I am an American looking to attend undergraduate university in the United Kingdom and Durham is my first choice. However I am also applying to St. Andrews, Exeter and the University of Edinburgh.
Because I am applying to the English department at Durham, the requirements are 5,5,5 (A-levels) in relevant subjects, to include the English literature AP test. I'm curious to see if anybody knows the system or has had an experience that suggests I may be accepted unconditionally, or if I absolutely must wait for my AP scores (which will not be available until MID-JULY!). My "achievements" are as follows:
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AP Scores: 5 US History, 4 World History, 4 English Language and Composition
APs to be completed: European History, Microeconomics, US Government and Politics, Psychology, and, of course, English Literature and Composition.
(My referee has predicted I will receive 5s on all, apart from Microeconomics, for which he has predicted a 4)
SAT scores; 2070 overall, 770 Writing, 700 Reading Comprehension, 600 Math.
SAT Subject Tests: Literature and US History (I haven't received my scores yet but I am confident I will get over a 700 in both)
GPA is around a 97, or 3.9-4.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Extracurriculars include 2 years of Varsity Golf, 2 years acting as Vice President/Co-Founder of my High School's International Club, 2 years as a member of the National Honor Society, 2 years as a member of the National Latin Honor Society and multiple regional, state and national Latin awards. I know extracurriculars are not even important for UK schools, but these are a few.
Also, me English teacher of two years is acting as my referee and I believe he will write an excellent recommendation as I am one of his top students (also is making predictions that would satisfy requirements). I have also showed him my personal statement and he said it was fantastic.
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I know this is an extremely long post, but I am dreaming about attending Durham and hoping that I may be accepted unconditionally or even conditionally. I hear that they will sometimes show leeway to Americans with test scores, because In the US most students have already enrolled in University by April or May. My dilemma, therefore, is that If I receive a conditional offer from Durham I will not know whether I have been accepted until Mid July, which is months after American decisions must be made.
Also, If anybody can comment on my chances of being accepted to my other choices (St. Andrews, Edinburgh and Exeter), I would greatly appreciate it. My brother was accepted into St. Andrews a few years ago with lower SAT scores and fewer AP scores, so Im assuming their requirements (which are extremely vague on the website) are not as demanding.
Thank you SO MUCH to anybody who can help me. It's so difficult to find information, even online, about my circumstances and I am incredibly grateful to anybody who takes the time to read this and write a response!