Hey guys, I’m in a bit of a pickle… I’m an international student and I’m going to apply for a college in the US. Even though I’ve done the SAT I and II, I’m probably only going there if I get in the schools I apply for. The problem is… I’ve already applied to an Australian university and the first semester starts at the beginning of March. I’m planning on attending there because I don’t want to waste a whole half year waiting, only to find out I’ve wasted it (and then I’ll have to wait for Semester 2 in aus). So, am I meant to apply as a freshman when I submit my RD application in December (cos at the time of application, I won’t have been in any college)? Or should I somehow do it as a transfer student (because by the time I accept/decline, I’ll have been in uni for a few weeks)? I’m so confused, please help? 
When do classes start exactly?
If you are applying to places in the US that offer Rolling Admission, Early Decision, or Early Action, you will have your acceptance and an estimated financial aid package (if you apply for aid) well before classes begin at the Australian universities. If you apply Regular Admission, you should know if you have been accepted no later than March 1.
It looks to me like you would not necessarily need to start at your Australian U until you have actually heard back from all the places here. Unless you need to ask for a better financial aid package, there wouldn’t be any reason to wait to accept an offer of admission. You can accept that offer as soon as you get it.
Thanks for the reply. I’ve looked up the 2016 dates and semester 1 starts on Monday 29 February.
I’m applying to a couple of colleges such as Northwestern and UC Berkeley as well as some of the Ivies (fat chance, i know…). On their website, all of them state that the admission decisions for the regular admissions are posted either late March or early April.
Why don’t you email the colleges and ask. I don’t think you would be a transfer because you won’t have any grades/transcripts to send but I could be wrong.