Applying for US & UK Universities from Auckland Grammar School
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Applying for US & UK Universities from Auckland Grammar School This document provides information and advice for Grammar students who are considering applying to universities in the USA and the UK. Note that much of this was written in 2014 and, while considerable effort has gone into checking that the details below are correct, the School cannot guarantee that all details are accurate and up‐to‐date. Therefore, students should use the information contained in this document as a starting point and must do their own research to confirm details for themselves, especially regarding admission requirements and deadlines. Both Oxbridge universities and top US universities desire students who are independent, enquiring, passionate and articulate. The tutorials/supervision approach in the UK makes this essential, while universities like Harvard are looking for “students who will be the best educators of one another and their professors—individuals who will inspire those around them during their College years and beyond”. ADMISSION TO OXBRIDGE (MUCH APPLIES GENERALLY TO UK ) General Points Re. UK Overseas applicants: can apply for a maximum of 5 universities have to apply for Oxford or Cambridge No sporting scholarships are available. Formal assessment is very important; often 100% based on formal examinations. Application Process All applications are made online via UCAS. Candidates may apply for up to 5 courses. The application process starts fully 18 months before commencing a university course: April /May: research courses and colleges and make informal inquiries of college admission staff. June – October: submit COPA, UCAS and SAQ online. September – December: interviews and submission of tests and/or written work. January: applicants informed of unsuccessful applications or conditional or unconditional offers. February – July: UCAS Extra available for further applications. June: apply for visas once SAC received from universities. October: Courses commence NB: for non‐Oxbridge universities the application deadline is January 15 and offers are made from April through to July. Choosing the right course is more important than choosing between Oxford or Cambridge or different colleges. Applicants can apply for particular colleges or make an Open application where they will be assigned to a college. Key considerations are: Academic record considered in context of the quality of the school in which it is gained. School reference. Personal statement. Submitted work, where requested. Test results, where required Performance at interview, if interviewed. Applications for Oxbridge: Via UCAS but Cambridge also requires COPA ( Cambridge Online Preliminary Application ) and SAQ ( Supplementary Application Questionnaire ) online forms to be completed. Due 15 October ( three months earlier than for UK universities generally ). Written tests or work may be required. Oxford makes more use of pre‐tests whereas Cambridge gives more weight to AS results. Short‐listed applicants will be interviewed. These are like mini tutorials/supervisions – students are given a short passage or problem to consider and then discuss. Japanese students have a choice of being interviewed in the UK or Singapore ( for Cambridge ). Applicants to Oxbridge are expected to be in the top 1‐2 % of age cohort: Oxford: conditional offers range between A*A*A* and AAA or 38 – 40 in IB Cambridge: conditional offers range between A*AA or 40 – 42 in IB Requirements for international applicants: Highest grades in A Levels, IB or equivalent in 3 or 4 subjects studied in depth and ability and readiness to join in discussion of these subjects. NB: Japanese Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate NOT accepted by Cambridge. IELTS: minimum overall grade of 7.5 ( with 7.0 or above in each element ). High School Transcript covering at two years of schooling. Proof that students can finance the entire course ( minimum of £ 27,000 p.a. ) A Tier 4 visa: requires CAS ( Confirmation of Studies ) and proof of funds. Responding to offers: Applicants have 3 options: 1. Accept only one offer as their Firm Acceptance. Usually done on an unconditional offer from an applicant’s first or second choice university. 2. If a Firm Acceptance is made on a conditional offer, then an applicant can make a further Insurance Acceptance. Usually a lower offer to maximise chances of getting at least one of their two choices. All other offers must then be declined. 3. Decline all offers. There is provision for a ‘second bite of the apple’ through UCAS Extra and Clearing applications. Once an offer is accepted, both the applicant and the university are bound by UCAS rules to honour it. APPLYING TO US UNIVERSITIES Overview There are more than 4000 colleges and universities in the USA of which about 2,000 offer undergraduate degree programmes. The general type of programme offered falls under the heading of “liberal arts”, although it will involve “majoring” in a particular subject. American universities greatly respect the breadth and rigour of the IB. With a view to working in the international student’s home country eventually, it is important to obtain a degree from an institution that is recognized and highly rated there. Partly due to their wealth, and to a society that values and invests in education, the top American universities dominate the world university rankings. Fees for American universities vary from one institution to another but the more prestigious ones can be in the region of $50,000‐$60,000 per year. Remember that degrees in the USA usually take four years. Most American universities will expect UK candidates to have A‐levels/IB or equivalent and a minimum of five GCSEs (including English and Mathematics). Many have recommended ( but not necessarily absolutely necessary ) academic profiles. For instance Princeton prefers students who have: four years of English (including continued practice in writing ). four years of mathematics (including calculus for students interested in engineering) four years of one foreign language at least two years of laboratory science (including physics and chemistry for students interested in engineering) at least two years of history In addition, most candidates have had some study in the visual or performing arts. challenged themselves with the most rigorous courses possible, such as honors, Advanced Placement (AP) and dual‐enrollment courses. They will evaluate the International Baccalaureate (IB), A‐levels or another diploma in the context of the program’s curriculum. Most US universities will expect undergraduate applicants to complete Scholastic Assessment Tests or SAT tests... Among other requirements, most four‐year universities and colleges require students to take an admission test, such as the SAT. These tests have been developed by The College Board, to measure verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities, rather than factual knowledge. Most universities also require applicants to also take the SAT II Tests which are subject specific. ( SAT Subject Tests ). The tests are set on specific dates at designated test centres around the world. Each school will list the required admission tests in their application instructions. Applicants can also find out which tests are required by using College Search. Regardless of the type of test, applicants should register well in advance to guarantee a testing spot. International applicants are advised to complete their required standardized testing by the December test date if possible as scores from the January test date for testers outside the U.S. do not always reach US admissions offices in time. Practice SAT tests and details of UK test centres are available from The College Board (www.collegeboard.com). For help and tutoring for SAT Tests see The Studyworks: www.studyworks.com and for Kaplan Test Prep: www.kaptest.co.uk Application Process To start an application to study in the US, students will need to apply directly to each of the universities they’re interested in. Some universities belong to organisations that provide a common online application form e.g. The Common Application or The Universal College Application. Athletic recruitment process and sports scholarships follow a slightly different timeline to regular applications, so it’s worthwhile checking the application deadlines early (1‐1 ½ years before enrolment) to avoid missing out. Entry requirements for each university are different, but most involve either completing an admissions test or essay, the SAT or ACT admissions tests, and providing recommendation letters from teachers. On top of this, most universities ask for a transcript of grades ( generally Years 9 – 12 ) and a personal statement ( “Tell us your story. Show us what’s special about you. Tell us how you would seize the academic and non‐academic opportunities at Princeton and contribute to the Princeton community. Above all, please write in a style that reflects your own voice” ). If students are not native English speakers they generally have to take TOEFL, although some universities ( e.g. Princeton ) do not require this if students have received at least three years secondary education in English. Most colleges and universities in the U.S. use a holistic approach to undergraduate admissions. They look at a student’s GPA (grade point average), admission test scores and other factors to try to gain a better picture of the student. These factors may include: coursework, teacher and counsellor recommendations, the student’s