Alright people! I need serious help!!

<p>So, I'm from the UK, currently in Year 9 - which equates to the 8th grade in America. Since I only decided to apply to a college preparatory school as an International Applicant recently, I don't believe it would be such a great option starting the Application process this late, and plus it's not something that has been well talked through with my parents. So 9th Grade I won't be entering any of the schools I plan to apply to, and in the 10th grade (which is year 11 here) we have a little thing called the GCSE's (General Certificate of Secondary Education) which is somewhat similar to the SAT (I'm guessing) for secondary school students over here. I can't leave in the middle of that to come to America.. Thus I have to complete it... BUT, (big but) I can apply when I should be going into my A-Levels (two years of additional schooling known as sixth form after secondary school in the UK for 16-18 years, so basically they split your high schooling system into two, because u have high school from the age of 14 - 18, we have secondary school from 11-16, then sixth form from 16-18 in which I'd do my A-Levels). So, in a nutshell I'll be applying as a 15 year old, in September of 2012 for entry into September 2013 as a Junior at one of GLADCHEMMYS OR HADES... but by that time I'd be in the process of completing my GCSE's and I'd have missed my sophomore and my freshman years at those schools. So my question is, how would a British student who has done the UK GCSE's adapt to the American high school curriculum? And, applying to be a Junior, Senior and perhaps do my PG year too, would I have missed an important exam like the SAT, or part of the curriculum or syllabus in the Freshman and Sophomore years at these schools? And are their many British students in these schools? The british curriculum isn't too similar to the American system, and after doing my GCSE if I stay here, I'd probably be doing 5 or 4 subjects at A-Levels in regards to what I'd like to do at University, which I'd also like to do in America. So in essence what would I have missed, and how would they convert my British grades into American grades and such and such? Would it be difficult adapting to the curriculum? When do u start taking AP's? What is the outline of your syllabus in Freshman and Sophomore year and would there be something I'd have missed that wouldn't be something that'd have an equivalent here in the UK? </p>

<p>Sorry for such a long question!! Please reply! IT'S URGENT!</p>

<p>Send a PM to TomTheCat. He’s from the UK and started Andover as a new Junior. He’ll know what you’re talking about. I’m at a loss, really to answer your questions, but Tom has always been very helpful.</p>

<p>Thanks so much neatoburrito! I’ll be sending him a PM ASAP!</p>