviewed directly with the chemistry department, had a good personal statement, and good reference and research experience. It’s not always all about the numbers it seems.
@elguapo1, St. A’s is the most holistic when it comes to admissions of Internationals. I was always under the impression that you didn’t have to meet the recommended minimums they have for Scots/EU/other Brits if you are a full-pay international.
Other UK unis may be moving in that direction as well when it comes to admission philosophy for full-pay Americans/Internationals.
Is anyone able to cite data on returning freshmen data or drop out rates for US students given softer entrance criteria? I always think when I read these threads is that there is missing information and that the stated "1 AP at 5 and a 31 ACT" can't be all the stats available. There must be some kind of system that makes sure these kids that the UK students outshine are somehow nurtured through? Are the UK students usually aware of the difference in admission stats? Does it create any friction?
@Sybylla Excellent points. I know St A’s has very low drop out rate and a very high student satisfaction rating. I suspect US students drop out because of home sickness rather than academics, although I read in these blogs US students are sometimes unhappy with the marking system. I too believe we must must be missing something important since St A’s has something like the 4th/5th highest entry requirements in the UK for British students.
visiting in early february but im 99% sure it’s my top choice!