Okay. Thank you
No. The concept of transferring is different than the US. However, unlike in the US, you can start in a US university and then go to Cambridge, but you would start from scratch at Year 1
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There’s nothing wrong with ambition. But there is a big difference between seeing something up close and wanting to be a part of it, and seeing something from far away and imagining it’s perfect.
What is it about Cambridge that appeals to you so strongly? Does the don system of education fit well with your learning style? Does the multiple residential college structure make a difference? Does Cambridge have a stronger program in your intended field of study than any college in the US?
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Why?
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Unless things have changed, and I doubt they have, there’s a fairly large anti-American sentiment at Cambridge. That is, anti-American student.
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That’s a fine schedule for a sophomore but nothing even near what you need for Oxford or Cambridge (or top US universities). Ideally dor the “courses” (degrees) you’re interested in you’d complete Calculus BC by the end of junior year and take DE MVC or DE calculus-based statistics after that. Basically you need 5 AP 5s in relevant subjects and preferably 2 or 3 post AP courses through DE where you get As.
For selective US universities you need some form of calculus.
2 years of foreign language is not enough, you need to reach level 4 or AP.
You’ll also need AP or DE World or European history (2 seminars focusing on specific issues/periods or a 2 semester survey). If you take DE classes, include Philosophy, Micro and Macro Economics.
Why is your graduation date set in stone - are your parents kicking you out or moving?
It seems silly not to take advantage of Dual enrollment (also called Running Start or PSEO), where you take college classes at a local community college for free or very low cost and get advanced classes.
If you graduate and complete your education at that same CC after graduation, not only do you have to pay but you will no longer be eligible for merit scholarships and most top universities won’t consider you a freshman applicant meaning it’ll be near impossible to get in.
For a prestigious college for the fields you listed, here’s what you’re expected to have studied:
4 years of English including at least one at AP/DE level
4 years of history/social science, including world or European history, US history, and 2 others (Economics, Government, Art History, African American History, ← these 4 considered senior level ; Psychology, Human Geography, Sociology…)
Math through calculus
Bio, chem, physics, with one of them at AP level
Foreign language through level 4 or AP
Some form of art/music
A class that relates to your interests
In addition, you’ll need to have pursued a personal interest to the highest level (preferably national or international).
Cambridge considers that HS+2 years of CC is the preparation they expect from US applicants. These 2 years can be done in HS through dual enrollment (most common choice) or after graduation (but that would classify you as a transfer in the US so you’d lose your chance at scholarships). So you could attend a CA CC near your home then apply to Cambridge Year 1 through UCAS in September of your 2nd year, with 2 semesters worth of grades.
Doing it at a dual enrolled student would mean you could also apply to US universities as a freshman and thus apply to a good list of colleges anywhere v. your state flagship.
Why Cambridge?
Why Cambridge and not Oxford?
Would you also apply to St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham, King’s?
Can your parents afford the costs?
Do you have a relative in the UK who could be your designated guardian?
Look at the “US students applying to the UK” thread. There’s one for this year.
There’s also
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Who advised you to graduate early? This does not seem to be in your best interest if you are aiming for top colleges (correct me if I’m wrong).
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Why wouldn’t you just get your bachelors degree in California?
I really appreciated the various views and information shared in that thread! I definitely think if the OP remains interested in possibly doing her undergrad in the UK, she should carefully consider the warnings in that thread.
Same question! In fact the more I learned, the more I realized a lot of US people end up going to UK universities for a Masters, like my friend who graduated from Stanford for college, went to York for a Masters, then did her PhD at Columbia, and is now a tenure-track professor.
Not that no one goes to UK universities for undergrad, but I definitely see no point in transferring if you start at a US university.
One final note on that subject, though–William & Mary and St Andrews have a very cool joint degree program where you spend two years in each place. The big problem is it is limited to just six possible majors/courses:
However, Economics and International Relations are two of those six, and that might work for the OP.
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But why Cambridge? I don’t suggest chasing prestige, but if you are doing so, there is no shortage of colleges in this country. There are also many where you could major in the areas you mentioned.
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Thank you all for the help in understanding this road of college. As a 15 year old with only one parent who barely slid through college, I never had the information to understand it all. I am choosing to graduate early based on the efficiency of not doing another year in high school, also mental and person problems with my class. I want to be younger when I graduate, too. Is there any way for me to be eligible for scholarships and top colleges even if I graduate as a junior? It is a huge goal of mine. I am consistent with my 4.0 and great test taking skills. I am also in versatile and diverse extra-curricular programs.
Please consider doing something else beside graduating early. Perhaps you can take all of your senior year classes as DE classes at a community or four year college.
Honestly, what is the rush?
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But efficiency isn’t “meeting HS graduation requirements in 3 years” (which, frankly, most competitive students can do) but “reaching the highest possible level in 4 years”.
You WILL NOT qualify for top US colleges if you graduate as a junior without the above academic program (post26) and high level achievement in ECs.
Keep in mind that if you graduate as a junior you will apply between August and November junior year ie., in a few months and would thus already have won or be on your way to winning national-level awards. It doesn’t sound like you have.
But typically this is prepared soph year, started jr year and finalized sr year so working on your ECs and building your favorite activities would be normal for a freshman/sophomore.
Canadian and British colleges will not care about ECs but you need to be 18 to attend (or have a relative who’s designated as an official guardian).
You can also enter the CEGEP-University system in Québec : after jr year you enter college (cegep) for 2 years and specialize in one broad field, live in dorms, etc. All your grades are averaged and based on those you can get into a Canadian university at the 2nd year level.
Btw you can get to Cambridge or Oxford from that system.
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I think this may be the issue…If so, could you take all of your classes through DE at a CC, as suggested above? Or perhaps even switch to homeschooling in order to do that (if your high school doesn’t allow it)? Are there any ways around this that would allow you to stay in school another year?
I’ll play contrarian to others - not that I disagree - I don’t.
But Cambridge says kids can qualify at 16. But read below - have you reached out ?
Are you a student in the US? If so, ask your in state school - set a meeting with admissions.
If you want to start at 16, ask them how !!
Many schools may not let you fully participate - they may not want you in a dorm, for example.
I would speak to those truly expert in your area. I don’t want to say it’s impossible because there’s an instruction for it. But no one going to college should zero in on one place.
If you are in the US, there’s also your local community college. It sounds like you are in CA.
Also how will you pay for college?
I think in this case - your situation is unique. Im sure it’s frustrating to not get the answers you want.
In this case, I’d step up and reach out yourself …as Cambridge below states. I would follow that same instruction for other schools. The issue, to me and I may be wrong - academically you don’t seem at a higher ilk….but let the schools tell you. And that doesn’t mean just calling UCLA but also Cal State LA etc.
Moving on from HS at 16 requires huge maturity and leadership. Colleges would certainly want to know you are ready beyond academics. Show them you are - by taking charge.
But also realize conflict is part of life. If you have human conflict or issues in hs, you may in college or beyond. Talk to a school counselor. Try to befriend new kids. Get an after school job to occupy your time. I don’t think running from hs will be something colleges want to hear.
Best of luck.
If you’re under 18 when you start at Cambridge
If you’ll be under 18 when you join us, you should talk to a College Admissions Office as early as possible to discuss your application.
If you’re considering Medicine, you should also read the advice about age requirements on the Medicine course page.
If you’ll be under the age of 16 on admission, you may need to meet additional requirements and restrictions to comply with legislation.
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Note that international students under the age of 18 admitted to a UK university must have a relative or officially designated guardian.
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Living in the UK?
It doesn’t sound like this student lives in the UK - but, generally speaking, the distinction is between students whose family has a UK address or not. The requirement applied even to European students when the UK was in the EU
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I’m just noting they have instructions for 16 years old.
If you’re 16, not a four year hs student, and want to move on, I’d think they want to see leadership and maturity. They have instructions for 16 year old prospects.
If I’m OP, I’d want to show my leadership and maturity. Following instructions would be step one.
So I’d start there. I’m not surmising the outcome OP is asking for but I also acknowledge I don’t know.
But everyone is saying no - but I’m saying - talk to them, not us - and that’s for any school, anywhere. But Cambridge specifically instructs this.
Thanks
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Someone who really was serious about this would ask Cambridge, not Reddit, no?