It is great to have found this forum where there are many well-informed people. Perhaps you can help guide me to schools to consider and next steps to take.
I have decided to attend college in fall 2017 following a long break in studies. I am now 20. Three years ago I graduated a early from my high school in Ohio to accept an opportunity in the country I was born in (Thailand) and other places in Asia. I am a US citizen. It has been exciting and I have seen and done many wonderful things I would not have done on the traditional high school to college path. But I know my current work cannot endure forever and I have many intellectual interests, or at least questions to explore in school.
I was a good student (3.7) in high school but did not take AP or IB or any of those impressive courses I read about here. This past fall I took the SAT and scored 1910. I can improve with preparation and try the new SAT also. While in Asia I have also worked as a volunteer with children and suffering women, which is like an EC I guess. My work has also yielded many stories and adventures as material for essays.
I am uncertain exactly what I would like to study, but I am interested in literature, including English, Thai, and other Asian works.
I am thinking about attending a college or smaller university in the Midwest or the Northeast US. I would like to be in a city. Any thoughts on what schools might be appropriate for me to consider? I think I want smaller than Ohio State, for example. I really don’t have a counselor or advisor on these matters and my parents never attended university, so any guidance on where to begin would really be wonderful.
Yes, thank you. I have saved money from my work, which has paid very well, so my finances are strong. Also, my father is willing to help. My mother is in Thailand, my father is in Ohio. I think I can return to Ohio for in-state tuition on Forever Buckeyes or similarly named plans.
That is still pretty vague. How much can you and your dad pay between you? Would your family qualify for need based aid? Tuition is only in-state at public universities. There are a lot of colleges in Ohio, but many are private, so the in state-out of state issue doesn’t matter.
I see. I will not qualify for need based aid at any public or private school. I guess this is saying that money is not a concern. This said, some schools must be better value than others, if I can write that without sounding cheap or short-sighted! Also, I am interested in all the Midwest and Northeast, not just Ohio.
You would be out of state for any public U in the midwest but OH and those costs approach the $60K range that @intparent mentioned. Talk to your parents about what they can afford. It will cost up to $240K for your college degree (or more).
I recommend that you have a look at Macalester, which is well known for it’s international student population, as well as the fact that they will value your maturity and the impressive work you’ve done since high school graduation.
I would agree that Macalester is a good choice. If you are female, I would also suggest that you look at Smith College in Massachusetts. While not urban, it’s in a lively small town and is part of a larger five college consortium.
Smith likes older students and women from non-traditional backgrounds. (“An Education as Unique as You Are”)
Studying Thai may be difficult even within the consortium, but you could take courses offered by UMass’s Asian Language and Literature program.
Cornell has one of the best Southeast Asian programs in the country, but it’s very selective. University of Wisconsin is another, but it’s very big. I think your background would be of interest to both.
If you are sure you will not qualify for any need-based aid, you might look at colleges that offer merit aid. Smith and Mt. Holyoke are good places to start, but there are several others, including in the midwest: Grinnell, Kenyon, Oberlin, Ohio Wesleyan. I’m not sure about Macalester.
Thank you very much for all the really interesting and valuable comments. I never would have learned of these universities and programs on my own. Some of the schools I have never heard of but am now reading all about.
It is very interesting to learn about the liberal arts colleges. Macalaster College sounds especially interesting. They offer significant merit aid as well I have just learned. And maybe St Paul is a nice City, I don’t really know! Oberlin sounds interesting too. Problem remains that I don’t know if these schools really teach Thai literature. My Thai language is native skill, but I don’t know professional and academic concepts or really much about academic language.
I can research this. Also, maybe I can broaden to study Chinese, which I don’t speak.
Also, thank you even more for so much encouragement that makes me realize that perhaps universities wont think of me as the girl who left high school early and never took AP so she could make money and have adventures in Asia-- but instead consider me an interesting person who chose a non-traditional path and brings interesting skills (speak Thai and Khmer), background (lived and traveled on my own in Asia), and interests.
I would caution you about small LACs. At age 21 do you really want to be hanging out with 18 year olds? All the women’s colleges have programs for non traditional students but you are too young to qualify. I would look at some of the smaller universities. University of Hawaii Manoa? Ohio University? Both offer Thai and are smaller than Ohio State