Understanding the Global Application Process

Main Differences Between the UK and US Admissions Systems

Do you know that a US "Personal Statement" is not a UK "UCAS Statement."  Or that a  Bachelor’s degree in Australia takes 3 years; in the US, it’s 4. 

Applying globally means your standard local checklist isn't enough. 

When you cross borders, you are also crossing different application philosophies. What works for a local school won’t work when you are competing against the best in the world.

Whether you want the analytical focus of an Australian BCom, the flexibility of a US liberal arts degree, or the specialized intensity of a UK program, you need to understand the context of what they are asking for.

The US has a more holistic approach to admissions where not only your grades but also your extra curricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation and even whether or not your parents have gone to that institution (legacy admissions) will impact the admissions officer decisions.  In the UK admissions officers are more focused on your academic abilities such as exam results, predicted grades, course-specific tests and interviews.

In the US a typical selective college is looking for:

• Academic record: GPA, Course rigor (AP / IB / Honors), transcript trends

• Standardized tests: SAT/ACT (some schools have become test-optional)

• Essays / personal statements: voice, fit, intellectual curiosity, character

• Recommendation Letters from teachers and counselors

• Extracurricular activities: depth, leadership, commitment, impact

• Fit and contribution: how would you add to the campus community

• Context: school profile, socio-economic background, life changes

  
  
  
  

In the UK selective schools are more focused on"

• Academic attainment and potential: predicted grades

• Personal Statement: emphasis on academic motivation, subject and course specific, relevant experience, how extra curricular activities fit in the academic profile

• References

• Admissions tests: subject required for many competitive courses

• Interviews: very important in the Oxbridge admissions process

• Relevant work experience and or subject related activities where applicable

For students appliying to the US it's very important to tell a coherent story though essays, letters of recommendations and relevant extra curricular actvities. If you are applying to the UK focus on achieving top predicted grades, prepare and take admissions tests and prepare for interviews.