Summer Study Abroad in England

Applying to College
1

<p>So, I'm considering applying to some study abroad programs for this summer but I really don't know much about it, and I was hoping some people might be able to answer a few questions for me.</p>

<p>I'm currently a freshman at second-tier school (think U of Chicago, WashU, Cornell, Dartmouth, Northwestern...) majoring in economics and mathematics. I have a 4.0 GPA. I was hoping to study abroad at either the London School of Economics, Oxford, or Cambridge.</p>

<p>My questions are:
1) are these programs totally unrealistic for a freshman?
2) have I missed any major deadlines already? :(
3) should I apply through that IFSA-butler thing or directly to the universities?
4) does anyone know how much I'd have to pay if I were to get accepted and then cancel sometime before april? (I don't really plan on doing that, but since I obviously haven't planned this out too well yet I thought I'd check...)</p>

<p>Sorry, I know I seem like I'm just too lazy to look this all up myself, but I find all the websites to be really confusing, and if people happen to know the answers to some of these questions already it could really save me a lot of time. Thanks for your help!!</p>

2

<p>1) I dont think it’s unrealistic especially because you’ve got a 4.0GPA, but you gotta look out for programs that required upper division standing, especially if you’re going for schools like Oxford. I’m not sure about specifics, but you probably need letters of rec for those kinds of programs. I know the University of Sussex doesnt require recs and would be pretty easy to get into, assumming you fulfill requirements.
2.) Depends on the specific program, as it varies, but some are coming up really quickly.
3) sorry no idea
4)you’d have to check the deadlines for withdrawing. Again, it varies, but if you make the deadline, you won’t lose anything but the application fee.</p>