<p>Hello everyone. I am an U.S. citizen (I was born in the U.S.), but I live and study in Hong Kong for my whole life. I took the local exams - HKCEE and HKALE in Form 5 (Grade 11) and Form 7 (Grade 13) respectively. I have been thinking about studying in the U.S. after I received my HKALE result in the last day of June (<em>sigh</em> because my result is unexpectedly poor that I have no hopes to enter local university...). I had done some researches and I got some questions to ask:</p>
<p>1) Most U.S. colleges require standardized tests results such as AP exams and SAT, but are these tests a must? I have already took TOEFL to prove my English proficiency, but I am not planning to take SAT as I may I need months to prepare for it. Would the colleges in U.S. consider my CE and ALE exam results instead of SAT? </p>
<p>2) Even if my academic results are considered, what do I need to do to show the differences of the grading systems in H.K. and U.S.? Or would the colleges evaluate my grades themselves?</p>
<p>3) Now most of the 4-year colleges do not accept application for Fall 2009 anymore. The choices I have is very limited now. Is it possible for me to apply for a community college for Fall 2009 to attend some ESL/Math classes first, and then apply a 4-year college in August (when the online application is available for Spring 2010) as a Freshman?</p>
<p>I particular want to know how would CUNY deal with a case like me. Do anyone have similar experiences?</p>
<p>Thank you very much for reading my post. I really hope someone can help...</p>
<p>You may or may not know this, but some schools in the U.S. do not require SAT scores. Most of these are small liberal arts schools. They include Bates, Sarah Lawrence, Smith, Bowdoin, Bard, Hampshire, Hamilton, Wake Forest (actually a university), and Bennington, among others.</p>
<p>Here is the list of test optional schools: [Optional</a> List | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]Optional”>ACT/SAT Optional List for Fall 2025 - Fairtest)</p>
<p>Colleges will get info from your guidance counselor on what the grades mean.</p>
<p>I think you can always apply to a CC.</p>
<p>1) Most schools require the SAT or ACT, and will not accept other exams as substitutes.</p>
<p>2) When your school submits your grades to the colleges/universities to which you apply, the registrar will be expected to include an explanation of the grading system your school uses.</p>
<p>3) Yes, you can still apply to community college for the fall, but you will have to check the websites for each of the schools in which you are interested to see if they still have space available. However, if you attend a community college first you have to apply to a four year college as a transfer student; you will no longer be eligible to apply as a freshman.</p>
<p>“I particular want to know how would CUNY deal with a case like me.”</p>
<p>You should telephone the admissions office and talk to them in person. They have applicants like you every year and will know how to advise you. If it is too hard to telephone them, send an email to the admissions office instead.</p>
<p>If you are enrolled in ESL classes rather than in academic classes, you would apply to colleges/universities later as a freshman student. Most community colleges do not require the SAT or ACT. They have their own placement exams. </p>
<p>As a US citizen, you have the option of moving to the US to live and work. Each state has its own requirements for length of residence before granting you in-state status for tuition and fees. In Maryland, you would be in-state for tuition and fees at the community colleges after living here for three months. You would need to be in Maryland for 12 months to qualify for in-state tuition and fees at the public universities. The rules are very different from one state to another, and some will not want to allow you resident rates if your parents’ home is overseas.</p>