Studying abroad??? UK---->USA?

Question

After completing high school in the UK, which we do at age 16. Do i need to go to college in England before going to the USA? Do American colleges/unis want A Levels off their international students or will my GCSE's be enough. I know Americans dont start college until they are 18 so im guessing i may have to attend college in England and then attend college in America. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Dispite what the person above me has said, the majoirty of community colleges and universities don't take into account A'levels period. What they look at is the score from the SAT I and taking A'levels will not except you from taking this test.

The three main items which community colleges and universities look at when considering an applicant for admission to an undergraduate program are the following:

- Proof of a high school diploma or equivilent, your GCSEs are fine for this purpose. Just make sure you do not throw away the orginal of your results, you will need it.

- SAT I scores (competative schools such as Harvard, Yale, MIT and Stanford will require the SAT II: Subject tests in aditition to the SAT I.

- Financial statements to prove you can afford the cost of tuition and living expenses.

I repeat, you do not require A'levels to gain addmission into a U.S. college or university. However I would still advise you to take them and then apply to a U.S. instiution when you have passed them and turn 18. I say this for two reasons; the first being A'levels will better equipt you for university life and get you prepared to live in that kind of enviorment and secondly at 16 you will not be ready to cope with both the pressure of living here on your own and be able to keep up with the amount of work. Furthermore at 16 you will find it difficult to find a place to rent and to get renters issurance that you can afford due to your age.

Answer 2

No, GCSEs won't be enough.  Everybody who I know that has gone to university in the States has done A levels.  Think about it, you'll be down two years worth of education if you don't and the knowledge gained at GCSEs really isn't enough to equip you intellectually for university.  Plus, whilst you may feel like you're mature enough to go to university at 16, you really won't be (trust me, you'll understand what I'm saying when you finally go at 18!).