ASAP Advice needed regarding studying abroad?

Student Lounge International Students
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<p>Hello, I'm a 20 yr old freshman philosophy undergraduate in METU in Ankara, Turkey. This is my first post @CC but its not gonna be a short one. :)</p>

<p>I'm facing a dilemma here, and don't really know anyone who can provide genuine, useful help. Which brings me here. I would be grateful if you have the patience to bear with me until the end of this and reply, cause it's a little bit of a life-death matter.</p>

<p>METU is one of the best schools in Turkey, but more renowned in technical subjects such as engineering. I enjoy the campus & studying my major, the professors are also more than adequate to provide it, but it isn't exactly what I hoped it will be when I signed up. It just doesn’t give you a sense of accomplishment, and makes your relationship with mathematics grow cold, which isn’t cool for the brain.</p>

<p>Like many people, I was (and still am) undecided about what I would like to do when I took the exam in the june of last year, because I take an interest in many of the academic disciplines (mostly social sciences, with a recently growing interest in political science). Now because of this I came to think of a more Liberal Arts/Interdisciplinary approach may be better for my character, which isn’t available in my country like it is in the US or other countries. There are only pilot programs here, which are taking baby steps.</p>

<p>Education is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so I don't really want to waste any opportunities that I may have now. My high school wasn’t one that provided help with the foreseeable future, and it didn’t have an IB program either. Despite these setbacks, something inside me tells me to leave (or at least suspend for a while) all my studies here in METU and start preparing for A-Levels or SATs or whatever is necessary. If I get to succeed in anything like that the results would be so rewarding that I wouldn’t regret the time spent towards it, and certainly, an international education is much more rewarding than just staying in my country for another 4 years. I've had enough of my country for the past 20 years already! </p>

<p>However I can think of as many cons as I can think of pros. For example: If I attempt this, it has to be worth it; meaning only real good schools are aimed. Let's say I did get top notch scores from those much-dreaded standardized exams, there is still a chance I may not be accepted to those schools. Further, there's the big issue of finance. It would be completely out of the question if i can't find any scholarships etc.. I know the competition is tough, even more so for internationals but it's not impossible. Nothing is. I wouldn't even think of myself as a student of the school I'm in now prior to the exam that got me here, and now that I am, I figure the limits of what one can achieve isn't very clear.</p>

<p>Currently, my mind is so preoccupied with these it prevents me from focusing on my major. I've been researching for a while, and after seeing many people from diverse backgrounds getting admitted, those top schools don’t look so out of reach to me anymore. I don't have much to lose except time if I go ahead and give it a try. But this state of unsureness is getting to me. Should I stay here and be happy with what I have, which probably won't lead to anywhere (seriously, what can you do with a philosophy degree?) or should I take off to see what's on the other side of the horizon? What do you think?</p>

<p>Thanks for reading and your answers are really appreciated.</p>

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<p>Im going to go out on a limb here and tell you what you dont want to hear. You are 20 yo so I assume you have spent some time after school not studying/participating in organized education. If you start studying for the necessary exams you will then apply in a year, and will receive an answer in yet another year, (next year study, the following year apply, hear in the spring of that year, attend the Sept after). Are you ready to face a situation of being 23yo and not having any undergrad education yet, and dropping what you had _ by this time you could have graduated from your program.
Dont forget, while standardized tests are important, the stuff that is more important are grades and then to a lesser degree extra curricular activities. YOu can have perfect scores but if grades are not all on an excellent level, you are not a contender. Are your grades excellent throughout your high school career? If not, then most likely you will not be getting in, let alone getting financial aid. Its true that nothing is impossible, but there are some things that are pretty much improbable.
You also say that you would want to pursue liberal arts. If you can not see what you will do with a philosophy degree, what would you do with a degree in liberal arts?
Why not get your degree, work while youre doing it to save some money and then apply to a US law school(since youre developing political science interest)
As I started, this is probably not what you wanted to hear, but better set more realistic goals for yourself and succeed, than set an improbable goal and fail.</p>

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<p>Thank you for your interest. In fact, something similar to this was exactly what I wanted to hear because I can’t look in my own situation like somebody from outside objectively can.</p>

<p>Now I think I need to provide a little more detail just to make it clearer. I did not gave a break after high school, not even one year. Just the summer between the senior year and the first semester of college, nothing more. </p>

<p>The reason it may look like its late is because i finished a 4 year long high school in 5 years; repeating 9.grade. However don’t let this make you think it means I was a lousy student, I may have been during the start of HS but who wasn’t? I came to my senses in the last 3 years, my grades gradually developed and I was <em>the</em> best among my graduating class for most of the courses. I think this is one of the things that admissions people look for in people right? Determination to do better.</p>

<p>Moreover, if I plan such an action, the only thing I would need is a few weeks to go over Algebra, Geometry and World History (because some parts of these are not fresh in my mind right now) and than focusing mostly on US History in detail (which I don’t know enough about) for 1 month maybe. SAT I wouldn’t be that hard, and taking 3-4 of SAT II tests might improve my chances greatly. Believe me the entrance exam in my country is much harder than the SAT I (they don’t even remind you the formulas in the math section & you’re not allowed a calculator for example) I don’t see anything improbable in doing these in a relatively short time, and as I said earlier, don’t have much to lose. I can still continue here in case I’m not admitted anywhere else I wish.</p>

<p>If I could get in a great school, why would it matter in which age I do it? There are people 40 years of age getting their first degrees all over the world… I think it’s entirely up to the student in today’s world. And what’s the point with sticking to something if you’re almost sure it doesn’t benefit you in the way you wish? I mean, not even bothering with going to lectures can’t be a good sign right? There’s also the option of being a transfer, but my chances for that is a lot more lower than entering as a freshman; and there’s almost no financial aid for transfers. I can’t say that this past year wasn’t educative though, I learned that I indeed do like philosophy, but from a distance, not so up close :)</p>

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<p>

Most colleges will not let you apply as a freshman. Even if you wanted to throw all of your credits away and start over in a completely different major, you would still have to apply as a transfer student because you have previously been enrolled in college. Unfortunately that means that your options for financial aid are very very limited.</p>

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<p>However don’t let this make you think it means I was a lousy student, I may have been during the start of HS but who wasn’t? I came to my senses in the last 3 years, my grades gradually developed and I was <em>the</em> best among my graduating class for most of the courses. I think this is one of the things that admissions people look for in people right? Determination to do better. – I would say all of the students that apply as internationals wanting aid were not “lousy” at all during their entire secondary schooling. And while admissions people look for determination to do better - if they are going to be giving 50k a year to someone whose parents never paid taxes in this country, you know they want someone who is not just determined, but who proves it in all their courses, not just most. Im sorry if thats harsh, its just the reality of it.<br>
And yes, I totally missed the transfer situation – you will have to show your college year.</p>

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<p>It would be two years in college by the time he goes through the admissions cycle. An international transfer needing aid is in a truly impossible position unless they are accomplished in a huge way with national honors. I think you would have far more success coming to the US for grad school.</p>

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<p>Why don’t you try to finish your bachelor degree at your current university and then apply somewhere else for grad school?</p>

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<p>Thanks for the responses.</p>

<p>@Redroses, cybersentience; I’m think bout undergrad, not grad school. I’m not convinced bout finishing my current degree because of many cons, like a great loss of time. I would rather major in something else and take courses in philosophy instead. Also at this point, I have no clue about grad school, why is it necessary, what happens if you don’t go etc… Its something to think about later</p>

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<p>You need to read everything, and I do indeed mean everything at [EducationUSA</a> | Study Abroad, Student Visa, University Fairs, College Applications and Study in the U.S. / America](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.state.gov/]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.state.gov/) Then you need to make an appointment with the counselors at the advising center closest to you. There are several in Turkey [EducationUSA</a> - Find an Advising Center](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.info/Turkey]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.info/Turkey) These counselors have worked with students just like you before and can help you figure out good options for yourself.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>