@Junipero, any word on an interview?
FOr what it’s worth, my d’s experience applying to Cam (but from France) is essentially identical to collegemom’s: she roughly met the numbers requirements (in no way as a stellar standout in terms of GPA), then moved on to the next steps in the applic process (additional essays and interview). By far the most important part of her applic was the way she developed her interest and skills in the subject she chose, which informed everything else. Once she got a conditional offer, with highly stringent requirements for her BAC exam results, she concentrated on meeting them (and did).
In other words, the hurdle of GPA mattered far less than her development as the kind of person they want to filter in. Collegemom is absolutely correct that the OP is over-estimating what the numbers mean at the initial stages of the application. When the numbers really matter is when a conditional offer must be met.
Thanks-- my d is already above 27 on her ACT practice tests and she has until Feb to study when she will take it for real. I’m guessing she will score in the low 30s. She has on 4 on AP comp sci, and a 640 (sigh) on SAT Bio. But she is taking 3 AP tests this spring and 2 SAT subject tests. Pretty sure she will meet the requirements.
@KaffeineKitty, you haven’t mentioned what subject your daughter is applying for, but be sure she checks for: 1) specific subject requirements (some subjects have them, others don’t); 2) that she applies with subjects related to the subject she is applying to study (for example, if she is applying to study a science, they should be science/math, even if specific subjects aren’t named); and 3) that they are from subject group A (list is [here](https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/entry-requirements/tariff/tariff-tables/966)- typically APs from group B count 1/2, so they want two (for example, Macro + Micro Econ = 1 AP).
Hi Collegemom- my d is considering a stem course- probably comp Sci w/cognitive Sci , but maybe Chem or physics. She is currently taking AP Chem, AP Stats and AP Physics along with pre- Calc , Chinese III and English. She plans on taking all the AP tests plus SAT subject test in Chem and math II - think that will cover it as long as she gets the scores?
Does anyone know if Trinity College Dublin is on UCAS? If not how is the process different?
TCD is not on UCAS (b/c the Republic of Ireland is not part of the United Kingdom…). They have their own application, and are very receptive to American applicants. You apply online. Minimum reqs: 1300 on any 2 parts of the SAT or 29 on the ACT, a 3.3/B+ GPA (including English, math, a second language + three more subjects), 2 LoRs, a 500word PS on why TCD, and any subjects for the course you are applying to. I did post-grad work & used to teach at TCD, so any other questions let me know.
One important note: at Edinburgh in Years 1 & 2 your D will be able to take a few non-science classes (none in Years 3 &4 though); at TCD she will ONLY take classes in her subject for all 4 years. Changing courses is not easy, so she should be really sure of what she wants to study.
As for Edinburgh, if she gets the scores she should be in good shape- depending on the course she settles on. Her big challenge will be math: A level math is more or less Calc BC, and she won’t have any calculus at all. That may be an obstacle to acceptance - all of the ones you mention except CogSci specifically ask for A level math- but even if she gets the offer she may find that she struggles.
Thanks- good info- d will be taking Calc senior year (she is a junior now). She is considering taking Calc A over the summer and then Calc b/c senior year. But if she doesn’t do summer and takes Calc A/B senior year will she be behind? Sounds like she might…
That’s great- sorry, I missed that she was a junior and will able to do calc as a senior. If she is serious about the science subjects for the UK, BC would be a good idea.
@collegemom3717, sorry for the late reply! (And thanks for asking.) This morning, he was invited to interview! It’s still a long shot, of course, but what a cool life experience! Now the flurry of arrangements… I thought we could also check out UCL and King’s while there, but probably no time for Edinburgh. (We did visit the city when he was 12, but not the university, specifically.) Unfortunately, the interviews take place during his high school’s finals week, and at least one teacher is not too thrilled with this development.
I really didn’t think he had much of a chance of getting an interview, since he hadn’t done most of the things kids who are planning to leave home for the first year of college do. (As I mentioned, he intended to transfer from the local community college to a UC.) The AP tests really helped get him in the UK university admissions ballpark! Since he hadn’t previously taken the ACT or SAT, we were also a bit anxious to see how he would do on the September ACT, and that process wasn’t made any easier by the delay in getting his scores! (Everything came down to the wire for that Oct. 15th deadline…)
In the “another thing we have in common” (but in a sadder way) department, the cancer our daughter was dealing with was also lymphoma, but non-Hodgkin’s. She is quadriplegic and the treatment was brutal for her, with five months in the hospital and months of recuperation at home, but her prognosis is great now, and I hope your loved one is also doing well.
Congrats to your son, @Junipero! How exciting. The great thing now is that, as far as Oxford is concerned, he is good enough to be there: the only thing remaining is how well he suits the tutorial format and how well he compares to the other finalists. There are videos on youtube about the interview experience. The best ‘hint’ that I can offer is to remind him that it is ok to stop, think, breathe, consider, ask questions about the question, etc. before responding. It is a back-and-forth process, so thinking out loud helps.
It is a great adventure. What college?
I am glad that your daughter has a good prognosis! We were a little luckier, in that ours only had short hospital stays. She was diagnosed in January, and stayed in Oxford through chemo (8 months), and just came home for the radiation. Of course you hope that your son will never need it, but if he does you will be happy to know that the medical care was outstanding- and all of it was covered by the NHS (even the parking…). Our girl had to suspend her studies for the year, but has just gotten the all clear to start back in January.
Oh, my gosh! What a resilient young woman to undergo all of that so far from home. I’m so glad she received such outstanding (and fully covered, including parking!) care, and that she is ready to get back to “normal” life again. But jeez, that was a rather crappy detour, and I’m very sorry she had to go through that.
Our son has applied to St. John’s for Experimental Psychology. When his older sister was a senior in high school (at the same high school, but years earlier), she won the regional grand prize in an essay contest sponsored by the English Speaking Union, and that grand prize was a trip to Oxford. She was supposed to attend a seminar at some college we no longer remember, but the college was not wheelchair accessible, and she would also need an attendant, so they generously paid for us all (mom, dad, daughter… but no younger siblings, yet) to travel to Oxford. We were warmly greeted there, and then continued our travels throughout England and other parts of Europe. (This was our daughter’s first trip to Europe.) So, we have quite a soft spot for Oxford, and when we visited the UK in 2011, of course it was part of the itinerary (especially given its subsequent Harry Potter connection!)… and that’s when our son first started thinking about attending Oxford or another UK university.
Thank you so much for the tips! Did you travel with your daughter for the interview? And if so, did you see her at all once she checked into the college? I am trying to understand how it will all unfold.
Unfortunately at the time wasn’t really possible to go with her, so she went on her own (eeps!). Obviously, it worked out just fine. I did go with her when she moved in, though, have visited many times since, and basically lived there this year from Jan-Sept, so I know what you mean about what a great place it is!
John’s is a great college- and a great location! It’s probably best to assume that you won’t see him until it’s all over- there are times when he could get away, but imo (and my D’s!) it’s best for the candidates to stay immersed in that world. There will be a whole raft of current students who stay on to help the interviewees- to get them from place to place, entertain them, etc… Also, for a certain amount of time they are ‘on call’ for possible subsequent interviews. Btw, quite a few of them make friends who last- I know a number of friendships that started that way!
One thing about everything Oxford: you don’t get a lot of info up front, but it all tends to work out.
@collegemom3717 , Traveling alone certainly did work out just fine! Again, she seems like a very resilient-- and competent!-- young woman. I’m glad you were able to stay in Oxford during the chemo. I had been thinking how hard it must have been to be separated during that time. I know it still had to be quite difficult in many others ways, but it’s great you were able to provide that kind of support-- and a huge comfort to her, I’m sure.
It’s nice to hear the positive response to St. John’s. I know he initially felt pretty clueless about what he should be looking for in terms of the colleges, and I’m not sure exactly how/why he made that particular choice.
Thanks so much for the additional insight!