<p>I'm from the US, and I'm very interested in applying to schools in the UK. I'm looking at St. Andrews, but am also quite torn about attending school in my favorite city, London (King's College, City University, London and University College, London in particular) Can any American students currently across the pond share what's its like, the benefits and any negatives, and the applicant process? What do they look for in American students? How competitive is the applicant pool from the US? Thank you!</p>
<p>Well, having just finished the application process myself, I can give you some insights, I think. Are you doing the IB, or just taking APs? What course do you want to study?</p>
<p>I too just finished the UK application process and was accepted to all my choices - Oxford, St Andrews, Edinburgh, and UCL.
For St Andrews - American students need around 1950-2000 SAT I minimum, a couple good SAT IIs and APs, and write a decent essay. Same or around there for Edinburgh.
For English schools - they rely mostly on SAT/AP because they don't trust American grading, Oxbridge the interview/testing process is very tough. For most English schools appplying is VERY competitive - BUT you are at an advantage if you have top scores and not a lot of extracurriculars because the english schools dont care about ECs.
You must pick a degree course when you apply and you are accepted to not only a school but a major - that is all you study for your 3 years there.</p>
<p>Oh, and another thing to consider:</p>
<p>If you only apply to St. Andrews, you can submit a direct application to them. I've heard that it's easier to get in this way? I'm not sure. If you apply to multiple universities in the UK, you'll have to apply through UCAS.</p>
<p>that's tremendously helpful, thanks. do you guys mind listing your stats and what majors you picked?</p>
<p>Um, I applied for theoretical physics, basically, at Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Imperial College London, Leeds, and Cambridge. I'm predicted a 43 in the IB, with 7 in HL maths, physics, and chemistry, and 7 in English A1 and History of Europe at SL, and a 6 in French ab initio SL. My SAT scores are kinda crap, My top score is only a 2200. I've never been able to overcome my test anxiety. I got offers everywhere but Cambridge, and I've decided to put Edinburgh down as my firm. :)</p>
<p>I applied to PPE at Oxford, then for St Andrews/Edinburgh/UCL I believe I did some sort of politics or econ or joint for each one, I can't recall specifics for each.
Scores - I got 2350 in one sitting on the SAT I and 760-800 on 3 SAT IIs, and then I had a 5 on four AP exams which were US and Euro history, Calc, and English Lit.
But I think for Oxford the interview was the most important part and I'm sure for Cambridge too - and honestly theres no way to replicate that, and no matter how top your scores are, it really can be a make or break thing.</p>
<p>^ I definitely agree about the interview thing. I wasn't able to fly over for interview at Cambridge, as I had my mock exams, and I really think that is why I got rejected.</p>
<p>thanks. I'm not applying to either Cambridge or Oxford, just St. Andrews, I think. I haven't made up my mind about the colleges in London.</p>
<p>Are you a senior this year? Or would you be applying next year?</p>
<p>I'm a junior. I will be applying in the fall, or whenever; I understand that the policy at St. Andrews is rolling admissions.</p>
<p>Yep, they're rolling. I think if you apply directly to them, you can expect to have your decision within about a month. If you apply through UCAS, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. For me, it took about two months, I think. What course would you be applying for? Sometimes the more popular courses can take longer to get a response.</p>
<p>Do bear in mind Kiwi that St Andrews is a small rural town in Sotland. It hasn't even got a train station. It's more than 300 miles from London. It's remote for the UK. Whereas London is a city of 7 million people that is connected to everywhere. The lifestyle at St Andrews compared to London is going to be very different. Think about what you want (of course you might as well apply to both and decide later, if and when youa re accepted, because there is just one fee to apply to up to 5 schools through UCAS).</p>
<p>^Well, it is only an hour out of Edinburgh, which though not London, is still a fantastic city. I do agree overall, though. I decided against St. Andrews after visiting it, because it was just far too small for me.</p>