<p>I need some help here. So, I have relatives who are currently living in the United States and are going to high school. I'm guessing they are on a student visa.</p>
<p>My question is, how exactly do they go about applying to college? Their English skills are no where good enough for them to be able to do well on the SAT. </p>
<p>They are currently in 9th grade, but might be able to skip ahead to 11th grade because they've finished most of the requirements from their home country. But again, their English skills are a bit lacking. Anyone know the process for an international living in the United States to go to college?</p>
<p>The guidance counselors at your cousins’ high school probably have experience in working with international students and will advise them on their options. If this is their first year in the US, chances are that they are in ESOL classes for three or four hours each day, as well as in several academic courses that are taught in English. They probably will continue ESOL instruction during the summer as well. Yes, it is not likely that they will perform as well on the ACT/SAT as a native speaker, or as students who have spent more time in an English-language school, but it really doesn’t matter. They will also take the TOEFL, and their academic records (half from the US, half from another country) will make very clear that they are still mastering English. The real challenge will come if they need financial aid for a college education. At that time, they will be put into the same pool of applicants as international students who have been fully educated abroad. It won’t be easier for them to get financial aid than it would be for you.</p>