International students, especially in the UK, have unique course options. The wealth of subjects available for GCSEs, A-Levels, and IB courses means that students can pursue their passions and focus during secondary school.

This past winter and into the summer term, students have selected, or will finalise their choices, for the GCSEs, A-Level courses, and which subjects to take at HL or SL for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. For students who hope to attend a selective US university, choosing certain courses can give them a real advantage in the admissions process.

Vela Education is happy to help students select subjects that will appeal to US admissions committees. These committees first, and foremost, look for academic rigor. Thus, if you are aiming for the most selective US universities, taking the most difficult subjects is an advantage. This means taking triple science at GCSE as well as academic courses over non-academic electives.

However, different national systems have core and elective courses which depart from what American admissions readers consider rigorous. The US high schools have core courses that are different than what is offered in other international systems. Also, US students take more classes during secondary school! US students take core courses plus electives for all four years of secondary school. The core courses are in the hard sciences (biology, physics, chemistry), math, English, history, foreign languages (classic and modern). Electives are in the arts including drama, fine arts, creative writing, and music.

For international students who want to attend the most selective US universities, this means they should choose courses that mirror the US curricular breadth. International students who attend schools with wide course offerings should consider taking classes that align with the US core courses. This could mean choosing to take A-Level English rather than Drama.  Also, to demonstrate you have challenged yourself, students may want to take four courses rather than the standard 3. Though this is not necessary, it can help you stand out from other applicants in your country.

US secondary schools and universities have both adopted this breadth-plus-depth approach. International students who also use this philosophy can enhance their chances of being admitted to a top US school. Many international students often begin to specialise during the last two years of secondary school— either focusing on STEM or Humanities subjects. Students aiming to attend university in the US should consider a more balanced approach to subject selection. For example, a student taking A-Level or HL English and History should also considering continuing with math and/or a core science course.

At Vela Education, we help students make strategic decisions at every stage of secondary school to ensure they have the best possible options. Our results prove this strategy works.  

If you are interested in US universities and would like more information, we recommend requesting a strategic consultation to start the process. We are here to help.