<p>The college admissions process supposedly gives an equal opportunity to prove one's worthiness of acceptance into the American university system free of discrimination. Being an international student though has exposed me to the inherent gap in the system. These imbalances beginning already in early high-school life have become ever more obvious to me throughout my own application process. The current leading factors influencing the final admissions decision clearly give any American applicant a definite edge over an international student.</p>
<p>The first contributor: The SAT
Many American schools begin offering PSAT and SAT preparation courses beginning around eighth or ninth grade. Private programs further provide a plethora of assistance to students in their quest for perfection: 1600/2400. Needless to say, these opportunities remain largely exclusive to the USA applicant pool. Additionally, testing dates for students residing in foreign countries are often limited.
These factors do not even take into account the intrinsic prejudices within the SAT Critical Reading and the new Writing section. The SAT is a test designed for upper-middle class Caucasian students hailing from good American public and/or private schools. Alone the exposure (or rather lack thereof) to American culture in the form of Television, Magazines and Literature gives the foreign student an enormous disadvantage.</p>
<p>The next perpetrator: Guidance Counselors
Before attending an international school system, the very notion of a guidance counselor was entirely foreign to me. The only help given to those in local public schools is the school director's office when students are deemed to be going down 'the wrong path'. Alone the knowledge and insight granted to those lucky enough to be graced with a guidance counselor who has experience with the American college admissions process grants a vast advantage to a potential applicant.</p>
<p>Number three: The SAT IIs and APs
It appears that it is the general consensus of most American universities that the entire world follows the AP system (WAIT I CAN JUSTIFY). Just take one good look at the requirements to many of the selective or highly selective universities' requirements: two to three SAT IIs. And what, may I ask, is the content of the SAT IIs based upon? That's right, the APs. It makes sense, Collegeboard administers both APs and SAT IIs, so why not just make one test based off of the other? Guess what. The International Baccalaureate and many other local baccalaureates don't adhere to the AP syllabus. Those that need to take SAT IIs are often shocked to discover on test day, that their high predicted marks in local examinations won't get them anywhere on SAT IIs.</p>
<p>And finally: The admissions essay
I know, I know. Many of you will argue that the essay is the only real unbiased part of the application process. I DISAGREE! Who here has had help with their essay at school? Not I. I was therefore astounded when I discovered that one of my peers, the son of a diplomat, who had just moved from a public school in the Northeast had been given the assignment to complete the college admissions essay as a term-project in English class. Three drafts. I know that this may not be the case everywhere, but I also know that this is by far not an isolated case.</p>
<p>Wow, I'm done. Collegeboard be damned. Just wanted to get that off of my chest and I hope I didn't come off as complaining. Just wanted to point out a couple of interesting aspects concerning the admissions process. Any comments?</p>
<p>It is definitely not a level playing field, but you don't have your facts straight. First, our public high school is consistently in the top 100 in America in an upper middle class suburban neighborhood. There are NO SAT prep courses offered. There are NO college counselors - there are guidance counselors who helps kids from 9th through 12th grade with all their course issues, etc. and handle about 200 kids each, and you get one or two college meetings period. "Writing Your Essay" has never been a class assignment. The SATIIs are not based on the APs, to the chagrin of many who took courses like World Hisptory AP, got a 5 on the exam and a 550 on the SATII due to lack of studying for that particular test.
The schools that offer what you say - like SAT prep courses - are generally expensive private schools which also have their own college counselors, help kids with essays, etc. Most public schools can't afford that.
However, I agree it is not a level playing field. Wealthier kids can aford SAT tutors, more prep courses outside school, people to help them write their essays (which is why I think have a writing portion of the SAT is great). But it is more about money than what country you live in. Wherever you live, you can take SAT courses (they're offered online), you can ermail your essay to professional "readers" who will help you for a fee, and you probably are taking IB courses which colleges like to see.</p>
<p>...And schools love international applicants because they can say "We have 85 countries represented and 14% of our freshman are international" and stuff like that. I mean, maybe we have the advantage as far as actually getting test scores and stuff I guess, but it all evens out.</p>
<p>Yeah, you are slightly misled. Most, nearly all, high schools in the US don't have SAT prep courses. Only private schools and a few public schools. Also, the reading questions which may contain some American culture don't require knowledge to answer the questions. I've yet to see the passage based off television. </p>
<p>The majority of guidance counselors don't help students. In large public schools, many talk to their guidance counselor for the first time when they need a recommendation letter. Once again, you refer to private schools, a small fraction of the schools in America. </p>
<p>That's definitely an isolated anecdote; it's not representative of America. </p>
<p>Yes, money gives some an advantage but is that unique to college admissions? Money gives people advantages in nearly all aspects of life, live with it. </p>
<p>I think it should also be said that American universities exist to educate and improve Americans, not foreigners. It's a privilege to be able to study in America, not a right.</p>
<p>and also don't forget, as internationals, we do not need to have world-class ECs like americans if our countries do not have that type of opportunity and resurces.</p>
<p>as for sat IIs, many countries do the A-level system, which is equal to the AP. i got a 780 and 800 for "AP" subjects. it is studiable.</p>
<p>"I've yet to see the passage based off television."
What I meant by that is the passive vocabulary and subtle nuances to which you become acquainted by being exposed to American media (besides Friends). The ability to recognize those implications is one of the focuses of the CR portion.</p>
<p>"as for sat IIs, many countries do the A-level system, which is equal to the AP. i got a 780 and 800 for "AP" subjects. it is studiable."
I also got 2 800s, a 780, and a 680 on my SAT IIs, but had to pay a premium to order review books online and have them shipped to someone elses oversea military postal box.</p>
<p>I was also thinking about letters of recommendation. If you are from a country in which English is not taught in the local school system, would you not be at a disadvantage if your non-English speaking teacher had to try to "sell" you to a college?</p>
<p>Perhaps the notion of SAT review courses isn't as widespread as I have been made to believe, but they are also not as rare as some of you make them seem. If they are not given as mandatory courses in school, they are often offered as after-school programs, SAT study groups, etc.</p>
<p>If you are from a country in which English is not taught in the local school system, would you not be at a disadvantage if your non-English speaking teacher had to try to "sell" you to a college?</p>
<p>I think this is generally not the case or really a problem. Most teachers, even in schools where English is not the language speak English. A friend of mine from Poland had his polish teachers write him recommendations in English. Also if they can't write it in English, they can send an official translation.</p>
<p>OP has the opinion that the American education system is unfair to internationals. Lets not forget American universities run programs with the American public and culture in mind. Grads in US schools most likely live and work in the US. What university in which country does not do that? Because there are few guidance councilors in the rest of the world, the US should get rid of them to be fair? By your argument, we should have world universities, that everything is carefully equalized or trimmed out. Finally, most adcoms more often than not, do take into consideration what foreign education systems have to offer in making admission decisions.</p>
<p>I do not want to be deemed a biggoted American, but take this simple fact into account please:</p>
<p>When you graduate college there is no guarentee that your knowledge will in anyway further American society (be that economically, educationally, or culturally). The American college system is the best in the world, hands down, and the primary goal of its universities is to enrich the society with which they reside in (be that the United States). There is nothing keeping an international student from going to a U.S. school, using its financial aid resources, and then departing back to their homeland. You may rally against the biased that is recieved to U.S. applicants, but the biased is in place for a justified reason. Education of America's growing youth is undertaken by both public and private universities, and is the foundation of our solid society; we are not going to loosen our grips on the reigns of admission priority for U.S citizens so easily.</p>
<p>"There is nothing keeping an international student from going to a U.S. school, using its financial aid resources, and then departing back to their homeland."</p>
<p>Have you ever heard of the 'brain-drain'? It's a well-documented trend in which people who attend universities in foreign countries (USA or UK) do not return to where they came from. That is a real problem and not the other way around. Plus, the financial aid resources are generally only need-blind to US applicants.</p>
<p>"By your argument, we should have world universities, that everything is carefully equalized or trimmed out."</p>
<p>That was not my argument at all. I was simply trying to point out the great advantage that US applicants have over international students trying to make it into the American system.</p>
<p>"It's a privilege to be able to study in America, not a right."</p>
<p>A college education is a privilege for the average American too. It is not a right for American nor international applicants. That privilege though should be equally attainable to both parties. Just because an individual happens to grow up in the USA does not mean they should be entitled to an American education anymore than anyone else. If that is your point, then you are clearly discriminating.</p>
Actually, for public schools, Americans are more entitled to an American education than internationls. These people pay taxes that support higher education in their state and thus have the right to take advantage of this provided they have sufficient credentials.
[quote=Stew]
Have you ever heard of the 'brain-drain'? It's a well-documented trend in which people who attend universities in foreign countries (USA or UK) do not return to where they came from. That is a real problem and not the other way around. Plus, the financial aid resources are generally only need-blind to US applicants.
<p>"Actually, for public schools, Americans are more entitled to an American education than internationls. These people pay taxes that support higher education in their state and thus have the right to take advantage of this provided they have sufficient credentials."</p>
<p>Do these taxes also go towards funding private institutions?</p>
<p>"I don't see a reason for the US to encourage this even more when higher education is still a problem among US citizens"</p>
<p>Nobody said anything about encouraging foreign applicants. All I was trying to get at was that there is currently no system which really allows for an accurate comparison between the international student and the American student.</p>
<p>Do these taxes also go towards funding private institutions?</p>
<p>I am on the Parents' Executive Committee of a top ten school; I also worked for my Ivy alma mater. Private schools get the VAST majority of their funds from their American alumni, their endowment which was built up from gifts from American alumni, their tuition, etc. All these people are taxpayers. YES - they get money from the American taxpayers both directly and indirectly in other ways as well. The indirect funding comes from the federal loans subidized BY AMERICAN TAXPAYERS which make up such a huge part of loan packages; the direct sources are the many grants made directly to the schools for research or to the students. My daughter, for example, won a $15,000 US government grant (taxpayer money) which she uses to pay tuition; her school receives huge federal (taxpayer-paid) grants for research.</p>
<p>Private American colleges and universities are funded by American dollars, both from private sources and from taxpayers, and are under no obligation to have a "level playing field" for internationals. While I support and applaud my two schools' desire to diversify with internationals, by no means do I believe that Americans and internationals should be treated exactly equally.</p>
<p>Stew, being an international applicant myself, I really do not see the need for complaining about the system because you really have no way of changing it. I did notice that you mainly wrote this thread in order to express your frustrations, but nevertheless I am going to provide you some contradictory perspectives.</p>
<p>Firstly, whilst I do have a 'guidance councellor' in a sense, neither he nor my teachers have any concept of what a GPA is, or just about anything else on the application form for that matter. Thus, I had to sit down with him to explain all the areas, so that everything could be filled out smoothly. I had no problem with that, and I do not see it as a disadvantage on my part in way, in fact I view it as a positive because it demonstrated my endeavour to be a helpful and independant student.</p>
<p>Secondly, on the issue of the SAT's. I like to think I am doing fairly well in my school orientated academic subjects, and I went into the Reasoning Test with one day of practise behind me. Given that I do study in an english speaking country, I did find the knowledge I had to date adequate to complete the paper successfully, however I still don't know how well I have done. For the SAT II's, yes you do need to study for them, but as some american students on here have noted, they have to study for them just as much as we do, or at least to a similar degree. Consequently, I really don't see justification for your argument in this case.</p>
<p>Finally on the issue of equal opportunity. Your opinion is entirely mislead on many levels, because just as we have our own national universities, so does the USA. Just because the universities in the states happen to be some of the best in the world, then all credit must go to the american society for being able to establish such prestigious institutions. We as internationals don't deserve any privaliges over the American students, because the universities we are potentially applying to are American, and rightly so we should be disadvantaged.</p>
<p>Accept the challenge.. :P And know I must go and continue studying for my second last exam of high school!!</p>
<p>I'm not sure why you think the playing field should be level for international students. It is not level for American out-of-state applicants, it is not level for various races, genders, economic groups and other factors. But, if it makes you feel any better, I am including a couple of facts and an article showing how strong a presence international students are in American universities.</p>
<p>Your attendance here is a privilege, as it is for Americans. Although I believe that American universities should endeavor to teach their own citizens, they are businesses and draw on the global financial and cultural resources available. It seems to me that international students are very well represented at American universities!</p>
<p>Thank you vrumchev for your reasoning on why it shouldn't necessarily be an equal process. I know that the system cannot be changed and just wanted to point out some interesting points which should put things into perspective for American applicants. Rather than gripe about my disadvantages, my goal was to point out how lucky US applicants really are.</p>
<p>Just for everyone on here: I'm in no way complaining that I feel unfairly treated by the American college process. I accepted those challenges and have done rather well so far. Also, I've already submitted my applications and am just trying to approach the topic from an 'in hindsight' perspective.</p>
<p>When I was in college, I decided to try and attend a university in the UK. I wanted to study medieval history and archaelogy, and the opportunities were much stronger there. In order to do that, I had to jump through any number of hoops. There were many requirements that differed from what I was used to. It was not an easy process, but I eventually achieved my goal.</p>
<p>Still, it was ** their ** process, not that of a US college, and I clearly understood that. It would have been rude and unrealistic for me to complain that they weren't set up to cater to Americans. That was not their central identity or reason for being. I was only happy that I could get in and that I was warmly welcomed when I arrived. (Actually, I stepped off the train, and they greeted me with: "Hello, there! I can see you're a colonial...)</p>
<p>The blunt fact is this...not everything in college or life is going to be set up for your convenience. Sometimes people have reasons for doing things that you may not agree with. A public University has the right to favor those who provide its tax base, and that means preference for in-staters over out of staters ** and ** internationals. A private college also has the right to favor U.S. alums who have traditionally provided the main source of their endowment and gift revenues. </p>
<p>You are well within your rights to criticize any individual practice of a college or the system as a whole. But I would still voice one word of warning. There is a difference between a targeted complaint backed by solid arguments versus having an overall negative attitude, which will put off many people, even those kids or adults who may want to try and help you. You've got to be careful where you draw the line, or you'll come over sounding like a complainer and whiner. </p>
<p>On a side note, my son attends a very small private school, and there is not a SAT prep course in sight, neither during the day or after school! We scraped together some money for a few sessions with a tutor, and he did the rest by slogging through the material on his own. Xiggi has some great advice on this site and the latter option should definitely be open to you.</p>
<p>we should always bear in mind that we are asking to attend a US school, and so no matter how 'unfair' it seems to us, it is their schools we're asking to be part of.</p>
<p>A few things I may not have pointed out:
- I am a American
- I bought the Princeton Review SAT book and studied myself
- I bought the Princeton Review SAT II Chemistry and Biology books and studied them myself</p>
<p>(Finally, and I'm not sure whether I haven't pointed this one out enough yet) I am not taking on a negative attitude or complaining. I simply want to point out the challenges that any international student must overcome in order to simply be on par with an American student. My mother pays American taxes (Thus also paying for US applicants' educations according to what everyone here is telling me).</p>
<p>I still really do not understand why people think that I'm being a 'complainer' or a 'whiner' when every post includes me defending myself saying "Just wanted to point out some interesting aspects of the admissions process for international students".</p>