US Students Applying to UK schools (Discussion Thread)- 2016-2017!

Okay. What is a foundation year and would this be something I should look into?

You definitely need a strong math basis for engineering. Take Calc BC AP next year, and Physics. If you get an offer (and I think you’ve got a shot) it will likely be conditional on your getting a 4 or 5 in them. Yes, it does mean that you’ll need to have a backup plan in the US (or an easier conditional offer in the UK) in case you don’t get the scores - though if you get close to a conditional offer they might still take you.

I see the Nottingham course has the option of a year in industry - do this if you can wherever you end up going, as it will provide valuable work experience, and really help in getting a job later on.

If you do those APs I don’t think you’d need to do a foundation, but it’s good that you’re open to it - it’s possible that a university might offer you a foundation place if they feel you’re not quite ready for the degree.

Easier to get in options include Brighton: https://www.brighton.ac.uk/courses/study/aeronautical-engineering-beng-hons.aspx

University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland: https://www.perth.uhi.ac.uk/courses/beng-hons-aircraft-engineering

Queen’s University, Belfast - Northern Ireland: http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Course-Finder/UG/AerospaceEngineering/H404/

Manchester (a very good university, but they seem to ask slightly lower grades than Nottingham so it may be worth a shot): http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2016/00428/beng-meng-engineering-with-an-integrated-foundation-year/all-content/

They have slightly different course titles, but have a look at the course descriptions to see if they meet your needs. I think you’d have a decent chance of getting in.

BTW don’t be affected by the fact that Nottingham has a campus in China - it’s not going to affect you in any practical way.

In order to do well in Engineering in a UK school you must be strong in Math and Physics, your British cohort will most definitely be strong in those subjects.Although nice to have History, English, Manadarin and Bio are not really going to enhance your application for engineering. If you are concentrating on UK schools I wouldn’t bother retaking the ACT at 31, you are well above the minimum, and as other may have said your GPA and EC’s are not relevant but make sure you write an engaging personal statement including why engineering in the UK. Unlike Conformist I would stay away from Brighton and the Univ of the Highlands, stick with schools with solid engineering reputations in the UK, Nottingham and Manchester are two, think also Leeds Sheffield, Bath , Southampton as possibilities.Good luck.

I just offered them as easier-to-get-in options (OP wants to have at least one safety in his/her five options), but yes, I agree Manchester is an excellent choice. I think Leeds, Bath and Southampton may be tougher for the OP to get in as they ask for really top grades - I was honestly surprised Manchester had comparatively lower requirements. Sheffield might be a possible.

There is ZERO point in taking ‘the-easier-to-get-in option’ in Engineering. Employers will be looking for graduates from established programs from which they have recruited for decades and which have an established track record. The schools I mentioned might be much of a muchness in terms of admissions criteria therefore the applicant will need to decide based on location, course content and other intangibles rather than academic rigour.

Depends if the choice is not doing the course at all. I have engineers in my family, and their experience is that employment in their field is less driven by the prestige of the university than perhaps it might be for other subjects.

Planning to apply to University of Bath for either finance/economics/marketing . Took the SAT and scored a 1030 / 1600. Will be retaking soon though looking to aim a score around 1200. Took AP Human Geo and Stats got 1 on both… Taking AP Calc, Physics, Literature senior year. I get average A/B grades with GPA standing at 3.65 Planning to take ACT, but I don’t see any required scores on ACT, so I don’t know if I should even take it. I am bad at tests, but I’ve made about $50,000 in 3 months by online marketing, and I have no volunteer hours… I just want to attend an university that’s reputable and also in a small beautiful town, if Bath is impossible for me, any other recommendations? Much thanks.

ALL UK universities will want 3 APs with solid to good scores in relevant subjects (some will also accept Subject tests). If you are not good at taking tests the UK is NOT the place for you: the strong emphasis is on exams, not continuing assessment.

Also, don’t hijack other people’s threads- start your own.