<p>The question is in the title...</p>
<p>I'm pretty unclear about exactly how difficult admissions are (they don't publish statistics or anything)... someone else told me like Boston College while others said like Cornell or Duke.</p>
<p>Admission isn't too bad, really. I had a 2150 SAT, national merit commended status, not a ton of extra circ. activities, and 3.9 unweighted GPA. I submitted no AP scores, and will only have taken 3 APs and 4 honors by graduation (at a school which offers a LOT of these classes that I opted not to take). I had really, really good letters of rec. though and worked a lot on my personal statement. If you have AP scores, you should be fine, and apparently, even if you don't have them, you can still be admitted (like me). Oh, and I had only taken one SAT II subject test (lit...640) but apparently my other stuff made up for it. To make up for lack of AP scores, I sent graded writing samples from AP English and my syllabi (I think that may have helped).</p>
<p>I had all parts of my app. sent by Nov 7 and got my acceptance in the mail by Nov 25, which is extremely fast considering the time it takes for mail to get from California to Scotland. So apply and you'll hear soon. I'd advise you to get your app in as soon as possible though, since it is rolling admissions.</p>
<p>Have you been to the studentroom.co.uk or thesinner.net? You can search for some info at these sites. Feel free to ask any more questions.</p>
<p>I don't think you should be comparing US and UK admissions. They are completely different.</p>
<p>i would say admissions-wise is not too bad; the adrep that came to my school said that they have rolling w/ 3.3+ gpa and 1300+ (old) SAT.... and that about 75% of us students are accepted. i'm not really sure how it compares academically to us schools.... while it is probably the best university in scotland, keep in mind that the most accomplished scots will probably go to oxbridge... so you have to keep it in perspective. </p>
<p>If you are interested in St. Andrews you should also look at Trinity (in Ireland)... i think they are pretty similar.</p>
<p>I also think are benefits & consequences to attending a school like st. andrews: on the one hand, i think alot of americans are pretty impressed by any international university, especially in a rapidly globalizing world (yata yata)... but i think that you also are risking that your employers, etc. may not have heard of these schools, and will take it less seriously... </p>
<p>and yes def check out **************, there are lots intls, etc. on there!</p>
<p>what..... ok cc just blocked it off?</p>
<p>the ***** part is the student room</p>
<p>I got your PM, but I couldn't send you a return message because you've exceeded your total space. Here's my response:</p>
<p>My understanding is that you have big lectures and then tutorials as well, with 8 to 10 students. Tutorials are taught by recognized experts (sometimes by the people who are lecturing), but also can be taught by grad students. </p>
<p>The main difference between UK and US education is depth vs breath. At St Andrews, you choose 3 subjects first year and pretty much have to major in one of those subjects. If you are considering majoring in international relations, St. Andrews is the place to be, as they are very strong in this department.</p>
<p>I'm going to St. Andrews not entirely for the educational aspect (if you are really concerned education wise, I'd attend a US liberal arts college) but more for the amazing experience!</p>
<p>ebonyphoenix--have you definitely decided to go? I sent in my application a few weeks ago so I should hopefully hear something soon!</p>
<p>If I am accepted, I think it would be very hard to turn down the offer.</p>
<p>Actually, I am interested in International Relations. Also in Environmental Studies. I would be a transfer student to either first or second-year. Any ideas what you would study to work for an international org that deals with environmental issues?</p>
<p>Mishy- yes, I am pretty sure I'm attending. I've applied to some other colleges in the US, but this is more to appease my parents who think I may decide I don't want to go halfway across the world. But my heart is set on St. Andrews. Maybe I'll see you there? Good luck with your application!!!</p>
<p>And for the poster talking about the 75% admit, that's probably true. But I think this may be in large part to the fact that the applicant pool tends to self-selecting... all of the students I've met online have better stats than me. I don't think they accept stupid students... a lot of students who apply there also apply to the ivies. It's no Harvard in terms of a horrible admit rate, but most students who go to the trouble of applying to the UK are serious students.</p>
<p>ecape- I don't think you can get a joint degree combining IR and environmental science. When you accept a place, you are admitted either for a specific subject (you've declared your major) or a specific faculty. Enivornmental science is in the science faculty and IR in the arts. You could take classes in both first and second year, but would ultimately have to decide on just one (and you might have to decide this for your application).</p>
<p>I am coming to the end of my first semester at St. Andrews so I'll throw in my two pence.</p>
<p>Admissions are not that difficult for either US or UK students. If you are an American, you pretty much need a 1350+ SAT, a decent essay, and nothing that counts against you (3.0+ GPA should be fine). As for UK students, I was surprised to hear that a lot of people got in with low A-levels. While St. Andrews tries to sell itself as one of the better universities in the UK, it really isn't. It isn't second to the top two (Cambridge and Oxford) like you might hear.</p>
<p>If you are looking for strong academics, this probably isn't the best place. Also, I strongly suggest that you do not decide on St. Andrews unless you are pretty sure about what you want to study; if you are unsure apply to a liberal arts college or a cheap state school in the US depending on what kind of education you want. However, if you are sure about what you want to study, this might definitely be the place for you.</p>
<p>I'm applying to US schools this year as a freshman and taking a leave of absence during the spring semester because I am unhappy with what I am studying and would prefer a liberal arts education. I love the university and the town, but there are just times when you have to do what you have to do.</p>
<p>There are going to be a few things to get used to in St. Andrews/the UK if you decide to go. First, expect to be nickled and dimed to death. For example , using the sports center requires a membership plus a fee per visit and joining a society also incurs a membership fee. Second, during winter there is almost no daylight. This is the only thing I have against the location of St. Andrews itself. We're currently getting about 4.5 to 5 hours of real daylight a day. Third, the grading system is very different. I became utterly depressed when I was getting 70% on assignments I worked very hard on because I was used to getting much higher. Apparently 70% is considered relatively respectable; it's something like a low A. Keep in mind that your first two years are essentially pass/fail. You need 5s (35-40%) your first year and 11s(55-60%) your second year. Neither year averages into your final GPA.</p>
<p>That being said, St. Andrews is a wonderful place. The three beaches are wonderful to hang out on or study on if you can brave the chilly wind off the North Sea. You'll constantly run into people you know. Edinburgh is very accessible. It's about at 1 hour and 20 minute journey each way and if you buy a student rail card it's only 8 quid return including the bus from Leuchars. Dundee is a great city too and it's only about 25 minutes away by bus. Lots of distractions if you are willing to travel. </p>
<p>Good luck! If you have any questions about St. Andrews, I'll try to answer them as best I can.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
Admissions are not that difficult for either US or UK students. If you are an American, you pretty much need a 1350+ SAT, a decent essay, and nothing that counts against you (3.0+ GPA should be fine). As for UK students, I was surprised to hear that a lot of people got in with low A-levels. While St. Andrews tries to sell itself as one of the better universities in the UK, it really isn't. It isn't second to the top two (Cambridge and Oxford) like you might hear.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>ITA with this. St Andews is massively famous in the US, much more so than in Europe, because Prince William went there and that is somehow very attractive to US students. But remember William isn't amazingly bright. He got ABC in his A-levels (in history of art, geography and Biology I believe). It's not a bad school, but not a really hard one either. It will probably be easier for you to get in as a full fee paying international student since all UK universities need internationals to subsidise the fees of their "home" students. If you like league tables, the times (<a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk%5B/url%5D">www.thetimes.co.uk</a>) puts St Andrews as 14th in the UK.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
We're currently getting about 4.5 to 5 hours of real daylight a day.
[/QUOTE]
yup. This is what winter is like.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
Third, the grading system is very different. I became utterly depressed when I was getting 70% on assignments I worked very hard on because I was used to getting much higher. Apparently 70% is considered relatively respectable; it's something like a low A. Keep in mind that your first two years are essentially pass/fail. You need 5s (35-40%) your first year and 11s(55-60%) your second year. Neither year averages into your final GPA.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>LOL! All American students say this :) Basically your work will be compared to perfect answers written by a professor (rather than to that of other students in your class as in the US). So if you can get 70% of what a prof wrote, you're doing really well.</p>
<p>does anyone know if st andrews grads do well with admittance to grad schools in the US?</p>
<p>I don;t know if the grading system in scotland is identical but in england:
70%+ A First
60-70% 2.1
50-60% 2.2.
40-50% 3rd
30-40% Pass without honours
29%- Fail</p>
<p>So actually 70% is really really good, usually a 2.1 is considered a v.respectable grade</p>