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Q4. What tests do I need to sit to enter a US University?

20/8/2015

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[This is information of a general nature: the specific requirements for entry will vary depending on your personal situation and qualifications, and the institution to which you are applying]
 
The United States is the world's largest destination for international students. In the 2012-2013 school year alone, US institutions welcomed 819,644 undergraduate and graduate students. This number does not include the many, many applications which were not accepted. Universities, particularly those in high demand, use tests such as the SATs to filter out the excess number of applications they receive from American students, and from applicants all around the world. Most U.S. colleges and universities require a certain score in one or more standardized admission tests, which provide a common measure for comparing students from a wide variety of educational backgrounds. You will need to send the scores from these tests with your application packets, along with documents such as: 
  • college applications, 
  • essays, 
  • references, 
  • transcripts, 
  • work experience 
  • English Language skills, e.g. the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
and other information as required by the particular institution to which you may apply. Some schools may place more weight on students’ test scores than others: most require more than just academic results. The level of skills required for success in undergraduate or graduate studies varies by field or department. Institutions and the departments within them will therefore often look at the separate components of test scores, or demand additional test results. The needs of an English program will differ from those of a Physics program. 

Most undergraduate and graduate programs will require the TOEFL exam for all international students to ensure that they have adequate proficiency in English to succeed in U.S. colleges. All relevant standardized tests are given in English. 

For undergraduate admissions, required standardized tests usually include:
  • Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • American College Testing (ACT)

Some schools may also require additional admissions tests not listed above, placement tests to determine where to place you in the program of study (introductory-level classes or advanced), or tests that they have developed locally for their institutions.

International Student Status: You are considered an 'international student' if you are neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. permanent resident, regardless of where in the world you live. This will have an impact on the tuition fee charged, particularly in State-funded universities.  You will probably also require a student Visa, which will mean providing copies of your passport and the The F-1 student visa is ordinarily given to individuals qualified to pursue a full course of study at an academic institution which is authorized to admit international students. The J-1 visa is sometimes given to students who are supported substantially by funding from any source other than personal or family funds, for example the U.S. Government, the students home government or an international organization.Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019), usually issued by the institution to which you are applying. You can apply through the local American Consulate or Embassy.  

Application Due dates: Most American institutions require applications to be in by November of the preceding year. These differ from place to place, however.

Application forms: Some 500 American universities are members of a cooperative application process called the 'Universal' or "Common Application" portal (http://www.commonapp.org/).  Others, however, are not, and work specifically through their own websites and processes. Check carefully to see what is used at your institution(s) of choice. Bear in mind that approximately two thirds of universities belonging to the Common Application process ask for supplemental information and/or essays. An example is the University of Chicago which requires:

  • Completion of the Universal Application or Common Application 
  • A University of Chicago Supplement which involves one extended essay of your choice from a list of five, and one short essay on why you would like to attend the University of Chicago. 
  • Secondary School Report, signed by the secondary school counsellor, attached to which is an official transcript of marks (including information about results or predicted results for any external examinations, such as the GCE A levels or the IB).  An optional extra step for secondary school counsellors and teachers is the submission of letters of recommendation and school forms online via the Universal Application or Common Application portal. 
  • Teachers Evaluation forms
  • Test Scores (ACT or SAT Reasoning score), which are sent to the University of Chicago from the testing agency. All American institutions have an SAT code: that for UChicago is 1832. Unlike some other colleges, UChicago does not require SAT Subject Tests (https://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests/sat)
  • An English Language Proficiency Test for NESB applicants, at a sufficient level of operation: e.g. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE). You will need to request the agency to send the results to the University admissions office. (Code # 1832). 
  • Midyear Report with grades of a transcript for your first semester or first trimester by February 1 of the preceding year, or as soon as possible thereafter. The Universal and Common Applications provide a Midyear Grade Report form, or you may use your own school’s midyear report. University of Chicago allows you to make updates to your application by logging into your UChicago Account and clicking “Update Your Application.” Other institutions may not be as flexible - it is important to check this out before you finalize your application.
  • a number of 'Non-Required Materials' such as Financial Aid Application, etc. 
  • Some universities include personal interviews, some of which can be done by Skype, and others of which need to be attended in person. The University of Chicago, for instance, indicates that interviews are not required, but can be helpful to the applicant. 
  • Some specific programs -- e.g. music, theatre, dance etc-- may require auditions or supporting materials, a portfolio or supporting references. Teacher Evaluation forms in the Universal or Common Applications for this purpose. The University of Chicago, for instance, indicates that these are optional, but helpful, and states that 'You may also submit a short creative writing sample or scientific research abstract.'


Many institutions will require foreign transcripts and documents to be certified by a registered certifying company, though others, such as UCDavis, note that: 

True copies, facsimiles, or photocopies of academic records will be accepted only if the photocopies themselves have been personally signed by an academic official who has certified that they are exact copies of original documents. Each attested copy must also bear the seal and title of the authorizing official. Uncertified photocopies are not acceptable. Official records in their original language must be submitted with the authorized, complete and exact English translations. (https://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/prospective-students/international-applicants)

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Q3. What about British Universities? (1)

3/8/2015

1 Comment

 
Universities in Britain can be divided into the ancient universities ('Oxbridge' and St Andrews), traditional collegiate universities (such as Durham), the 19th Century foundations (such as the University of London), and the post-War Universities. The ancient and collegiate institutions often have alternative or additional requirements to the general entry requirements laid down by the British equivalent of UAC, which is called "UCAS" (https://www.ucas.com/). It is important, therefore, when applying to an ancient or collegiate university to attend to both what is outlined on the UCAS site, and also to make inquiries of the particular university concerned.


Admissions Sites:
Ancient and Collegiate
  1. University of Oxford (Admissions site: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions)
  2. University of Cambridge (http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk)
  3. University of St Andrews (http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/ug/apply)
  4. University of Durham (https://www.dur.ac.uk/ug.admissions)
  5. University of Edinburgh (http://www.ed.ac.uk/student-recruitment)
  6. University of Glasgow (http://www.gla.ac.uk/about/wideningparticipation/admissions)
  7. University of Aberdeen (http://www.abdn.ac.uk/study)

Top Universities in England and Wales (by 2014 ranking) outside the A&C universities:
  1. London School of Economics
  2. Imperial College London
  3. Warwick
  4. Surrey
  5. Lancaster
  6. Exeter
  7. Bath
  8. Loughborough
  9. University College London
  10. Southampton
  11. Bristol
  12. East Anglia
  13. York
  14. Birmingham
  15. Leeds
  16. Sussex
  17. Kent
  18. King's College London
  19. Leicester
  20. Nottingham
  21. Newcastle
  22. Sheffield
  23. Manchester
  24. Reading
  25. Cardiff
  26. Aston
  27. Queen Mary, University of London
  28. Royal Holloway, University of London
  29. Essex
  30. Queen's, Belfast
  31. Heriot-Watt
  32. Strathclyde
  33. Liverpool
  34. City
  35. SOAS, University of London
  36. University of Dundee (http://www.dundee.ac.uk/study/ug)


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Q1. So, I want to study abroad. What are some general issues?

1/8/2015

1 Comment

 
Australia has a range of perfectly good universities, so: 
  1. think about your opportunity cost as well as the opportunities which will arise by choosing to study abroad. If you want to come back and work in Australia, you need to be sure that your overseas qualification will provide you with a recognised pathway. 
  2. think about the cost of living, as well as the total tuition cost in the intended country and the intended institution of study - is this supportable by you and/or your family?
  3. think rationally about (a) how competitive you are in terms of your actual ability, and (b) how socially and emotionally ready you will be for living in a country where you might be separated from your normal support structures back in Australia. Many of the institutions you might be thinking about attract applications from the best students in the world. On the other hand, many very bright and capable people falter when they are isolated from the support which has underpinned their success through high school.
  4. research thoroughly the range of institutions available, and the standing of their courses, accreditation, teaching, and research. 
  5. take good advice from those at Scots who have some knowledge of university life overseas. As well as Mr Young and the pastoral care staff, there are numbers of staff who have been where you want to go (Cambridge, St Andrews, Harvard, and the other great universities). Ask around, and have a long chat over a cup of tea.

If you would like to talk through these issues, why not make a time to talk to your tutor, who will help you think through some of these issues.
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