Which good universities can I get into in the UK with average grades?

How do US universities work? I'm from UK and need help! (Especially about AUC Egypt!)?

• I know it's long - you probably only need the last section, that's where all my questions are! I live in the UK and am currently undergoing my first year at sixth form college (year 12 in the UK curriculum). I have 10 GCSE certificates: 2 A* grades, 6 A grades and 2 B grades. I am also currently studying 4 AS GCE levels (Maths, Physics, Biology and Sociology, and ), two of which I plan on continuing to full A level GCE (Biology and Sociology), whilst taking two additional AS levels from Religious Studies, Philosophy and Ethics, Textiles, Business Studies, or perhaps second-year Physics. In my four AS level subjects I'm currently predicted one A, one B, one C and one D. In 2013 I would like to undertake a degree in Egyptology at AUC in Egypt (It's American University Cairo), which is something I've had a passion for ever since I was a child. I hope that giving you some background will help you to advise me with my problem. I am considering taking Egyptology at AUC Egypt, which would be an incredible opportunity, as well as a lifelong dream. I am unsure, however of the process of American Universities. I understand that I will probably still count a a foreign student, from the UK, so will have to follow a different route to a US student, but I was wondering if you could explain some things to me. Firstly, What is the difference between Majors and Minors? Does it mean I'd major in Egyptology then minor in one of the different subjects in that course, or could I, for example, major in Egyptology then minor in Architecture? Thirdly, do you actually have to pay everything upfront, or can you get a loan? like a student loan? Or can you pay the university, like, monthly or something? Or do you have to pay of the whole year at the start? I understand this is a very long one, I'd just very much appreciate someone explaining everything specifically in one place? Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope that you'll be kind enough to reply in detail.

• Answer:

  Major is your main area of study. A minor does not require as many credits to complete. You are required to have a major, but not a minor. Usually Egyptology is not a major for undergrad studies. It is at the Grad school level. You pay per semester. Some universities let you pay monthly. US schools offer very little financial aid to international students. You need your A levels and the SAT to apply to any US university. SAT go to www.collegeboard.org Have you gone on the school's web site?