What is my best option?

Student Lounge International Students
1

I want to apply to some uk universities (the top ones that I meet the requirement of) not necessarily Oxbridge though because I don’t thing that my application is strong enough. (Maybe it’s strong enough to apply for a course that’s not chemistry?)
My stats are
1470 sat, (4.0 unweighted gpa)
5 in ap human geo
4 in ap us history
3 in ap chemistry.

Currently taking AP calc ab, physics I, biology and English lit. Next year I plan on taking physics II, English Lang, calc bc, and micro and macro economics.

I want to apply for a chemistry related course, but I know that ap scores are the only thing that really matter and my teacher did not teach to to exam and I didn’t realize that I would be applying to uk unis where a 5 is so important.

I’m going to work really really hard to get 5s on the calc physics and bio exams this year. Should I give up on applying for chemistry, take the chemistry sat II, OR would I have better chances applying for a physics or engineering course (assuming I get 5s on all my current and future related exams).

2

A 3 in AP chem is going to be a serious obstacle to a good Chem program. Would you consider a Natural Sciences course? there are a number of unis (such as Durham, Exeter, Bath- Cambridge has one, but you are right that you would not be a candidate for that one). have a NatSci option which gives more flexibility than the typical UK course. You will need 5s on Calc BC and at least one other science (some will require 2 other sciences).

Go read the course descriptions (they vary more than you might think between unis, so read up carefully).

3

Thanks, natural sciences seems like a really good option!

4

Some unis may be fine with a Chemistry SAT II. The flexibility of Natural Science may be more compelling in any case, though.

5

Agree w/ @PurpleTitan that some unis would take the Chem SATII (with a 650+ or 700+, depending on the uni), but you are required to show all your testing, so the 3 will still be there, and for the better programs (imo) that would raise a red flag for a student applying to read chemistry.