I am a rising high school senior from Illinois, and I am interested in studying English Literature at either Cambridge or Oxford. I have had straight As my entire high school career for a weighted GPA of 4.182, have a composite ACT score of 32 (35-English, 35-Reading, 27-Math, 30-Science), have received an AP score of 5 on the Human Geography, U.S. History, and English Language and Literature AP exams, and passed the AP Biology exam with a 3. I received a score of 1310 on the PSAT, with a 700 on the English/Writing portion and a 610 on mathematics. (Obviously math is not my strong suit; hence why I am not majoring in it!) I will also be taking AP English Literature and Composition, AP Calculus BC, AP Pyschology, and AP U.S. Government my senior year–I would take more, but I am active in both my high school band and choir, and chose to take a short stories elective for a semester.
I am in a very competitive class–my high school’s class of 2017 will likely have students at both the Air Force and Naval Academies–and I would like to set myself apart by going to Oxford or Cambridge. Cost is not an issue, as my major would cost the same as it would at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign or University of Iowa, and my parents both work for the school district and make decent wages. (My mother’s main concern is flights; if I attend, it seems I will be getting to know Iceland rather well because the most reasonable flights are through Icelandair with a layover in one of their airports.) I fell in love with England when visiting this summer, and I wish to further my education there.
My worry is that I am not qualified enough for Oxford or Cambridge; they say that it is sometimes easier for American students to get in if they can navigate their applications, but I’m not sure if I have the scores/grades to compete with students who have had more opportunities than me. Are my worries misguided or am I correct in fearing that I am not a good candidate for these prestigious universities?
Have you done any homework at all? For example, have you gone to the websites and read the section on international applications (3 clicks from the Oxford home page; 4 for Cambridge), or read the description of the English course at either Oxford or Cambridge (both 2 clicks from the home page)?
I’m not quite sure what this means, but sometimes US students look at the entrance requirements and think they look easy, not realizing that there are also subject-specific entry tests for most subjects, and that there is also a subject-specific interview to get through. But this part is important: if you can navigate the application. The UK system is very straightforward, but they do not hold your hand, so you have to be good at figuring out things for yourself.
Of course, the reason for CC is for the community to help each other out by sharing info, and there are a bunch of really well informed posters who will be happy to help- but first, do some homework. Make sure that besides getting to live in England for 3 years and getting bragging rights with your pals, you are seriously interested in the actual course. Then come back with your specific questions.
Some bits to get you started - your GPA, ECs that don’t relate to English, and your non-writing based APs are not relevant to your application. Your writing-based APs, Personal Statement (PS- thoughtful, academic essay that shows why you are a good candidate for the course), LoR, and score on the aptitude test are what count.
Sorry. I didn’t feel like putting my whole profile out. Thank you, I guess?
This isn’t just about bragging rights; I love literature, and to go to such places with monumental history when it comes to the subject… that’s a dream come true?
Actually, I didn’t need any more profile info- what you posted was fine.
My question was genuine, not just snarky: have you done any investigating into the details, such as the course descriptions or entry requirements?
Your question (as I understood it) is whether you should be worrying about whether you are qualified for Oxbridge. As the qualifications are spelled out clearly online, I guessed that maybe you hadn’t spent much time researching your dream yet and were looking for that info.
I just have a few comments. First the Oxbridge system is very different from the Universities in the US so you should investigate this future course very carefully. Secondly what is it that you want to do with an English literature degree?
How will a degree in English lit from Oxbridge further your future aspirations? Thirdly, it will cost you and your parents about 150K for three years at Oxbridge but you might very well get substantial scholarships or aid at an excellent US University so the cost difference might be substantial. This will of course be dependent on your parents assets and income as well a the particular US University.
Why do you say it will cost 150K? International fees for arts subjects are under £16,000 which is currently about $22,000. 3 year course - $66,000 tuition - sounds like quite a bargain compared to US schools!
Well, it would be- it that’s what it actually cost for an international student!
But the £16/$22K is just for tuition. Housing (not food) varies by college, but is typically in the range of $10k- for term time only. You either have to move out of your room between terms (like winter break) or pay extra to keep it. Many (though not all) colleges also have an extra fee for international students - the ones I know are as much as another $10k pa. Then add in food- another $1k, just for meals during term and eating all meals in hall (college cafeteria)- no meals out- and you are up to $43K/ year- not counting transportation or any ‘extras’, such as phone bill, going out, etc. So, $50K might be a bit high, but you won’t get change out of $45K, even being very frugal.