[kkleon]

I'm from the US. I'm hoping to start my MA in Archaeology at Sheffield this fall. I would just like to hear stories from other students like me. I keep hearing about all of these offers based on A-levels and other criteria I don't really understand and about students applying using UCAS. I applied using the school's website so I think the whole process is a lot different. I would just like to hear what others have gone through.

Any funny or interesting stories?

[kkleon]

Anything?

[dgeorge]

(Original post by kkleon)
I'm from the US. I'm hoping to start my MA in Archaeology at Sheffield this fall. I would just like to hear stories from other students like me. I keep hearing about all of these offers based on A-levels and other criteria I don't really understand and about students applying using UCAS. I applied using the school's website so I think the whole process is a lot different. I would just like to hear what others have gone through.

Any funny or interesting stories?

I don't understand "firm" offers and many of the things surrounding UCAS Either. It is, however, 100% unimportant. UK uni's are generally happy to take international students cause they pay more than UK students.

[Archdigger]

(Original post by kkleon)
I'm from the US. I'm hoping to start my MA in Archaeology at Sheffield this fall. I would just like to hear stories from other students like me. I keep hearing about all of these offers based on A-levels and other criteria I don't really understand and about students applying using UCAS. I applied using the school's website so I think the whole process is a lot different. I would just like to hear what others have gone through.

Any funny or interesting stories?

I'm from the US as well and will be getting an MPhil in Archaeology in the UK. I studied in the UK for a year for my undergrad and know a little about the UK terminology that could help you.

You don't have to worry about any of the A-levels/UCAS talk. That's strictly for undergraduate admissions. A-levels are equivalent to AP/IB tests in the states and UCAS is like the Common App for undergraduate admissions. Applying to grad schools in the UK is different from if you were to apply to undergrad and is, like you said, through most schools' websites.

The UK is a lovely place to study archaeology and really was a life changing experience for me, so I cannot wait to get back, especially since the teaching is different from the way US uni's teach. A very enriching experience and a great place to get your MA for archaeology!

[kkleon]

(Original post by Archdigger)
I'm from the US as well and will be getting an MPhil in Archaeology in the UK. I studied in the UK for a year for my undergrad and know a little about the UK terminology that could help you.

You don't have to worry about any of the A-levels/UCAS talk. That's strictly for undergraduate admissions. A-levels are equivalent to AP/IB tests in the states and UCAS is like the Common App for undergraduate admissions. Applying to grad schools in the UK is different from if you were to apply to undergrad and is, like you said, through most schools' websites.

The UK is a lovely place to study archaeology and really was a life changing experience for me, so I cannot wait to get back, especially since the teaching is different from the way US uni's teach. A very enriching experience and a great place to get your MA for archaeology!

Thank you so much for replying!


Can you tell me more about how the teaching is different? Also, would you mind telling me a bit more about how the modules work exactly? How long is each term and how many for the whole year?

Where did you do your degree? And what did you focus on?

haha so many questions! I'm sorry! I've just been trying to find this information everywhere and have come up with nothing!

[Archdigger]

(Original post by kkleon)
Thank you so much for replying!


Can you tell me more about how the teaching is different? Also, would you mind telling me a bit more about how the modules work exactly? How long is each term and how many for the whole year?

Where did you do your degree? And what did you focus on?

haha so many questions! I'm sorry! I've just been trying to find this information everywhere and have come up with nothing!

Hey kkleon,

I was at Oxford for the year and focused on Classical Archaeology. The way teaching works at Oxford....at least at the undergraduate level (it's a little different at the graduate level)...is through tutorials. You attend lectures and such, but tutorials are weekly meetings with your professor, where you have a one-on-one 1 hour long session in which you debate and discuss the 8ish page essay you wrote for the week. Learning is intense, but so rewarding. As for other teaching methods elsewhere, it entirely depends on the university. What I gather from the university I'm attending next year it seems like I'm in three year-long modules that are tested at the end of the year. So you attend lectures all year round and do self-guided reading and writing essays throughout the terms to prepare for the test at the end of the year.

As for term division, at Oxbridge you have three terms, each term two months long with a two month break b/w each term (summer being a little longer break). The long break gives students time to compile and study all the material they learned in the previous term to gear up for the large and numerous tests they take at the end of their mostly-three year degrees.

If you read general information about the uni you're interested in on their website and do some digging around you might be able to get a greater sense of how terms/modules work. I recommend looking at the Graduate Prospectus (usually a PDF file) for the degree you plan on enrolling in.

[kkleon]

Well I got the conditions of my offer and it tells me to provide proof of my GPA using a certified official copy of my transcript. I am guessing that they want me to mail them the transcript so I had it mailed a few days ago but I'm not sure if I should upload it anyways. The reason I'm wondering is because in many places it says to upload the documents when I meet my conditions but my GPA was on the unofficial transcript I uploaded when I first applied. Also, the transcript I uploaded looks a lot different than the one the school mails out. Should I upload the original looking one anyways or do I just let the university mail it in and wait?

[Archdigger]

(Original post by kkleon)
Well I got the conditions of my offer and it tells me to provide proof of my GPA using a certified official copy of my transcript. I am guessing that they want me to mail them the transcript so I had it mailed a few days ago but I'm not sure if I should upload it anyways. The reason I'm wondering is because in many places it says to upload the documents when I meet my conditions but my GPA was on the unofficial transcript I uploaded when I first applied. Also, the transcript I uploaded looks a lot different than the one the school mails out. Should I upload the original looking one anyways or do I just let the university mail it in and wait?

Is there a help number you can call at Graduate Admissions? I would really suggest talking to someone directly, since your transcript is a pretty important issue. I called my Graduate school a couple times and they were helpful and understanding on the phone and gave me direct answers, instead of having me guess/ask through email and waiting for a possible reply. Make sure to add the country code and the number to dial out of the US. Google how to call the UK and that should give you instructions on how to call the UK number. I would say that is your best bet

[kkleon]

It's actually kind of hard for me to dial to the UK because I don't have a house phone and none of our phones support international calls. I'm sure I could pay for a service like Skype or Google voice which is probably what I will do if I really have to.

I actually looked into their webpage again and it says that if I cannot upload a document that I can just send it by post which is what I have already done. Now all I have to do is wait and hope for a speedy postal service!

Did you have a hard time with financial aid? In my case I have to apply for a whole bunch of loans, which are actually not that many... :/ I don't know if this is the case for most American students though.

[Suchascenicworld]

Hello!

I am an American who got accepted to Sheffield for postgrad in Archy as well and when it comes to the transcript...I just sent it out via snail mail. I am in the same boat when it comes to financial aid and loans!

[apotoftea]

(Original post by kkleon)
I'm from the US. I'm hoping to start my MA in Archaeology at Sheffield this fall. I would just like to hear stories from other students like me. I keep hearing about all of these offers based on A-levels and other criteria I don't really understand and about students applying using UCAS. I applied using the school's website so I think the whole process is a lot different. I would just like to hear what others have gone through.

Any funny or interesting stories?

(Original post by dgeorge)
I don't understand "firm" offers and many of the things surrounding UCAS Either. It is, however, 100% unimportant. UK uni's are generally happy to take international students cause they pay more than UK students.

The majority of this forum is fueled by undergraduates who have to apply for their first degrees through UCAS and have to have a firm (ie first choice) and an insurance (back up choice if they fail to make the grades for their first choice).

Whereas for you guys applying for postgrad courses, you've done what the UK potential postgrad students do as well - ie apply directly to the university in question

[kkleon]

Okay, so after receiving my acceptance letter I realized that the only thing keeping me from studying in England now would be not qualifying for a Federal PLUS loan, which I know is credit based. I got my credit report and it turns out that I have ONE account which was past due 90 days back in 2008. I paid and closed that account back in 2008. Will they see this and automatically deny me? Their website says that they check for adverse credit history which means no accounts past due more than 90 days within the past 5 years but I would really hate it if I was denied over this one account, 4 years ago.

So yea, I hope someone has some experience with this.

[katieeeL]

I'm an American student as well going Exeter for Msc in Global Politics. I know PLUS loans can be pretty strict, but you do have other options. If you didn't apply for funding you most likely will have to get a private loan. I would start looking now in you are going in the fall, since you will want to apply for your visa in June.

[kkleon]

Well, I've applied for funding. I've also sent the documents to meed the condition of my offer. Now, all I can do is wait and freak out.

[janjanmmm]

(Original post by kkleon)
Well, I've applied for funding. I've also sent the documents to meed the condition of my offer. Now, all I can do is wait and freak out.

Did you fill the Plus loan application online? If you did, it checks your credit and tells you if you are eligible. If you did not - you should do it.
You get something like this:

Dear ** ***
You are approved to borrow a Direct PLUS Loan, pending the receipt of additional loan records from the school you or the student
attends. This determination is based on the results of a credit check with:
EQUIFAX INFORMATION SERVICES LLC
P O BOX 740241
ATLANTA, GA 303740241
(800)685-1111

[kkleon]

(Original post by janjanmmm)
Did you fill the Plus loan application online? If you did, it checks your credit and tells you if you are eligible. If you did not - you should do it.
You get something like this:

I did, and I got approved I had to submit all of the documents to the school by e-mail and I just don't know... does getting approved mean that the school will authorize it? I mean i had to fill out a worksheet asking the for the amount I need but does getting the credit check approved mean I'll definitely get it? I hope so because if I do then I'm definitely going to be able to go, and that would be GREAT.

[janjanmmm]

(Original post by kkleon)
I did, and I got approved I had to submit all of the documents to the school by e-mail and I just don't know... does getting approved mean that the school will authorize it? I mean i had to fill out a worksheet asking the for the amount I need but does getting the credit check approved mean I'll definitely get it? I hope so because if I do then I'm definitely going to be able to go, and that would be GREAT.

Yes, if your credit check goes through you are fine. This is basically the only thing that can no wrong. School is getting paid, they are on your side to begin with! There may be minor issues, but as long as you enroll full time and a school is on the list with Federal Student Loans there should be no problem, the only obstacle could have been bad credit.

[katieeeL]

you guys already filled out the plus loan app? i figured i would wait until i find out funding from the schools AND FAFSA results come back, because then i would know how much i would need. should i apply now? i'm confused. i didn't have any loans for undergrad so i guess i don't know how it works exactly :/

[kkleon]

(Original post by katieeeL)
you guys already filled out the plus loan app? i figured i would wait until i find out funding from the schools AND FAFSA results come back, because then i would know how much i would need. should i apply now? i'm confused. i didn't have any loans for undergrad so i guess i don't know how it works exactly :/

When did you apply to fafsa?
I think you should check the school's financial aid guidelines for international students, if you haven't already, since they usually tell you what steps you need to take before applying for financial aid. If you are going to receive funding, or have applied for it, it would probably be best to wait for that because then you would know how much you would need and then you can just put that amount in the application. I know with schools here you can ask for the Max amount and then accept only what you need but I'm not sure if you can do that when you apply to a university abroad. That information is probably on the loan website but I cannot remember if I read it or not. :/

[janjanmmm]

(Original post by katieeeL)
you guys already filled out the plus loan app? i figured i would wait until i find out funding from the schools AND FAFSA results come back, because then i would know how much i would need. should i apply now? i'm confused. i didn't have any loans for undergrad so i guess i don't know how it works exactly :/

I got FAFSA about a day after I filed it. For loans, it is really not that important, all they tell you is that you are not eligible for grants.

But Oxford website says that we should file as soon as possible, since July-August is their busiest month, I assume it is the same for other schools.

Plus, if there is a problem you have to communicate with your school. The process is somewhat complex, you have to go to studentloans.com and apply for PLUS loan (if 20500 from Federal loan is not enough), then go through the online entrance counseling course, then fill separate Master Promissory notes for both loans (Federal and PLUS). I am not sure if there are some other steps for a first time borrower, since I had loans before. Then it is all transmitted to school and if something is not right, they will let you know. I'd say as soon as you know where you are going you should do it!

You can reduce the amount up to at least couple of weeks before the loan is disbursed, and it will not be disbursed until October. Here is what is says on the Oxford website:

If you wish to make a change to your loan amount or cancel the loan during the year, please note that we require a minimum of two weeks’ notice prior to the next disbursement date to action the change with effect from that disbursement.

http://www.ox.ac.uk/feesandfunding/p...oans/applying/

Also, I would not place too much hope into getting any sort of funding, it is rather clear that the main reason they take international students is the fact that we pay good money. I could be wrong, of course, but I would not expect anything.