[Redemption]

SO!

I consistently get more PM's and quotes about this than everything else combined, and with good regularity. I felt it would be easiest (I guess for me ;P) to explain my experiences and knowledge of the system here and answer questions together rather than indivudal PM's. From now on, if you PM me, I'll simply redirect you to this thread to ask.

This is all based upon knowledge of applying for the scheme during the academic year of 07/08, for an exchange that I'm currently on at UC Berkeley 08/09.

There are a number of exchange schemes that York runs, nearly all administered by the York International Office (http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/intnat/). Ask them for real, definite information.

I entered York on an unconditional offer, but this was likely irrelevant to my application.

Around a month or so in to the term there will be student events and big meetings beginning to introduce the idea of the exchange scheme to prospective firstyear students. You'll meet, get presentations, talk to ex-students (Probably me for next year! Do approach me in real life, I won't bite!). This is when the application process starts.

Step One: Research, Collect Info, Apply

Do it. Find out where you want to go. How much it'll cost. If you can afford it. If you can prove that (more on this later). Why you want to go there. If going outweighs the bad of missing your friends from first year.

Realise that this as a decision comes up damned fast. Applications need to be in within two months of arriving at York. It sucks. You don't know if you'll fall in love with someone, hate York or be okay with it all. I did all three.

The first stages of the application process involve a number of things. You get a big-ass guide to this when you get involved in the process, so I won't go into too much detail. Key things: Collecting together academic records (you'll need all your A-Level certificate originals). Financial guarantees (bank statements, grant letters, these take a long time to get together so start early). You put these all together with an application essay. I'll quote the last piece of advice I gave to one questioner.

(Original post by Redemption)
First, you need to find some gold reason why you want to study abroad over york. Then, you need to find a good reason why you should be in california, rather than anywhere else. Then, you need to show what you have done that makes you able to survive solo out there, and show how it would benefit you over a year in the UK. What are your unique skills? How have you overcome difficulty? How have you developed? You need to demonstrate UNIQUE enthusiasm - find some course, some professor, some classes you just HAVE to take that you can't take at york. Then, show that you have somehow a unique point of view that would benefit the people at berkeley to engage in discussion. Try not to bad mount york too much whilst doing this, focus on DIFFERENT not nessecerily better. You can say that berkeley/cal is great, just dont say york is pants because york are interveiwing you at the start.

You choose 3 cal campuses, so you need to give reasons why those 3 not any others, and not just focus on one.

Then, once interviews are over, you'll be asked to refine your letters to send to the CAL system. At that point you write a second, seperate mini-essay (1/2 page) about why berkeley (if berkeely is what you want). What i did was look at some cool courses I REALLY wanted to take were. Get the professors name. Amazoned his book got the synopsis and explained how this was the field of study i was most fascinated by, and how this guy is the top of his field and I can't get the same teaching as him anywhere else e.t.c e.t.c

Hope that helped.

Put your essay together. It all goes together with a number of photocopies and the like. This goes to York.

Step Two: York Interviews and Further Application

I've already discussed this slightly above. After the first round of applications a number (you have a pretty good chance of getting an interview with even a half arsed application), will be asked back for an interview. This will be with three people chosen from different departments with links to the exchange scheme.

For me, the questions for Berkeley were as I noted in the message of advice. Why North America. Why California. Then why Berkeley & Your other 2. You can't just focus on one campus because they won't guarantee it to you. I focused on specific courses that each campus did that related to eachother. My fields I was interested in were Game Theory, Social Evolution and War. Be honest - show a real interest and demonstrate that you have the dedication and perseverance not to just leave half way through.

After the interviews, a number are given the go-ahead by York. These people are then allowed to refine their essay or personal statement so as to better cater to the institutions they want. This was the point that I wrote a supplementary essay for Berkeley. Then, they send these all off with even more tight amount of personal details and financial guarantees in like, nov/dec.

Step 3: Cross your fingers and try not to screw your housing if you don't get in

You don't get to know if you got onto the course, or your choices until mid-through or the start of the easter holidays. I was in Morocco, so I found out when I got back. What this means is that people sort our housing for second year in january, feb at the latest. Interviews are January/Feb. If you tell people you're going to america, they'll think you don't like them and not factor you in. If you don't tell them (for fear of not getting in), you might screw them over if you do get in. It's up to you how to deal with this, only remember that you need to consider not getting onto the course.

Frequently Asked Questions (will update)

Can I permenantly transfer to the US/Berkeley once I'm there?
I honestly don't have a straight answer for you here. I looked into it, but only mildly. Each time the answer I got was yes, but no. To my questioning, you effectively had to transfer as a full transfer student (as you would from york anyway maybe), only that you had a step up on the competiton in that Berkeley already had a semester or two's worth of work and GPA's from you. So If you do exceptionally well (I rocked a 3.9 gpa last semester, but didn't follow through), and be well aware that Berkeley is a LOT harder than York - to get a York first at berkeley requires an average score on tests in most subjects of above 95%. (Stupid conversions).

How much does tuition cost?
No idea for you. For me, they charged me exactly 50% standard York fees. That meant they just took 50% less from the SLC. About 1500 pounds.

How do the Berkeley Units Convert?
Doing the reccomended amount in Berkeley, you get effectively 140 York units (so a free half course in york! Yay!). Be warned though, that to convert to a first in York currently (I'm going to have serious words about this when I get back), requires a full bore A in each class. Before you say "Well you should be getting an A anyway", realise that every class is curved so that A's go to about 10% of the students. An A at berkeley is a 4.0. It's a 95%+ score on an exam. An A-? Oh? What's that? You only got 90% in each test? You only beat 85% of the students at the most elite public institution in the United States? Sorry, it's not worth a 70+ mark here at york. FNAH FNAH.

How hard is it to get on the exchange?
International office will give you hard numbers, but I'll say this: Considerably easier than you imagine, but it depends upon the institution you want to go to. Columbia or UPenn? Harder. A Specific UC (Like Berkeley, which EVERYONE wants)? Harder. My year it was around 60 to 6 for UC (but five of the six final applicants had berkeley as their first choice), 50 to 2 for Columbia, 35 to 1 for UPenn, and so on. If you put the effort in, you'll get your slot.

More to be Included

[Economic Historian 1]

(Original post by Redemption)
SO!

I consistently get more PM's and quotes about this than everything else combined, and with good regularity. I felt it would be easiest (I guess for me ;P) to explain my experiences and knowledge of the system here and answer questions together rather than indivudal PM's. From now on, if you PM me, I'll simply redirect you to this thread to ask.

This is all based upon knowledge of applying for the scheme during the academic year of 07/08, for an exchange that I'm currently on at UC Berkeley 08/09.

There are a number of exchange schemes that York runs, nearly all administered by the York International Office (http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/intnat/). Ask them for real, definite information.

I entered York on an unconditional offer, but this was likely irrelevant to my application.

Around a month or so in to the term there will be student events and big meetings beginning to introduce the idea of the exchange scheme to prospective firstyear students. You'll meet, get presentations, talk to ex-students (Probably me for next year! Do approach me in real life, I won't bite!). This is when the application process starts.

Step One: Research, Collect Info, Apply

Do it. Find out where you want to go. How much it'll cost. If you can afford it. If you can prove that (more on this later). Why you want to go there. If going outweighs the bad of missing your friends from first year.

Realise that this as a decision comes up damned fast. Applications need to be in within two months of arriving at York. It sucks. You don't know if you'll fall in love with someone, hate York or be okay with it all. I did all three.

The first stages of the application process involve a number of things. You get a big-ass guide to this when you get involved in the process, so I won't go into too much detail. Key things: Collecting together academic records (you'll need all your A-Level certificate originals). Financial guarantees (bank statements, grant letters, these take a long time to get together so start early). You put these all together with an application essay. I'll quote the last piece of advice I gave to one questioner.


Put your essay together. It all goes together with a number of photocopies and the like. This goes to York.

Step Two: York Interviews and Further Application

I've already discussed this slightly above. After the first round of applications a number (you have a pretty good chance of getting an interview with even a half arsed application), will be asked back for an interview. This will be with three people chosen from different departments with links to the exchange scheme.

For me, the questions for Berkeley were as I noted in the message of advice. Why North America. Why California. Then why Berkeley & Your other 2. You can't just focus on one campus because they won't guarantee it to you. I focused on specific courses that each campus did that related to eachother. My fields I was interested in were Game Theory, Social Evolution and War. Be honest - show a real interest and demonstrate that you have the dedication and perseverance not to just leave half way through.

After the interviews, a number are given the go-ahead by York. These people are then allowed to refine their essay or personal statement so as to better cater to the institutions they want. This was the point that I wrote a supplementary essay for Berkeley. Then, they send these all off with even more tight amount of personal details and financial guarantees in like, nov/dec.

Step 3: Cross your fingers and try not to screw your housing if you don't get in

You don't get to know if you got onto the course, or your choices until mid-through or the start of the easter holidays. I was in Morocco, so I found out when I got back. What this means is that people sort our housing for second year in january, feb at the latest. Interviews are January/Feb. If you tell people you're going to america, they'll think you don't like them and not factor you in. If you don't tell them (for fear of not getting in), you might screw them over if you do get in. It's up to you how to deal with this, only remember that you need to consider not getting onto the course.

Frequently Asked Questions (will update)

Can I permenantly transfer to the US/Berkeley once I'm there?
I honestly don't have a straight answer for you here. I looked into it, but only mildly. Each time the answer I got was yes, but no. To my questioning, you effectively had to transfer as a full transfer student (as you would from york anyway maybe), only that you had a step up on the competiton in that Berkeley already had a semester or two's worth of work and GPA's from you. So If you do exceptionally well (I rocked a 3.9 gpa last semester, but didn't follow through), and be well aware that Berkeley is a LOT harder than York - to get a York first at berkeley requires an average score on tests in most subjects of above 95%. (Stupid conversions).

How much does tuition cost?
No idea for you. For me, they charged me exactly 50% standard York fees. That meant they just took 50% less from the SLC. About 1500 pounds.

How do the Berkeley Units Convert?
Doing the reccomended amount in Berkeley, you get effectively 140 York units (so a free half course in york! Yay!). Be warned though, that to convert to a first in York currently (I'm going to have serious words about this when I get back), requires a full bore A in each class. Before you say "Well you should be getting an A anyway", realise that every class is curved so that A's go to about 10% of the students. An A at berkeley is a 4.0. It's a 95%+ score on an exam. An A-? Oh? What's that? You only got 90% in each test? You only beat 85% of the students at the most elite public institution in the United States? Sorry, it's not worth a 70+ mark here at york. FNAH FNAH.

How hard is it to get on the exchange?
International office will give you hard numbers, but I'll say this: Considerably easier than you imagine, but it depends upon the institution you want to go to. Columbia or UPenn? Harder. A Specific UC (Like Berkeley, which EVERYONE wants)? Harder. My year it was around 60 to 6 for UC (but five of the six final applicants had berkeley as their first choice), 50 to 2 for Columbia, 35 to 1 for UPenn, and so on. If you put the effort in, you'll get your slot.

More to be Included

Excellent! Thanks a lot mate

[lotsofsnails]

so do they take the applicants' grades into account when deciding?

[Economic Historian 1]

(Original post by lotsofsnails)
so do they take the applicants' grades into account when deciding?

"Key things: Collecting together academic records (you'll need all your A-Level certificate originals). Financial guarantees (bank statements, grant letters, these take a long time to get together so start early). You put these all together with an application essay. I'll quote the last piece of advice I gave to one questioner."
...Yes.

[lotsofsnails]

well yeh i saw that but i mean i was asking are they important

[Redemption]

Your A-level grades help some - but of course if you're competing AAA vs AAA it won't make much difference.

Your performance in the first semester is included and you have to get references from your advisor and your head of department.

[lotsofsnails]

ok thanks

[JSmith08]

This is really helpful, I was just wondering do you have to show that you can cover the whole maintenance cost before you go i.e you have to show you already have all the required money. Also when do you have to show this proof is it after youve been accepted because it cost loads good thing im on a gap year i can start saving up now! Does it really cost so much tho oh are they just saying that so your prepared for the living costs cause the living costs (maintenance cost) costs more than we pay for uni for 3 years and i know the pound is weak against the dollar but still!

Also how are you finding the difficulty of the courses over there, are they harder compared to home. Do you have more lectures a week and more homework.

[misternite]

Thanks for the extra info mate. I'll be going to York tomorrow, hopefully it'll live up to expectations!

[Redemption]

(Original post by JSmith08)
This is really helpful, I was just wondering do you have to show that you can cover the whole maintenance cost before you go i.e you have to show you already have all the required money. Also when do you have to show this proof is it after youve been accepted because it cost loads good thing im on a gap year i can start saving up now! Does it really cost so much tho oh are they just saying that so your prepared for the living costs cause the living costs (maintenance cost) costs more than we pay for uni for 3 years and i know the pound is weak against the dollar but still!

Also how are you finding the difficulty of the courses over there, are they harder compared to home. Do you have more lectures a week and more homework.

Work is not nessecerily harder, but you have to perform a lot better. As I said, getting an A has a lot less margin for error than getting a first. There is a lot more reading and work.

They give you an estimated living cost for the year - you have to prove you have enough for the whole year. So, for example, you might have student loads and maintainance grants which sum to over the year part of it - and that's fine and counts towards the total even though it's not all now and it's not all in one lump. Private contributions have to be shown before with bank statements and signed letters (if they aren't yours).

America isn't cheap. You're looking at at least $650 a month for a bedroom in a shared house, possibly even that for a shared room. I pay $900 inc utilities. Groceries are expensive. Flights are expensive. Health insurance is, well, you guessed it.

[misternite]

(Original post by Redemption)
How hard is it to get on the exchange?
International office will give you hard numbers, but I'll say this: Considerably easier than you imagine, but it depends upon the institution you want to go to. Columbia or UPenn? Harder. A Specific UC (Like Berkeley, which EVERYONE wants)? Harder. My year it was around 60 to 6 for UC (but five of the six final applicants had berkeley as their first choice), 50 to 2 for Columbia, 35 to 1 for UPenn, and so on. If you put the effort in, you'll get your slot.

Just asking about this. You say it's somewhat easy but 60:6, 50:2, 35:1 and so on make it seem incredibly difficult. The speaker at the open day yesterday told us that if you wanted it, you would usually get it. It's a big draw for me so do you have an idea of the calibre of applicant that they expect? Cheers.

[Redemption]

(Original post by misternite)
Just asking about this. You say it's somewhat easy but 60:6, 50:2, 35:1 and so on make it seem incredibly difficult. The speaker at the open day yesterday told us that if you wanted it, you would usually get it. It's a big draw for me so do you have an idea of the calibre of applicant that they expect? Cheers.

With every application process the original number of applicants seems daunting. I'm not sure if I wrote it in my original post, or just in a pm to someone, but you have to discount. Of the say, 60 for 6, that's say 10 for 1. Three of those ten will realise it's not for them half way through, four will be morons (lots and lots of stupid people at u of york), and then three will kinda want the slot. Of the three, maybe two will actually put a lot of hard work into it. You're now two for one slot. Interview well, and get in.

Pretty much it. It's not too hard to get in. When you say calibre you inculcate some conception of an academic whizzkid, but what they really want to find out is who will gain most, contribute most, deal with the stresses, and has a genuine reason for going.

[misternite]

(Original post by Redemption)
With every application process the original number of applicants seems daunting. I'm not sure if I wrote it in my original post, or just in a pm to someone, but you have to discount. Of the say, 60 for 6, that's say 10 for 1. Three of those ten will realise it's not for them half way through, four will be morons (lots and lots of stupid people at u of york), and then three will kinda want the slot. Of the three, maybe two will actually put a lot of hard work into it. You're now two for one slot. Interview well, and get in.

Pretty much it. It's not too hard to get in. When you say calibre you inculcate some conception of an academic whizzkid, but what they really want to find out is who will gain most, contribute most, deal with the stresses, and has a genuine reason for going.

Fantastic. Thank you.

[DiamondsAreForever]

Hey I dont know if this is a silly question but, do we still get the maintenance loan and maintenance grant that we would normally do here? Also I would be eligible for the York £1038 bursary, would I still get this, do you reckon? Thanks

[Redemption]

(Original post by DiamondsAreForever)
Hey I dont know if this is a silly question but, do we still get the maintenance loan and maintenance grant that we would normally do here? Also I would be eligible for the York £1038 bursary, would I still get this, do you reckon? Thanks

You recieve the full maintainance loan and grant. However, the tuition you pay is not fixed. This year and the years before, York asked you to pay Half (1/2) normal standard top up fees (3k * 1/2 = 1.5k) to York. This means that you save 1500 in total repayable amount. However, since you are no longer paying full tuition fees to York, you stop becoming eligable for the York bursuary (but you remain eligable for all other maintainance bursuarys and loans). This makes it cheaper for rich kids and kinda worse for poor kids.

[DiamondsAreForever]

(Original post by Redemption)
You recieve the full maintainance loan and grant. However, the tuition you pay is not fixed. This year and the years before, York asked you to pay Half (1/2) normal standard top up fees (3k * 1/2 = 1.5k) to York. This means that you save 1500 in total repayable amount. However, since you are no longer paying full tuition fees to York, you stop becoming eligable for the York bursuary (but you remain eligable for all other maintainance bursuarys and loans). This makes it cheaper for rich kids and kinda worse for poor kids.

Ahh right okay! Lol ummm.. Looks like I'll have to live off peanuts in my first year and get a job in that year to save for America. Can we get a job in America? Or is that a different visa altogether? Thankyou

[Redemption]

(Original post by DiamondsAreForever)
Ahh right okay! Lol ummm.. Looks like I'll have to live off peanuts in my first year and get a job in that year to save for America. Can we get a job in America? Or is that a different visa altogether? Thankyou

The J-1 VIsa you are issued is valid for work ON CAMPUS. You can work outside, but you must get a letter of acceptance or a job offer letter from the place, take it to the Berkeley International Office, and then they issue you a work permit.

[Redemption]

I'm now back home, so able to answer questions on this matter further if anyone would like to know anything.

I have one warning for everyone who would like to do the exchange. I met people who I wished could be the friends I kept for the rest of my life on the exchange. Then I had to say goodbye, and go home, and possibly never see them again. I mean, I will, because I travel A LOT, and I'm just like that. However, it can be quite shocking - and quite disconcerting.

[Economic Historian 1]

Do you apply to a particular Uni only? For e.g. if you initially want to go to Columbia (only one place this year) but do not get in, are you eligible to be considered for one of the 8 places at Berkeley?

[JSmith08]

(Original post by Redemption)
I'm now back home, so able to answer questions on this matter further if anyone would like to know anything.

I have one warning for everyone who would like to do the exchange. I met people who I wished could be the friends I kept for the rest of my life on the exchange. Then I had to say goodbye, and go home, and possibly never see them again. I mean, I will, because I travel A LOT, and I'm just like that. However, it can be quite shocking - and quite disconcerting.

Was just wondering if the maths and stat modules you chose in your first year have an effect on your chances of getting the exchange as if you did the basic modules of both because you didnt do A level maths would that effect anything cause you wont be able to do some modules over there because you dont have sufficient maths knowledge for some modules.