<p>My understanding is that UK unis look at AP grades as directly interchangeable with A-levels (A 2s) on a one for one basis. But you need to look at the requirement for your particular course to make sure you do the right APs. Most English courses here ask for a history A2 - so if you're interested in English, make sure you do a history AP. But these requirements differ from uni to uni. MSU Dad - I may be getting my threads mixed up here but you asked at one point about issues to be aware of for Americans applying to the UK - a significant one is housing - I believe only Oxbridge (and maybe Durham) guarantee housing for all first years - - hard for an 18 year old to cope with first year uni and then to have to shop,cook, clean house (or not) on top of that seems like a major challenge. And again, may be mixing up threads, but Leeds has a combined English-Theatre course which is very well regarded.</p>
<p>UK unis dont really look at gpa right? They mostly just look at AP scores and SATs right?</p>
<p>MSUDad, maybe this post will be helpful: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2x6j6r%5B/url%5D">http://tinyurl.com/2x6j6r</a>
(It's from The Student Room)</p>
<p>When I applied to UK colleges I applied to </p>
<p>University of Warwick (2), UCL, LSE. It really depends, LSE just wanted to see my transcript to see how I was doing, they really never insisted on seeing my transcript I just asked them if they wanted to see it since I had a 3.98 GPA since that would boost my chances but they never insisted on seeing my transcript. But UCL And Warwick wanted to they specifically asked me to send in my transcript. I also heard St. Andrews, Oxford, Cambridge, KCL and Bristol want you to send transcripts in</p>
<p>I don't mean to reiterate the same point over and over again, but the application process to universities in the United Kingdom is about to dramatically change. The UCAS tariff scheme will effectively decide your chances of admission through their conversion. I'm not too sure about how AP tests and SAT scores would fair on the tariff, but I'm certain that the IB Diploma is right at the top.
GCSE's are not required, however if you have taken these exams, the scores must be filled in. It really depends from school to school and the ethical practices that they uphold during the application process. The UCAS form requires students to fill out their complete high school education profile, however one can categorically exclude year 9 and year 10.
Bad GCSE grades will not influence your decision to a large extent, and your final two years in high school will be of utmost importance.</p>
<p>Regarding any changes to the admissions system:
The UK is actively seeking students from the US, and they will understand that the IB is simply not done by the vast majority of US students, so they will continue to accept SAT/ACT/AP, etc.</p>
<p>I did do a little digging and found, essentially, that most schools are looking for 3 APs, with 554 or 544. Some specify that SATIIs are okay.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link.</p>
<p>MSUDad... there is some incorrect information on this thread, which I don't want to respond to directly as I don't have time, BUT, the one thing I will point out was the guarenteed housing for first years. Just about EVERY university (atleast the kind I seem to remember you saying your child was interested in) will offer accommodation in halls (i.e dorms) for the first year. Whether this is catered or self-catering is up to you. After that, many universties do not have accommodation for 2nd and 3rd years and it is necessary to go "off-campus",or as we would say, into the private sector, which in university towns in very extensive, and totally geared towards the university kids. </p>
<p>There are many people on here who do know a fair amount about uni in the UK, but I'm well informed on the situation and I have been through UCAS this year. I am happy to hep you with any queries you might have, and I hope I am a reliable source of information!</p>
<p>As far as I know every university in the UK will guarentee housing to all first students who put that university as their first choice. most also guarentee uni-owned accommodation for final year students (be that the 3rd or 4th year depending on the length of the course). International students are always top of the pile for any free accommodation so in many cases you are guarenteed 2 or 3 years just because you are an international. In most places, even Oxford and Durham, students will have to "live out" in privately rented accommodation in the 2nd and possibly 3rd year. this can significantly increase your costs as rent has to be paid ALL YEAR including the vacations. For Oxbridge, with short 8-week terms, this effectively doubles the cost of a years rent (though I was an undergrad at Cambridge and lived-in all 3 years and that's the norm there. As a grad student at Oxford I can tell you it's NOT the norm here.)</p>
<p>There are thousands of American students enrolled at Uk universities all acorss the country and the vast majority of them do not have any UK qualifications like A-levels or GCSEs. UK university courses are highly specialies - generally no minors (and don't start posting "you can do a minor in Scotland". Yes in Scottish unis, and some English ones such as Lancaster, you can take a couple of extra subjects in the first year only. But it is nothing like the US system where you can basically take any combination you want. search the forum for many discussions on this) and no classes outside your "course" (major effectively) at all. </p>
<p>Someone who wants to study English will take related subjects at A-level such as English Literature, History, French, Politics etc etc. they won't take physics or maths. So as long as they passes GCSE maths and sciences at grade C or above, any further knowledge of these subjects is largely irrelevant. If such a student did take a science A-level, it would probably be ignorred. Therefore, US students just need to take some APs in subjects related to the subject they would like to study. As long as you didn't totally fail high School math there will be no problem unless you're applying for a maths or science course. UK schools make their money out of foreign students. If you can pay you will get in with lower grades anyway.</p>