My parents are Taiwanese with American citizenship and I was born in the US. I went back to Taiwan in fourth grade and have been here since. I will be starting 10th grade this year. I plan to go to college in the US, but I don’t know if I’m an international student or citizen. Can anyone help me? Also, what do I need to take as an international student or American citizen? (My dream is MIT.) THX!!!
You are a US citizen educated abroad. Contact the admissions offices at the colleges/universities on your list, and ask EACH of them what information you need to send them. Do not be surprised if each place gives you different instructions. That is OK. Just send A whatever A wants, and send B whatever B wants.
Two very good things are 1) you are a domestic applicant for financial aid purposes, and will be able to file the FAFSA which qualifies federally determined financial aid including student loans, and 2) you don’t have any restrictions on where you can work while a student or after you graduate. However, because your parents are living outside the US, it will be very difficult for you to qualify for in-state tuition and fees at public colleges and universities - in almost all cases you will have to pay out-of-state rates.
One good place to get advice for your specific situation is at the closest office of EducationUSA. There are two in Taipei: https://educationusa.state.gov/find-advising-center?field_region_target_id=&field_country_target_id=283&field_center_level_value=All I expect that some of the counselors there have worked with US citizens before, and will have ideas for you.
Wishing you all the best!
U are an American student residing abroad. If u are not educated in an English language school, u should contact the school and ask if you need to take the Toefl. Don’t assume schools all have the same policy.
Thanks very much! I have been troubled by this question for a long time, and some of the college’s websites don’t give me a very clear explanation. Thanks again!!!
hey, hijacking this thread, what if your a taiwanese citizen who has been living the the US for 16 years, has a green card, but no citizenship. are you an international student?
FakeCat - No, you would be considered as a domestic applicant because of your green card.
No matter if you are considered as domestic or international student, you will be read relative to students at your school, region, country.
thanks @oldfort 
Star: you are a citizen by birth. You have the right to obtain a US Passport if you wish to prove it, though you can likely use you birth certificate stamped by the state/city where you were born.
This comes with responsibilities though. Unless you renounce that citizenship, you will be subject to tax in the US no matter where you live. If you want to be in the US, this may be a good time to get the passport. If you want to move back to Taiwan and work, it may be a problem to have to file US taxes annually for the rest of your life. Choose wisely…
Will u be needing financial aid to attend college in the US? If so, have your US citizen parents been filing US income tax returns since they the US?
This.