<p>(I posted this same post on the college selection board, so feel free to delete this topic if a moderator considers this particular topic superfluous. I decided to repost my topic here in case you guys had some particular insight that might help me find the right school)</p>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I've been described by my high school teachers as "smart but lazy." An apt description, at least at that time, for I never exerted any effort in courses I disliked and I excelled only in the Liberal Arts. This began to change senior year, when I started to do well in math and science courses, studying, going to extra help sessions and striving to improve myself. But by then, the damage had already been done. My SATs were mediocre at best, with a 730 in english, Low 600s in Writing (I forget) and an embarrassing 500 for math. To compound this, I had a respectable 87 GPA, but I had done little to no extracurriculars. I also had decent AP scores (5 for AP World, American and European History, 4 for English 3 and 4, and 3 for Government) but in the end I had no choice but to attend a college that I had reserved as a last resort.</p>
<p>Right now I'm a freshman at the City College of New York, part of the City University of New York. Frankly, it's not half bad. The professors are great. Plus the chicks are cute. (an important factor in my book =O) However, I don't feel...well...comfortable. My friend attends NYU and she describes it as her perfect match. Maybe such an emotion would be elusive to me regardless of whatever school I attended, but I can't help but feel that maybe a school that fits me is out there. My G.P.A is a nice 4.0, and I feel I can maintain this to at least a 3.8-4.0 for a few more semesters. As for my extracurriculars, I'm a member of the Radio Club (a DJ to boot), and I plan to join the History and College Newspaper clubs next semester, as well as pursue an internship in a Law Firm (my major is Political Science, with a possible future in the legal field).</p>
<p>My question is: What Colleges are likely to accept me with my current stats? What are some good schools with excellent Political Science and Philosophy Departments? Are top-tier [prestigious] schools out of my reach? Should I consider schools abroad? (I've looked at University College London as a possible candidate.) </p>
<p>UCL is exceptionally hard to get into. It is, other than Oxbridge and LSE, probably the best and most highly in demand university in the UK. And, as I'm sure you know, UK colleges are not generally very welcocming to Americans. Because you would probably not have taken A-levels, and UK schools have three-year programs with strict requirements, you would have to start again, and would be strongest by having a transcript with related courses. Admissions there is a very different game than here.</p>
<p>As far as being able to transfer for Sophmore year, you would still have some decent options. University of Rochester comes to mind. Your SAT is in the middle 50% (low end of it though), and your college gpa is very solid. They have a top 5 political science department, so you can't really go wrong academically.</p>
<p>Rochester sounds very interesting...I'll definitely consider that school when I eventually plan for my transfer.</p>
<p>As for UCL, this is what is listed under accepted American Qualifications:</p>
<p>"To be eligible for consideration students must have usually obtained passes in four, full year Advanced Placement (AP) examinations at grades 4/5. Alternatively the High School Graduation diploma plus a minimum of 1300/1600 or 1950/2400 in SAT I plus the successful completion of one year at a recognised US university would be considered."</p>
<p>What should I make of this? Should I bother applying? I fulfill the requirements, at least for the first option...but should I consider this a bare minimum or something?</p>
<p>I emailed the international office asking them to elucidate what factors they take into consideration when they look at potential students, so that should clarify things.</p>
<p>Certainly if UCL is a school you're very passionate about, it would be worth the time and money, as at best, you would be accepted there. However, knowing a few statistically qualified candidates who have tried and failed to gain entry into elite British schools like UCL, and have long read accounts of anti-American bias in admissions, I would think the odds aren't good enough to bother with. But that is just me.</p>
<p>gprime, I thank you for your insight and advice. The notion of anti-american bias at schools like that is frankly disconcerting...Will I continue to puruse UCL? At this point I'm unsure. In the meanwhile, I'll investigate the other schools recommended.</p>
<p>Btw, have you guys heard of the New School in New York? (for those who haven't heard of it the name of the school is actually "The New School") My Government Teacher in High School recommended it to me....It's in a nice location, but do they have good Political Science departments? Also, is a school like that outside my reach?</p>
<p>not sure about that anti-American bias.... if its in the admissions process thats a newbie to me. UCL is one the most accepting of international students besides the LSE. You just have to understand that they dont much "respect" our highschool diploma system because its not as standardized as their A-level/GCSE system. Still, I wouldn't call the four AP's a bare minimum, i.e. they say 4 but they really want 10... its actually true, 4 APS are fine. They're gonna equate them to A-Levels, and English students only take A-levels in their last two years and 4-5 is the norm. </p>
<p>I say shoot for UCL, you may really like it, I have some great teachers and professors from there, and theirs a strong American community if you think you'll need it. Besides, they're looking for a passion towards a subject, its not nearly as hard as being the perfect all round student that a lot of Liberal Arts and Ivies seem to push for. It really gives you a chance to say, look I love Poli Sci, its what I want to do, and its what I do really damn well.</p>
<p>csb, thanks for that clarification =). I think I'll make the effort to apply to them, though the applications process seems to be the most confusing aspect of this entire thing. Something about British Consulate offices...</p>
<p>I think I'll apply after the end of this year, when I've finished my second semester as a freshman (looking at the UCAS website, I have literally a day to submit my application, so yeah) but I'm still confused as to if I should apply as a freshman or a transfer at that time? Or will I be obligated to apply as a transfer?</p>
<p>UCL and LSE are amazing schools. Most of my friends from High School go there. One other UK uni you should look into is King's College. It's located in london. Really great school. It is very humanities oriented.</p>