<p>yes, but as a US applicant the deadline was march 1st, so if applied close to that deadline do you think it might have any bearing? Also beside the grades outlined on their website, are they looking at any other type of extracurricular stuff?</p>
<p>Btw, has anyone heard of the University of Dundee? Is it a good school compared to St. Andrews? I am told that it used to be affiliated with St. Andrews (I actually knew someone graduated from Dundee awhile back). Thanks in advance for the reply! :)</p>
<p>Jacob92, Out of curiousity which department did you apply to? That’s a really fast response time! Has anyone else had that?</p>
<p>Marlowe, you sound familiar.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Dundee is a good university, not quite as highly regarded as St Andrews though. But still seen as good in the UK.</p>
<p>Going to an international school is not a good idea if you want to be premed. The VAST majority (if not all) of medical schools in the U.S. require that you attend a U.S. accredited undergraduate institution. Some explain that you can do a year of course work in the U.S. and then apply to medical school. But, simply attending St. Andrews would not suffice even if you completed the premed core. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.</p>
<p>I’ve been looking at St. Andrews and it looks like an amazing place. I’d like to go there and am planning on applying next year. I was wondering if anyone could say what my chances are of getting in. I’m in 11th grade in the U.S. I have a 2050 on the SAT (720 math, 680 reading, 650 writing). I will be taking the ACT and the SAT to hopefully improve it. I have a 5 in AB Calculus, and will be taking AP US, AP C Mechanics, AP English Literature, and AP Statistics this year. I have a 4.0, though some B+s and A-s because of honors credit. I would like to study medieval/british/scottish history, though my strong point is math, so I may apply for a joint degree. I am also thinking about applying to Edinburgh, Bristol, and Durham. It is possible that I will go to Germany next year as an exchange student. I am not sure yet, but would this help because of the experience, or hurt because of probably a couple missed AP classes? If anyone knows how likely or unlikely it is to get in, it would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>Cuthalion,</p>
<p>My D was accepted at University of St. Andrews with qualifications similar to yours. SAT of (710 Reading, 680 Math, 750 Writing) several APs and 3.7 GPA. The school is fairly numbers oriented in the admissions process and favor serious academic intent over other things. You can’t predict, but I would say you have a very strong shot. </p>
<p>Remember that if you apply to Bristol and Durham, it’s a very different proposition from a Scottish University - the English system is a 3 year degree (Scottish system is a four year degree like the U.S.) and in England you study ONE subject for all three years - as opposed to Scotland which is closer to the U.S. liberal arts system, giving you flexibility to study other subjects in the earlier years. </p>
<p>BTW - my daughter decided to go the St. A over many great U.S. options and she loves it.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>My son is looking at St. As now (he is a junior) . I won’t post his stats, but he has very high SAT 1 and SAT 2 scores and solid grades. From what I see here, he’s a very strong candidate.
Did anyone visit the campus before actually attending? We could maybe manage that this summer - would anyone be around?
He is also thinking , a bit, of Oxford, but I’m not sure if that makes sense. His school doesn’t offer APs - kids actually take courses at a university - and I’m not sure how Oxford would look at that.</p>
<p>Hope St A people are still out there following this thread, as it appears to be the most active ST A thread I found so far. If there’s another thread, please could someone point me to it. </p>
<p>D is actively considering applying to St A this fall. She is interested in education as a career - if she completes her degree in Scotland (English/History major), how would that translate into acceptances into US master’s degree programs for teaching? Or, in general, how are St As degrees viewed for acceptance to US grad schools? </p>
<p>Also, how different is St A’s teaching style and coursework expectations for US students? Can anyone comment on the “not much guidance from professors”, “sink-or-swim” stuff that I’ve read about? D is a very organized, diligent, responsible and hardworking, high achieving student. But, she is used to the US style of classes with a detailed week-by-week syllabus, regularly graded homework assignments, frequent tests and papers, discussion based classes, etc. How hard is it for US kids to figure out how to learn and excel in Scottish-style university? The big sell for US colleges these days seems to be “your professors will get to know you personally” - does that happen, and if so to what extent, at St Andrews?</p>
<p>St Andrews asks applicants to supply a “Why do you want to attend here” essay. I didn’t see any word limit. Is there any such restriction of length?</p>
<p>Ladybug:</p>
<p>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, jc2. To clarify, where did you get the info that “St. Andrews currently accepts just 1 out of 12 within the UK and 1 out 5 for the U.S”. I can’t seem to find any admissions statistics anywhere on the St A website. Can you point me to a link somewhere? Also, what is the source of your info “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.” This is kind of vague, unclear information … Are you saying that selectivity of St A is well-known, and about to increase, and therefore St A graduates are a known, respected quantity in US colleges and universities? Where can one find the “reported acceptance rates” of St As grads to US grad schools? Thanks, Ms. L</p>
<p>Ladybug, you can find confirmation of the 1 out of 12 acceptance rate here: </p>
<p>[2010</a> | University of St Andrews](<a href=“http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/news/archive/2010/Title,51949,en.html]2010”>http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/news/archive/2010/Title,51949,en.html)</p>
<p>Scan to the bottom of the article for the statistic you are looking for. As for the U.S. student acceptance rate, check out the U.S. Fiske Guide to colleges and its review of St. Andrews</p>
<p>I agree with you about the St. A website. It is difficult to navigate and frustrating in that the stats they do cite are often in conflict with each other. As for the rankings, the methodologies on both sides of the Atlantic are inadequate and imperfect measures that generate plenty of controversy and debate. Best for your D to make her own judgments. </p>
<p>Your best bet for reliable current information on grad school acceptance rates is to email the admissions office or to speak with one of the 10 or so U.S. recruiters if they happen to be visiting your daughter’s school. if grad school acceptance rates are the top priority - the St. Andrews option is probably not your best. </p>
<p>My comment on the notion that the school will be tightening the number of U.S. acceptances next year is pure hearsay based on buzz among current U.S. students attending St. A - as I noted. Take this with a big grain of salt, as it is pure rumor.</p>
<p>Thanks, jc2! Ms. L</p>
<p>jc2-- to clarify, its not 1 out of 12 acceptance rate (<10%), its one enrollment (not acceptance) for every 12 applications. The linked article states: “approximately 12 applications for every available place.” So, given that the yield rate (percent of acceptees that enroll) for SA is probably less than 50%, their acceptance rate must be greater than 1 in 6. Assuming a 33% yield, their acceptance rate would be 1 in 4 or 25%, which seems more plausible than <10%.</p>
<p>BTW, your descriptions of SA academics seem spot on relative to my son’s experiences this past semester. He spent a fantastic semester abroad at SA & loved it, although it took him a bit to adjust to their system.</p>
<p>Hi,
Im form the US but want to go to St. Andrews for my masters in Film Studies.<br>
I know the school is really competitive and difficult to get into but Im not sure how competitive the film studies program is. Does anyone know?</p>
<p>I completed my bachelors in film, graduated with a 3.5 and have the references to back up my application.</p>
<p>Anyone out there been to st. andrews for film??? </p>
<p>any help is appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks for your clarificaiton Papa Chicken, which is most certainly correct and helpful to students looking into St.A</p>
<p>I would add that it’s probably best to regard the “applications per seat available” statistics simply as one measure of popularity, which is how it is presented in the U.K. Oxford for example reports that they receive five applications for every place available. But given the fact that the minimum entry standards are significantly higher at Oxford than St.A and U.K students can’t apply to both Cambridge and Oxford (only one) the statistical comparisons don’t hold up particularly well. </p>
<p>I have never seen any official “yield” statistics, but would be cautious in applying U.S. standards there as well for the reasons above and because U.K. students apply to fewer schools than their U.S. counterparts do. Yields I suspect are quite a bit higher in the U.K., particularly at the top of the league tables, but I’ve not seen direct corroborating evidence of this.</p>
<p>Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but remember that there are only a few hundred schools in the UK, and most still rank far behind American schools because of one thing- Endowment. I read an article not too long ago (when I was also looking into going overseas) about an Oxford professor who visited UT Austin and was stunned at the facilities they have. Remember guys, if so many international students are vying for spots at so many schools that are considered, by our standards, to be second and third tier (not UT Austin in particular, that was just an example) there must be a reason for it. American schools have so much money that they are able to place back into the education. Need a grant to go overseas, start a club, or even create a film? Just apply and more than likely, you’ll get it. You don’t have opportunities like that overseas at most unis.</p>
<p>Well, I don’t think that any professors from Oxbridge can be truly stunned by any US universisty’s facilities with the exception of the HYPSM five. Simply because even if the endowment of Cambridge and Oxford is much smaller than the mentioned ones, its still counted in billions of pounds, which means (depending on the current rate, of course) many billion dollars. The Oxbridge endowment is huge, even with comparison with the top US schools.
Although that is absolutely true, that this is just true about the top two schools, which are always placed among the top 10 uni’s of the world. The others -even the elite ones, like UCL, ICL, KCL, and many more- endowment is far less, and counted in millions of pounds, and it only exceeds the hounded million just a few cases, while there are “countless” universities in the US with an endowment more than one billion dollars.</p>