How can I go to an American university as a British student?

Question

I got straight A/A* grades in 11 GCSEs, and I'm supposed to be getting 4 A grades and two B grades in my 6 A levels (what can I say, my school is ultra pressurised -_-). I'll be 18 or 19 when I start uni; I want to study English. How likely is it that I would be able to get a place at a US college? Also, would it be feasible for me to live there with my parents back in the UK? What I mean is, is it easy for students to find accommodation, get part time work, etc.? ...One more thing, if I did manage to get an American degree, would the fact that I'm English get in the way of me finding employment at all? Gah, too many questions. Thanks for your help :)

Answer 1

With the GCSEs and your A levels, you will get into a US college. In fact, you'll get into a good one. I'll link to a list of US uni rankings, below, just to give you something to think about and some schools to start researching. You do, however, need to take the SAT exam, which you can take in the UK. I'll link to info on that as well. It's a college entrance exam. You should register for that, and also order some test prep materials, so you get used to the types of questions they ask and the format of the test.

Most US universities provide housing to students, especially to freshmen (year one) and international students. The housing is on campus, in residence halls. Unlike in the UK, you'll share the room with a roommate, so don't be surprised.

As an international student in the US on a student visa, you will be allowed to work for pay on campus, for a certain number of hours per week. You can not work off campus. You can, however, do an internship with an employer off campus, as that's directly related to your studies. The international office at the US university you choose will talk you through all this.

Unless you choose to focus on a field that is in very high demand in the US, and for which companies commonly hire foreign workers, it is extremely unlikely that you will get a job in the US when you graduate. It's not impossible, but it is extremely unlikely, so don't count on it.

Answer 2

Yeah you will get in!  A lot of American universities have preferential treatment for foreigners because they want to diversify.  

Ummm, you don't have to take the SAT but there is an optional test that is also referred to.  The ACT, but that is suggested more for people who are mathematically inclined.  The SAT is accepted by most every college but not all colleges recognize the ACT.

As far as you getting a job in the States I think it is feasible.  Americans like British people it's not like you're completely foreign to our ways or have a completely incompatible culture.  You could work in with primary education or be a uni professor.  A lot of schools like Harvard actually draw professors from abroad to give a worldly perspective on teaching.  You may want to apply for a work permit too though but you gotta have work lined up for you though.

Internships and volunteering will augment your job skills and add to your personal references.