<p>I'm a secondary school graduate from India. I'm currently studying in a college in chennai. I'll complete my second semester in a few more months. I'm hoping to join in a university in US during Fall 2008. </p>
<p>I have applied to the universities in US under the "International freshmen section". My problem is this - I graduated secondary school last year and now, I want them to evaluate my secondary school mark sheets and not my college mark sheets because I haven't done pretty well. Is it ok for me to <em>not tell them</em> that I'm in college right now? What will happen if they get to know?</p>
<p>And the biggest question in my mind is - Will this affect my visa process?! When the Visa interviewer sees my mark sheets stated 2007 instead of 2008, will he/she question me as to what I've been doing all this time? Will the knowledge that I've done one year in India affect my admission as a freshman?</p>
<p>I really have no clue…maybe you should ask some international transfer students or a student at an Indian college, like issacnewton on this board</p>
<p>just don’t mention you attended any post-secondary institution…they wont be able to find out…btw I doubt the embassy will ask you what you have been doing</p>
<p>Well, you can apply for freshmen..But. isn’t it too late now?..
Anyway, you can apply as a freshmen provided you have not completed a year at your current college, you may email the colleges and ask, most will say that you can apply as freshmen and so, it will be your choice whether to send your college scores or not. Otherwise, there is only one way left, apply as international transfer (Check with the college if they will accept you this year, since you have only done 1st semester till date) next year around February-March..
I must warn you that international transfer is toughest and if you are asking for aid, then you gotta work really hard!..Enjoy!..</p>
<p>This is the discussion that I had with the university:-</p>
<hr>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I’m an prospective international student and I’m very eager to apply to NAU but I have a doubt. I graduated secondary school last year and I’m
now studying in a college here in my home country. I would have completed a year in here before fall 2008. But, I would like to apply to NAU as
an international “freshman”. This is because, I have not had a decent study environment here and I’m not satisfied with the teaching and
testing methods…so, my performance here has been below my potential. I wouldn’t want to be evaluated based on my performance here. </p>
<p>Can I apply as an international freshman though I have one year of post-matriculation education?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<hr>
<p>Thank you for your interest in Northern Arizona University.</p>
<p>Yes, you can apply as a freshman even though you have college credits.
When you submit your application and supporting documents you will
submit marks from your secondary school only.</p>
<hr>
<p>Oh! Thank you!</p>
<p>Also, is there any reason for worries if, while I’m at the Visa counter, when the Visa interviewer finds out that I have spent a year in a college here and am still applying for a freshman status?</p>
<p>Will there be any problems in the Visa process?</p>
<hr>
<p>I would not foresee a problem in this area. If the issue is brought up
the explanation you gave in your previous email should be sufficient
enough. The main thing is to be open and honest during your interview.</p>
<hr>
<p>So, I guess that went pretty well! Now, I have to do the same with all the other universities I’ve applied to. </p>
<p>Don’t you think it will be the same case with all the other universities?</p>
I don’t know which universities you applied to but many (in particular private) universities don’t let you apply as a freshman once you have completed x semesters of college.</p>
<p>I do see how it makes sense in your situation though, so good luck!</p>
<p>I know someone who started college in Romania, but during her freshman year here, she applied in US without telling anyone she attends college. She is now a happy Ivy league student.</p>
<p>I was in a similar situation when I was applying last year (i.e. I was already attending college but was applying as a freshman). There are a lot of colleges I couldn’t apply to because they would only let me apply as a transfer, but in the end I still had a pretty decent list of colleges. The important thing is to research a lot of universities/colleges and check their policies regarding your situation- if you do that I am sure you will find many colleges you can apply to.</p>
<p>Btw, I wouldn’t advocate hiding the fact that you’re already in college. If somehow the admission officers get to know this, it will look very much like you’re trying to hide your below-potential performance at college, and that can’t be good. Much better to be open about it as you were with NAU. Morever, some colleges might want to know what you did in the period following your graduation from high school.</p>
<p>Best of luck with your college applications!</p>
<p>Right now, are you in one of those universities you applied for?</p>
<p>Can you give me a good list of universities that I can apply for? Do you think its pretty late for me now if I’m asking for scholarship?</p>
<p>My basic academic profile:-</p>
<p>SAT - 1940/2400 (combined score - 1250)
TOEFL CBT - 273/300<br>
X and XII CBSE - 80% (yeah, I got exactly 80% in both of the exams…)</p>
<p>I’m looking at a lot of great universities. Some of them have their deadlines for scholarships in Feb 1. If you could give me a list of universities that I can look at now, it would be great. By the way, I’m planning to major in Physics/mathematics. I’m looking for universities like NAU…somewhere around $25,000 (including living expenses etc) would be good. </p>
<p>It would be of great help if you can suggest some good (budget) options that I can quickly apply for and expect scholarships. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>PS - Also, do you think it is too late for me now? I’m looking at getting in Fall 2008 with some amount of scholarship.</p>
<p>Do u know of collegeboard.com??? it has got databases of over 3000 colleges and universities of the US. It includes all the information one needs like fees, financial aid, majors, housing, sports, location, deadlines etc. The site has a utility titled “college search” where u can find colleges based on ur choice. In there u can specify major, fees range, location, etc and search accordingly. As far as I know this is the best way to prepare a college list. Do give it a try.</p>
<p>By the way may I know in which Indian college are u studying. Most of them dont allow u to leave after one year without paying the fees for the entire course duration…ready for that??</p>