Common App and International Students

<p>Hey everyone !</p>

<p>I have a few questions concerning applications. First off, i'm a French student looking forward applying to school in the US for next fall (2013).</p>

<p>As i'm looking at the preview available on the commonapp website, i see stuff i wouldn't know how to complete; the school system in Europe and specifically in France is very different than in the States. For instance, we don't have a GPA with classes and credits nor AP, Honors classes ... Also there is a numerous amount of things my councellor wouldn't know how to complete since they don't do that here, and to be honest, don't really care about students asking for help to study abroad. So here are my questions, to intl' students or whoever can help.</p>

<p>How did you complete your application when what was asked didn't correspond to anything familiar in your home country ? </p>

<p>I don't go to an international school and teachers barely speak English here, i don't think my councellor would be a big help on my app. If all my info are accurate, do you think i could fill it myself ? It would spare me time and misanderstandings.</p>

<p>Also, i wanted to know if and how schools check intl' students info ? Especially if the country is not English speaking ? I don't see Admissions calling my little school in France to check every grades i entered on my applications, but could they ?</p>

<p>Thank you for your help and good luck on your apps if you're applying for fall 13' !</p>

<p>Help, anyone ?</p>

<p>Yes, the Common App doesn’t really “fit” most international student applicants. Do you have a list of schools in which you are interested? Most schools will have information on their Website for international students who wish to apply. I would suggest you seek out this information and e-mail the contacts you find on these sites with your questions. You might start out simply by asking who to contact for help with applications from students in France and go from there.</p>

<p>I assume you know some of the requirements will apply to you regardless of your international status. Most schools will want to see a transcript (record of your grades/scores and courses) and will want you to take the usual standardized tests (SAT or ACT, maybe more). You will have until about December to take these if you have not already.</p>

<p>Most of the schools i am applying to use The Common App, i am definitely going to e-mail Admissions about my issues but i am surprised i can’t find more info on the Internet for international students.</p>

<p>I was also wondering, since i already have letters of recommendation for my teachers, if i could just scan them back on my computer and attach them to my commonapp online but apparently it has to be sent by the teachers themselves along with the TE. Can’t i just print out the form, hand it to my teachers, collect them and upload them online ?</p>

<p>Thanks for your answers !</p>

<p>Did you check on fulbright France ? I know there are two counsellors there : maybe you could take an apointment with them to help you fill your application (20€); I’m french too but my situation is less tricky since my counsellor has already filled the Common App twice (one went to Duke O_O), if you need any informations, contact me .</p>