How to Apply to US Universities from UK or IB Systems
The American university application process is unique; it is unlike applying to university in other countries. It is much more complicated, with particular and unique requirements. Academic excellence is not the only application dimension, which is unlike European, Asian, and International universities.
How to Apply to US Universities from UK or IB Systems
The American university application process is unique; it is unlike applying to university in other countries. It is much more complicated, with particular and unique requirements. Academic excellence is not the only application dimension, which is unlike European, Asian, and International universities.
How to Apply to US Universities from UK or IB Systems
The first thing to be aware of is that the process will be challenging. It requires juggling the intensely academic timetables of A levels or IB while planning a full US application.
At Wentworth, we generally advise parents and students to start thinking as early as 9th Grade / Year 10. Developing interests and extracurricular activities can be more difficult when these activities are not provided readily in school. From Year 11 (10th Grade) onwards, students should expect a carefully crafted timetable to cover the SAT or the ACT, SAT II Subject Tests, applications, and extracurriculars.
Applications to the US are judged against multiple criteria: academics, leadership, extracurriculars, volunteering, and "likeability" (which comes primarily from the application). Academics are the easiest to both quantify and measure. They form the baseline bar for admission at most universities. For example, a score less than 1450 without additional factors is very unlikely to secure admission to a top school. Once the academic standard has been met, the other criteria come into play.
Leadership comes in many forms. A student could be the captain of a school sports team, have started a project or a team at school, run the school newspaper, be a peer leader at school, take on a role at their church, or have developed a play or musical.
Admission to a top school usually requires at least one very strong extracurricular. There are a few metrics with which to think about these activities. Is the extracurricular to an international, national, local, or school level standard? If the activity is not to the level of the school, then it is probably not standout. Is there evidence of the excellence e.g., awards, recognition, a leadership role? While most parents consider sports and music to be the classic extracurriculars, anything that is pursued with enough rigour is relevant. Starting a company, developing a charity, writing for a think tank - all of these have constitued stand out extracurriculars for past students.
Volunteering is one that students often get concerned over. An application has to hang together, and volunteer or charity work may not form a core part of it. However, a thread of commitment to the community should be found. A strong student may tutor younger students; a talented musician may volunteer to teach students without an arts programme; an athlete may work with a sports charity, etc.
The last point, likeability, cannot be stressed enough and is often overlooked. Admissions officers wnat to hear from thoughtful and innovative students. The key questions here are: Do I want to go to university with this student? Will they contribute to my environment? What makes them memorable or unique? Beware the application with several solo extracurriculars and a narcissistic or arrogant overtone; there is a fine line between highlighting achievements and overdoing it. Often this is the hardest part to get correct and the most overlooked part of an application. When writing essays, have family read through the essay but remember that topics adults find interesting rarely appeal.
Please contact us if you would like to learn more. Wentworth can organise a private and personalised consultation with one of our US College Consultants. We look forward to hearing from you.