United Kingdom International

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>I am a 19 year old former Sixth Form Student from the UK with an unknown GPA. My GCSE's come to about a B average with a few school reports showing an attainment nearer to the A (4.0) that so many on here seem to laud nessecary for any serious college applicant.</p>

<p>Well, here's where the beans spill; my credentials seeming chisled and gleaming are about to slip-slide into relative mediocrity. I can only boast a batch of three and a half A levels: an overall C in English Lit, an overall C in Information Technology (a subject that utilises computer apps), an overall D in General Studies and a D in one year (AS, or half an A Level) of History.</p>

<p>My extracurriculars blossomed in my prepubescent years, and have since dwindled. I have been made aware that due to a lack of demand for extracurriculars abroad comparitively, the US will be far more leniant on UK and most Int. students. I can boast an interm period with a mountain rescue service for which I have an entire coursework assignment on (highly rated), a Level 1 in FA (Soccer) Coaching - Level 2 is being sought in this following year, and soon I should be able to boast being a willing volunteer and contributor to an outdoor activity centre and a local hospital.</p>

<p>Footnotes for consideration are that in my first year in Information Tech. I started the class late and actually made up for this with a second year overall A. Moreover, I have this vouched for in my student transcript, which also denotes my tendency to slump in exams despite my talent.</p>

<p>In my High School, and the following tidbits are the jewels in my warchest; I won a staggering amount of awards for attendance, attainment and effort. On several years I was recognised as the top student in given subjects and often would have won more if it weren't for the ruling that only one award is permitted to a pupil yearly. I won a "Half Colours" (with tie <em>chuckles</em>) distinction in GCSE Spanish in 2004, and in 2006; a Prefect role was awarded to me, thereby entrusting me with setting an example to my juniors, conducting lunchlines, safeguarding classrooms and attending school functions (open evenings for attracting new students).</p>

<p>Notable is that as a UK student, I have more years of any US required subject behind me than any American student would, as well as completed A levels (widely regarded as tougher than anything in American High Schools). I am taking a full English Language A Level this Janruary which I hope to get a C-A (maybe B) grade in and seek to take Italian and Geography at the same standard in May/June time.</p>

<p>My recommendations aren't short of superlatives and should serve as wholly beaming to any sub-top tier college. My transcripts are well written considering my schools weren't equipped to compile together such documents. The amount of photocopied school awards - vouched for in my transcripts - that are to be included in my posted applications should render me an enthusiastic individual.</p>

<p>Now we consider my essays. I am a strong writer who can wax lyrical about most essay topics, usually expressing boundless enthusiasm of mood. My essays should be amongst the stronger submitted to the colleges I am applying to this year; but I can't know for sure can I?</p>

<p>The linchpin in my skill set is easily creative writing; where most resplendent is my poetry. Two essays I have written thus far - one about travelling to an American ghetto on a whim, the other a surreal exposition on how a writer whom has had the greatest impact on me of late has also influenced my own style - have been capped off by subject-relevant poems. My poetry is likely to have more lyrical flair and individualism than any other found in this years college apps. This may sound a flaccid appenadage to hail; but my poetry really is quality. I can only be honest right? Lol,</p>

<p>The colleges I am interested in are as follows, so please pitch in if you have inside knowledge of any: -</p>

<p>Chicago:</p>

<p>Shimer College
Roosevelt
DePaul
North Park
University of Chicago
Loyola (Barely interested tbh)
Columbia C Chicago
Northwestern University Illinois
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago State University
St. Augustine College
School of the Art Institute Chicago
St Xavier Uni
University of Illinois Chicago (not Urbana-Champagne)</p>

<p>New York:</p>

<p>Art Institute NYC
Barnard
Boricua
CUNY Baruch
CUNY City College
CUNY Staten Island
Colgate Uni
NYU</p>

<p>Los Angeles:
California State University
University Calif Los Angeles</p>

<p>The reason why I choose these three metropolises is not out of English bigotry, no sir, but simply due to my demand to attend a comedy school; most hopefully The Second City in Chicago. Have no worries though, I could name as many American college towns as I could English provincial towns.</p>

<p>P.S. My "Prefect" status technically classes as an extracurricular and a leadership role. Also note my willingness to attend a lesser college for a year to build a GPA before transferring to better one.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading, sorry for the length!</p>

2

<p>That is a broad range of schools from elite (U of Chicago) to mediocre (Chicago State) to “I never heard of it” (Boricua). BTW, if you are a man, scratch off Barnard. </p>

<p>Sorry but I am not familiar the UK school system so I have no idea how to chance you.</p>

3

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<p>Which subjects did you study at GCSE level ? You must make sure that you fulfill the minimum Math(s), English, Science, Foreign Language, and Social Studies (History, etc.) requirements before you apply to a US college. Your A-levels are pretty mediocre and won’t count much. </p>

<p>Generally speaking, I think your chances of being admitted into any top US university are rather small. BTW, you must also take the American SAT test (including two subject tests if required by your college of choice).</p>

4

<p>Well, Bruno, my A Levels are impending an improvement and aren’t intended to get me into a University of Chicago, or even a DePaul necessarily. Instead, my horizons span wide and I am prepared to attend a Roosevelt or a UIC for a time to up a College GPA enough to transfer to a Depaul or a Baruch, say.</p>

<p>I could do with more information from you in general rather than a presumption my requirement is straight admission into an Ivy or similar.</p>

<p>My GCSE’s are all the eye-catching subjects in that I took Physics, Biology, Mathematics, English Literature, English Langauge, Citizenship Studies, Religious Studies, History, Geography, Spanish and Information Technology.</p>

<p>I wish to take anything centred around English Literature to Creative Writing. I already have a strong feeling Shimer of Chicago are willing to enrol me for my talent, as they specialise in taking academically gifted but averagely graded students on board. This is at least their policy. Moreover, should I win their Montaigne Scholarship comeptition in February then I mightn’t even have monetary issues seeing as my reward would be fmy full tuition covered.</p>

<p>My Transcripts and recommendations cite often how my ability and studenthood exceeds my academic turnout.</p>

<p>Knowing how unlikely I am to get into University of Chicago, I have resolved to write an essay to them detailing my passion for humour and outline how to write a joke, perhaps a tom-swifty for example. I will propose to the reader that perhaps by arming him with such intellectual gear to unleash on social occasions, I have put a sparkle in his eye and compel him to give me a shot. Optomistic things like that, you know?</p>

<p>Any idea if I should withold my A Level results and send in my GCSE’s? Only recommend me to do so if you are sure, of course.</p>

<p>My girlfriend from Bridgeport is sure I can get into a University or other.</p>

<p>Again, consider that I am willing to work hard enough in year one to earn a transfer. Give me advice with that in mind.</p>

5

<p>…hi</p>

6

<p>Bump. Please answer me with information on any listed college you are familiar with.</p>

7

<p>I am sorry to say your A levels are a bit dismal.A D in general studies does not look awfully impressive.What are your SAT scores?If you scored well that could help your application.UChicago,Northwestern and Barnard are not within reach for the grades you are presenting.The other colleges you mentioned could be possible,esp North Park and the CUNY colleges.btw are you a male?Because Barnard is a womens college-are you aware?</p>

8

<p>Why, oh why, would you come to the US and pay international fees for colleges like staten island and Shimer?</p>

<p>While you might put a sparkle in an adcom’s eye, the unfortunate truth is that won’t get you admitted without the stats.</p>

9

<p>My reasoning is as follows: I have a US based girlfriend whom I serious about to the hilt; she and I both wish to attend a comedy school together; and I wish to transfer from any low ranking college after the first year on a high GPA.</p>

<p>Any info on transferring? Me and my girlfriend are considering UCLA as an option and I feel a 4.0 at UIC would easily seal this deal.</p>

<p>How realistic are my DePaul chances btw? I am retaking my A Levels and all insitutions are being informed of this too.</p>

10

<p>It would be much cheaper for the 2 of you to attend a UK school.</p>

<p>For UCLA, you can only transfer in as a junior. Transferring into any good school will take 2 years of a good GPA.</p>

11

<p>Are you sure about this 2College2College? I have read an entire thread on this very forum with people on 3.5 GPA’s in the first year whom were considered likely to get into UCLA. It should be considered that my A Levels should but significantly higher by the time I enrol in UIC or Roosevelt.</p>

<p>Many Liberal Arts colleges seem viable options too. I want to come to the US for a holistic education, so Liberal Arts is easily a good idea for me.</p>

12

<p>Bluntly, I think you are hugely over-confident about your options (in fact over-confident about everything). Even if you are admitted to a US school, you need to consider what you will do if you cannot transfer (and usually average high school students do not suddenly because amazing college students. In fact it’s more likely the opposite. In the first year many student do poorly as they adjust to college) or if your girlfriend cannot transfer as you plan. What do you do then? It sounds like you intend to go ahead with your plans in any case, but you need to think about what you will do if it all doesn’t work out.</p>

13

<p>Cupcake… I don’t need the hollow admonitions that seem to be launched in abundance at anyone on here whom lacks A standard grades and resivoirs of EC’s. I have been shocked, thus far, to see how little knowledge people on here have of colleges outside the 1st tier.</p>

<p>Over-confident? How so? I resolved that reservedness and bashfulness (albeit online) would go amiss on here. My original post is bubbling with optomism, simply, to garner optomistic replies. I am realtistically looking at Roosevelt and UIC as options, this much I have gathered, and simply seeked affirmation of what collees would realistically enrol me.</p>

<p>And, sorry for my bluntess, but your analysis of my potential studenthood in a collegiate enviroment is dire. It may well be that average students rarely vault to new academic heights in higher education, but as we all know on this forum, the American grade system is largely inflated and is not a true indicant of how someone will fare in college. For the record, I was an above average student by leagues and my award tally is very favourable to me. My key failure was an inability to condense my good work into examination success, largely due to meticulousness and a loss of faith in my education system just as I entered my GCSE taking year.</p>

<p>Listen, you guys on here have a vast knowledge and I’m sure someone here knows something about one of the colleges I’ve posted. Please help me, that’s all I ask.</p>

14

<p>Cupcake… I don’t need the hollow admonitions that seem to be launched in abundance at anyone on here whom lacks A standard grades and resivoirs of EC’s. I have been shocked, thus far, to see how little knowledge people on here have of colleges outside the 1st tier.</p>

<p>Over-confident? How so? I resolved that reservedness and bashfulness (albeit online) would go amiss on here. My original post is bubbling with optomism, simply, to garner optomistic replies. I am realtistically looking at Roosevelt and UIC as options, this much I have gathered, and simply seeked affirmation of what collees would realistically enrol me.</p>

<p>And, sorry for my bluntess, but your analysis of my potential studenthood in a collegiate enviroment is dire. It may well be that average students rarely vault to new academic heights in higher education, but as we all know on this forum, the American grade system is largely inflated and is not a true indicant of how someone will fare in college. For the record, I was an above average student by leagues and my award tally is very favourable to me. My key failure was an inability to condense my good work into examination success, largely due to meticulousness and a loss of faith in my education system just as I entered my GCSE taking year.</p>

<p>Listen, you guys on here have a vast knowledge and I’m sure someone here knows something about one of the colleges I’ve posted. Please help me, that’s all I ask.</p>

15

<p>You seem very articulate from what you’ve been typing on here, however on paper CCDd at A-level (you also still need to take the SAT) won’t be too impressive. </p>

<p>Also, similar people (except you macmill, I love you), were doomsayers on my thread when I asked for my chances in applying for Northwestern and Chicago, and I have A*ABc at A-level. It’s worth a try in any case: take the SAT and see how it goes. If you don’t get a high score however, your A-levels will probably speak for themselves.</p>

<p>From what I hear, the non-uber colleges are crying out for international students and will give them lots of money, so why don’t you take down the top ones (i.e. look at their average GPA/SAT range/Financial options), and then email the admissions departments for each of them and see what they say.</p>

<p><em>I am not an expert, but I’m a Brit too so I can see where you’re coming from.</em></p>

16

<p>You don’t want advice. You just want praise. That won’t actually help you.</p>