Just trying to get a feel for if I might be able to make a competitive application - I’ve really very little idea about how the US system works at this point.
I have extreme ‘extenuating circumstances’ that disrupted pretty much all of my secondary and sixth form education - this was taken into account when I was recently awarded a deferred place at Oxford, not sure if the US takes such things into account.
A-Levels: History A, English Lit A, Economics A, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) (independent research qualification) A.
GCSEs: AAAA* AAA BB C
My reference is excellent, stressing that I consistently went beyond the syllabus through independent work and that my work was at first-year undergraduate standard when I was in a state to be able to complete it. Also states that my grades suffered due to often being unable to attend school - for example, I couldn’t get an A* in the EPQ because I was physically unable to meet a deadline, and one of the marking criteria is the ability to meet deadlines.
Sat an ACT practise test this morning and got a 33 - I’ve not really prepared for this and I haven’t yet looked at SAT subject tests, so I appreciate I can’t give you a full picture yet.
Extra curricular: Assistance Dog Volunteer Trainer with one of the leading UK charities (several years, and two dogs now successfully partnered.)
One of the lead organisers for the biggest volunteer led annual fundraisers for the charity (I approached sponsors and sourced raffles prizes and other means of making money on the day of the event)
UNICEF Children's Champion - contacting local MPs, engaging with local media, and raising awareness of local UNICEF campaigns.
Citizen's Advice Bureau Adviser - providing an effective and efficient advice service to members of the public(typically the most vulnerable) and helping to influence local government and other organizations by informing them of the effect of their actions on the lives of clients.
Also about to launch a non-profit focusing on the refugee crisis (this has involved working with charities and NGOs, as well as local governments at refugee 'hotspots')
Represent my secondary school and Sixth Form for multiple sports until ill-health prevented me from continuing to compete. I've also received awards and honours for my academic and sporting achievements during my school career.
One question: how do American universities consider contextual information? How is such information supplied to them? In the UK, universities allow students to provide explanatory material approved by either a school or doctor - and some universities, like Cambridge, have a formal form for this (the Extenuating Circumstances Form). When I applied to UK unis in September my application was accompanied by a letter from one of my doctors detailing my circumstances over the last decade and its impact on my education.
Posting this as a friend suggested I looked at universities outside the UK while I have the time. Any and all analysis and advice is gratefully received.