My friend graduated from a large city high school in the UK. Here was her process: they take a test in 10th grade which identifies qualified students and use the results to redirect their remaining high school path. In 11th grade those identified as potential college students must select their future college major and begin taking what will be about 1 1/2 years of focused prerequisites for that specific degree program. Come senior year, they identify 5 (and only 5) schools they would like to attend. If desiring Oxford or Cambridge, they are only allowed to chose one or the other. The GC’s are free to override the selections based on their test scores & grades. The students write one personal statement (specific to how their HS prep work has prepared them to be successful in pursuit of the selected major) which will be sent along with a common app via the GC to all 5 colleges.
She hated it. Having the HS predetermine your education path based on one test, forced to choose your future as a 17 year old, feeling locked in to one major because you have too much invested to make a change and no options to take liberal ed courses once you arrive at the university because you must finish up in 3 years.
If you wanted the free education, you had to play by their rules. Would the average American college applicant agree to play?