[DCDude]

(Original post by cbredear)
(American) son applied in early October. Received unconditionals from U of Edinburgh in 10 days, Exeter in 2 weeks, St. Andrews in 3 weeks but then didn't hear from Royal Holloway (which was more of a "safety" school) until April I think!

To augment this, for non-EU students most of the unis do rolling admissions, and will let you know pretty quickly. Based on the random sample of people we know, with a good PS, good references, a strong SAT score and 4 relevant APs w/ scores of 4-5, you are likely to get some unconditional offers. If your APs are not relevant, or you don't have enough already taken, you may get conditional offers. Example (real): 3 APs, to include (specific relevant subject), with a score of 4 or higher.

Note that they don't make up conditions- they base it on what you put on UCAS as the exams you are planning to take and the marks you estimate you will get. So, if you are applying for Law, you might say that you are going to take AP Comparative Gov, and are projected to get a 5. Your condition of acceptance might be that you actually do get a 5.

So, when choosing your APs consider their relevance, and the likelihood of your getting whatever score you say that you are likely to get (it may be that your teacher/school has to fill in your projected grade, but most US schools don't have much practice at UK apps, and will ask for your guidance). You do of course have to provide proof of all scores once you have an offer.

When you are looking at course pages you will see guidelines as to what marks are typically required at A level- AAB, for example. Although the UK students complain, for practical purposes you can estimate that an A is a 5 and a B is a 4- but they MUST be in relevant subjects. Obvs, there is no law AP, but US Gov & Comp Gov, with some history and english will work (I know somebody who had 5s in both english APs, world history and US Gov, who got an unconditional for Edinburgh Law).

[A-Dog]

(Original post by rachel1105)
hey all! I haven't gone through all the replies in this thread just yet so please excuse me if I repeat anything someone has already said or asked. I'm an IB student in Florida and am absolutely determined to go to university in the UK and live there permanently afterwards (although it does seem quite a process to gain citizenship or a work/live visa). I fell in love with the nation when I was over there visiting family. My top choices of Universities are U. Glasgow(1), U.Manchester(2), U.Sussex, St.Andrew's, or Brunel. But I'm really open to considering any upstanding Universities. I haven't applied to any yet ( I'm only a sophomore) but I want to go ahead and start planning and saving $, I just want a clear idea of it all. So, what I'm wondering is-
Which of the Universities (particularly the ones I've listed) has the best law program? Also, how is the whole degree classification set up over there?

How difficult is it to obtain a law degree and then practice law in the UK if I'm an American?

Would I be able to "minor" or "double major" in Russian along with law?(I've only just begun learning Russian in the past few months)

What is the general attitude of Universities towards the recommendation letters and extracurriculars , i.e does it influence your acceptance?

How is the whole acceptance bit worked out? Like, when do you know if you've been accepted or not and how much is it to apply?

What is the average living cost including tuition, food, spending $, and any other fees for attending University over there for all of the undergraduate years?

Is it likely that an extended visa or living permit would be granted to an undergraduate? If not, how can I work to meet the qualifications?

How hard is it for an American to "fit in" in the college life over there?

Even though I've looked up and researched all the Universities I've still got too many unanswered questions , hence the long post.

Sorry for all the questions ! xx

Apparently University is better is the US

[alexs2602]

(Original post by DCDude)
To augment this, for non-EU students most of the unis do rolling admissions, and will let you know pretty quickly. Based on the random sample of people we know, with a good PS, good references, a strong SAT score and 4 relevant APs w/ scores of 4-5, you are likely to get some unconditional offers. If your APs are not relevant, or you don't have enough already taken, you may get conditional offers. Example (real): 3 APs, to include (specific relevant subject), with a score of 4 or higher.

Note that they don't make up conditions- they base it on what you put on UCAS as the exams you are planning to take and the marks you estimate you will get. So, if you are applying for Law, you might say that you are going to take AP Comparative Gov, and are projected to get a 5. Your condition of acceptance might be that you actually do get a 5.

So, when choosing your APs consider their relevance, and the likelihood of your getting whatever score you say that you are likely to get (it may be that your teacher/school has to fill in your projected grade, but most US schools don't have much practice at UK apps, and will ask for your guidance). You do of course have to provide proof of all scores once you have an offer.

When you are looking at course pages you will see guidelines as to what marks are typically required at A level- AAB, for example. Although the UK students complain, for practical purposes you can estimate that an A is a 5 and a B is a 4- but they MUST be in relevant subjects. Obvs, there is no law AP, but US Gov & Comp Gov, with some history and english will work (I know somebody who had 5s in both english APs, world history and US Gov, who got an unconditional for Edinburgh Law).

Thanks for reminding me of that - for qualifications that are to be completed your teachers need to give predicted results which should be near the typical offer for the places you apply to. I was predicted ABB, typical offers were AAB or ABB(I believe), received offers of AAB or ABB/AAC and I achieved A*AC.

I would aim for 5s in everything, if you're capable of it. History is an excellent choice. I know nothing of the course in the US but I would recommend European or World History personally. It shows an interest outside the US which you would expect from someone who wants to study abroad. English is a pretty good one too, although I'm not sure which one. Gov(or as we know it, politics) sounds relevant. What I'm saying is that DC Dude gives good advice.

If the uni website doesn't give a US typical offer I would send their admissions office an email. A quick email and you'll get the best answer it's possible to get.

[adam0311]

(Original post by rachel1105)
Which of the Universities (particularly the ones I've listed) has the best law program? Also, how is the whole degree classification set up over there?

Law is a very elitist profession, so I'd recommend you stay as close to the top 10 as possible. Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Warwick, Nottingham and KCL. Some of the red bricks like Birmingham would also probably be okay. I go to Durham btw, so this would be my natural suggestion. Seriously though, I love it.

(Original post by rachel1105)
How difficult is it to obtain a law degree and then practice law in the UK if I'm an American?

Get an upper second, have your CV in order, and pick one of the unis I recommended...you'll have no problem. I've already done a vac scheme and been accepted to two others that I had to turn down...so being American has obviously had no negative impact. My plan is to stay in the UK for as long as my legal career allows me to.


Most of your other questions seem to have been covered really well. But ask me any questions you have related to law specifically, and I'll be happy to answer them.

[SpeedwayCJ]

Is anyone else in the process of completely freaking out about...well, everything? Woke up at 5am this morning, worrying about what to pack, what to ship, blah, blah, blah. I'm planning to go over Aug 29 to attend a conference, then wandering around for 2 weeks until my move-in date at Exeter. I'm completely overwhelmed. Only 4 weeks to go and I feel like I can't quite get a handle on what I actually need to do at this point. Stressed!!!

[brendayissel]

Hi I'm new to this whole UCAS thing. I'm a senior this year in high school in California. and i have received information from the University of Portsmouth, University of Surrey, University of Essex, Edinburgh Napier University, Cardiff University, Bangor University, University of Kent and the Heriot-Watt University. I've done extensive research on all of the schools, and I was just wondering if anyone would recommend these schools or if they were any good. I'm going to be an undergrad majoring in Criminology.

[brendayissel]

(Original post by SpeedwayCJ)
Is anyone else in the process of completely freaking out about...well, everything? Woke up at 5am this morning, worrying about what to pack, what to ship, blah, blah, blah. I'm planning to go over Aug 29 to attend a conference, then wandering around for 2 weeks until my move-in date at Exeter. I'm completely overwhelmed. Only 4 weeks to go and I feel like I can't quite get a handle on what I actually need to do at this point. Stressed!!!

You were accepted into Exeter? What entry requirements do they have?

[Jackkkkk]

(Original post by brendayissel)
Hi I'm new to this whole UCAS thing. I'm a senior this year in high school in California. and i have received information from the University of Portsmouth, University of Surrey, University of Essex, Edinburgh Napier University, Cardiff University, Bangor University, University of Kent and the Heriot-Watt University. I've done extensive research on all of the schools, and I was just wondering if anyone would recommend these schools or if they were any good. I'm going to be an undergrad majoring in Criminology.

I'm guessing you know that you can apply to five uni's

Cardiff and Surrey are good/respected in the uk (the others not so much)
Have a look at Royal Holloway's (RHUL) Criminology and Sociology course and also Durham

Those 4 (Durham, RHUL, Cardiff and Surrey) are well respected

Edit: Kent is good too

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[brendayissel]

(Original post by Jackkkkk)
I'm guessing you know that you can apply to five uni's

Cardiff and Surrey are good/respected in the uk (the others not so much)
Have a look at Royal Holloway's (RHUL) Criminology and Sociology course and also Durham

Those 4 (Durham, RHUL, Cardiff and Surrey) are well respected

Edit: Kent is good too

This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Are these schools super hard to get into?

[Jackkkkk]

(Original post by brendayissel)
Are these schools super hard to get into?

Durham is very hard yeah, Cardiff, Surrey and Royal Holloway are not as difficult but you would still need decent grades
as an example for holloway:

http://www.rhul.ac.uk/international/yourcountry/usa.aspx

This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[brendayissel]

(Original post by Jackkkkk)
Durham is very hard yeah, Cardiff, Surrey and Royal Holloway are not as difficult but you would still need decent grades
as an example for holloway:

http://www.rhul.ac.uk/international/...untry/usa.aspx

This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Are you an American student or from the UK?

[Jackkkkk]

(Original post by brendayissel)
Are you an American student or from the UK?

From the uk


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[brendayissel]

(Original post by Jackkkkk)
From the uk


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

that is so cool! you're lucky to be from the uk, I'm jealous. What University did you attend/or are planning on attending?

[Jackkkkk]

(Original post by brendayissel)
that is so cool! you're lucky to be from the uk, I'm jealous. What University did you attend/or are planning on attending?

Really aha why is that?
Im hoping to go to Bristol to read Psychology, Holloway is my 2nd Choice. Get exam results on the 16th :/

[brendayissel]

(Original post by Jackkkkk)
Really aha why is that?
Im hoping to go to Bristol to read Psychology, Holloway is my 2nd Choice. Get exam results on the 16th :/

Lol I've always been fascinated with European countries and I love people with accents. I wanted to study psychology, but it just seems so common here in america that I decided on criminology. I wish you the best of luck with your exam results though (:

[Jackkkkk]

(Original post by brendayissel)
Lol I've always been fascinated with European countries and I love people with accents. I wanted to study psychology, but it just seems so common here in america that I decided on criminology. I wish you the best of luck with your exam results though (:

Oh okay aha - I lve America - what I have seen of it anyway :P where abouts are you from?

Psychology is so interesting though - Holloway do psych and Crim as do Durham, maybe take a look :P - Crim is interesting too though ha

and thankyoouuu

[brendayissel]

(Original post by Jackkkkk)
Oh okay aha - I lve America - what I have seen of it anyway :P where abouts are you from?

Psychology is so interesting though - Holloway do psych and Crim as do Durham, maybe take a look :P - Crim is interesting too though ha

and thankyoouuu

you've been to america? im from southern california lol, but ive traveled through many states.

[Jackkkkk]

(Original post by brendayissel)
you've been to america? im from southern california lol, but ive traveled through many states.

Oh wow Ive not been to Cali or anywhere over that way, just east coast (NY/washington) and Florida lol

[brendayissel]

(Original post by Jackkkkk)
Oh wow Ive not been to Cali or anywhere over that way, just east coast (NY/washington) and Florida lol

lol you aren't really missing out on much. just beautiful beaches and perfect weather. but i love the east coast. when did you go there?

[Jackkkkk]

(Original post by brendayissel)
lol you aren't really missing out on much. just beautiful beaches and perfect weather. but i love the east coast. when did you go there?

hahha "JUST beautiful beaches and perfect weather" - coming from England Im missing out aha.

I went to East Coast a year or two ago and Florida about 4 yrs ago