My understanding is that UK schools care most about test scores, particularly SAT Subject tests and AP scores. This is because they are admitting directly into subject-specific programs. SAT and ACT are also import but perhaps a little less.
Because St. Andrews accepts a lot of US students they may understand GPA/rigor more than some other UK universities.
Good luck!
Congrats to those students more recently accepted. @skritikopoulos is your SAT over the 1320 they ask for? According to St. Andrews reps we have spoken to test scores are more important today than they were even a couple of years ago as St. Andrews in general is getting harder and harder to get into. IR also happens to be one of the hardest majors to get accepted to. That said I think your grades will come into play more if St. Andrews already has a relationship with your school. Do you go to Public or Private School? Have they accepted a lot of students from your school in the past? If they know how academically challenging your school is that will help? Also do you have AP scores you could submit? That could help a lot. Good luck!
I applied December 10 to the School of Classics. They’re supposed to be on winter break right now until the end of January, I believe, so I probably won’t hear until February or later. The suspense!!
Hi!! Not sure if anyone will see this but I got into the joint Honours program of International Relations and Philosophy for the class of 2023, St. Andrews class of 2023 please message me!
Hi! I was accepted at the end of December for International Relations and Philosophy
congrats, @hav137!
Hi guys,
So I just discovered University of St. Andrews now and I’m thinking of applying through Common App. The website says I can still apply and that they have rolling admission, but it seems like most of you already applied so I was wondering if it was even worth it. Are pretty much all of the slots already taken?
@lelgav1 what major and do you have the required score?
Major would be International Relations and sorry but what score exactly?
I think @VickiSoCal means scores- ie, do you meet the entry requirements:
https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/entry/usa/
Those are the minimum requirements- b/c IR is a popular option the actual standard required may be higher.
Do some more homework about the course: the UK is a very different beast to the US, and the system is much less flexible. But if you decide that you are seriously interested, and your scores are in range- apply.
FYI for parents, the uni sponsored facebook page is not very active, there is a private FB page for North American parents. Message me if you want an invite.
Does anyone know anything about applicants who apply in late January? I didn’t submit my application until maybe a week ago and I was just wondering if it is less likely to receive an unconditional offer from applying this late or how long it will take to get my decision. It seems like everyone else applied December and before. I definitely meet the entry requirements and I am an IB student from the US.
when you apply won’t affect whether your offer is conditional or unconditional- that will depend on how the tutors assess your achieved and predicted scores relative to the course you are applying for. It is possible to have enough achieved scores and still be given a conditional offer. That is most common when you have predicted scores in highly relevant subjects.
As to timing: that is a total black box, and varies a lot by subject. Now that the UK apps are mostly in the work load is heavier for the tutors, so it could take longer just b/c of volume.
I got in: unconditional! heard back a few days ago and just found this thread. GL to everyone!
Congrats, @goatgal49!
@goatgal49 can I ask when you applied and what subject you are studying?
I just got accepted a few days ago for the 5 years masters in applied math 
Congrats @begonias!
thank you @collegemom3717
Of course! I applied for the Medieval Studies course in August. Although it took a very long time for them to respond, one of my classmates heard back within two months or less I think. He applied the same time I did. It’s all relative.