Getting into USC or UCLA from outside of the US?

State Forums
1

<p>I'm a 15-year-old high school student in 9th grade; 10th this september. I go to a boarding school in Switzerland although I am originally from London and my country of residence (residence of my parents) is in England. My current GPA is 3.8 although I am not sure if this is weighted or unweighted as I'm unsure what exactly that means. My grades in most subjects are between a B and an A however I am weak in Mathematics and Chemistry with around an average grade of a C. I'm working on getting my grades up for those subjects and am adamant that I will be able to as I have always had straight As/Bs in all subjects until this year. For extra-curricular activities I have a passion in writing and have won the school's writing contest 3 times consecutively and am currently writing my first novel that is already in final stages that I hope to publish by October.</p>

<p>I am extremely passionate in theatre and have done six diplomas in which all I have a distinction. I also have a passion in film making and have also taken part in various competitions for that. In college I would like to study business and I was wondering what I would have to do (community service ect) in order to strengthen my application to have a fair chance at getting into one of these colleges? Is it unrealistic since I am not even a residence of the United States? It has always been my dream to attend USC or UCLA.</p>

<p>Many thanks.</p>

2

<p>First of all, any student can apply and as long as they have the prerequisites.
UCLA is $60K, USC is about the same amount.
To be competitive, your SAT and ACT scores and extra curricular activities, have to be stellar.</p>

3

<p>$60K? That’s quite a lot… not really sure how I’d afford that…</p>

4

<p>UCLA, a public California State university, does not provide need-based aid to out-of-state or international students. The university is funded by California resident taxes so, any monies are prioritized for the children of state taxpayers; this means OOS and internationals pay full price.
<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/budget.htm#budget”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/budget.htm#budget&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>USC tuition is $62K per year; they do give out some financial aid, but it is limited.
<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/undergraduates2/costs.html”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/undergraduates2/costs.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>So, assume that education in California, at the top schools will cost you about $240,000 over 4 years.</p>

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<p>If you can’t afford the tuition then why do you want to go to colleges in the states. Would a UK or EU be cheaper?</p>

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<p>I guess boarding school in Switzerland is cheap</p>

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<p>My parents aren’t willing to pay for my college tuition, I’d take a loan out either way.</p>

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<p>You’d have to take out private loans from your country-$240K. You wouldn’t qualify for federally backed US student loans.</p>

9

<p>Aren’t there half-decent universities in the UK?</p>

10

<p>Will you be able to pay back your loans in your country? You can’t assume that you will be employed in the US after graduation. Assume after you complete your degree, that you will be returning home.</p>