International student--help me?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm an incoming sophomore from the Philippines. I study at Ateneo de Manila University, which is one of the top schools in the country. I was thinking of transferring to a UC school next year, junior year. </p>

<p>I kind of slacked my freshman year, because we only took some basic subjects like English, Math, and Science. My overall GPA for my freshman year was 2.7. It's so low, I know. But I'm really determined to have at least a 3.5 this coming year. I never took ACTs or SATs because we don't need them here. </p>

<p>I'm also considering applying for private loans for my studies there.</p>

<p>What are my chances, though?</p>

2

<p>I think the first thing I might need to mention is that usually there is no fin aid for international transfer students. GOOD LUCK~</p>

3

<p>Well I’ve heard that there are loans out there, federal or private. So I might look into those.</p>

4

<p>It’s going to cost US$100k for two years. Is your family prepared? Also, with a lousy GPA, you’re not likely to get admitted. You may say you will try harder next year but that is only words.</p>

5

<p>Like I said, there are private loans out there, so I got the money part covered already. And yes, I can actually get that 3.5.</p>

6

<p>Private loans for US$100k? Are you crazy? You’ll be paying that off for forever.</p>

7

<p>I’ve done a bit of research, and I heard that some loans have a 30-year repayment term. And it’s not like everything I’ll pay for it will come from me.</p>

8

<p>100K+ for a degree… Why not you get your degree at your country first, then you go for graduate study in US?</p>

9

<p>Also, would my staying in CA for about a year before I transfer help at all?</p>

10

<p>I am from the Philippines whose family migrated from the US to the Philippines. So, I would know where you are coming from. </p>

<p>Are you like the daughter or son of a wealthy senator/prominent businessman? I hope you realize that money is really important and I also hope that you do realize that these loans and debts are 100,000 dollars NOT 100,000 PESOS.</p>

<p>Take into consideration the conversion factor. </p>

<p>1$ = about 50 pesos</p>

<p>It would cost your family 5 000 000 PESOS for an education here in the US. Money doesn’t grow on trees. In addition, you should have taken advantage of the Ateneo education. A 2.5 @ Ateneo (despite its rigor and prestige in terms of Philippine education) is very unflattering.</p>

<p>If you really wanted a college education here in US, you should have taken your college education in the Philippines seriously and with full dedication.</p>

<p>Also, I know how you don’t need SAT or ACT in the Philippines but US needs them to properly evaluate you. You might have to take them.</p>

11

<p>Well yes, I understand that about the loans, but I won’t be the only one paying them. I also plan to work in the US. </p>

<p>So does this mean I have very slim to no chances of getting in anymore? I really want to study criminology at UCI.</p>

12

<p>^I’ll look at that more closely for sure. I’m sorry to rain on your parade but it’s notoriously hard to get jobs in US(well, permanent jobs if you’re thinking of paying off a substantial amount on your own, you’ll need one). Hell, even internships are hard because there’s a lot of red tape and unless you are truly exceptional and offer the companies something that the local population doesn’t, they’re not going to spend all the money on lawyers to fight for you. </p>

<p>my friend who’s in cornell right now, government scholar, close to 4.0 GPA at cornell, prior work experience back home, CANNOT find even a paid internship. there’s a thread in CC somewhere about job prospects for internationals with US college degrees in the US. Not pretty is all I can say.</p>

<p>Oh, I realise you might mean work while you’re studying? as a non-resident/citizen yu can work only about 20 hours? probably only on campus(i might be wrong. not sure about that). It’s more for expenses like food/bus fare than paying for tuition/board.</p>

13

<p>Yes, I’m looking for internships, and thank you for your suggestions. My dad and some of my relatives will ‘chip in’ on my loan payments, so it’s kind of okay.</p>