How is the US university admissions process different?

How does an admissions essay compare to a Personal Statement?

Personal Statements for UK Universities have an academic focus, providing insights into your motivation for that specific course and insights from your super-curricular learning in that field.

In contrast, US admissions essays are more personal and anecdotal, reflecting in a more informal way on your growth as an individual. For instance, you might talk about a situation or event that impacted you and how it affected your outlook and what you chose to do next. As such, US admissions essays have a similar sense of ‘cause and effect’ to a Personal Statement, but this technique is applied instead to your overall character, drive and mindset rather than the specific process of discovering more about your subject.

US universities place a high level of emphasis on the admissions essay, and value its sense of personal voice and emotional detail – they don’t want to see something generic that anyone could have written.

While you write one Personal Statement for all your UCAS choices in the UK admissions process, US universities may require additional supplementary essays on specific titles, such as why you believe you would fit in at that particular university.

This can be quite a lot to take on, particularly if you are also applying for universities in UK or elsewhere on top of this, so it is worth starting early and giving yourself plenty of time to plan.

Is it true that US Universities care more about extra-curriculars?

The nature of the US admissions essay means that extra-curricular activities carry more weight than in the UK Personal Statement, and do not have to be relevant to your chosen subject of study. Talking about these experiences is a way to exemplify that you are driven and proactive, and someone who would make a positive contribution to the life and culture of that university as well as succeeding in your studies.

The way you participate matters more than what you choose to participate in: US universities value authentic, longer-term commitment and progress within that activity rather than you taking on lots of projects that are not sustained.

For instance, you might describe that way you discover a hobby a few years ago, and then demonstrate initiative by taking it further – perhaps reaching a higher level through perseverance, applying it in a way that benefits your local community (e.g. volunteering), or turning your passion into a small business.

Are interviews for US Universities similar to Oxbridge interviews?

Interviews for US universities are very different to Oxbridge interviews. Rather than being held with the teaching faculty and focusing on your academic potential, they tend to be held with alumni of that university and to be more informal conversations.

Questions are likely to be quite general, focusing on why that particular university appeals to you and your aspirations for the future. This will help to give them a sense of your personality and interests, and to gauge whether you reflect the impression created by your written application.

This type of interview will be just as much of an opportunity for you ask questions about the university and to engage with former students about their experiences. The particular balance between discussing your personal strengths and simply providing you with more information will vary across individual universities. There are differences even within the selective Ivy League: while interviews at many of these universities (e.g. Harvard) will have a more evaluative focus, others (e.g. Cornell) are geared more towards giving you a chance to find out more about them.

Unlike Oxbridge or Medicine interviews in the UK, US university interviews do not carry much weight: it is not worth stressing over this component. The aim will be simply to come across as interested and engaged when discussing the university and the opportunities it would offer. You can prepare by researching the university and course carefully, and perhaps planning some questions to ask them.

How do the different types of application deadline work?

The different application deadlines are perhaps one of the more confusing aspects of the US system! The options available vary across individual universities, but may include:

Should I make an ED application?

At many universities, the ‘early decision’ offer rate can be as many as three or four times higher than the ‘regular decision’ offer rate. Therefore, if you thought ahead and are already set on one particular university that is competitive, it may be worth making an ED application to increase your chances and demonstrate real commitment to them. Since you can still apply to others by the regular deadline if you are unsuccessful or get deferred, this should not have a damaging impact on other applications.

However, you may not wish to commit in a binding way to one choice at this early stage, and prefer to keep your options more open. The type of application that is most strategic for you will therefore depend on the extent to which you are particularly invested in one university choice or in multiple choices, and on how far in advance you started to research and make decisions about university options.

Choosing an ED2 application will mean taking on more work than an ‘early’ ED application, in that you still make the other applications, which could end up being unnecessary; however, it could give you more time to make decisions.

How does admissions testing work for US Universities?

For US university admissions, there are two standardised tests: the SAT or the ACT. Both of these assess general literacy, mathematical and reasoning skills, and are equally recognised; most universities accept scores from either test.

Following the pandemic when test scores were not available, many universities have now shifted to an optional approach, whereby students do not have to submit test scores in order to be considered, or a more flexible approach whereby other types of test score such as IB can be considered instead. Some US universities also do not consider test scores at all.

This may be reassuring for those sitting the SAT or ACT: if you are unhappy with your results, you do not have to disclose them. However, for most universities (and particularly for those which are highly competitive), students are still encouraged to take the tests. Realistically, being able to submit good test scores is a valuable way to strengthen your application and stand out, especially as these are more concrete than predicted grades.