Record Number of U.S. Students Apply for U.K. Undergraduate Degrees For 2025-26

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend that someone living in the US only apply to UK colleges. Applying also to at least some US colleges, including an in-state public, would be prudent. After the student has acceptances/offers, pick whichever one makes sense.

The UK is not going to take you as seriously though. Oxford admissions tutors are actively looking for reasons not to offer to US students because they often pivot to Ivies. UK students do not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend that someone living in the US only apply to UK colleges. Applying also to at least some US colleges, including an in-state public, would be prudent. After the student has acceptances/offers, pick whichever one makes sense.

The UK is not going to take you as seriously though. Oxford admissions tutors are actively looking for reasons not to offer to US students because they often pivot to Ivies. UK students do not.

The Oxford admissions process does not give students the opportunity to volunteer that Oxford is their first choice, and many admissions tutors say they would not necessarily believe American students even if they wedged that claim into the personal statement.

So US students are disfavored, as it often IS used as a safety for the Ivies, but there's no way for an individual student to credibly combat that narrative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend that someone living in the US only apply to UK colleges. Applying also to at least some US colleges, including an in-state public, would be prudent. After the student has acceptances/offers, pick whichever one makes sense.

The UK is not going to take you as seriously though. Oxford admissions tutors are actively looking for reasons not to offer to US students because they often pivot to Ivies. UK students do not.

The Oxford admissions process does not give students the opportunity to volunteer that Oxford is their first choice, and many admissions tutors say they would not necessarily believe American students even if they wedged that claim into the personal statement.

So US students are disfavored, as it often IS used as a safety for the Ivies, but there's no way for an individual student to credibly combat that narrative.

There used to be. You used to be able to ask for an in person interview. If you were American, and made the way there to interview that said something. But now it is 100% online. I wouldn’t worry. If you are a top student, interview well and do well on admissions tests, you will be able to get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend that someone living in the US only apply to UK colleges. Applying also to at least some US colleges, including an in-state public, would be prudent. After the student has acceptances/offers, pick whichever one makes sense.

The UK is not going to take you as seriously though. Oxford admissions tutors are actively looking for reasons not to offer to US students because they often pivot to Ivies. UK students do not.

The Oxford admissions process does not give students the opportunity to volunteer that Oxford is their first choice, and many admissions tutors say they would not necessarily believe American students even if they wedged that claim into the personal statement.

So US students are disfavored, as it often IS used as a safety for the Ivies, but there's no way for an individual student to credibly combat that narrative.

There used to be. You used to be able to ask for an in person interview. If you were American, and made the way there to interview that said something. But now it is 100% online. I wouldn’t worry. If you are a top student, interview well and do well on admissions tests, you will be able to get in.

Are you nuts? Top US students (including mine, who was accepted to Ivies) are rejected from Oxbridge all the time. My DC had near perfect SATs and a (UK) test score above the average for students who got offers. DC was knocked out at the interview stage, as are 2/3 of those who get interviews. Reminder, this is a student who had multiple Ivy/ T20 acceptances. . . .

So while they definitely accept Americans, I wouldn't say "you will be able to get in".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend that someone living in the US only apply to UK colleges. Applying also to at least some US colleges, including an in-state public, would be prudent. After the student has acceptances/offers, pick whichever one makes sense.

The UK is not going to take you as seriously though. Oxford admissions tutors are actively looking for reasons not to offer to US students because they often pivot to Ivies. UK students do not.

The Oxford admissions process does not give students the opportunity to volunteer that Oxford is their first choice, and many admissions tutors say they would not necessarily believe American students even if they wedged that claim into the personal statement.

So US students are disfavored, as it often IS used as a safety for the Ivies, but there's no way for an individual student to credibly combat that narrative.

There used to be. You used to be able to ask for an in person interview. If you were American, and made the way there to interview that said something. But now it is 100% online. I wouldn’t worry. If you are a top student, interview well and do well on admissions tests, you will be able to get in.

Are you nuts? Top US students (including mine, who was accepted to Ivies) are rejected from Oxbridge all the time. My DC had near perfect SATs and a (UK) test score above the average for students who got offers. DC was knocked out at the interview stage, as are 2/3 of those who get interviews. Reminder, this is a student who had multiple Ivy/ T20 acceptances. . . .

So while they definitely accept Americans, I wouldn't say "you will be able to get in".

Clearly you are lacking reading comprehension skills…..i said Interview well…..did you miss that part? My kid got in Dartmouth and rejected from 2 other ivies. But got in Oxford. Had a great interview and did very very well in the TSA test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend that someone living in the US only apply to UK colleges. Applying also to at least some US colleges, including an in-state public, would be prudent. After the student has acceptances/offers, pick whichever one makes sense.

The UK is not going to take you as seriously though. Oxford admissions tutors are actively looking for reasons not to offer to US students because they often pivot to Ivies. UK students do not.

The Oxford admissions process does not give students the opportunity to volunteer that Oxford is their first choice, and many admissions tutors say they would not necessarily believe American students even if they wedged that claim into the personal statement.

So US students are disfavored, as it often IS used as a safety for the Ivies, but there's no way for an individual student to credibly combat that narrative.

There used to be. You used to be able to ask for an in person interview. If you were American, and made the way there to interview that said something. But now it is 100% online. I wouldn’t worry. If you are a top student, interview well and do well on admissions tests, you will be able to get in.

Are you nuts? Top US students (including mine, who was accepted to Ivies) are rejected from Oxbridge all the time. My DC had near perfect SATs and a (UK) test score above the average for students who got offers. DC was knocked out at the interview stage, as are 2/3 of those who get interviews. Reminder, this is a student who had multiple Ivy/ T20 acceptances. . . .

So while they definitely accept Americans, I wouldn't say "you will be able to get in".

Clearly you are lacking reading comprehension skills…..i said Interview well…..did you miss that part? My kid got in Dartmouth and rejected from 2 other ivies. But got in Oxford. Had a great interview and did very very well in the TSA test.

I can read. Interviews are subjective, so it's hard to tell in advance whether any particular student will interview well. If you get an interview, and have a great interview, you will get in. However, I'd venture that most candidates 'interview well'. Successful candidate have to have GREAT interviews and match the criteria sought by a particular college's tutors. Your kid got in and that's an awesome achievement!

I don't think it's fair to say that "if you are a top student, interview well and do well on admissions tests, you will be able to get in". That's like saying, "if you are a top student with excellent stats and impressive extra curriculars, you will be able to get in to Harvard".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend that someone living in the US only apply to UK colleges. Applying also to at least some US colleges, including an in-state public, would be prudent. After the student has acceptances/offers, pick whichever one makes sense.

The UK is not going to take you as seriously though. Oxford admissions tutors are actively looking for reasons not to offer to US students because they often pivot to Ivies. UK students do not.

The Oxford admissions process does not give students the opportunity to volunteer that Oxford is their first choice, and many admissions tutors say they would not necessarily believe American students even if they wedged that claim into the personal statement.

So US students are disfavored, as it often IS used as a safety for the Ivies, but there's no way for an individual student to credibly combat that narrative.

There used to be. You used to be able to ask for an in person interview. If you were American, and made the way there to interview that said something. But now it is 100% online. I wouldn’t worry. If you are a top student, interview well and do well on admissions tests, you will be able to get in.

Are you nuts? Top US students (including mine, who was accepted to Ivies) are rejected from Oxbridge all the time. My DC had near perfect SATs and a (UK) test score above the average for students who got offers. DC was knocked out at the interview stage, as are 2/3 of those who get interviews. Reminder, this is a student who had multiple Ivy/ T20 acceptances. . . .

So while they definitely accept Americans, I wouldn't say "you will be able to get in".

Clearly you are lacking reading comprehension skills…..i said Interview well…..did you miss that part? My kid got in Dartmouth and rejected from 2 other ivies. But got in Oxford. Had a great interview and did very very well in the TSA test.

I can read. Interviews are subjective, so it's hard to tell in advance whether any particular student will interview well. If you get an interview, and have a great interview, you will get in. However, I'd venture that most candidates 'interview well'. Successful candidate have to have GREAT interviews and match the criteria sought by a particular college's tutors. Your kid got in and that's an awesome achievement!

I don't think it's fair to say that "if you are a top student, interview well and do well on admissions tests, you will be able to get in". That's like saying, "if you are a top student with excellent stats and impressive extra curriculars, you will be able to get in to Harvard".

I agree. There is an element of luck that means even top students can get rejected. You will definitely get in somewhere good in the UK, there is less yield management than here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend that someone living in the US only apply to UK colleges. Applying also to at least some US colleges, including an in-state public, would be prudent. After the student has acceptances/offers, pick whichever one makes sense.

The UK is not going to take you as seriously though. Oxford admissions tutors are actively looking for reasons not to offer to US students because they often pivot to Ivies. UK students do not.

The Oxford admissions process does not give students the opportunity to volunteer that Oxford is their first choice, and many admissions tutors say they would not necessarily believe American students even if they wedged that claim into the personal statement.

So US students are disfavored, as it often IS used as a safety for the Ivies, but there's no way for an individual student to credibly combat that narrative.

There used to be. You used to be able to ask for an in person interview. If you were American, and made the way there to interview that said something. But now it is 100% online. I wouldn’t worry. If you are a top student, interview well and do well on admissions tests, you will be able to get in.

Are you nuts? Top US students (including mine, who was accepted to Ivies) are rejected from Oxbridge all the time. My DC had near perfect SATs and a (UK) test score above the average for students who got offers. DC was knocked out at the interview stage, as are 2/3 of those who get interviews. Reminder, this is a student who had multiple Ivy/ T20 acceptances. . . .

So while they definitely accept Americans, I wouldn't say "you will be able to get in".

Clearly you are lacking reading comprehension skills…..i said Interview well…..did you miss that part? My kid got in Dartmouth and rejected from 2 other ivies. But got in Oxford. Had a great interview and did very very well in the TSA test.

I can read. Interviews are subjective, so it's hard to tell in advance whether any particular student will interview well. If you get an interview, and have a great interview, you will get in. However, I'd venture that most candidates 'interview well'. Successful candidate have to have GREAT interviews and match the criteria sought by a particular college's tutors. Your kid got in and that's an awesome achievement!

I don't think it's fair to say that "if you are a top student, interview well and do well on admissions tests, you will be able to get in". That's like saying, "if you are a top student with excellent stats and impressive extra curriculars, you will be able to get in to Harvard".

You know good and well that Harvard or most Ivies are much more than just stats and extra curriculars. My son had terrible ECs (in comparison to typical Ivy admits). And yet, none of us that know him, had any doubt he would be great during interviews. He is amazing writer and his grades spoke for itself and given the chance to take the TSA, we knew he would score in the top 5%, which he did. Under these circumstances after the interview Invite we were pretty optimistic about the outcome.

[Anonymous]

Oxbridge interviews.are very different than US college interviews. If you're a smart cookie and practice, you should do fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oxbridge interviews.are very different than US college interviews. If you're a smart cookie and practice, you should do fine.

Being in the top 5% of the subject test does NOT assure a student an offer of admission (as my DC, who won regional awards for debate, learned the hard way). All the cookies who are invited to interviews at Oxford are smart, and most interview relatively well. Yet only 1/3 of interviewees get offers of admission.

I have a good friend who still has nightmares about her Oxford rejection twenty years ago. Today, she is a tenured faculty member at an Ivy. She is definitely a smart cookie.

Yes, Oxford is much more objective than the US system. However, they still take only 10% of applicants (fewer in the most competitive courses) and there is a fair amount of randomness in who gets accepted. Colleges look to balance gender, geography, etc.

All this is to say -- go for it! But be realistic about any one student's chances. There are no 'likely' candidates, I'd say, though there may be some who can reasonably think of Oxbridge as a target.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oxbridge interviews.are very different than US college interviews. If you're a smart cookie and practice, you should do fine.

Being in the top 5% of the subject test does NOT assure a student an offer of admission (as my DC, who won regional awards for debate, learned the hard way). All the cookies who are invited to interviews at Oxford are smart, and most interview relatively well. Yet only 1/3 of interviewees get offers of admission.

I have a good friend who still has nightmares about her Oxford rejection twenty years ago. Today, she is a tenured faculty member at an Ivy. She is definitely a smart cookie.

Yes, Oxford is much more objective than the US system. However, they still take only 10% of applicants (fewer in the most competitive courses) and there is a fair amount of randomness in who gets accepted. Colleges look to balance gender, geography, etc.

All this is to say -- go for it! But be realistic about any one student's chances. There are no 'likely' candidates, I'd say, though there may be some who can reasonably think of Oxbridge as a target.

Im the PP. It is simple. Just go look at the UK freedom of info site and you can find data from recent yrs on percentage offered based on TSA or MAT scores. I can tell you that with a 95 percentile score, you are pretty much a shoe in if you made it that far….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oxbridge interviews.are very different than US college interviews. If you're a smart cookie and practice, you should do fine.

Being in the top 5% of the subject test does NOT assure a student an offer of admission (as my DC, who won regional awards for debate, learned the hard way). All the cookies who are invited to interviews at Oxford are smart, and most interview relatively well. Yet only 1/3 of interviewees get offers of admission.

I have a good friend who still has nightmares about her Oxford rejection twenty years ago. Today, she is a tenured faculty member at an Ivy. She is definitely a smart cookie.

Yes, Oxford is much more objective than the US system. However, they still take only 10% of applicants (fewer in the most competitive courses) and there is a fair amount of randomness in who gets accepted. Colleges look to balance gender, geography, etc.

All this is to say -- go for it! But be realistic about any one student's chances. There are no 'likely' candidates, I'd say, though there may be some who can reasonably think of Oxbridge as a target.

Not all of the Oxford interviewees are smart cookies. Generally all you need for an interview is 3-4 A*s, which says more about your discipline and study skills than brainpower. It's not like you need an olympiad medal or something as is the case for getting into MIT via academic strengths (below MOP/USAMO, for example, the odds drop off drastically).

I agree that for just about anyone, Oxbridge can not be considered a safety.

[Anonymous]

Some of the degree programmes at some colleges have pretty "out there" questions. The STEM subjects are better in this regard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oxbridge interviews.are very different than US college interviews. If you're a smart cookie and practice, you should do fine.

Being in the top 5% of the subject test does NOT assure a student an offer of admission (as my DC, who won regional awards for debate, learned the hard way). All the cookies who are invited to interviews at Oxford are smart, and most interview relatively well. Yet only 1/3 of interviewees get offers of admission.

I have a good friend who still has nightmares about her Oxford rejection twenty years ago. Today, she is a tenured faculty member at an Ivy. She is definitely a smart cookie.

Yes, Oxford is much more objective than the US system. However, they still take only 10% of applicants (fewer in the most competitive courses) and there is a fair amount of randomness in who gets accepted. Colleges look to balance gender, geography, etc.

All this is to say -- go for it! But be realistic about any one student's chances. There are no 'likely' candidates, I'd say, though there may be some who can reasonably think of Oxbridge as a target.

Im the PP. It is simple. Just go look at the UK freedom of info site and you can find data from recent yrs on percentage offered based on TSA or MAT scores. I can tell you that with a 95 percentile score, you are pretty much a shoe in if you made it that far….

And I tell you, my DC was in the top 5% of the subject test, had great stats from US high school, and did not get an offer.

Got accepted to multiple US T20s. I heard part of the Oxford zoom interview -- might not have been outstanding, but wasn't a train wreck.

DC is headed to a T10 in the US, so all is well. I only continue to respond to you bc I think that managing expectations is really important, as the admissions process is really hard on a lot of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oxbridge interviews.are very different than US college interviews. If you're a smart cookie and practice, you should do fine.

Being in the top 5% of the subject test does NOT assure a student an offer of admission (as my DC, who won regional awards for debate, learned the hard way). All the cookies who are invited to interviews at Oxford are smart, and most interview relatively well. Yet only 1/3 of interviewees get offers of admission.

I have a good friend who still has nightmares about her Oxford rejection twenty years ago. Today, she is a tenured faculty member at an Ivy. She is definitely a smart cookie.

Yes, Oxford is much more objective than the US system. However, they still take only 10% of applicants (fewer in the most competitive courses) and there is a fair amount of randomness in who gets accepted. Colleges look to balance gender, geography, etc.

All this is to say -- go for it! But be realistic about any one student's chances. There are no 'likely' candidates, I'd say, though there may be some who can reasonably think of Oxbridge as a target.

Im the PP. It is simple. Just go look at the UK freedom of info site and you can find data from recent yrs on percentage offered based on TSA or MAT scores. I can tell you that with a 95 percentile score, you are pretty much a shoe in if you made it that far….

And I tell you, my DC was in the top 5% of the subject test, had great stats from US high school, and did not get an offer.

Got accepted to multiple US T20s. I heard part of the Oxford zoom interview -- might not have been outstanding, but wasn't a train wreck.

DC is headed to a T10 in the US, so all is well. I only continue to respond to you bc I think that managing expectations is really important, as the admissions process is really hard on a lot of kids.

DP sounds like the interview was botched