<p>Does anyone here have experience with the application process for UK schools, specifically Oxford and Cambridge in England and St Andrews and University of Edinburgh in Scotland?</p>
<p>I know Oxbridge you can apply to only one of the two and the interview is rigorous, but anything else? </p>
<p>I have very high test scores and 1 AP score (will have 4 by summer's end, I took 3 at the end of this year) ... and I have heard British schools place more value on scores? Is this correct?</p>
<p>I am really quite interested in UK schools and my parents are willing to pay full fees for a British university.</p>
<p>I applied to Oxford, St. Andrews, and Edinburgh this year, was admitted to all three, and am going to Oxford next year. Oxbridge has a separate application along with the UCAS app you use for St Andrews and Edinburgh. It's good you have 4 AP scores-- that's what counts the most in terms of tests-- in fact, Oxford never asks for a high school transcript, they just want to see very very high test scores (I think Cambridge might, and St. Andrew's and Edinburgh asked for one too, though not via the application itself). Also about Oxbridge, you need to apply to a specific college in a specific subject area (for the Scottish schools, you'll still need to decide on a subject concentration). Go on the websites to look at all the different courses of study, and for general selection criteria. If you have any specific questions about any of these apps, I'd be happy to answer them!</p>
<p>I applied to Cambridge and St. Andrew's, got offers from both. If you can't get in touch with lellis, or just want a second opinion, I'd be eager to answer any questions you might have.</p>
<p>Thanks!
I would probably apply to Oxford and St Andrews, but Edinburgh is an option. I just wanted to find out what the interview's like. I would be trying to read history OR history and economics OR ppe. I'm not sure which yet.
My AP Exam scores are World History (5) and I will have US History, English language and calculus at the end of the summer.
My SATs are 2350(1560 CR and M) and I have two 800 subject tests (US History/Literature) and a 750 world history and 700 math I.
What would the interview process be like? Do they care AT ALL about ECs?</p>
<p>I was seriously considering applying to Cambridge when I was looking at schools. I didn't end up applying, mostly for financial and logistic reasons (moving across the country was hard enough!), so I get inexplicably envious of any American who gets to take this opportunity, though I'm happy where I go now. :p</p>
<p>As for ECs, I think they care about them, just not as much as American schools. I read my friend's personal statement for Oxford, and she discussed her academic interest in History (the course she applied for) and mentioned how her personal interests (music, theatre, languages) connected to History, and how they'd lend to her enjoying her time at Oxford. Your test scores are really good; I don't think you'll have any trouble at all on that point (or in general!).</p>
<p>From what I've heard of the interviews, they're rigorous, but they're not meant to be intimidating. I think the interviewers want to put you in a corner and see how you think your way out of it. (Er, which certainly sounds intimidating...)</p>
<p>On the Cambridge web-site there are some videos showing interviews. Oxford interviews are basically the same so this will give you a good idea what to expect.</p>
<p>I have linked the page many times before, but it defintiely says on the Oxford site that ECs are not taken into account in admissions. the ONLY time you mention ECs is when they are related to the subject you are applying for. eg. "I am interested in apply to study English and therefore i have been acting in a Shakespeare play" or something along those lines, in your personal statement on the UCAS form. UCAS</a> Home Page</p>
<p>St Andrews is not in the same league as England's best universities. It is not on par with the likes of Oxford, Cambridge, London, Warwick, Edinburgh etc...</p>
<p>St Andrews received worldwide attention in recent years because Prtince William went to college there. But as a university, it is not as great as Oxbridge or London. That is not to say it sn't good, because it is. But it just isn't as great.</p>
<p>ohh I see. Well, I think Oxford would be my first choice because of the college system and the smaller college within a university environment. You seem to understand about all this...if I decide to choose a college to apply to, if they don't want me would I be considered at the other colleges? And could I say that I wanted to be at one of the "old" (pre-1800s founded) colleges, because I just like the "older" feel?</p>
<p>u either choose a specific college or agree to be placed into one(often one that had few applications from ur subject) some to consider are new, jesus, merton, christ church, corpus cristi, these are some of the better of the colleges in general...i was admitted to new college circa 1300s it has amazing architecture...sometimes if one college doesnt want u u can be pooled and chosen by another...but it isnt that common...id be more than willing to answer any questions u had</p>
<p>thanks, trackdude! will they allow you to list choices 1, 2, and 3, or can you pick only one? I realllllly want one of the older colleges as i hate modern architecture (i know it's a silly reason, but i DO want to be a history major)</p>
<p>will your course choice influence acceptance? Like choosing history and econ vs. history alone? I'm still undecided....</p>
<p>no u have to pick one or none...yes ur course influences your acceptance a lot because different colleges accept different amounts of people for each course. take a look at their stats for acceptance per college (applicants per place) and choose one that is doable and u can deal with the architecture...then sit down and find out as many topics that have been asked at interview before as possible...be prepared...it helps cause they are nuts...stress wise...any other questions feel free...btw i dont think there is econ + history...i know there is history and e + m and there is ppe which is pretty good. for post grad success try e/m but its really hard to get into</p>
<p>I looked on the Oxford website and History and Economics is a course. It said it had a 26 percent acceptance rate, but it didn't break it down by college.</p>
<p>I might also consider applying for History and Politics though....my only question is, at Oxford if you read for solely History can you take ANY economics at all?</p>
<p>Have you read the latest rankings? St. Andrews ranks fifth in the UK; above Warwick, most the London colleges, and as for Edinburgh that's down in 18th! In terms the quality of the degree it's third in the UK, only beaten by Oxbridge.</p>
<p>How dare you say it owes its success to Prince William, statistics stand for themselves.</p>
<p>For that matter what sources are you basing your information on?</p>
<p>Edit: Furthermore, St. Andrews annually exchanges with top private colleges, such as Penn, and top public colleges, such as the College of William and Mary.</p>
<p>A friend's D is at Cambridge, and she had to take some general examination for non-UK Oxbridge applicants at a consulate in the US. She also interviewed, and presented 3 specified APs with specific scores (Two 5s and a 4 were required. This is a medical program.) You might want to check out this exam: my understanding is that they offered it only once or twice per year. People came from all over the US to take it, according to my friend.</p>