<p>So, I'm currently in my Junior year of high school and I really want to go to U of Chicago after I graduate, but I'm leaving the country (the U.S.) to go to Panama around August and I don't know when I'll come back, so I'll probably finish my senior year down there so as not to prolong my graduation. </p>
<p>I realize that by completing my senior year in another country my class rank will change and so will my grades (since I'm barely able to write in Spanish and that's the main language there).
But will it drastically affect my chances of getting into U of Chicago or any other American Universities? </p>
<p>These are my current stats:
Weighted Class Rank: 2/221
Unweighted Class Rank: 12/221</p>
<p>GPA - Unweighted: 3.95
GPA - Weighted: 4.40
Class Rank: top 5%
Class Size: 221</p>
<p>Significant Extracurriculars:
Green Club (Protested the Keystone Pipeline, Ran Recycling Drives, & more)
Part of the National Forensics League (Debate Team): Qualified for Catholic Nationals 2010, and Regular Nationals in 2011.
Quizbowl
Academic Decathlon
French Club
Book Club
Volunteer/Service Work: Mission For All Nations (Translated), 1 year
United Way of the Midlands (2 years)
(Total Service Hours: 256)</p>
<p>Honors and Awards:
National Honors Society
Distinction Award (GPA above 4.0) 2010, 2011
Outstanding Sophomore English Student Outstanding Freshman English Student
Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Participation & Spirit Award (For Community Service)</p>
<p>Can you stay with friends or relatives and finish school here or perhaps attend an American school in Panama?</p>
<p>Nope. 
I have to go there. It’s horrible.</p>
<p>Well, colleges love diversity. Since you are a foreign student, they might consider you “unique” and they always want diversity so you still have a chance.(:</p>
<p>I would recommend explaining your situation to your counselors and your teachers get sealed official copies of your transcripts and ask specific about having your recommendation letters done before you leave. On the common app, you can have them uploaded, if applying EA/ED and then manually send in your 12th grade transcripts, if you are applying RD or if you have been deferred anywhere.</p>
<p>Even if your family can’t afford the American and internationl schools in Panama, it would be worth applying to them and asking for financial aid.</p>
<p>@Waverly- It’s like you read my mind! 
I was looking them up yesterday and realized that the average annual tuition to attend one is about $10,000 (which I can’t afford. At all) but my mom convinced me to write them a letter requesting financial aid. So, here’s hoping that works. </p>
<p>Thanks @ Sybbie719 and dancechick16. You’ve given me hope. :)</p>
<p>Are you a US citizen or permanent resident, or are you an international student who has been living here for a while? If you are an international, it will be much harder for you to be admitted to college in the US and even harder than that to come up with the money. You need to know that before you get your heart set on returning here for college. You may not be able to afford it.</p>
<p>If you are a US citizen/permanent resident, find out now whether it is possible to retain your state residence for tuition and fees purposes. In some cases it can be done. One poster who has worked with people with that issue is Ana1 it is OK to send her a PM and get her advice.</p>