A question...

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello, my name is Tracie. I am currently a junior in high school (16) and I am planning on attending college in London. I am not picky when it comes to that as I will surely take any college that accepts me. However, it is not the college process I am concerned about but the path it takes to get there. I no longer wish to attend HS though I am thoroughly certain dropping out will only prolong my path abroad. I have intended on finishing my junior year, but are there any options to hurry up the graduation process? I have already registered to take the CHSPE but I am not sure if that is applicable to my overseas acceptance. Concerning the GED I am not 18 yet (in that case I would just stay in school) and not a 17 year old in the justice system or enrolled in the armed forces. Online school is damn near impossible for me as it's incredibly easy to just stow it away and do something more productive(sealing my failure of senior year; will be willing to do if need be). Ideally, I would like to live alone my senior year, continue working ( currently assistant manager of a bookstore) and then apply in the same time frame as all other high school attendees. Is this a viable goal? Are there any other options?(I feel I am wasting my time in the system) I would appreciate all of your insight. Thank you.</p>

<p>Here are all of the classes I have taken up until current for your reference. </p>

<p>9th (Was not enrolled during 1st sem.)
Adv. Intro. Lit<br>
Algebra 1
Biology
Phys. Ed.
Health
Drawing/Painting </p>

<p>10th
Hnrs. World Lit.
Geometry
AP European Hist.
Western Philosophy. (1/2 sem)
Chemistry
Ethics (1/2 sem)
Aerobics </p>

<p>11th
AP English Language
Hnrs US
AP Psychology
AP Environmental Sci.
AP Art History
Spanish 1 (God forsaken online class) </p>

<p>I shall share my prospective senior classes to give you an idea of my general interests. Concerning any presented alternatives, I could not care less if I end up taking these.<br>
AP English (British) Lit.
AP Macro Econ.
Hon. Chem.
AP Spanish Lit.
AP Bio.</p>

2

<p>I have been thinking about how to help you but I am not sure I can.</p>

<p>Firstly I would VERY STRONGLY advise you to graduate from high school. You may find this difficult, but it will never be as easy as it is now. When you are working full time, perhaps having many responsibilities such as children, it will be a LOT more difficult. Why make things hard for yourself? You never know when not graduating will come back to bite you. At best it may hold you back for years. Just suck it up and graduate. </p>

<p>Regarding attending college (“university” or commonly “uni” as it is called here) in the UK, I am not sure if they will require you to graduate from high school or not, but I suspect they will. There is no exact equivalent here. Age 16 students take exams in anywhere from 6 to 15 subjects, called GCSEs. To continue in the academic track, they have to get at least 5 grade Cs or above. Then they can do A-levels in 3-6 subjects, which are required for entry into uni. However, it is possible to gain entry via vocational exams or through exams done at work (NVQs - National Vocational Qualifications). </p>

<p>In your case, if you do not graduate from high school, they might consider that as the equivalent of not having any GCSEs. In which case, such students from the UK usually have to re-sit their GCSEs and/or attend an “access course”. But I am not sure if access courses will be appropriate for you are most people who attend these are mature students (over 21) who did not complete school for some reason (eg teenage pregnancy).</p>

<p>The fact is that US students are often considered as behind UK students even if they graduate from high school. For example, UCL offers a “foundation year” especially for US students who don’t have many APs to help them catch up (see link below).</p>

<p>[Entry</a> Requirements](<a href=“http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/international-students/country-information/north-america/united-states/entry-requirements]Entry”>http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/international-students/country-information/north-america/united-states/entry-requirements)</p>

<p>But you are an odd case, because you have some APs, which UK unis desire, but have not graduated from high school, which UK unis are not that bothered about. APs only count if they are relevant to the course you are apply for by the way. You have to choose a “course” or subject to study (effectively your major) when you apply. So for example if you apply for English, Maths and Science APs would probably not count.</p>

<p>**I really think the only way to get an answer to your question would be to contact the unis you are interested in (mentioning the specific course your would like to apply for) and ask if they would consider you. **</p>

<p>Do bear in mind that you will probably have to pay for everything. Any sort of scholarships for overseas undergraduates in the UK are very rare. You are the cash cow who funds them. that is the business model. So I reckon if you choose a lowly ranked uni they will probably accept you for the money, but it will cost A LOT, and may not be particularly valuable in getting a job back in the UK. You have to prove you have enough money to fund yourself for 3 years before you can have a student visa.</p>

<p>Also, bear in mind graduating from a UK uni does not give you the right to work there when you graduate (you can work 20 hours a week on a student visa usually). It is not clear why you want to go to the UK, but if moving there permanently is your aim, there are no guarantees.</p>

<p>As a university student in the UK you are VERY MUCH on your own. You are considered an adult at 18 (and unlikely to be admitted to any uni under this age. If you are admitted under 18, you will probably not be allowed to stay in the uni halls of residence. So finding your own private accommodation would be another headache for you) and left to your own devices. No-one will monitor what you do or whether you even show up to most lectures and classes. Given that you are not motivated enough to attend online high school, I believe it is unlikely that you are ready for being alone in a foreign country dealing with university level classes.</p>

<p>I know the above may not be what you want to hear. But the last thing you want to do is spend lots of money on a UK uni (assuming you are admitted) and then either drop out or be unable to find employment back in the US or in the UK. Do think seriously about whether this plan is realistic and graduate from high school.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for your insight Cupcake, it is highly appreciated. :slight_smile: I figured it was a rather simple aim (getting into a UK university) but your notions are definitely taken into consideration. Assuming I completed the SAT, SAT Subject, ACT, and AP Exams in a proficient manner (disregarding certain entry scores) this year and take the GED at 17 (upon which the diploma would be received at 18) would that suffice(admissions consideration)? I am familiar with the college mindset as I have taken courses over the summer. The online class is primarily neglected due to outside activities that take higher priority and less out of sheer laziness. I understand that jobs aren’t secure everywhere and am willing to deal with that. However, I’m not going to be “trapped” in the United States due to better job stability. Thank you so much and I hope to hear from you again:)</p>