Any ex-O Levels students continuing education in US/Canada?

Student Lounge International Students
1

I’m just really effin’ confused. So, I’ve completed my O Levels in Pakistan though my results have yet to come (only a week to go) and I’ve moved to America due to some family issues. I’m giving my SAT in January and will apply for college straight after that. But the thing that I’m still confused if i would still fulfill the requirements to get into a good college, or even a college at least. Most colleges make it mandatory to have 12 years of school education, though i’m not sure if Pre-K and K fall into those years.

For those of you who don’t know, O Levels is a British secondary education system which spans Grades IX, X and XII, after which you can opt for A Levels which is a two-year pre-U course, but some people consider A Levels being the end of secondary education, while I, myself am not sure.

I wanted to do A Levels after O Levels but since I’m now in America and you can’t study or sit for your A Levels here, I’m not really sure what to do next, other than giving my SAT. Am I technically done with school or would I have to go to high school for 12th Grade?

[somebody with O levels/A Levels experience or knowledge, please answer]

2

Hey! I used to live in Bangladesh, and I moved here after finishing tenth grade, literally a week before I should’ve sat for my O Levels/GCSE exams. I contacted the high school here, and asked them if GCSEs were enough to count for high school but was told that unless I had a high school diploma or something of the sort, I should finish eleventh and twelfth grade. Additionally, I researched universities and the schools that I wanted to go to expected A Levels; O Levels would not suffice, according to the majority.

Are you in New York City? That’s where I moved to. A friend of mine actually moved back at the same time as me, and we ended up at the same high school. She was a year above me and was studying for her As before moving, and she enrolled in the twelfth grade; I enrolled in the eleventh.

How old are you? If I can give you some advice, don’t enroll in the twelfth grade. My friend had so much trouble with college admissions due to trouble with credits transferring and overall the transition and being expected to complete college admissions in a few months…

My experience was turbulent af. I needed to stay until almost six pm from eight am during my junior year, and I took three classes during summer school to make up for classes I had taken in Bangladesh but were unfortunately not accepted here. I came from an Edexcel approved school and my classes were certainly rigorous and from a respected school, but the DOE here generally has it against internationals, so good luck. The point I’m trying to make is that if you do go to high school, expect it to be tough but probably worth it. I worked my butt off, but I became my school’s valedictorian and am going to a school I’ve been dreaming of going to. :slight_smile:

Did you go to a high school in Pakistan, or were you a self-studying O Level student? If you have high school records, terrific! If not, they might place you in ninth grade. :confused: Lmk more about your situation! I hope this helped calm your nerves a little. Good luck!

3

Whoa. Thanks for replying at least. :smiley:

I am almost 17 and I actually finished O Levels this May, you know, ending with 11th Grade and all. I studied from a high school. My CIE results are coming in a week and I’m expecting 1 or 2 As and a couple of Bs, probably a C and D as well. I already have two Bs in Islamiat and Pak Studies from my X-C CIEs. I did 8 subjects btw (Bio, Chem, Physics, Math, English, P. St, Islamiat, and Urdu). I’ll also request a transcript (high school record) along with my CIE results from my school as advised by my teachers to suffice with the college requirements somewhat.

Also, I heard that the GCE certificate is equivalent to a high school diploma. So, GCE CIE grades, transcript and SAT, am i still missing anything? I’m thinking of sitting for Biology, Environmental Science and Comparative Government APs as well next May to spice things up. Would I also be able to apply for a college by then? What time window are college admissions usually available year-round? And though dumb to ask of, what are college credits and how do they work? Add anything I dont know of if im missing anything.

Oh, and I’m from the Big Apple too. Holla, Yankee. B)

4

If you were 18, some community colleges would accept you with O-levels. However, since you are still a minor, you should strongly consider continuing high school in the US.

Education works a bit differently in the US than it does in many other countries - in the US, your degree reflects how long you have attended school, rather than the attainment of a certain amount of knowledge. Some American high school graduates know about the amount of material required for O-levels. Some would be A-level candidates. Yet others are taking university courses for high school credit (high school student would literally go to a nearby university and take courses there).

Universities know that not all high school graduates are created equal, and that’s why they take a very close look at each applicant’s transcript. O-levels (or the equivalent high school courses) would suffice for admission to some local universities, but not the selective ones. If you want to attend a selective college, you’d want the equivalent of A-level credentials. If you want to be a competitive candidate for some of the top universities (Harvard, etc), you’d want to take university courses in high school.

That same pattern continues at the university-level, by the way. You pick up with your coursework at whatever level you left off in high school. Once you got all of the “core” undergraduate courses covered, you have the option to take graduate courses for undergraduate credit. And taking graduate courses in college would in turn help your application for admission to graduate school, if you were so inclined.

Long story short: if you are ambitious, you should very strongly consider staying in high school. However, if all you want is a technical credential so you can work (e.g. as a car mechanic), then it might be worth to get in touch with public and private technical schools in your area and ask if they’d consider you for admission at your current age and with the credentials you currently have.

5

^^^ Agreed with @b@r!um.

Most college admissions generally end 01 January, though some schools have rolling admissions. It depends on the university; do you have any schools in mind? Let’s say you were interested in a CUNY school, as you’re currently in NYC. If you really don’t want to go to high school here, maybe contact them and let them know of your situation and ask for general advice regarding admissions. Find out how they’d regard someone seeking admission in your position.

However, seeing as you technically didn’t finish high school (even though I’d say GCSE is the equivalent, the NYC Department of Education unfortunately doesn’t really consider O Levels), you are entitled to finishing a high school education, as according to law. I agree, if you want to end up at a selective school, it’d probably be best to enroll in something like 10th or 11th grade and apply from there. Not only will you be given the opportunity to take AP classes for college credit, you can get support from your school regarding college admissions.

But if you really want to avoid redundancy, and you have indeed actually finished high school (I’m not sure of your situation here), see what you can do regarding college admissions. Look into community college. I’m not sure if you need to be 18 to enroll, but according to the CUNY site, you are considered a freshman applicant if “you have not previously attended any college, university and/or proprietary school within or outside the United States since graduating from high school or secondary school.” Have you graduated from high school? If you can get your final high school transcript and all of your records together, community colleges have open admissions and don’t need an SAT score or anything. You could enroll in one and then transfer to a four year college. If possible, that’d be an easier option because you can apply this year instead of waiting for SATs and next year’s AP exams. Additionally, your classes at community college equate to college credits, so when you transfer to a four year school, you bring your credits with you (it depends on which school you transfer to, though). I’m almost 100% sure O Levels don’t equate to college credits at all, though of course I could be mistaken.

If you haven’t finished high school --> take your high school transcript to a local high school before September and see what they can do for you. You’ll probably be enrolled in 10th or 11th grade. *Just a note, they make a HUGE deal of this. My copy of my high school record wasn’t enough; they requested a SEALED copy of my transcript sent directly from my school in Bangladesh to the high school here in New York. In order for your credits to transfer, they will probably ask for the same. Another note, you’ll probably be sent to a zoned, local high school, which imo aren’t the best. If you’re an academically driven student, you won’t find the environment very appealing. If I had the choice, I would have wanted to enroll in a specialized or more selective high school.

If you have finished high school --> I’d suggest starting in a community college and then transferring to a four year school. Maybe you’ll be granted admission to a four year CUNY like City College or Queens College, even.

It depends on what you want and what you’re willing to do, I guess. Sorry if I blubbered on a bit, but I hope this was helpful!

6

LiSten to what people above said. Technically. you would enter 11th grade in the Fall which gives you time to take loits of AP level and Dual Enrollment classes -university level classes for free- to shoiw what you’re capable of and become competitive for selective colleges.
If you’re in a hurry you can apply to lower level colleges but I don’t even think its worth it as you may not have a gpa and thus qwouldnt qualify for merit acholarships even if you scored high on your sat - which you can take sevwral tinea, most competitive candidates take it 3times and it’s only a small part of your applucation. This application needs to be worked on in July of the year before you apply and until December 30. For instance, if you wanted to attwnd college Fall 2016 you’d have started July 2015.
What colleges or type of colleges are you aiming for?

7

Can’t I just go to 12th instead of 11th? I already did 11th grade and i want to avoid redundancy if possible. And I’m looking towards giving my APs for Biology, Comparative Governments & Politics and Psychology or Environmental Science. Would I have enough time between this August and May 2016 to prepare for them? I’ll also give my SAT in November, December and January, so that’s three times. :slight_smile: And maybe it would be better if i resumed school so I can work on GPA. I’ve also been taking advice from a medical student i know who’s achieved a 2100 SAT score and he says the same thing. I’m okay with going to 12th but PLEASE not 11th again, if possible at all.

And I’m looking towards NYU, haven’t had any secondary options really. Though I’m somewhat indecisive, I’m stuck between studying International Politics/Political Science, something Biology-based or something Psychology-based. :slight_smile:

I feel like a jackass, being indecisive about careers at the time when it most matters. ._.

8

It won’t beredundant at all - it will not feel the same at all because the literature and history classes will be completely different; a class like Islamic studies is considered equivalent to catechism or Hebrew school and not taught in school in the US but American high schools offer hundreds of classes; depending on the math option you completed for OLevel you will be able to continue right where you stopped, likely taking calculus A B or Bc ; you will be able to start another foreign language ; In fact you will be able to choose your classes, and you can absolutely take AP bio in11th grade as well as other Ap classes of your choice. In short it will be nothing like your last class in Pakistan.
In addition you really really don’t want to be in12th grade unless you are ready to forget about NYU. and similarly ranked colleges. Thd application processus groupe way more than GPA and sat. You need one year to get ready at the case minimum. Yet need to establish yourself in the school to get leadership roles and recommendations. for instance.
Keep in mind that many 11th graders are17 too and will be going through the same things you are.

9

^ Ditto MYOS. You won’t be “repeating” too much of what you’ve already learned because US high school students can mostly choose their classes. (“Mostly” because there’ll be some requirements, like US History or PE.)

You can attend the next math and science classes in the sequence without having to repeat what you have already learned.

I also agree with MYOS that you’d be a stronger college applicant with two more years of high school under your belt, compared to just one year of high school.

That aside, it’s not really your choice anyway. Your high school will decide whether to put you into 11th or 12th grade. (And if your age allows, they’ll most certainly prefer 11th grade.)

10

Thank you for enlightening me. Haha. Just visited the NYDOE a while ago. I’ll have to be going to 11th.

11

See it as a chance to build an awesome hhigh school record :slight_smile:

12

So that means my 2 As, 5 Bs and 1 C will have been for nothing. ._.

13

No they count for your 9-10th grade Gpa for college.

14

If you will be living in the US for the long term, completing a full high school diploma here is the best choice for you. It will make it much easier for you to get into college, or enroll in trade school, or just get a job. Pay careful attention to the way your credits are transferred. If you don’t understand the guidance counselor’s reasons for placing you in a certain class, ask them politely. Sometimes there can be more than one way to evaluate school records - not all the time of course, but sometimes.

Public high schools in the US are free. Colleges and universities aren’t. Take advantage of everything your high school has to offer so that you have better options when you do get to college.

15

About schools, i’m thinking of going to Manhattan Center for Science & Math. Is it a good choice and would i be able to get in at this stage of secondary education that i’ve completed? Like, i looked up their website and they have placement tests rather than specialized exams. I’m okay with getting into 11th or 12th but i want to avoid 10th by any means. AS LITTLE REDUNDANCY LIKE THAT AS POSSIBLE.

16

You need to contact the high schools directly, and find out about enrollment and grade placement. None of us know that kind of detail. @sybbie719 is one of our experts on the NY region. You could try sending her a PM to ask for her advice.

17

Hi

Pre-k is not considered a level of school in NYC.

Unless you have completed and show proof of completing HS, you will have to show a translated transcript as proof that you have indeed completed high school (or you will not be admitted to college). Otherwise as others state, it is in your best interest to attend high school in NYC. Attending high school will open up opportunities such as applying for Questbridge (if you are low income) and perhaps even having your high school or a community based organization nominating you for POSSE. If you can get some regents and the SAT under your belt, you may be a viable candidate for the McCauley Honors program at CUNY.

What grade were you last in? That is the grade where you will be placed. You will be placed in the cohort for the year that you started 9th grade anywhere in the world.

In order to register for school, you will have to go to the Office of student enrollment for the borough in which you live.

you can find the family welcome centers here:

http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/NewStudents/WelcomeCenters/default.htm

As far as transcripts are concerned, make sure that you have official copies of your transcripts translated into English.
After you transcripts are evaluated by your guidance counselor, you will be placed in your correct grade.

Graduation requirements for NYS/NYC ar as follows:

English

4 years (8 semesters) of English (you must pass the english regents exam)

4 years -8 semesters of Social studies broken down as follows:
2 years- 4 semesters of Global history (a global history exam is given at the end of the second year of global)
1 year-2 semesters of US history (a regents exam is given at the end of US History)
1 semester of US government
1 semester of Economics

Mathematics:

the traditional mathematics sequence is

Integrated Algebra (course culminates in a common core regents exam)

geometry (course culminates in a common core regents exam)

Algebra 2/Trig (course culminates in a regents exam)

Sciences total of 3 years/6 credits

You must have one year of life science (living environment ) and labs ((course culminates in a regents exam)

You must take and pass 1 year of physical science (earth science, chemistry or physics) with 1200 minutes of labs (all physical science courses culminates in a regents exam)

If you are coming to high school for the first time in NYS in the 11th grade the Global regents will be waived. However you will need 4 credits of GLobal history credits in order to graduate.

your third year of science can be any science

**Foreign Language **

1 year- 2 credits regular diploma
3 years 6 credits plus passing the LOTE (languages other than english) exam

SInce you are attending school in the US for the first time after age 11and you are from a country whose first language is not english and having been immersed in the culture, you can pick up 10 credits (5 years of foreign language)

Arts
1 year/2 credits in the arts (performing/visual/history)
Music
Art
Dance
theratre
Drama

7 elective credits

8 semesters of PE (you must take and pass PE every semester you are in school. If you never had PE, you must make up the missing PE)

Exams:

Regents diploma:
You must pass 5 regents exams in the 4 following areas:
English
Mathmatics (1 out of 3) 3 exams if you are getting an advanced regents diploma
Social studies (global and US)
Science (at least one, 2 if you are getting an advanced regents diploma)

If you are in a cohort that is graduating 2015 or later, you are eligible for the 4+1 option to complete your requirements for a regents diploma:

you must pass one regents in the following areas:
English
Mathematics
Social studies
Science
the 5th exam can be either Social studies, Mathematics, or science

Advanced regents diploma

English , 3 math regents (algebra/geometry/ al2& trig) Social studies (US and GLobal) 2 science regents

**Waiving the regents requirements **

If you are coming to high school in NYS for the first time as a junior (11th grade), you can be waived from the global history regents. However, you must still take the 4 courses in global history

If you are coming to high school in NYS for the first time as a 12th grade student you can be waived from the global and one science regents.

Evaluating transcripts

these 2 links will be useful in helping you evaluate your transcript for US schools (happymom, b@r!um, save these links)

http://www.ibe.unesco.org/en/services/online-materials/world-data-on-education/seventh-edition-2010-11.html

http://www.uft.org/files/evaluating-foreign-transcripts-z-manual

http://schools.nyc.gov/Teachers/guidance/Academic/default.htm

click the link for
International Standards _NCAA

hope this helps

18

Wow sybbie719! Thanks so much!

19

Regarding grade placement:

you will be dealing with 2 separate issues:

grade placement will be based on the number of credits you have
Your cohort placement will be important because the school as a whole are evaluated on their graduation rate. They will want as many students as possible graduating with their cohort

You will in a cohort based on where you started 9th grade any where in the world. For example: If you started 9th grade in 2012 and are expected to graduate in June 2016, you are part of Cohort R in the DOE. IF you started school in 2013 with an expected graduation date of 2017, you will be part of cohort S.

It sounds like you are expecting to go to 12th grade and graduate in June 2016, placing you in cohort R.

If you are entering in 12th grade, you will be waived from the global history and science regents. However, you will need the requisite credits to meet the graduation requirements.

Your challenges will be if you have global/world history credits and meeting the Lab requirements (even though you have already taken some of the sciences).

Even though you feel that you should be placed in 12th grade, you may ultimately not be placed in 12th grade once your transcripts are evaluated because of the social studies credits.

You may need 4 credits in social studies. In order to get promoted from 10th grade to 11th grade, you must have a minimum of 20 credits (which I believe that you will have), where you must have 4 credits in English and 4 credits in social studies. Although you would be part of the 12th grade cohort, the office of student enrollment may state that you are in 12th grade, you may end up being in either the 10th or 11th grade once your transcript is evaluated by the school guidance counselor.

you may not have a lot of choice as to where you are placed in school.

You must go to the enrollment office in the borough that you live in for placement

Challenges you may face regarding admissions to Manhattan Center:

Admissions priority is first to students in district 4. District 4 extends from East 96th Street and Second Avenue to East 125th Street and the Harlem River. Although mostly in East Harlem, it also includes Ward’s Island and Randall’s Island. If you are not living in this area, it will be very hard for you to attend Manhattan Center. Just like college admissions, rules are different for transfers.

It will be extremely hard for you to gain admissions if you are not a first time 9th grade student. Admissions to upper grades will be based on seat availability

Because the Manhattan Center is a screened school if the office of enrollment should send you there (meaning they have available seats for your grade), they will review your transcript and give you a placement test before deciding whether to admit you. If you are not on track credit wise to graduate with your cohort, it could impede your admissions because they may not want to take the ding for you not being able to graduate with the cohort.

Have a couple of schools lined up. Manhattan is the only borough where there are not zoned schools. If you do not live in manhattan, you may need to look up what school zone you live in and try to find some matches in the school zone in which you live.

20

I was previously in 11th Grade and I’ve completed my O Levels Cambridge International Examinations, which are quite a lot like the regents in terms of importance and the curriculum. 2 As in English & Biology, 5 Bs in Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Pakistani History/Geography and Islamiat. Also a C in Urdu.But is it necessary to caluculate my GPA or get get it calculated to transfer into an America high school? I really want to go to Manhattan Center of Science & Math, but I’m not sure about all the requirements for the transcript from my previous school in order to transfer to a good high school here so could you enlighten me?

Also, I’m planning on giving my regents for Biology, Physics, Math subjects and Chemistry early, since I’m familiar with all the concepts already. Should I talk to my future guidance counselor about this and would it work? If it worms, does it mean i can skip the grade early then?