<p>
</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.uniOnview.com%5DUnionView%5B/url”>http://www.uniOnview.com]UnionView[/url</a>]</p>
<p>This website has lots of short introductory videos on British universities, including St Andrews. It’s a positive mine of information (and pretty pictures).</p>
<p>A-D, </p>
<p>I had posted on this point some pages earlier. </p>
<p>You would do well to attend St Andrews before medical school in the USA. Great reputation and considerable novelty (from a US medical school admissions perspective). </p>
<p>The basic premed requisites are: biology, physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, advanced math (usually calculus). Biochemistry is a plus. </p>
<p>That is it (despite what Sefago serially and erroneously posts - he/she seems to have no actual on the ground experience in the USA but plenty of opinions!). </p>
<p>With good marks in these subjects and solid MCAT exam scores you will get in somewhere. With clinical shadowing or work experience you will get in a number of places. Ditto research exposure. With superb marks and all else, options at the highest level are possible.</p>
<p>Ancient university in a great college town on the coast at half the cost of US private universities - despite no scholarships (other than the singular Ransome …).</p>
<p>Go for it! The student satisfaction scales are over the top and all options will be open.</p>
<p>Sincerely,
Kata</p>
<p>Dear Sefago,</p>
<p>Your continued posting of inaccurate information pertaining to US medical school admissions is unfortunate. Clearly yours are opinions not founded on direct experience or actual expertise. Please refrain from such disinformation. </p>
<p>Sorry to be so blunt, but it really seems as if you are ‘talking through your hat’.</p>
<p>Adieu,
Kata</p>
<p>Incorrecto Placido!!</p>
<p>Please see my earlier citations - notably that from the American Association of Medical Colleges (or visit the site directly and look up international graduates. </p>
<p>US citizen who study abroad are NOT considered international graduates and virtually no school ‘requires’ even one year of college in the US. All the more true for undergrads from Canada, UK, Australia.</p>
<p>[Admissions</a> Frequently Asked Questions | Pritzker School of Medicine](<a href=“http://pritzker.uchicago.edu/admissions/faq.shtml]Admissions”>http://pritzker.uchicago.edu/admissions/faq.shtml)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Another example:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>[International</a> Students](<a href=“http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/admissions/roles/international.html]International”>http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/admissions/roles/international.html)</p>
<p>Do you have contrary proof or should we take your esteemed claim that it only applies to foreign students?</p>
<p>if you need more evidence I would oblige you. I am that nice!!!</p>
<p>Read these sources carefully. pritzker makes this clear that this is for american applicants. They have a section for international students.</p>
<p>Northwesterns is obviously self-explanatory. </p>
<p>Tbh, I dont know whats the point. I went through the whole premed route and its kind of funny that someone who never applied to med school could make random claims.</p>
<p>Suit yourself anyways. Point still remains that non-North American degrees are not accepted and it has little to do with citizenship and more to do with system.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I know kids with 3.5 and 32 MCATs from schools definitely better than St Andrews who are taking gap years. I wish they had your high school optimism lol</p>
<p>Also observe that schools make no difference between an American/Canadian degree for international students regardless of citizenship (i.e you could be from China and study in canada and would be perfectly capable of applying for med school in the US without the need to complete an extra year) but they make distinctions for other countries.</p>
<p>I repeat. It has little to do with citizenship. </p>
<p>Thanks though for making me waste 30 minutes to prove something I had already done before.</p>
<p>[Pre-Medical</a> Requirements > Admissions | Medical Education | Yale School of Medicine](<a href=“http://medicine.yale.edu/education/admissions/apply/premed.aspx]Pre-Medical”>http://medicine.yale.edu/education/admissions/apply/premed.aspx)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“MD Program”>MD Program]Requirements[/url</a>]</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Of course this is school specific but in general get ready for one year of extra schooling.</p>
<p>Thank you for your assiduous if rather tardy and ill informed reply, Sefago. </p>
<p>As I posted two months ago, your idiosyncratic and highly selective misinformation is well refuted by the American Association of Medical Colleges. </p>
<p>Though you seem to hold yourself out as the very same, the AAMC is the overall authority for medical education in North America. </p>
<p>As is said in these parts: you are all hat and no cattle. That roughly translates as “Checkmate, matey”. </p>
<p>Oh, and by the way, no further replies from yours truly (though one does feel obligated to correctly advise any whom you likely will further provision with incorrect ‘advice’).</p>
<p>TTFN,
Kay</p>
<p>PS: Several acquaintances graduated in the UK and who directly entered US medical schools have, variously, described you as a ‘putz’, a ‘crank’, a ‘pseudo’. </p>
<p>Not me, mind you, only they whose actual experience is perpendicular to your vacuously pompous posturings. Just say’n …</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>12-11-2010, 09:05 PM #176
Katayanna
New Member</p>
<p>Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 8
sefago:</p>
<p>Ha ha! Actually not only is my mother quite extant she also has been on a number of medical school admissions committees in the USA. She said that the quotes you reference apply to non-US citizen applicants and that - for a US citizen - having a good first degree from the UK would not be an issue. </p>
<p>She also pointed me to the following source for clarification.</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.aamc.org/download/54488/...nshandbook.pdf[/url]”>https://www.aamc.org/download/54488/...nshandbook.pdf</a>
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL COLLEGES - Handbook for Admissions Officers</p>
<p>G. School Policies
<p>Each school should have a published policy relating to the admission of international students. An international applicant is a student who is not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States and who is seeking (or has achieved) Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) permission to study in this country. They can apply from abroad or be in the United States completing undergraduate (and/or graduate) studies, having entered the country with a student visa (F status). … …</p>
<p>Most private medical schools in the United States consider for admission, and accept, (non-US citizen) international applicants. The best available reference in terms of the policy at each allopathic medical school can be found in the Premedical Advisors Reference Manual. … …</p>
<p>The main problem faced by (non-US citizen) international students is that the school accepting them has to certify to the INS not only that they are fluent in English and meet the requirements for admission to the M.D. program, but also that they have the financial means to support themselves for the duration of the program. </p>
<p>Furthermore, few medical schools require substantial research experience although that can be helpful, especially at such places as HMS, Columbia, etc. </p>
<p>As I said initially, have all pre-med courses in good order and doing well on MCATs are the main hurdles for a US citizen no matter where he or she studied.</p>
<p>Good on you for your inhibitory remarks to Sefago who seems to style himself quite the expert on all manner of US-UK academic career considerations despite little if any actual empirical knowledge. Tiresome indeed, his ‘this and that’ …</p>
<p>Hi, I’m an English student with a conditional offer from St Andrews, and I’ll (hopefully!) be starting in September. My offer is for Philosophy and Theology, and requires me to get AAB in my A-Levels, and I’m currently studying English Literature, Religious Studies and History at a state (public) school. For some reason I’m also doing general studies, not that St Andrews or my insurance Kent actually accept it… but school insist upon certain things!</p>
<p>If anyone has any questions they want to ask about the UK University system then feel free to grab me - so many people on here seem confused about how it works. Though I can’t claim to know much about the American University system, having gone through the joys of open days and UCAS (<<< what hell is built of) I can hopefully be of some help to American applicants. So if anyone wants to know anything then just grab me, I’ll no doubt be hovering around here somewhere!</p>
<p>Beth</p>
<p>P.S. Oh, and to the various people who’ve been claiming that the UK gives out As like sweets - you come over here and sit an A-Level then tell me how easy you found it!</p>
<p>Hello!</p>
<p>I am an American student who recently applied to St. Andrews. There were some problems with my application reaching St. Andrews, so I had to scan my app, and I am still waiting on a decision. There is a good chance that I could end up at St. Andrews next year. Is there anyone on here who has already visited/attends the school who could tell me more about life at St. Andrews? Also, I heard that academics are much more vigorous because they give you fewer assignments for each course. Is this true? </p>
<p>I will surely visit the school if I am admitted, but I am still extremely curious!</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Your post (see the original post at the end of this post) is spot on. I also have a daughter at St Andrews (majoring in IR) who will be a senior next year, and she loves it. She could have gone pretty much anywhere in the US and applied to only one school, St Andrews, and went there sight unseen. Your summary exactly matches what we’ve experienced. The kids are smart, the grading is tough, and the school and the town are gorgeous. I’m tired of reading posts that argue endlessly about whether the school they’re in or considering is #1, #11, or #111. Smart people are where you find them and St Andrews has more than its share. If what you’re looking for is coddling, good food, fancy library, state-of-the-art health facility, go to a US school. If you’re a self-starter who wants a great education in a challenging environment, gorgeous location, with really smart kids from all over the world, I don’t know how you can do much better. </p>
<p>Last note: St Andrews students are the most satisfied in the UK, with 93% of St Andrews final year students surveyed in Spring 2010 giving the University top marks for the quality of the learning and teaching experience. Compare that, for example, with a 2005 COHFE study in which, on a five-point scale, Harvard students’ overall satisfaction came out to 3.95. As one Harvard professor stated, ''I think we have to concede that we are letting our students down. Our standard is that Harvard shoots to be the very best. If it shoots to be the very best in terms of research productivity and the stature of its faculty, why should it not shoot to be the very best in terms of the quality of the education that it delivers?"</p>
<hr>
<p>The above post is in response to an earlier post below:</p>
<p>Ladybug:
My D will be a sophomore next year at St. Andrews. Here is my take on your questions.</p>
<p>1) What are grad school prospects for U.S. students?</p>
<p>Feedback from seniors who live in our area is that U.S. grad schools look favorably on St. Andrews. Acceptance rates, as reported, seem strong. Coursework is rigorous and U.S. grad schools recognize this. Grad schools recognize that the talent pool is high. St. Andrews currently accepts just 1 out of 12 within the UK and 1 out 5 for the U.S. FYI, I am told that the word on the street among attending U.S. students is that they may be pulling back on U.S. admissions a bit next year – so U.S. admissions difficulty may increase.</p>
<p>2) How different is St A’s teaching style and coursework expectations vs US schools? </p>
<p>It’s different, though U.S guides may over-hype this issue. One real difference is the lack of continuous assessment. Students have only a few papers and exams - so grades on each counts big. Grading is tough - no U.S. style grade inflation at all. Grades are 1-20 and 17-20 are considered above an “A” and above a 4.0 in translation. If you don’t keep up, they have no qualms about failing you, and my D knows freshman where this has happened. You can re-take exams if this happens. Key insight: take the self-starter recommendations seriously.</p>
<p>The lack of professor support is overblown. Professors were approachable and very willing to help according to my D. Most big lectures break up into seminars (in the arts) and labs (in the sciences) where it’s 4-5 students meeting with the prof or tutor. In my D’s English class they met in an office overlooking the sea, and with just a few students in the session, she needed to be prepared to eloquently express a close reading of the work under discussion. This “tutorial” style is quite rigorous and unlike anything most U.S. H.S. students have experienced. In years 3 and 4 of your study you are closely directed by department professors and you get to know them very well. There are also a variety of departmental events, parties and other organized gatherings that professors attend. St. Andrews is considered a small school by UK standards and enjoys the same benefits that smaller schools in the U.S. bring.</p>
<p>Of course, it’s up to you to seek professors out. If you don’t do so, they are not going to stay on top of you. Initiative is required.</p>
<p>What I can report is that most everybody seems to love the place. My D does as well. it is fun and collegial in the true sense of the word. This is evidenced not just by what I’m hearing, but by the University’s #1 student satisfaction status in the UK. </p>
<p>There is, however, clearly an adjustment from the U.S. system of constant assessment – it’s much more sink or swim. The upside to this of course is that this is exactly what they will need when they get out into the real world! And the University reminds incoming “freshers” that they don’t accept anyone who can’t do the work and that any help you need is always there for you. But you have to ask for it.</p>
<p>Finally, we’ve found U.S. St. Andrews parents to be a great network and we were given great advice, help and information of all kinds when our daughter decided to attend. The tips on how to get through the student visa process were invaluable.</p>
<p>Hope these observations help.</p>
<p>Cheers,
JC</p>
<p>Thanks for your comment to my earlier post, Psolli.</p>
<p>I couldn’t help but smile at your reference to the food, library and athletic facilities at St. Andrews. We’ve heard the same. Apparently St. Andrews has mastered the fine art of boiling a potato, but little else on the menu. The silver lining to this is that out of self defense, many learn to cook by their sophomore year, and they have great fun throwing dinner parties for each other.</p>
<p>I completely agree with you on the endlessly boring discussions of rankings on CC. Malcolm Gladwell recently took on the topic of college rankings in the New Yorker - exposing the madness. You need a subscription to read it on the New Yorker site, but it’s also available as a PDF here:</p>
<p>[The</a> Order of Things | Colleges That Change Lives](<a href=“http://www.ctcl.org/news/order-of-things]The”>http://www.ctcl.org/news/order-of-things)</p>
<p>Hello! St. Andrews is one of my dream colleges and I was wondering if it would be possible for me to get accepted based on these bits of info–I’m going to need a scholarship.</p>
<p>I’m American, but I have tri-citizenship with Canada and UK
My GPA is a 3.857 unweighted and 4.571 weighted
I got a 2050 on the PSAT this year (I’m a sophomore)
I do summer counseling at the local art center
I also do volunteer work with special-needs kids twice a week, and co-run a local radio show
I have seven AP courses that I’m either actively enrolled in or are slotted in for the future, and plan to retake the PSAT this fall as well as take the SAT and ACT</p>
<p>By any stretch of the imagination, could I be eligible for a scholarship?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>There are scholarships? I didn’t think there were.</p>
<p>I’m in the midst of applying, and my stats are definitely not on par with the ones I’ve seen throughout this thread (yes, I read all 16 pages). But could someone with a good knowledge of St. Andrew’s admissions system give me an honest opinion of my chances of getting in?</p>
<p>GPA: 3.5/4.0
SAT: 1870 (CR: 710 M: 560 W: 600)
SAT II: 650 Literature (Is this high enough to send in, or will it hurt me???)
AP: 3 AP US History, 3 Lang&Comp, 5 Literature ((not planning on sending in the first two!)</p>
<p>currently taking AP Physics BC, AP Statistics, AP US Government</p>
<p>I am captain of the varsity tennis team (3 yrs) and varsity softball (4th year), wrestled for two years and was on the MUN team (participated in the Harvard Model Congress in Singapore a few months ago)
I was also on the Drama (theatre) team for two years.</p>
<p>I do have three summers of work experience, two of them being at a Legal Assistance office on a military base in Japan, where I live.</p>
<p>Amazing counselor recommendation (assuming he uses a similar rec to previous ones he’s written for scholarships and the CommonApp)</p>
<p>Based on that, how are my chances?</p>
<p>Also, I’m worried that I won’t be able to mention any of my extracurriculars after looking at the Direct Application…I was hoping that would give me a boost.</p>
<p>And, any advice on the personal statement? I thought I was getting a good start, but I don’t want to sound like a suck up and I want my reasons to stand out!</p>
<p>One last thing – I see some people have applied way back in October and December, and I’m nervous that the slots have filled up quite a bit, meaning that decisions are extra selective later near the deadline…is that true? I’ve just recently come across St. Andrews yet I am completely enamored by it and would absolutely sell everything in my room to go there!</p>
<p>Thanks so much in advance,</p>
<p>R</p>
<p>I’m not going to chance you, because I’m not familiar with St Andrews or American grades but I wanted to quickly address your last questions.</p>
<p>Read this for help with your personal statement: <a href=“http://www.the%5B/url%5D”>www.the</a> student room.co.uk/wiki/
Writing<em>Your</em>Personal_Statement</p>
<p>As long as you apply before the deadline (which for the 2011 entry cycle is January 15th) your application will be treated equally with those who applied in Oct.</p>
<p>January 15? It says here on the site that it continues to accept applications by May 1:
[Direct</a> applications | University of St Andrews](<a href=“http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/ug/int/northamericanapplicants/Directapplications/]Direct”>http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/ug/int/northamericanapplicants/Directapplications/)</p>
<p>I’m a North American applicant, if that makes any difference.</p>
<p>But thank you very much!! My nerves have settled a bit more, haha.</p>
<p>Sorry for just randomly joining in the thread but I was wondering what my chances were of getting into University of St. Andrew’s</p>
<p>Here’s about me:</p>
<p>ACT-33
GPA - UW 3.55/ W 4.35
AP - 7 classes all 4s or 5s
(My sophomore year, 1st semester I got a C in AP European History and Honors PreCalculus, do you think that’s going to affect my chances?)</p>
<p>I’m not going to put any extracurriculars because I’m pretty sure UK schools don’t care about that?</p>
<p>Anyways, I just am not sure if I could get in or not because I want to apply to their Business Studies program or Economics. Do you think I have a chance of getting in?</p>
<p>Also, I am applying to University of Edinburgh.</p>