How are Cambridge courses approached?Answered
I was reading another post where someone taking AICE courses referred to them as college-level courses or like APs, but many super competitive US applicants take more than 5 APs while taking more than 5 A Levels is not really feasible.
I study in the British system doing regular A Levels, which means we take far fewer subjects (the average is 3 or 4 A Levels, and I take 5). I am concerned that taking fewer subjects and having a narrower range of classes would impact my application.
I take Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Art, and my classes do fit the prerequisites for the universities I am applying to.
Is taking fewer subjects than other systems a concern? I understand that AOs would account for the system and courses available to take, but even within my fewer courses I take almost exclusively STEM subjects, while I've heard US universities like to see diversity and broader education.
Earn karma by helping others:
2 answers
Hi @safaryi!
Universities generally look for the following:
4 years of English
2 years of a foreign language
3 years of Math
2 years of Science (including lab)
2 years of Social Studies (such as history and government)
Taking fewer subjects than other systems is not a concern. Your application will be evaluated compared to others from your system, so if you're taking 5 A Levels, which is above average, you're ahead of a lot of people. If your coursework doesn't meet the university requirements, you will be asked to make up for them by taking courses over the summer or in other ways.
Hope this helps!
I have read that A-levels and As Levels are considered similar to AP classes .
Your chance of acceptance
Your chancing factors
Community Guidelines
To keep this community safe and supportive:
- Be kind and respectful!
- Keep posts relevant to college admissions and high school.
- Don’t ask “chance-me” questions. Use CollegeVine’s chancing instead!