Hello everyone!
I am finishing up my applications to schools in the UK through the UCAS system, and I was wondering, does anyone know how these schools select their entrants based largely off of their standardized test scores? They seem very straightforward about their entrance requirements (i.e. a certain score or above on multiple AP for US students), but I have to assume there are more students applying with these scores than there are spots open. Besides test scores, are essays the only other thing that they really consider?
Your teacher’s recommendation as well. A few have interviews, but you should know whether that’s the case with anywhere you’re applying.
But below the very top level (Oxford, Cambridge, one or two others) the fact that you will be paying international fees makes you a welcome prospect, and you’re more likely to get an offer than a UK applicant with the same academic ability.
They also over-offer generally, knowing that some students will reject them for another offer, and some won’t make their predicted grades in reality. Some will reject students well above their minimums as they know they won’t take an offer if given.
Make sure you do the homework on writing a Personal Statement, which is more academically-focused than a US essay. They want to know that you have some reasonable idea of what you are applying to study dive straight into he deep end. Your personal story, hope & dreams, etc are not relevant except as they relate to your interest in & capacity for your subject.
My daughter just got accepted to King’s! If you meet the minimums for entrance than it’s really about the Personal Statement. The statement should be very focused about why you want to study that subject and what classes or experiences you have had that directly reflect your interest in that subject. Good luck! FYI she got a decision in about 3 weeks.
congrats to your daughter, @2boysandandagull!
Hi, Speaking from experience as someone who got into Oxford, when it comes to the interview, the professors appreciate someone who has spent their free time reading up on the subject they are applying for. I applied to take French and German and mentioned on my personal statement that I had read a certain German novel that the interviewer had himself written on - so he enjoyed talking about that. The interviewers also discussed the grammar test we had to take on interview day and appreciated that I had looked up certain things that I hadn’t been sure about and was then able to correct what I had written during the test. I also think it helped that I was just down to earth and cheery throughout the interview, and didn’t take myself too seriously.