By Arya Khorshidi

So, you’ve been looking around to see where you want to go to university.

You’ve been to Warwick, Oxford, even as far as Edinburgh, but you’re just not impressed.

Your mind drifts to the sunny beaches of Los Angeles or the vibrant metropolis of Singapore, and the question springs: “Why don’t I apply there for uni?”

The good news is, it’s not impossible. If anything, it’s actually quite accessible. However, depending on the country you’re looking to study in, there can be some extra steps that are worth considering.

The first step is to collect a list of potential universities and which countries they’re in. If they’re in the United States, then you’ll need to use the centralised Common App system to fill out all details there. Other US universities may also require additional essays on top of the Common App, and also have their own application systems. If, let’s say, you want to go and study in Canada, then there is a separate application portal system for that as well.

Thankfully, Mr Owens is the supervisor for all overseas university applications, so he’ll definitely know how to guide you, and help answer any of your questions.

Depending on where you choose, you’ll need to understand that, especially for U.S universities, what they’re looking for from applicants is fundamentally different from UCAS.

For example, university offers in the UK are given primarily based on A-level predicted grades, the academic personal statement, and if you apply to Oxbridge, GCSEs, admissions tests, and interviews as well. In the U.S, grades are only one half of the puzzle. They obsessively care about not only your performance, but your personality and extra-curricular activities.

This means that, in order to have a competitive application, it’ll be absolutely essential to take up as many activities and leadership positions as possible not only in school, but in your community as well. You’ll also need to write essays on your “background” and “experiences” which aren’t a space to share about your favourite academic literature, but rather your own cultural/social heritage and how it has shaped you as a person.

It is worth noting, the system in countries like Canada and Singapore, is more reminiscent of the UCAS system and primarily grades based, with the former not even requiring a single personal statement.

There is also the matter of standardized testing, such as the SAT or ACT, which are requirements for applications to most U.S universities. If you’re aiming for an Ivy League, then you should aim for a 1500 score at a minimum. The content isn’t that hard, it’s equivalent roughly to Year 11/12 content. The Reading and Writing section is quite different from any GCSE English Lang & Lit content, so that might require extra preparation. You’ll be able to take the test in testing centres in the UK.

Lastly, fees must also be considered. U.S universities charge at fees consisting of $40,000-90,000 per annum for internationals, which is ridiculous when compared to the fee of £9,535 per annum in the UK. There is a process of requesting financial aid, but bear in mind, it will significantly disadvantage your application as an international applicant, as the aid that is given to domestic students already very limited.

So, unless you happen to be extraordinarily wealthy or are hell-bent on educating/living in the U.S, then there may be some worth in reconsidering your plans.

Either way, as a U.S applicant myself, overseas universities are wonderful, and hold unique community-style living that simply isn’t found in the UK. Not to mention the stunning landscapes of beaches, sun and mountains that are at your fingertips in whatever country you choose to study in.