<p>Sooo I'm starting this thread because I am having a mini-meltdown from finals cramming (omg calc, linear, poli sci and german are attacking my quality of life <em>died</em>) This has been bothering me for some time, because I'm technically an international student since my F-1 visa expired recently. meaning that I cannot apply for fin. aid. anywhere until I get my greencard, which might take another year or so (at best...damn INS). I'm a freshman (though credits wise I'm a sophmore) and I expect to have over 85 credits by the summer(about 43 are AP creds), so should I apply for sophomore or junior standing? If I apply as a junior, I can graduate in 2 years and possibly save myself 50K of debt (i have to pay out of pocket for next year definitely, the year after possibly). But I want to transfer to one of my top choices successfully this year more than I want to save 50K ( I know, I'm crazy). So I want to transfer for the standing that will make it more likely for me to get accepted. So should I transfer as a junior or a sophomore?</p>
<p>Also, some places like Cornell require int'l. applicants (me) to submits a bank statment saying that I can finance the tuition at the school. But I have barely 10K in my bank accounts (same with my folks). I'll have to take out a <em>private loan</em>, but I have no idea how to, and from which bank. Can anyone walk me through this process? I feel that if I don't have enough money to cover the tuition in my family's accounts, it will have a very adverse affect on my chances anywhere (especially b/c I won't/can't apply for FA). How long does it take to get a loan approved?</p>
<p>Generally colleges tell you how many of your past credits they will accept and this determines your class standing. Top schools are more likely to limit or not offer AP credit. Colleges will post their AP policies on their websites.</p>
<p>You might have to wait to apply to schools until you have your green card.</p>
<p>My kids applied as freshmen and when their AP scores were sent (in July before college started), the school changed their status to sophomores. </p>
<p>It was better for my kids to apply as freshmen because by applying as freshmen they qualified for all the merit scholarships for incoming freshmen.</p>
<p>In your case, you should apply as an incoming freshmen to schools that will give scholarships to int’ls. Then in July, Collegeboard will send your scores and the college will automatically update your status according to the college’s rules for AP credits - each school has different rules for AP acceptance. Have you looked into how your choices apply AP Credits?</p>
<p>Applying as a freshman (or whatever) doesn’t determine how long you have to be at the college. You can graduate as soon as you have enough of the right credits - whether that’s in 2 years, 3 years, 4 years or more. College isn’t like high school.</p>
<p>Isn’t the OP already in college and trying to figure out about when to transfer? With 85 credits at the end of spring the OP can’t apply as a freshman.</p>
<p>OP you can’t really decide your own transfer standing. The schools will decide that based on your transcripts and what they will or will not accept of what you have already done. For a school that will accept all that you have , APs and college classes, you will probably already be considered a junior (almost a senior) with 85 credits. For a school that will not accept everything you already have you may be a junior. it will depend on the school. I don’t think you get to choose.</p>
<p>Agree w/scm, the OP is applying as a transfer and it’s up to the school to determine how many units they will accept and how long it will take her to complete their degree. Perhaps the loan experts here could address her more pressing problem/question:</p>
<p>You’re right, he’s a freshmen in college, but will have junior standing by summer (because of all his AP credits.)</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter how you apply (soph or junior) - that doesn’t determine the number of years that you must stay at the college to graduate. So, the “saving money” issue doesn’t matter. You can graduate when you have enough credits. You can essentially “skip” a year. This isn’t high school where you must spend a year as a fresh, soph, jr, senior.</p>
<p>Your new school will look over your transfer credits and decide how many credits it will accept. Not all schools accept AP credits the same way. Some are more strict about AP credits, so you’ll have to wait and see how many credits your new school says that you have. That will determine whether you are a soph or junior.</p>
<p>thank you all for your input. i guess it ould be best for me to apply for sophomre standing, and if accepted, try to transfer as many credits as possible. Even if none of my AP credits are taken, I can still hope for around 30 credits to transfer.</p>
<p>@college_ruled: why would it be better for me to apply after I get my greencard? Realistically speaking, although my petition for a greencard has been approved, i still need to get the final application approved and get an interview with an INS official before I receive permanent residency. This is not an overnight process by far, as the entire process can take over 2 years. By then, i’ll already have a BA and transferring would be pointless. which I don’t want because i want to transfer as soon as possible. I don’t want regret my college years in the future because I spent them at a place I hated.</p>
<p>Also, a modification on my status. Since my petition got approved, I am not yet a permanent resident, but I am also not an internation, since i have proof of NY state residency from (you cannot obtain this unless you have at least permanent residency; since i am well into PR proceedings, my college assumed it was as good as officially being a PR). I still doubt I can apply for aid though. With that being said, should I put down “permanent resident” or “international” on the common app? i dont physically have a greencard yet, but I have an approval for a greencard, which means i will definitely get it in the next few years.</p>
<p>You <em>could</em> take time off of school until you get your green card. I suggested waiting because many students are finding it hard right now to find private loans for that much money, and the top schools might offer need based financial aid to you in the future. If I were you, I would check that getting a private loan is feasible before applying to schools. </p>
<p>Oh, and if you are 100% certain you want to leave your current school, you should have safeties. Transfer acceptance rates are almost always lower than for freshmen at the top schools.</p>