French system student

Hey everybody, I am a student in Lycee ( French schools ). And in the French system, High school doesn’t stop at twelfth grade, there is an additional year ( 13th grade ). It’s more like a college prep year ( its a year which we get our high school diploma ). But the problem is that I am interested in going to an American University. So my situation is a little confused. When should I apply for college? If in 12th grade then is it possible to apply without high school diploma? I need help.
Does anyone else are in the same situation? if so contact me?

Thank you very much.

You apply in your last year of high school study. If you plan on going to college after finishing your 13th year, then you apply during the fall of your 13th year. In the US, you don’t typically have your high school diploma yet when applying to college, but will receive it before attending the college (ie within the year). So we apply to colleges Fall/Winter of our senior year (12th grade) in November-January and graduate from high school in June.

Thank you very much, it’s was very helpful.

What is the curriculum in the 13th year? In the 12th year? Do you have any links to help us understand more about your school system?

You need to be on the lycee track that lead to the bac and most likely to receive the bac.The situation in the US is really very similar to that in France. With the possible exception of “trade” schools (quite uncommon in the United States today) the last three years of American high school are equivalent to the 3 year lycee track of seconde, premiere and terminale. The first year of American high school is equivalent to troisieme in the french “college”. The two year lycee track that you allude to in France is for students who do not intend to go to university and who do not require the bac. There is always the issue of what happens if the French student applying to an American university fails to get the bac since the bac exams are taken after American universities have completed their admissions process. It’s likely that admissions is contingent on the applicant successfully getting the bac. I encourage you to talk the process through with a french graduate of a lycee who has gone to an American university.

Coolweather
Here is a link that will explain everything about the French curriculum: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_education_in_France

If you have more questions don’t hesitate to ask me
Thank you very much for giving me your time

Thank you very much for your vast explanation fogcity I will check if there is a way to apply for college in “première” if not I will follow your lead.
Thank you very much.