<p>I'm a citizen of both Russia and the United States and have the option of getting a high-school diploma in both countries. Do I have a better chance of getting into a top college by applying as an international or as a domestic student.</p>
<p>Hahaha... Sorry, there have been way too many posts on this topic recently. There is no difference between the application process for a domestic and an international applicant. It's the same application form, the same questions, all need two recommendations and a high school transcript. There is no box for you to check "domestic" or "international". </p>
<p>The only reason colleges distinguish between domestic and international applicants is to give separate information to different groups of students. US citizens need to know about the FAFSA while foreign students could not care less. On the other hand, students who went to a foreign school (regardless of their citizenship status) need to know how their high school credentials are evaluated.</p>
<p>In another thread you wrote that you have taken 6 APs in a single year. Therefore I will assume that you are already in high school and probably close to graduation. An interesting question would be if you should attend high school in the US or in Russia, but I guess that's not what you are asking. If you are interested in whether you should earn an American or a Russian high school diploma from the school you are currently attending, well, it doesn't really make a difference if they require the same classes. If they require different classes, go for the more rigorous option.</p>
<p>Well, see the thing is I'm going to be a senior and have the choice of either attending my last grade here or in Russia. But yeah, thanks! :)</p>
<p>It could go both ways. I think attending high school in Russia might make you a more interesting candidate, especially if you attend a local Russian school. On the other hand, a Russian school might have less experience with students applying to American colleges and you should probably arrange to get recommendations from teachers at your old school. In the absence of other considerations, which school is the better academic fit?</p>
<p>Undoubtedly, the public school I attend in the US is stronger in that it offers a wide array of AP Courses and has some excellant instructors. The Russian Public Schools I'd be looking into offers courses (that may or may not be advanced) that students in Russia take while on the path to graduating. Part of the reason I want to go to Russia is so that I can get a formal education in Russian literature and grammar as I am what some people call a heritage speaker. While I may have spent a couple summers and winters here and there in Russia, I want to have an opportunity to entirely immerse myself in the different lifestyle. Thus my reasons for going to Russia are not so much academic per se, but an effort to learn more about Russia.</p>
<p>It seems like you already made your decision. Enjoy your year in Russia!</p>
<p>Actually at many schools you do better as a domestic applicant. That is because many of them cap international student numbers. So for example at MIT, the admit rate for internationals hovers around 4%, whereas the admit rate for Americans is several times that. However, at many, if not most schools, you do not have a choice as to what you apply as. For example, at MIT, if you hold a US citizenship or a green card you apply as an American regardless of where you live or go to school. Similarly if you apply from Ames Iowa where you have lived all your life, but you do not hold US citizenship or a green card, then you are an international.</p>