<p>Hey,, i'm a yr11 girl studying in england. Does anyone know the procedure to apply for universities in america? I wanna study medicine in Harvard but I am not sure about the education system there. I still have yr12 and yr13 to go, and by then i would have completed my A-levels, but when should I apply? and how? I would apply for Cambridge and Imperial College here as well (my first two choices), seems big-headed- aiming for the best unis! but jus wanna maximize my chance of getting into a good uni. My mum said that you have to do pure science first before I do the medicine course... is that true?? Can anyone help me? THANKS :)</p>
<p>Your mother is right - medicine is a graduate programme in the US. The whole application process starts earlier in the US than the UK - you will need to take SATs in the lower sixth - year 12. And think about taking subject SATS when you take GCSEs. Compared to UCAS, the US application system is complicated and horrendously expensive - The fulbright website has lots of information for UK students looking to study in the US at undergraduate level. And have you looked at the student room site ? there is a section on uni in the US. But good for you, to be thinking about this option so early - it does take a lot more planning than going the straight UCAS route - and of course you must look at the financial situation very carefully. But Harvard has needs blind admission for internationals - are you in a state or independente school? Harvard and a few other ivy leagues recruit from the state sector so that can be a plus if that's where you're coming from. I used to interview UK students applying to H so feel free to PM with other questions.</p>
<p>Your information is very helpful thankyou!!!! What do you mean for ' taking subject SATS when you take GCSEs'? So do I have to apply in yr12? Will I be disadvantaged for the entrance test because I won't know as much? I go to a private school (independent?), in Croydon- do they like taking private school students? Or not as much as state school? Although I go to a private school, I would still need to have some financial support if I get in (hopefully!). Will that be a disadvantage as well? Should I take any extra courses in order in get in? I play the piano and the flute, diploma and grade 5 respectively- will that be any good? </p>
<p>Another question: What about applying for business/finance/accountancy/economics? I've been looking along those lines as well... What are the common procedures? THANKS!</p>
<p>And, what are the SATS about? I haven't done any before. (I was in Hong Kong until the age of 11, then I moved to England.) Do you have any past SATS, or any SATS practice papers or something like that?</p>
<p>You have a lot of research to do. Is there anyone at your school familiar with requirements for applying to US colleges? Anyone in the Careers Office? I am assuming not - my D at an independent West London school which sent 30% of its students to Oxbridge each year had to do her US apps completely on her own. So start reseraching now - the College Board site will give you information on the SATs. The Fulbright site I mentioned will give general info. YOu don't apply until your final year, same as UCAS, but you need to start taking the SATs before then. If you are applying to top caliber schools you will need the subject SATs - these will almost certainly be subjects you do at GCSE or A/S so take them when you take those exams. I think Yale is the only ivy league which accepts A levels in place of subject SATS - but I think the catch is they accept completed A-levels which therefore presupposes a Gap year. You need to zero in on specfic schools and then check out the individual requirements as posted on their websites. And American colleges offer a liberal arts education - that means you do not apply to a specific course, unlike UK universities. American colleges place a lot of emphasis on activities outside the academic curriculum - so your music acitivities should help - are those your only extra-curricular activities?</p>
<p>Alright. That's really helpful. It's not as simple as I thought, really. I am involved in orchestras and choirs.. did Ballet, did Speech and Drama. But I'm not really involved in sports... I don't think my school is at all familiar with requirements for applying to US colleges, I don't even think anyone from the past had applied for US colleges! Going to be a big big problem! I guess I'm not suited after all. It all seems like a distant dream after all...</p>
<p>It's not simple at all - US applications are much more complicated than UCAS. But if you research it and decided that's what you want to do, it's worth pursuing. Why don't you look over on the 'international students' board of this forum? That's aimed at non-US students interested in applying to US colleges - you might find it reassuring to be in touch with students more or less in a similar situation to your own..good luck!</p>