I am about to submit my application to the UK schools! The five courses are Oxford (History), UCL (History), LSE (History), King’s College (History and Politics), Edinburgh (History and Politics). I study in one of the top public high schools in the US. I am a history buff. 5s on AP European History, US History, World History, English Language; 800s on SAT World History and Biology. I am a bit disappointed with my SAT (finally taken three weeks ago and was painful with all the rescheduling. 760+720). My GPA (3.72 UW) is also considered poor since I didn’t spend time on some of the subjects I am not interested in. I did a lot of extracurricular activities like History Bees, History Bowls, Quiz Bowls and Debates and definitely show where my interests are. I will take the HAT on November 5.
What is my chance to get into the above schools? Thanks in advance.
Assuming that your LoR & PS are reasonably competent, KCL, UCL, and Edi are almost certain.
LSE: wants 5 APs, and you list only 4 (and they aren’t interested in subject tests). Do you have others, or are you taking any this year? If you are, any offer would be conditional on those scores. If not, you don’t meet the minimum qualifications.
Oxford is, as you know, a wild card b/c of the HAT, written work submissions and interview. If you are taking more APs this year, be aware that Oxford (or any uni) can choose to make any offer conditional on any combination of APs (achieved or predicted).
I am surprised that you don’t have Durham on the list- the top 5 history rankings in the UK are pretty much always Ox/Cam/Durham/St As + a random one that varies list to list. It’s also a great undergrad experience (collegiate, like Oxbridge).
Thanks @collegemom3717 ! As for UCL, KCL or Edi, how soon they will send out the offers (if I get admitted)?
@collegemom3717 , is there reason to be concerned that this student is applying with nominally six test scores, but of which four are in history ie the equivalent of one A level only, (and the World history SAT is basically the same as one of the APs) and one of which is biology, which is mostly useless for his chosen field? Basically OP is applying with history, English and biology to a mix of history and history and politics courses.
OP, are you taking any social science APs senior year, government, economics, etc? If one of the UK unis would like to see one of those rather than the biology AP, they could at least make a conditional offer. And it would solve the LSE problem.
I will be taking AP Government and AP Physics I during my senior year.
@wyomingOM, there is no way to be certain when you will get replies. You might get some this side of winter break, but I wouldn’t take it personally if you don’t. Also, for your own sake you might self-study comp gov- the material is actually useful for most of the courses you are applying for.
@Tigerle, I am pretty sanguine about the 3 history APs + English. WH doesn’t get much respect as an AP, but Euro does (US Hx falls between them somewhat). OP should be aware that the tutors could be puckish and make an offer conditional on both of this year’s APs (they would do that to a UK student…). My eye lingered longer over the quiz-oriented ECs, and I am trusting that the OP’s PS shows a deeper, more academic interest in history.
Ah, with the Government AP for senior year, my concern is alleviated. Yup, might expect a couple conditional offers with at least that one expected to be another 5, so don’t slack off! Honestly can’t tell whether they will care about the physics AP. Looks like you’re all set for today! Good luck for the HAT.