Freshman or transfer

<p>Hello, </p>

<p>I am an international student who is 20 years old. I am applying this year to a handful of universities. However, I didn't decide so far whether should I apply as a freshman or a transfer student. Here's my case: I graduated from high school 2 years ago. Enrolled in a foundation year in my home country and completed it. So far I've not completed any semester of my undergraduate studies.The foundation year I completed can't be transfered into an American credit. Moreover, I've not completed any credit of my undergraduate studies.
I need to apply as a freshman because I need financial aid.
Should I apply as a freshman or a transfer?
And if I apply as a freshman without telling any college about my foundation year how can they know?
By the way, it's my first time to take the SAT's. So, I've no scores sent before.</p>

<p>Thank you,</p>

<p>I’m likely not the best person to answer because I’m not that familiar with foundation year. Unless someone here knows about how that is treated, and you don’t even say your country, then you should email a few colleges to ask them. freshman, others don’t. </p>

<p>First, drop the idea of trying to hide your background. That is a really bad start and would be consider fraud if you took funds under false pretenses. Assume you will get caught and kicked out and possibly jailed.</p>

<p>If you qualify for freshman admissions (and it seems chances are good if you weren’t a matriculated student) then the foundation year will help your application and you wouldn’t want to leave it out.</p>

<p>Thank you for your precious response.
Forgot to mention. I am from Egypt, a non-English speaking country.</p>

<p>You need to disclose your foundation year. It’s like a PG (Post Graduate Year) and should be detailed as such - a post high school/pre university year for students who don’t have A-Levels. Apply as a freshman but present your PG year, with the grades in your Foundation subjects.</p>