<p>Hello CC community. I'm not sure if I justed screw myself over big time but I really need some advice. I am 16 years old and just moved from Jamaica to Broward County in Florida (a few days ago) to finish high school. I had applied to a magnet program a month ago but my high school took so long send in my transcripts, I had to come to Florida before the county school board responded to my app. They responded to it today and told me that I cannot go to high school because according to my transcript I graduated from high school in Jamaica already. This is true to some extent as the Jamaican education system is modeled from the British system. In this system you do 5 compulsory years of secondary education (7th-11th grade) and you can then enter the work force. However, if you want to move on to tertiary education you have to spend two optional years in high school and complete a pre-university course of study. I had just completed my first year of pre-university prior to moving to Broward County. Since the county will not let me in high school what should I do? Someone had told me to go to community college but I can't afford the out of state tuition and I am unable to apply for financial aid due to the fact that my mom has never paid any taxes. I can't apply to any colleges in Jamaica because in their eyes I haven't finished high school (you really don't finish until you do the optional 2 years) and someone told me that the more selective colleges in the US would be familiar with the Jamaican education system, and if I were to apply now they would know that I haven't completed high school in Jamaica and they wouldn't accept my application. I am considering going back to high school in Jamaica and completing my final year before applying to colleges in the USA. Any suggestions? I need help ASAP :(</p>
<p>Just to add:</p>
<p>I am actually not a bad student but in the long run I am really hoping to end up in a good 4-year college (probably a top 50 LAC) and I would just like to make the most prudent decision that would help me accomplish this goal</p>
<p>My advice to you is to pick any top university you want and email their admission’s office with the same questions you just asked here. Try to pick one that you are interested in and you should hear back in a couple days, sometimes even the next day. I REALLY recommend that you do this. </p>
<p>My other advice if you don’t want to do that is to just finish school in Jamaica. You say that you aren’t a bad student so what’s one more year?</p>
<p>As you consider your options realize that it’s very hard for international students to get financial aid for college in the U.S. in general, only the most competitive colleges offer such aid, and it’s even more difficult for international students to gain acceptance to such colleges than it is for U.S. students. Consequently, attending college in Jamaica may be your best option.</p>
<p>Thanks Ju_liaa I really should do that!</p>
<p>Northstarmom I forgot to mention that I am a US citizen. Colleges in Jamaica aren’t really friendly to students who hold citizenship with non-Caribbean countries. A friend of mine got rejected from colleges in Jamaica simply because he has dual-citizenship with the US & Jamaica. They just sent him a letter saying that they cannot accept his application due to the fact that he has dual-citizenship with a non-Caribbean country.</p>
<p>I’m confused. You say in your OP that you can’t get financial aid and can’t even afford a CC’s tuition. How are you going to afford a LAC? Merit scholarships?</p>
<p>PBush I can’t get financial aid this year, but by next year my mom should clear up her taxes and I can file a FAFSA.</p>
<p>Are you sure that even with some aid you can afford it? have you calculated your EFC yet? LACs are significantly more expensive than a community college (even if OOS).</p>
<p>Set up an appointment at your local state university admissions office. Explain your situation and see what they advise you to do. Do the same at your local community college. You may also want to contact some of the nonprofits that provide scholarships to minority applicants from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to find out what their requirements are. With the internet, phone calls and the advise of some admissions offices, you can probably figure out what your next steps need to be.</p>