US College Application
Hello, I’m wondering what I need to do before applying using the Common App. I’m from the UK so I’ll apply as an international student, also low income so I’ll apply for full financial aid. I’m about to do my GCSEs this year and I’m predicted all 9s except in English lang and lit. For a levels, I will be doing maths, bio, chem and physics as well as an EPQ. Then, to have a chance in the applications, I will self teach myself AP bio and chem and do the tests. Additionally with that, I’ll take the SAT and ACT to give myself the best chance possible. I want to do some work experience in year 12 and also other things such as start a non profit and publish a research paper but unsure on how to do both of these things. Anything else that I should do? Also, I’m not going university in the UK and I’m definitely going to the US after year 13.
Reply 1
Do the same work experience and start the same non profit as students who were admitted to your dream university. To publish a research paper, enter a national or international competition (one that your university likes) that requires a research paper. It might be co-authored with a professor, preferably from the university you're applying to. You can also do research with a professor and co-author a research paper with them.
Look at what admitted students did and copy them.
Look at what admitted students did and copy them.
Reply 2
Pursuing the same thing as you. When you're in sixth form, do a science Olympiad and try to at least go national. This is almost a golden ticket to MIT and Ivy Leagues love it. Good luck!
Reply 3
7
There are lots of newspapers which publish high school student works!! Do some research and try to go down that route- it is much easier than fighting with university students to get works published. It can be costly though as many require you to pay with your submission.
Reply 4
17
You should check out the Sutton Trust. Getting work published is hard (and I don't know of any UK applicants that have done this), and if you do choose to start a non-profit, at least make it somewhat legit. AOs are used to fake non-profits and will see right through those. Olympiads are great, if you're getting lots of 9s you should be able to do very well in one you like with not a ton of work.
Reply 5
14
Original post
by hoixwYou should check out the Sutton Trust. Getting work published is hard (and I don't know of any UK applicants that have done this), and if you do choose to start a non-profit, at least make it somewhat legit. AOs are used to fake non-profits and will see right through those. Olympiads are great, if you're getting lots of 9s you should be able to do very well in one you like with not a ton of work.
I disagree - there are far more 9s than Olympiad gold medalists, but of course Olympiads are still a great target to aim for.
OP, what is your financial situation? Do you plan to apply for aid? When you do the Net Price Calculators at universities that meet full need for international students, how much are you expected to pay according to the NPCs?
What are your (academic and non-academic) talents, passions, hobbies? What have you done outside of school these past two years? What do you hope to study? (If you're not sure then which options are you currently most curious about?)
Reply 6
14
For research, what are you interested in researching? What are your computational and technical skills? Look at the Nuffield research placement, Big Bang competition, EUCYS
Reply 7
17
Original post
by Muu9I disagree - there are far more 9s than Olympiad gold medalists, but of course Olympiads are still a great target to aim for.
OP, what is your financial situation? Do you plan to apply for aid? When you do the Net Price Calculators at universities that meet full need for international students, how much are you expected to pay according to the NPCs?
What are your (academic and non-academic) talents, passions, hobbies? What have you done outside of school these past two years? What do you hope to study? (If you're not sure then which options are you currently most curious about?)
OP, what is your financial situation? Do you plan to apply for aid? When you do the Net Price Calculators at universities that meet full need for international students, how much are you expected to pay according to the NPCs?
What are your (academic and non-academic) talents, passions, hobbies? What have you done outside of school these past two years? What do you hope to study? (If you're not sure then which options are you currently most curious about?)
The observation was more the fact if they are actually bound to get lots of 9s, they are right near the top -- such a feat is very rare. That, along with the reality that few students try hard for olympiads, means OP should be able to do well with some effort. Not necessarily fly past BMO2 and go to the IMO training camp, but still pretty well.
Agree with everything else though!
(edited 6 months ago)
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