<p>I'm an American junior with pretty good grades and scores. I had never thought of going to a foreign university, but I saw the idea here, and I have to admit, it sounds very interesting. I want to study international politics and languages. </p>
<p>How difficult is it for an American to apply and get in? Can anybody lend any insight to the university?</p>
<p>It's not terribly difficult at all. Lots of prep school kids opt for University of Edinburgh or St. Andrews as it gets harder and harder to get into top schools here. The scottish schools are far more americanlike in the way they're set up then english schools. I've heard one drawback is that writing style/requirements are different and you'll need to come up to speed on that but other than that you'll find lots of other americans attending along with you.</p>
<p>They also put far more emphasis on marks rather than Extra-Curriculars. Check out their minimum requirements (should be on the website). Studying abroad is an excellent experience and I recommend it to anyone.</p>
<p>I'm applying there for International Politics, but I also want to take a course in Russian language.</p>
<p>Edinburgh requirements for US applicants:</p>
<pre><code>* SAT I 1800 (600 minimum in Maths, Verbal and Writing) plus two individual subject tests at SAT II (SAT Subject Tests) with 600 minimum, or
SAT I 1800 (600 minimum in Maths, Verbal and Writing) plus two Advanced Placement Tests (AP’s) at Grade 4, or
Three Advanced Placement Tests at Grade 4 minimum, or
Successful completion of one year of University in the USA
</code></pre>
<p>They don't even look at your EC's, or even your GPA, so I advise you take as many AP's and SAT II's as possible. The more you have, the more competitive you will be.</p>
<p>ramses 2: I'm not sure what your experience is with St Andrews, but acceptance is by no means easy. Most Americans have extremely competitive SATs and many APs. St Andrews does draw heavily from the top American prep schools (Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, St. Paul's, etc.). This is not because it's easy to get into, many of these students have gotten into Ivy League schools, but because it's viewed as a remarkable opportunity. Looking at the matriculations for top prep schools, Edinburgh seems to be less popular. It is also less selective.</p>
<p>I have studied in Edinburgh for a whole semester and I transfered out from it. It's nothing compared to a US university</p>
<p>Are you talking about its academics, its social life...? Could you me more specific?</p>
<p>Slightly touchy aren't you JWagner? The OP said they had good grades and SATs and was asking if the process of applying was hard...it's not. And if her SATs and APs are good then she has a great shot at a fantastic opportunity. And while these two schools have been secret jewels for elite tipy top american prep schools forever, they've recently become very hot amongst kids who don't have the scores to get into the top LACs here. Don't look at Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, St. Paul's, look at the likes of the Hill School in Pottstown or St. Andrews, some of these schools use the scottish schools to cushion the 'Where kids are going' lists. One young friend bemoaned that if she didn't pull up her SATs she'd have to pull a St. Andrews. Silly and utterly ridiculous I know. But smart kids with SATs in the 600 and up range can find a home and a marvelous opportunity there, where here they are practically shut out of top schools. And of the 4 kids I know heading to St. Andrews not one of them would have placed at HPYS.</p>
<p>ramses2, what kind of stats did your friends that got accepted to St Andrews have?</p>
<p>The one girl(who discussed pulling a St. Andrew's),is a very good friend of my son and has a 720 CR/ 600M, she wants to attend Amherst so will try and pull up her scores.(She's a junior) Of the 4 other girls heading to St. Andrew's, the only one I know for sure had a 660CR 640M, the others I believe had SATs in the high 600s and low 700s.</p>
<p>But what about AP scores? Those are the ones that really matter...</p>
<p>No, but I feel that your previous post was a bit misleading. The OP did not just ask about application process, but rather "how difficult is it for an American to apply and get in." You responded with "it's not terribly difficult at all." A few points:</p>
<ol>
<li> What data indicate that American students admitted to St Andrews have been rejected from top LACs? What is your sample size? Is it broader than a group of personal acquaintances?<br></li>
<li> You'll have to explain what you mean by the whole Hill School/St. Andrews thing. I don't know why you would want to overlook the fact that a relatively large number of students from some of the best prep schools in America attend St Andrews. I assume most schools would want to list matriculations to St Andrews because it is perceived by many as a prestigious institution.</li>
<li> I can't speak for the kids you know, but I know a number of undergraduates attending St Andrews that had significantly higher scores than you've listed and were also admitted to Ivy League institutions. Most of the American postgraduates I know did their undergrad at Top 25 schools. Further, there are a pretty significant number of HYPS grads at St Andrews. I am one of them.</li>
</ol>
<p>I can't help you there R6, I don't really know. But I would hazard a guess that their AP's were pretty good. I know that my son's friend does really well on them.</p>
<p>JWagner, I assumed that the OP who said she/he had good scores and grades probably fit the Edinburgh requirements R6 has graciously posted. And so yes, I would assume that it's easier to gain entrance at the moment to St. Andrews or Endinburgh than it is to HYPS or any of the top LACs. Again, I assumed we're talking about a good hardworking student, I certainly wasn't implying that just anyone can gain entrance.(And yes, you are being touchy)</p>
<p>And this is sooo not an area where I'm going to expend any energy digging up data to support something I'm observing as just another mom going through the admissions process. You can get all offended over an imaginery slight all you wish, I'm not playing. I'm simply saying that within my two children's circle of aquaintances there are more and more kids turning to St. Andrews and Endinburgh that haven't got a chance at HYPS. Really, really bright kids who just aren't bringing in top SAT scores. Are there kids who could have gone Ivy? I'm absolutely sure of it. (Just not amongst the kids I know.) </p>
<p>And yes, of course they are prestigious institutions turning out remarkable scholars. The simple fact of the matter however remains that an american can gain entrance with far lower stats(and great APs) then at a stateside school of equal quality. Sooo cagey prep school GC's seem to be directing students to look to Scotland. Makes them look good without having to answer why their kids aren't getting into 'better' schools.</p>
<p>
That's hardly a fair comparison. The admit rates at SYPH are below the most competitive programs at Oxbridge, not to mention the consideration of extra factors like ecs and awards. :rolleyes:</p>
<p> [quote=yougotjohn] I had never thought of going to a foreign university, but I saw the idea here, and I have to admit, it sounds very interesting.
If it's financially feasible, yes. Keep in mind that although they're relatively cheap by US standards, universities in the UK are highly unlikely to give you any sort of financial aid. Edinburgh is an awesome city with a fairly large American student population, so I think you'd fit in rather well.</p>
<p>So they put a lot of emphasis on AP tests. But I have a problem. I'm in two AP classes this year and four next year -- how will they know my scores if they don't come out until the summer? Do they give an conditional acceptance to US students like they do UK students? Their website isn't very clear regarding international admissions. </p>
<p>Also, what would the tuition costs be? Anybody have any idea?</p>
<p>Thanks for all of this amazing information. I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do they give an conditional acceptance to US students like they do UK students?
[/quote]
Yes. Depending on your record, they'll give you an unconditional offer, a conditional offer, or a rejection. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Also, what would the tuition costs be?
[/quote]
<p>Check out Canadian universities...much closer, and much more similar academic experience to the American schools.</p>
<p>Many kids in my school that applied to Edinburgh have gotten conditional offers, for examplle: you need to get 3 4's on your AP's this year. and stuff like that. However, if you have already received the scores from a good number of your AP's when you apply (when I apply I will have the scores from 5 AP's that I took in sophomore and junior years), I think it is possible that they give you an unconditional acceptance.</p>
<p>Let me give you a bit of information from a senior who has been accepted at the University of Edinburgh, the University of St. Andrews, the University of Glasgow, and the University of Aberdeen, and am going to be attending the University of St. Andrews next fall. From conversing frequently with the admissions of most of these Scottish schools, they generally do look at American students' GPAs along with SAT IIs and/or APs, and of course, SATs. The University of Edinburgh carries a great reputation worldwide but has slightly lower requirements and a somewhat higher admissions rate than the University of St. Andrews. Also, each department varies in its admission rate. They also pay a lot of attention to how rigorous your courses/course load is, and give a GREAT deal of attention to your personal statement and referee statement. Also, the reputation and school report from your high school does come into play. If it helps at all, I recieved unconditional acceptances from all 4 schools with a 3.5 gpa with very rigorous courses in an extremely elite/high pressure prep school, three 4 scores for APs, SAT IIs in the high 600s to mid 700s and an SAT writing score of 800, reading score of 800, and math score of 780. Good luck! If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message.</p>