<p>Hello, everyone! I am an American high school senior who is considering attending university in Australia. I want to do something different and interesting, and I have always wanted to live abroad, so I have been thinking about attending school in Australia and I have many questions!
I have been looking at the University of New South Wales, Australian National University, and the University of Melbourne, but I am definitely open to other suggestions as well! What universities have the best international reputations?
I plan to study International Relations, but I would love to double major in IR and French, would this be possible (I would at least like take a good amount of French classes)? If so, would it be more expensive? Also, what Australian schools have good International Relations programs?
I was wondering about living in the country in general, as well as in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. I have heard that Canberra is kind of boring, but I would love to be able to intern at the embassies located there. My first choice would be to live on campus, but I would also be interested in staying with a host family for the first year.
Would it be easy to study abroad? Spending at least a semester in a French-speaking country is a must. What universities have good study abroad programs?
I was also wondering about the timing. I will graduate in May 2014. I was thinking about applying for Semester 2 July 2014; when would I be able to apply and would I receive my admissions decision and financial aid/scholarship information? I would have to know by May 1. Also, would it be more beneficial to defer my admission to February 2015 to start "on time" during the first Semester, and would that even be possible?
Also, how are the financial aid and scholarships for international students? For merit-based, I have a 3.81 unweighted GPA and a 32 ACT. I attend an all-IB high school that is ranked the #1 public high school in my state.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Australian National University is often regarded as the strongest Australian university.</p>
<p>I expect that you are aware that the Australian system differs in major ways from the American system. It’s a 3-year system.</p>
<p>Have you considered the “easier” alternative – that of attending a US college and doing a year abroad in Australia? You may achieve most of your goal of living in Australia that way without the complexity and uncertainty of applying and attending college for the full duration in Australia.</p>
<p>I really think you should not do this, especially if you want to go back to the US after graduation. This is because:
-Aussie degrees are not that recognized in the US due to its shorter duration and less rigorous curriculum. We only take 4 classes per semester and we graduate in 3 years. Taking 5 classes is considered overloading, which is like taking 7 classes in the US. BUT Aussie classes are not hard. So, taking 4 classes here is the same as taking 4 classes in the US.
-Aussie unis are all public, which means they might have difficulties giving you scholarships.
-The rankings for Aussie unis are good because of their easy admissions which attract many asians from nearby countries to go there as it is the closest “Western” country from asia. I am currently doing a business degree at a top Aussie university, and at least 95% of my classmates are from China, Taiwan, and Hongkong. This is different from the Ivies which attract students from around the world because of their prestige.
-It is really not worth paying so much money for a degree that may not be recognized in your own country.
-Aussie dollar is very expensive now and the cost of living in Australia is a lot higher than US. 1 USD is around 1.1 AUD. Haircut for guys costs 30 AUD minimum, Chinese take away combo food costs around 10 AUD. Dormitory costs around 200 AUD per WEEK. So I really think you should just stay in the US, and do a study abroad here in Aussie. </p>
<p>I hope this helps.</p>
<p>The financial aid may make study abroad a more viable option. Depending on your American college, your financial aid will go with you and pay for your time in Australia. If you matriculate directly to an Australian university, your financial aid options are limited.</p>