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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As others have noted, UK schools operate on a completely different wavelength from US schools. And the Oxbridge schools are also, to the best of my knowledge, different from the rest of the UK schools, being on the tutorial scheme.

American unis are world-renowned for the liberal arts approach, where students are encouraged to study a wider array of subjects. In this sense, the modern American uni is designed not just to educate, but to socialize and equip students to be &quot;well-rounded leaders&quot; and productive members of society. Hence the emphasis on &quot;holistic&quot; admissions and extracurricular achievements on top of scores.

I would generally agree with the notion that Oxbridge equals Ivy League+, but it's tricky because in my experience, the prestige/quality of schools in the UK drops off pretty significantly after those schools + perhaps UCL, Imperial, LSE. Whereas in America, there's a much more steady gradient of elite/prestigious schools. I would maybe even say that the top 5 UK schools are roughly equivalent to the top 25 or so schools in the US in terms of quality and reputation. This also lines up rather nicely with both countries' populations (US is about 5x population of UK).[/quote]

What does it take for an American to be accepted to a good university there? What is the main admissions criteria?[/quote]

The main criteria are test scores - AP, SAT (general and subject) and ACT.   My kid applied to Oxford, so I am mostly familiar with that.   They have a specified cutoffs for test scores, i.e. if you don’t have them, don’t bother to apply.  Then they give you a written test (you can take it in US) which is really hard; barely anyone gets &gt;80%, 65%+ gets you considered for admissions.   Based on that test results plus the letter of recommendation and the p ersonal statement that is submitted with the application, the prospective students are selected for an in-person interview, which is effectively an oral exam.   [/quote]

This is unhelpful. ONLY Oxford administers an entry exam. No other university in the UK does this.[/quote]

Cambridge does, too. Sometimes it is before interview; most often, however, it is at interview and specific to the subject area that you're applying to. Honestly, the Oxford approach might be better as it makes for a grueling two days at Cambridge. The whole process has been upended due to Covid so I'm not sure what it will look like moving forward. [/quote]

[b]Wrong. Oxford no longer requires exam[/quote][/b]

Right.  Depends upon course of study but almost all require the admissions test.  https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests[/quote]

Couple years ago, DC applied to several UK Unis including ICL for Comp Sci.  After initial UCAS screening based on SATs/APs/relevant ECs, was invited for/went to the technical interviews.  ICL result was an offer that specified he/she take one of the Cambridge Math entrance exams for final admittance.  Took the exam at the British International School in DC.  Only Maths test DC's ever cried during...  Ended up with good offers elsewhere in the UK but decided to stay in the States.[/quote]

A level exams are run on two boards - the Cambridge Board and the London Board- you're confusing A level Math exams with specific college entrance exams. [/quote]

Cambridge STEP.

SATs and APs are used as A-Level substitutes.
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