STUDY IN AMERICA THE APPLICATION PROCESS DEMYSTIFIED & STUDENT EXPERIENCES

9 January 2013, Maidstone Grammar School

Presenters

Stuart Gordon (Head of Harvard UK Outreach)

Robert Ledniczky (Harvard Class of 2016)

Nadira Lalji (Harvard Class of 2009)

This session will cover…

• Differences between US & UK Higher Education• US Application Process

– Researching US Universities – Standardised Tests – Compiling Your Application – Financial Aid

• Harvard Student Experiences– Current undergraduate– Recent graduate

Why study in the US?

1. Quality and reputation of US universities2. Wide choice – 2,400 colleges in the US offer

undergraduate degrees3. Opportunity to study a broad range of subjects –

no specialisation for the first 18 months4. Learn about a new culture and expand your

horizons5. Internationalise your CV

US vs. UK University SystemsAmerican Universities British Universities

Four year liberal arts degree with wide range of disciplines and courses

Three or four year specialised degree within specific subject

Focus on general education Focus on early specialisation

Continuous assessment Subject finals at completion of degree

Specialisation during second year Advance commitment to a subject, usually no changes

Balance between academic study and extracurricular activity

Extracurricular activity in own time

Terminology Differences

US UK

High school, grades 9 - 12 Years 10 - 13

College, university, school University, ‘Uni’

Class, course Module

Degree program, major Course

Public State-funded

What are US colleges looking for?1. Academic achievement (grades, scores, teacher comments)

2. Extracurricular involvement (activities and achievements outside academic study)

3. Personal attributes (interest in your academic field of choice, character, leadership potential, open mindedness, energy etc.)

4. Overall ‘fit’ with the college

5. Goal is to obtain fullest picture of applicant – both past accomplishments and future potential

Typical timeframe Time before enrolment Notes

Years 9/10 onwards 3-4 years•Start to build up a profile for academic achievement and extracurricular activity that will make you a good ‘fit’ for uni

Year 112 – 2½ years

•Start researching possible universities •Think about what subjects to study in Years 12 and 13

Year 121 – 1½ years

•Do additional research to make a short list of universities•Register for taking the SAT admissions tests

Autumn of Year 13, before half term

10-12 months

•Finalise your selection of universities •Begin admissions and funding applications

Autumn of Year 13, after half term

8-10months

•Submit admissions applications (early deadlines in November; regular deadlines in January – March)•Submit funding applications

Spring of Year 13

4-7months

•Receive admissions decisions (1 April at the latest for regular deadlines)•Accept/decline any offers by 1 May

Summer after Year 13

1-3months

•Apply for your visa•Read the pre-departure section of Fulbright website

Aug. / Sept. -- •Begin study in the US!

Application Timeline

Researching US universities

1. Think before you search. Prioritise the factors that are important to you.

2. Begin your search using online search engines, print guides and personal recommendations to narrow your search to 10-20 good options.

3. Do your homework. Roll up your sleeves and research these, narrowing the list to the 4-6 you apply to.

1. Prioritise factors important to you• Academic

– Competitiveness of admission– Courses offered– Enrichment opportunities: Study abroad, internships, co-ops, undergrad research

• Location– Cost of living & lifestyle issues of being in urban, suburban or rural areas– Proximity to public transport /airports– Cultural differences– Weather and climate– Centres of excellence for certain fields

• Costs and availability of university funding– Reduce up-front costs– For university funding

• Campus life - atmosphere; activities; campus size; student body

Example:1. Degree: Bachelor’s programmes in History

2. Location: Texas due to family connections; warm weather

3. Extracurricular opportunities: Rowing club, host family scheme

4. Academic opportunities: Study abroad in major field

5. Funding: Looking to minimise up front costs and have a good chance of receiving funding

6. Prestige: Degree that is accredited and will be recognised as a top programme

2. Use online search engine

Click on each college to find further info:

3. Research your shortlist thoroughly

Don’t forget to check out the student profile...

...and whether they have an international office

If you definitely want to study in the US:

• Select a well-rounded list of 4-6 universities: 1-2 dream schools (your Oxbridge) 1-2 match schools 1-2 safety schools

• Use a similar method to apply to a maximum of 5 UK universities through UCAS

• Keep your options open – don’t set your heart on just one or two universities

Application components

• Common Application Form (academic record, extracurricular achievements)

• SAT I reasoning test and SAT II subject tests• School report/teacher recommendations• Personal essay(s)• Alumni interview in the UK (top colleges only)

SAT tests www.collegeboard.com • SAT I Reasoning test - Critical Reading, Maths, Writing• SAT II Subject tests - 2 or 3 subjects required. Subject

choices include maths levels 1 and 2, physics, chemistry, biology, US history, world history, French, German, Spanish

• Tips: – Don’t panic. If you’re good enough to get good grades at A

Level, you’re good enough to do these tests.– Prepare by downloading/purchasing past papers and

doing a few practice tests. You will then know in advance how you measure up. Each test is scored from 0-800. Scores in the 600s are respectable; 700s are good.

– Register with the College Board and book your place at a test centre early – places fill up very quickly.

• Cost: $75 Reasoning; $59 (each) Subject

School Report

• UK: Sue Smith is a very likeable student with a solid future ahead of her. She interacts well with her classmates and seems to be quite popular amongst her peers. Academically, she achieves decent marks and has good relationships with her tutor, although she could be more focused upon deadlines...

• US: It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Sue Smith who ranks amongst the top five percent of students within her classes. She is not only passionate about her field of study, but also about involvement in the community and school. I have no doubt she will be an asset to your programme…

Essays

• Importance of admissions essays

• Opportunity to set yourself apart and showcase your unique qualities as an applicant

• 1-3 essay questions per university

• Likely able to re-use elements of essays for different universities

Financial Aid• Merit based aid (for athletes, musicians, top scholars, etc)

available at many US colleges• Need based aid available at most US colleges, but may be

limited or not available to international students….• ….but, six US colleges (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT,

Dartmouth and Amherst) are both need-blind and full need for international students, and several others come very close

• At Harvard, families with incomes below £40,000 are usually expected to pay nothing

• Families with incomes between £40k and £100k will contribute between 0% and 10% of their incomes to university costs

Sutton Trust US programme for UK state school students

• One week summer school in the US (based at Yale or MIT) plus introductory events and application support in the UK before and after

• Eligible to Year 12 students who attend a state school or college. Preferred applicants:o Have earned 8 or more As or A*s at GCSEo Are from low or middle income families (preference given to those

with a household income under £45,000 a year) o Are the first generation in their family to go to university

• Applications close at 12 noon on Monday 18 February 2013• Apply online at www.suttontrust.com

Subscribe to our e-newsletter(includes our Guide to American College Applications)

Next steps – start now!• Information about applying to US universities:

www.fulbright.co.uk • Information for UK applicants to Harvard College:

www.harvard-ukadmissions.co.uk • Information and registration for the SATs:

www.collegeboard.com • Information and registration for the ACTs: www.act.org • Information on the Common Application Form:

www.commonapp.org • Financial aid information for international students:

www.oacac.com • Search engine for US universities: www.petersons.com

Perspectives from a Harvard Freshman

• Should I complete both US and UK university applications at the same time? And how do I do it?

• What other resources can I draw on?

• What should I expect on campus?

Perspectives from a Recent Graduate What are my best memories from college? What do I most cherish?

• Incredible Peer Group

• International Opportunities & Exchange Programs- Harvard College in Asia Project- Peking University, Beijing - Tokyo University, Tokyo- Ewha Women’s University, Seoul

• Research & Travel Fellowships • Weatherhead Center Grants • Weisman Travel

• Graduate Fellowships & Support • Harvard-Cambridge Fellowship

Questions?