University of St. Andrews in Scotland

<p>My daughter applied direct since it was her first choice and she was able to not do any other apps. It is my understanding that the fastest way to get an answer is by applying direct. The limitation with this is that you cannot apply to any other UK schools. You also need a different style essay for the Scots but it is straight forward and not creative. Hopefully you will hear from some others with more about this. Check out the British equivalent website to this one for more info. It is called the Student Room.
Remember there is virtually no aid for Americans and cost of living is high in St. A.I have found that it is a little less expensive than the high priced liberal arts schools in the US but unless the dollar gains strength it will be much more expensive in the next few years.</p>

<p>Yes, that was my understanding of it as well. The aid wouldn’t be as much of an issue as it would be helpful, but I am an only child, so my parents aren’t as reluctant about the tuition. And it is slightly less expensive than the other schools I’m looking at (Colgate, Vassar, Wesleyan). I’m nearly done with my essay, and it definitely is a different style of writing from what we Americans have drummed into our heads with the Common App. </p>

<p>Thank you so much- you definitely soothed my fears, and I feel a lot more confident about this now. I’ll look into Direct/Common App too. St Andrews is definitely my top choice and I would be over the moon to go there.</p>

<p>I will be very surprised if you don’t get in.</p>

<p>For parents of kids at St. Andrews: do you think this school is a good choice for a student who isn’t sure what she wants to major in? </p>

<p>My daughter, a senior, is really interested in the school. She has done a Rotary and loved living abroad. BUT she really is a classic liberal arts student – isn’t sure what she wants to major in. Is this school conducive to taking a bunch of classes freshmen year and THEN deciding what to major in, or do you have to decide freshmen year and stick iwth it?</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

<p>St. Andrews is not an option for someone who hasn’t at a minimum narrowed down to 3 potential “majors”. You only take 3 subjects in your first year and one or two of those must be in your eventual “major”. You can “double major” but not in all combinations.
This is listed in the prospectus. So-remember-there is no such thing as taking a “bunch of classes” because you take 3 classes first semester and usually the same 3 second semester. I don’t know how much you can change 2 semester. My daughter was not allowed to change out of one of her choices second semester even though she hated it because she had listed it as one of her areas of concentration. </p>

<p>If she is undecided among 3 fields it would be ok. Otherwise she should not go. Also, her application needs to be specific to her field or her dual major (make sure the combo is allowed) and her essay has to be specific about why she is passionate about that (or those) field(s).
Does anyone else have experience with this? I think there are some other ways people can change fields, such as taking the 1st year and 2nd year courses in the 2nd year but I don’t think this is preferable.</p>

<p>I’m very interested in this school as well. Can anyone give me an opinion regarding my chances of acceptance?</p>

<p>1990+ on the SAT I</p>

<p>AP Euro 5
AP Lang. & Comp. 5</p>

<p>650 on SAT II for Lit
720 on SAT II for World history</p>

<p>I’m looking at Modern History and Economics as my course. I’ll take the ACT on the 27th and also expecting a grade soon for an SAT II in US history.</p>

<p>and also, I have 4.072 weighted GPA, I think that’s like a 3.6-3.7 unweighted</p>

<p>Here it is, cut directly from the StA website. They go by the #:
Undergraduate entry requirements</p>

<p>In addition to the entry requirements stated below, applicants must possess the Faculty Entrance Requirements relevant to the degree subject.</p>

<p>Applicants should have studied a college preparatory curriculum (honours and AP classes where available).
We require 3.6+ GPA on a 4.0 scale, with an A-/B+ average in academic subjects.</p>

<p>Applicants should have taken at least one of the following standardised tests:-</p>

<p>SAT I: around 1950+ across the three elements
SAT subject tests: scores of 600+. 700+ should be attained in all prerequisite subjects
AP: Scores of 4 or 5. We use these for admissions purposes only - no credits/exemptions are awarded
ACT: combined score of 28+
International Baccalaureate offers tend to be in the 35 – 38 points range</p>

<p>My guess is you will get an offer. Most Americans who meet the above requirements get offers.</p>

<p>I have just recieved the e-mail saying they have received my application and will begin reviewing it. I would say this is my top choice school, so was hoping I could get a little feedback as to whether or not I will get an offer.
I attend a NE prestigious public high school (very competitive)
4.11 (W) I think about 3.6 (UW)
34 ACT 750 US History 720 World History 4 AP World 4 AP US
Upward grade trend, strong rec.'s
NHS member
2 seasons of Crew 1 of Track
I am hoping to go into IR or economics</p>

<p>Given your ACT and subject test/AP scores you meet the requirements. Did you apply to IR or Econ? you should hear within 2 weeks if you applied directly.</p>

<p>IR, and I did apply directly and was noticed friday of their reviewing. Thanks for your input!</p>

<p>Indy:</p>

<p>My son attends St Andrews</p>

<p>Based upon his stats, I believe your ACT score will earn you admission.</p>

<p>By the way, I don’t think they care that much about ECs.</p>

<p>Thank you for your insight! It does seem that way, at least most places say ECs are low on their totem pole.</p>

<p>My daughter is also applying to St. Andrews.
Could someone please give me feedback on the likelihood of an acceptance.
According to their web site she meets the criteria but that doesn’t always translate to an offer, well not in the US.
She is from Texas and attends a very competitive, rigorous public high school but I’m not sure the admissions people from St. Andrews will be familiar with this school. It is one of the top high schools in TX and is highly ranked among US high schools.
Her GPA is a little low - 3.5 uw, I know ideally St. Andrews looks for 3.6.
Her SAT is 2010
Her APs are 5 English/Composition and 4 US history (is two enough for the application?)
She is currently taking AP English, AP European History, AP Govt and AP Photography.
She has great letters of recommendation and is working on her personal statement.
We are planning a visit to St. Andrews at Thanksgiving.
She is also considering applying through St. Andrews to the duel St.Andrews/William &Mary program. She understands that applying to St. Andrews and the St. Andrews/Wm & M program are two separate applications.<br>
Any thoughts on acceptance to that program from St. Andrews?
Thank you in advance for your input.</p>

<p>I would say that the program with W&M is much harder acceptance wise than just applying to one of the schools. I did some research and was considering it, but they accept only a handful of students each year for the program so it’s clearly extremely selective. I would say she has a good shot I’ve just applied, but many students from my school have been accepted with a UW GPA around 3.5.</p>

<p>It would be great to hear back from all of you who have applied and asked about your chances. I know many of you have already heard back from St.A.</p>

<p>I’ll definitely be posting either way… Hopefully it will be a happy post!</p>

<p>I have some updates. My school is number 13 in PA (maybe around 600 in the country) according to US news. it’s a public school.</p>

<p>I realized that my gpa is actually about a 3.55 uw. </p>

<p>As of now my other qualifications are</p>

<p>AP Language and Composition–5
AP Euro–5</p>

<p>SAT II US History–710
SAT II World History–720
SAT II Literature-- 650</p>

<p>SAT (superscore)-- 1990</p>

<p>Now im taking AP Bio, AP German, AP US, Honors english, and Accelerated Stat</p>

<p>I have a lot of confidence in my reference and I feel pretty good about my ps also. (I heard they don’t care about extracurriculars. </p>

<p>I know they have their min qualifications online, but how does this look in terms of chances? Any empirical information would be great. btw I’m applying for Modern History and Economics and Ancient history and Economics (as my second choice). My direct app is going out this Friday. </p>

<p>Also, on the direct app, do you really just check under the dual degree program with W&M and you’re automatically considered for that program along with your other degrees at St. andrews? I thought there was an entirely separate thing you had to do… I seem to view it as a “why not give it a shot” kind of thing. Is that wrong?</p>

<p>There is a 2000 word essay I believe for the ‘joint program’</p>

<p>I know that many US colleges like to see “demonstrated interest” from the prospective student. Can someone please tell me if this is important to St. Andrews? As an American it is more difficult to schedule a campus visit but I can go if demonstrated interest is important.
I don’t believe they conduct personal interviews.
Just wondering if I need to let them know of my interest - other than obviously submitting my application!</p>