<p>I know topics such as this has been talked about many times before, but my situation very particular, so please bear with me, thank you. You see I am a US citizen, but I haven't been living in the US for around 7 years now, and I have taken a gap year off after graduating high school in Hong Kong. My gap year is in its second half now and I need to start preparing for college entrance. But I don't have the slightest clue about college admissions in the first place, it's especially more confusing now after a gap year. I have emailed certain colleges for admission info and by the looks of it I will still be considered as a domestic student, which will allow me to apply for federal aid (thank god for that). But here's my biggest problems and questions.
After so many years out of the US, can I still be counted as an in state student? I still have my state ID card which hasn't expired yet.
How will I apply for freshman scholarships if I never had a GPA score before in high school? In Hong Kong they don't use the GPA system until university level. I can get my SATS as a private candidate here easily, but I'm most worried about having no chance of getting grants.
I know the national application deadline is May 1st. Is it ok if I apply after that date and what do I stand to lose if I do apply after that date? I don't want to rush to take the SATS after so many months out of school, but in Hong Kong the only SATS testing periods before are in JAN and APR only, and I doubt I can get my test scores back in time before the national deadline if I test in April.
Last, is there anyway I can use my experience as part of the Hong Kong junior rowing squad to my advantage to get some grants or easier admissions? ( I have retired from active rowing at elite level since I turned 18 last year, but I would love to compete again at the collegiate level and maybe trail for the US U23 Team) (But please to anyone who has rowed before don't laugh when I tell you that I am only 170cm/62KG with an erg score of only 7.00, I've always been a technical rower so my water times which I know can vary greatly depending on conditions, is between 720-740 on a single.)
I'm sorry if this is a lot to read, but I really don't know anything after so many years out of the states. The reason I'm asking so much about grants and aid is that I heard too many horror stories about student loans and my family aren't some well off diplomat or expat, so a 20K USD a year education is really pricey.
thanks for any advice given later.</p>
<p>You don’t mention where your state residency so I’ll just direct you to the internet to search residency and admission timelines at colleges in your state. All state schools have this information available publicly. </p>
<p>The criteria for residency vary depending on your age and whether you still live with parents. For example, if you are considering California schools, you might look here: <a href=“CaliforniaColleges.edu”>CaliforniaColleges.edu. If you are under 18 then your parents’ residency will determine your residency. Most probably, if you have lived with your parents in Hong Kong for 7 years you will not be eligible for in-state tuition in any of the 50 states at least until you have returned to the US for a full year.</p>
<p>It sounds like the May 1 deadline you have read about may apply to a school with rolling admission. There is no ‘national application deadline’ and few selective US colleges accept applications that late. If you are hoping to attend a selective school, there can be a big advantage to applying earlier in the admissions season (as early as August in some cases). By May, many schools with rolling admissions have filled all available slots or have become extremely selective in their admissions process. </p>
<p>On the other hand, there are plenty of schools that are not selective in their admissions process. Some accept applications through May 1 and possibly beyond that date. Community colleges and many other schools take nearly all applicants. You may be available for loans or grants at these sorts of schools. </p>
<p>Your application will be based on your Hong Kong schooling and you will need to provide those transcripts. Don’t worry that they don’t reflect grades consistent with the US norms. Most colleges in the US get plenty of applicants from abroad and have admissions officers familiar with international high school transcripts. You should be considered for financial aid and scholarships similar to other US applicants. </p>
<p>If you are aiming to start school in the US in August 2014 and have not yet taken SATs, you are well behind the curve. Many application deadlines have already passed at selective schools and your choice of potential colleges at this point is quite limited. Many scholarship deadlines have also passed already. </p>
<p>You will need the same materials to apply as a freshman as any other first year applicant. These include high school transcript and school report from a counselor at your high school, teacher recommendations (for many but not all colleges), and test scores. You will also need to complete FAFSA (the financial aid application).</p>
<p>There isn’t much info on reputation or anything here. Is there any you would recommend I take a look at. If I don’t count as in the state anymore, any university in the whole is ok for me now. Also dont know if it helps or not, but I’m a male - so please don’t recommend NCAA rowing to me. But thanks for your detailed reply.</p>
<p>It’s going to be very difficult for someone to recommend schools to you based on the limited info you’ve posted so far. You’re moving away from common app questions, so at at this point you are better off starting a new thread in the college search and selection forum: [url=<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/]College”>College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums]College</a> Search & Selection - College Confidential<a href=“Don’t%20post%20the%20same%20question%20in%20two%20forums,%20though,%20like%20you%20did%20with%20this%20one.”>/url</a> Include information about your grades, academic interests, what you want to study, large school or small, rural or urban, and financial aid requirements. Also make it clear you are still intending to apply for admission for fall 2014 and haven’t taken SATs. You will get lots of advice!</p>
<p>I’ll do that</p>
<p>Is it possible for me to go to community college first then apply for fall 2015? And if u go to CC can I spend that year to reestablish residency? Because like you said, if I apply this late, my choices are very limited, not many schools will consider me, and the upfront cost of paying every school OOS price</p>