Truth be told, my D is not thrilled with her options in the US–primarily based on the high cost of the schools to which she’s been accepted ($65k/year!). She’s always wanted to study in the UK, so although we’re very late to the game, does anyone know of good schools with, perhaps, a May 1st deadline?? She’s especially interested in smaller colleges with a strong sense of community. Hopes to study English and Anthropology, and has wanted to be a teacher since the age of 5. Thank you so much for your replies.
There are still options open. The UCAS link below will take you to info on deadlines, etc. but the main thing is that they will stay open until the course is filled. There is also a second round in August, called “Clearing”. Most UK students apply with ‘predicted grades’, and their offer is ‘conditional’ on their achieving those grades in the June exams (May for APs, obviously). If they don’t meet their conditions (that is, the don’t get the predicted grades), extra spaces go into ‘clearing’ and there is sort of a jumble sale, where people go looking for courses that require the grades that they actually did achieve.
However, the courses mostly like to have spaces are larger ones, which may be less appealing. Also “small with a strong sense of community” isn’t a major feature of UK unis (and before I get beaten up, I don’t mean that there isn’t a sense of community in general, just that the LAC model is scarce). See here: http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/universities/choosing-the-right-university/type-and-size-of-university/
ALL UK applications go through UCAS. Using one form, you apply to a maximum of 5 courses - that is a course within a university. So your daughter could apply to 5 courses in one university or 1 course at 5 universities, or any combination therein. There is one application fee (that covers up to 5), and all of the unis see the same teacher recommendation and essay (Personal Statement). You can apply to one or two courses, and then add more another day. Great, yes?
Now all your daughter has to do is find courses that are interesting to her in places that she would like to go that might have places- and write one essay that demonstrates why she is truly, deeply interested in - and qualified for-- those courses.
More good news: the websites of the UK universities are incredibly comprehensive: you will find all the requirements for admissions as well as the curriculum for every course online. The international pages on each uni site will give you the exact conversions they use, but typically a 5 and a 650-750 (ranges) on an SATII = an A at A level, and so on down. Even better news: if your daughter has the marks required and they still have places (and she has a decent rec & Personal Statement) she is extremely likely to get an offer.
The bad news: there will be no financial aid, and in many cases housing may require some work to organize.
More bad news: The teacher training process is pretty different. Here is some info:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/routes_into_teaching.htm
Useful sites:
Applying:
UCAS: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/when-apply
Information:
University guide: http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/
There is a lot of researching to do- good luck to both of you…
@collegemom3717 You are WONDERFUL!!! Thank you so much for your detailed, and optimistic response! Just what we needed. We’re so grateful and appreciative!
One thing your D needs to bear in mind is that she will only be studying the subject she applies for, no electives or gen ed requirements. It is possible to do joint or combined honours in two subjects, but English and Anthropology are quite different subjects so it may not be a combination offered in many places. She could do the combination at Aberdeen, the University of Kent (Canterbury), Oxford Brookes (note: this is not Oxford, but a lesser college in the same city), and St Andrews (very popular with American applicants).
The University of Wales Trinity St David’s at Lampeter offers a course in Anthropology, English and Education Studies, which could be just what she’s looking for:
http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/ba-anthropology-english-education-studies/
In terms of becoming a teacher, does she want to end up teaching back in the US? She would need to meet licensing requirements for the state she works in, and possibly a masters in education back in the US might be necessary.
@Conformist1688 Thank you SO much! What wonderful suggestions! You have added to our list. Yes, she is fully aware and enthusiastic about focusing on one or two subjects. That’s her preferred style of learning. Thank you again. If you and your family ever travel to the States, happy to offer any guidance you need.
She just committed to St Andrews yesterday. We are THRILLED!
Congratulations!
@PelicanMom: Wow, glad it worked out. Would you mind explaining how long it took from the application to St Andrews to the acceptance to arrive?
How was the interview handled?
From the thread she first started on 4/7 and had an answer on 4/18…but I wouldn’t count on that being typical. They don’t typically interview (most UK universities don’t- Oxbridge being the biggest exception).
Two weeks, @sgopal2 and no interview!
@PelicanMom: congratulations, what a great outcome. Would you mind sharing your daughter’s general stats (SAT scores, GPA, rank, etc)? I’m wondering what type of grades, etc are required for St Andrews.
not to cut across PelicanMom, but you can get that information from the StAs website:
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/entrance-requirements/usa/
You also need to check the specific course that you are applying to study, as there are sometimes specific requirements. For example, for Biology you need APs / SATIIs in Biology, Chemistry and either Math or Physics
Compared to the US system it is much more straightforward: if you have the requirements you are likely to get an offer (though fair warning: IR is the most popular course so places go fast).