Everything You Need to Know: A Guide to US/UK College Applications

By: Nayomika Shashidhar

Edited by: Angelina Gaol

Who hasn’t dreamed of going overseas for college? Many US, UK, and international high school students consider the possibility of leaving their hometown for a chance to explore a whole new world away from their families. Whether it's because you want to achieve independence, see a new state full of unique cultures and personalities, or experience the elusive American dream, this article will help streamline your application process. Good luck!

Academics

As expected, academics is the one thing that most students think matters the most when it comes to applications. Most students look to their final grades as their savior, be it their GCSE A’ levels, their SAT or ACT, or their final exam scores.

However, each country considers academics at different levels of importance. In the UK, nearly 70% of the application process depends on academic grades; most specifically, they tend to only look at predicted and final grades. Additional standardized testing is not required for IB and A-level students, but it is important to note that there are minimum scores required.

On the other hand, US colleges tend to look at the trend of your 4 years of high school to determine how you’ve been doing (if there are any inconsistencies in your results, if you’ve been improving, or how you cope with extracurriculars or programs etc…)

If you’re an international student, it may be beneficial to take the SAT or ACT when applying to US colleges alongside your own country’s standardized testing, so they can ensure you have the critical thinking and reasoning skills needed to do well in college, and also so admissions officers can accurately judge you fairly with other US students. The SAT is more popular than the ACT, but the ACT may be a better choice if you’re stronger in maths and science, as it has a dedicated science section and tests more advanced math topics.

What are considered good grades?

Though they may be necessary, it's not the end of the world if you don't possess the best grades. Even those with perfect scores sometimes don't make it over those who score lower marks but have a stellar portfolio.

Portfolio

Your portfolio encompasses things like your extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, etc.), volunteering, competitions, internships, or other external programs. It's never too early to start building your portfolio, but it's always great to go for things that match your interests and what you plan to do in the future to show your evident passion for it. This is especially so for UK applications, who want students to have a profile that shows interest in the target course. UK universities love to see interest in the chosen course, which can be shown through the following:

- Independent learning (more in-depth, out-of-classroom learning, maybe an extra online course/workshop)

- Research (take up research projects at your school/externally)

- Industry experience (try to obtain internships/shadowing at firms related to your chosen course)

- Extracurriculars (clubs, CCAs!)

This is not to say your sole focus should be your career, but find out what you’re good at and pursue it so admissions officers can see you have a clear focus in life.

As for the US, you might think that some extracurriculars look better than others in your portfolio, but that simply isn’t true. Do things you actually enjoy, and your passion can be seen through the screen, which is something all reviewers admire. Don't worry if some of your passions don't align with your future career! Admissions officers love to see the breadth of interest. Showing that you have multiple talents and not simply fitting into one box can make you stand out.

Then again, going for everything just for the portfolio’s sake may be counterproductive. Having depth in your passions is vital as well. if it really is something you’re passionate about, show it! Take up a leadership role, head some events, and actively contribute to whatever you’re a part of.

Lastly, the thing that will absolutely make you stand out is the so-called ‘x-factor.’ No, not the show, though strangely enough, that could be your X-factor! The x-factor is something entirely unique for you and your own life. What is something meaningful you’ve done in your life (protestor, student activist, animal rescue, environment champion)? What is something you’re strangely passionate about (fitness, having a collection, poetry, gardening, film, anything!)?

These are all things that the US admissions committee loves to see. Remember that your high school experience isn’t just about studying; it's about accumulating experiences in the things that you love, too!

Personal statement

I'm sure that anyone reading this has seen heartbreaking, tear-jerking essays on TikTok or Instagram. That style of personal statement could be for you or not; what matters is that it reflects the truth about you. Admissions officers want to know what your story is and why you have chosen this path in life. This is the time to let your writing skills and unique voice shine through.

For the UK, all students apply via UCAS and select only 5 degree options, for which students only write one application. This essay will focus on your motivation to pursue your current course and your ability and aptitude for the degree. Make sure to talk about both academic and non-academic experiences!

For the US, these essays, also known as the CommonApp essay, should range from around 500-650 words. According to Pierre Huguet, CEO and founder of admissions consulting firm H&C Education, the college essay should be a meaningful insight into the student's life. More memorable essays seem to focus on more ordinary topics (fishing, daily commutes, convenience stores, the family dining table).

If you plan to apply to US universities, you may have to write another essay that is specialized to the university you’re applying to. These questions can be generic (why us?, leadership experience, etc.), or highly specialized (what can actually be divided by zero? - University of Chicago).

Recommendation letters

Every college application needs recommendation letters, and you should have around three on hand! They can be from trusted adults, most likely teachers who teach subjects in the field that you’re interested in applying to, or they can be from your school career guidance counselor. It’s also a massive plus if these teachers know you personally and have taught you before, so the letter is more personal and can accurately expand on your strengths. This could actually be better than an influential person who doesn’t know you well. Also, as a courtesy, don't ask your teachers for letters close to the deadline of your application.

Scholarships

Going to school overseas can be expensive, especially for international students who have to account for room and board, transport, and other necessities when you’re totally on your own. Scholarships can be a great help in covering some of your tuition, and it's essential to keep an eye out for which ones to apply to.

You can directly confer with the university’s study abroad office or the financial aid office when looking into the university. You could also ask for aid from teachers or other academic advisors in your current school for specialized help, as the types of scholarships you can apply to definitely vary based on what you plan on pursuing in college. Also, be sure to research organizations in your city/country that offer scholarships for international study.

In a nutshell, there are 5 different types of scholarships: merit-based (academic performance related), need-based (marginalized groups), country-based (students from underdeveloped countries), university scholarships (for those who meet specific eligibility criteria), and privately funded.

It is extremely important to keep an eye out for many different types of scholarships, especially those that seem less publicized or award less money, as they are less competitive. Apply for scholarships whose applications play to your strengths (e.g., if you’re a humanities student, you may want to apply for scholarships that require you to write an essay). Most importantly, keep track of deadlines. Make sure you have enough time to complete all stages of the application so you present yourself as dedicated and conscientious.

Here are some sources for scholarships:

UK scholarships

https://scholarshiproar.com/uk-scholarships-for-international-students/

https://www.scholars4dev.com/category/country/europe-scholarships/uk-scholarships/

https://www.studying-in-uk.org/uk-scholarships/

US scholarships

https://scholarshiproar.com/usa-scholarships/

https://www.scholars4dev.com/6499/scholarships-in-usa-for-international-students/

https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/scholarship-advice/international-scholarships-study-us


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