College Application Booster​®: Get ahead on your college application!

Command Education

Premier College Consultants for UK Students With Ivy League Dreams

 

Whether it’s Harvard, Stanford, or UCLA, private school students from the U.K. are flocking to elite American universities for their expansive research facilities, internationally-acclaimed professors, and nuanced liberal arts curricula. The resources of American schools often parallel some of Britain’s finest in rigor and quality. However, the application system in the U.S. is complex and distinct, and having expert guidance is key to actualizing your collegiate dreams as an international applicant.

Command Education empowers applicants from the U.K. to discover their passions, articulate their unique qualities to admissions committees, and stand out to top colleges. We have a personalized approach to helping students succeed, and as a result, our students are not only Ivy League admits — they are award-winning nonprofit founders, community organizers, political activists, and entrepreneurs.

Christopher Rim
Founder & CEO

Top 3 U.K. Private Schools For Students Who Want to Attend College in the U.S.

Sevenoaks school in Kent

Established in 1432, Sevenoaks School in Kent is a prestigious and internationally renowned independent co-educational boarding and day school. It is one of the oldest secondary schools in the United Kingdom. The school educates students aged 11 to 18 and follows a rigorous academic curriculum that prepares them for further studies and future success, including an International Baccalaureate program that offers a recognizable standard of academic excellence to U.S. university admissions committees.

The school's commitment to academic excellence, holistic education, and global outlook provides a strong foundation for students seeking admission to U.S. institutions. Sevenoaks School's support for students interested in U.S. college applications is also notable. The school offers guidance and resources for standardized testing such as the SAT or ACT, which are typically required for US college admissions. In addition, Sevenoaks School's co-curricular program provides ample opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, engage in community service, and pursue their passions outside of the classroom. It is no wonder, then, that its students have matriculated to elite U.S. universities such as Brown University, Yale University, University of Chicago, Columbia University, Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and New York University.

Charterhouse School

Charterhouse School, located in Surrey, is a prestigious and historic independent boarding school. Founded in 1611, it is known for its rich heritage and academic excellence. Nestled near Godalming, Charterhouse’s beautiful 250-acre campus provides a serene and inspiring environment for its students.

With 61 different clubs and societies on campus, Charterhouse provides ample opportunities for students wishing to attend U.S. schools to demonstrate their passions through activities outside of the classroom—a critical component of an American application. Finally, Charterhouse has a vast international reach, welcoming students from all over the world and preparing graduates to continue their educational journeys outside of the U.K. as well. Charterhouse graduates have gone on to attend such prestigious U.S. universities as University of California, Berkeley, Brown University, New York University, and Tulane University.

St. Clare’s, Oxford

St. Clare's School in Oxford offers an excellent educational experience for students who aspire to attend universities in the United States. Known for its academic rigor, global outlook, and supportive environment, St. Clare's prepares students exceptionally well for the challenges and opportunities of studying in the U.S..

The academic program at St. Clare’s provides students with a strong foundation for success at U.S. universities. The school offers a wide range of coursework, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses that are recognized by U.S. colleges and can be used for college credit. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, independent research, and analytical skills, aligning with the academic expectations and teaching methods commonly found in U.S. higher education institutions.

The school's college counseling team also provides extensive support and guidance for students applying to international universities. Each year, the school hosts a Higher Education Fair that brings together representatives from dozens of universities across the globe, including prestigious U.S. universities, allowing students a direct and in-depth look at the application process at U.S. schools.

Sevenoaks school in Kent

Established in 1432, Sevenoaks School in Kent is a prestigious and internationally renowned independent co-educational boarding and day school. It is one of the oldest secondary schools in the United Kingdom. The school educates students aged 11 to 18 and follows a rigorous academic curriculum that prepares them for further studies and future success, including an International Baccalaureate program that offers a recognizable standard of academic excellence to U.S. university admissions committees.

The school's commitment to academic excellence, holistic education, and global outlook provides a strong foundation for students seeking admission to U.S. institutions. Sevenoaks School's support for students interested in U.S. college applications is also notable. The school offers guidance and resources for standardized testing such as the SAT or ACT, which are typically required for US college admissions. In addition, Sevenoaks School's co-curricular program provides ample opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, engage in community service, and pursue their passions outside of the classroom. It is no wonder, then, that its students have matriculated to elite U.S. universities such as Brown University, Yale University, University of Chicago, Columbia University, Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and New York University.

Charterhouse School

Charterhouse School, located in Surrey, is a prestigious and historic independent boarding school. Founded in 1611, it is known for its rich heritage and academic excellence. Nestled near Godalming, Charterhouse’s beautiful 250-acre campus provides a serene and inspiring environment for its students.

With 61 different clubs and societies on campus, Charterhouse provides ample opportunities for students wishing to attend U.S. schools to demonstrate their passions through activities outside of the classroom—a critical component of an American application. Finally, Charterhouse has a vast international reach, welcoming students from all over the world and preparing graduates to continue their educational journeys outside of the U.K. as well. Charterhouse graduates have gone on to attend such prestigious U.S. universities as University of California, Berkeley, Brown University, New York University, and Tulane University.

St. Clare’s, Oxford

St. Clare's School in Oxford offers an excellent educational experience for students who aspire to attend universities in the United States. Known for its academic rigor, global outlook, and supportive environment, St. Clare's prepares students exceptionally well for the challenges and opportunities of studying in the U.S..

The academic program at St. Clare’s provides students with a strong foundation for success at U.S. universities. The school offers a wide range of coursework, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses that are recognized by U.S. colleges and can be used for college credit. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, independent research, and analytical skills, aligning with the academic expectations and teaching methods commonly found in U.S. higher education institutions.

The school's college counseling team also provides extensive support and guidance for students applying to international universities. Each year, the school hosts a Higher Education Fair that brings together representatives from dozens of universities across the globe, including prestigious U.S. universities, allowing students a direct and in-depth look at the application process at U.S. schools.

The Main Differences Between US and UK Universities

The 3-year Uni experience in the U.K. centers on pre-professional study, while the 4-year U.S. college experience is more interdisciplinary and exploratory in nature. Applicants to U.S. schools enjoy a bit more freedom, taking the time to determine an academic focus during the course of their studies. The Common App and Coalition App that many U.S. schools use, prioritize zeal for and knowledge of a given institution, with each application specifically tailored for and sent to each institution individually.

Components of a U.S. University Application Testing

While A-Levels take precedence in the British system, the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), and ACT (American College Testing) reign supreme in the admission process for U.S. colleges and universities. Obtaining a good tutor will be key to your success on these exams, and the earlier you begin preparing, the better.

Common App Personal Essay | UCAS Personal Statement

While the UCAS Personal Statement discusses a student’s talents and skills and how they will help a student succeed in their intended field of study, the Common App personal essay offers a more personal glimpse into a student’s unique personality, values, and background.

Letters of Recommendation

In the U.K.’s UCAS system, a singular referee suffices for a strong application to Uni. In the U.S., however, you’ll need three: one from a counselor and two from teachers, ideally from two distinct disciplines.

Activities List

One of the most distinct aspects of applying to college in the U.S. is the emphasis that U.S. colleges place upon extracurricular involvements. Your extracurricular activities will consist of sports or instruments you play, school clubs you are involved in, student council roles, internships, jobs, and any other activities not considered volunteering. As a whole, these activities should tell a cohesive story about your interests, passions, and goals.

Supplemental Essays

Almost all top schools will ask applicants to submit at least one supplemental essay in addition to their personal essay. The most common prompt asks why you are interested in the particular school you are applying to. Other supplemental questions might ask for you to describe a community you’re a part of, an activity that is meaningful to you, or how you’ve pursued a potential career path up to this point.

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Our Proven Results

 

Command Education offers customized services to meet every student’s needs and goals. Our team of experienced, full-time college consulting experts help students choose impactful extracurriculars, develop leadership skills, reach their SAT/ACT goals, and write successful college applications in order to gain admission to the top colleges and universities.

    2021-2022 Cycle

    Our students received over 50 acceptances to Ivy League+ schools and 140+ acceptances to Top 25 Colleges* in the US.
    *as per the US News and World Report rankings

    Student Success

    9 out of 10
    of our students were accepted to one or more of their top schools!

     

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    “Selecting Chris and his team to help my daughter apply to the perfect college has been one of the best investments I have made.”
    Parent of Kayla W, Wharton

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