But if I want to major in classics do I have to take an AP Latin or Italian course?
Of course you have to be sufficiently prepared in Latin. Were there no higher Latin classes at the local university?
Please read the links other posters have shared.
Not necessarily - many Classics courses are ab initio for the language(s) nowadays - even Oxbridge. Some facility in language study would be helpful of course.
It would be extremely unusual for a British student to apply for classics with an A level in Italian, that would be for modern languages. Conversely, not taking Latin if you have the choice available to you would be deeply odd. You are supposed to love your subject and take every opportunity to advance your knowledge in it. Ab initio is typically for students whose school didn’t offer the subject.
Well, that applies to OP.
We only know AP Latin wasn’t offered. And that some DE is available. We don’t know how far OP did get. Or those grades (which will apply to US colleges. )
I agree that for UK universities your application needs to show your passion and commitment to the subject for which you are applying - within the limitations of what your school offers.
If AP Latin is not available, then what is? What other history or essay based course is available, either at school or at comm college?
Taking DE in sports management does NOT show this level of commitment. I would choose another, more relevant DE course, ideally one that hones your research, reading and writing (esp long form essay) skills.
What additional reading do you do outside the school curriculum?
An Oxford classics applicant would have to take the CAT if they have a Latin/Greek background or the CLAT is they have neither. Have a look at the sample CLAT that is posted on the Oxford Classics website to get a sense for the language skills that they are looking for in their applicants.
The only language class available is AP Spanish which I cannot take because I took Italian in high school. Can I sign up for the Italian AP test and then send other AP and SAT subject tests that have nothing to do with classics? Or do my scores have to specifically be related to my major?
What about History and English? You need to demonstrate competency in the core subjects. UK universities will care particularly about your ability to write well.
As everyone keeps suggesting: drop the Sports Management elective and take another core subject.
Why is your guidance counselor not helping you in ensuring you are completing the core subjects needed?
As @austinmshauri said on your other thread: “Will you have 3-4 years of English, foreign language, lab science, math, and history when you graduate?” this really is key
“Can I sign up for the Italian AP test and then send other AP and SAT subject tests that have nothing to do with classics? Or do my scores have to specifically be related to my major?”
You must submit all your scores, whether they are related or not. Having said that, any history or English AP would be good.
All my core subjects are being completed. I wanted to take an extra AP but it would not fit into my schedule. I am sure that UCL, KCL, Edinburgh, and Oxbridge do not look at my transcript, do they?
Not for the UK, no. That 5 in AP Latin would be. You can self study, take an online course, go to community college…but if you really want to do classics, take the AP exam.
@Tigerle, does a student’s GPA matter for the UK? What about test scores? I think OP has a ~2.5 UW GPA and 29 ACT. Which UK schools would be a match for him?
Not Tigerle, but my daughter and I have been researching UK universities. Some list a minimum GPA in entry requirements and some don’t. You will have to dive into the website for each university you are interested in. And funnily enough sometimes they will ask for three 4+s on APs and a 1200 SAT, but only want a 3.0 for GPA or just say “successful completion of the High School Diploma”. I do think you have to report your grades, though.
You apply directly to the Course (meaning ‘course of study’/major) and different Courses at the same university have different entrance requirements. All of this is published on their websites. You can also look at UCAS (https://www.ucas.com) which is the UK equivalent of the Common App. They have some very helpful videos that will walk you through the steps.
The GPA does not matter, UK unis do not look at it (apparently with the exception of St. Andrews). They require a certain minimum number of AP scores or subject tests, and usually (but not always) a minimum SAT or ACT score.
There is no such thing as a UK university that’s a match - you apply for a subject at the university, and the requirements for the subjects as well as the scores for those subjects differ. Every school puts those on their websites. It’s not arcane knowledge you need to try to suss out on a discussion forum. You just look it up, and then you fulfil the requirements or not (meaning the OP, of course, not you personally).
As far as Oxford or Cambridge are mentioned, that one’s easy: they require an ACT of at least 32, so the OP needs to retake and improve or they simply need not apply. For most other schools (Edinburgh, KCL…) an ACT of 29 is usually sufficient. Again, it may depend on the subjects and sometimes on the number of AP scores you can present.
if OP wants to show his mastery of Latin, he needs an AP score in the subject. Passion and commitment are all very well, but first and foremost, UK admissions is about prior academic achievement. Context matters very little, if at all.
Just saw that sweet gum replied at the same time. Apparently more than just St. Andrews do look at GPA. However, it cannot replace the need for AP scores.
If I want to major in Latin but send no AP test related to any type of language, could that affect my chances of admission?
It depends entirely on the specific course at the specific college- you have to do the research.
You can come to Classics with no Latin. For Oxford, you would have to sit the CLAT (Classics Language Aptitude Test). You can check out past papers online to see if the exam will suit you. For KCL if you want to do Latin, it is hard to do that w/o AP Latin- but you can do Classical Studies w/o Latin.
The thing is, in the UK you go straight into your subject. Each university will tell you how much background they expect you to have. If you are a true Classics student shooting for the top (Oxbridge) even without it being available in your school, you have probably already taught yourself some Latin and Greek because you totally nerd out about Classics- and if you don’t, Oxbridge isn’t for you.
Got an extra ) on the link to https://www.ucas.com
This is the direct link to the apply section, scroll down to #6 and click “International and EU Students”
"International and EU students
Make sure you add as much detail as possible – including grades and results. Without enough information universities might struggle to make a decision.
Qualifications are listed by name and country, but don’t worry if yours isn’t there – just add it into the ‘other’ box.
You may have to send proof of your results in certificates or transcripts. At UCAS, we’re able to send some of your results – including the International Baccalaureate – but for most international qualifications you’ll have to send them to the university or college yourself. Different universities and colleges have different policies for how they want to receive results. Some might ask for them as soon as you apply – others might do their initial assessment of your application before asking to see proof of your results. "
I believe you can apply to some universities directly also.
Check out StudyAcrossThePond.com too.