<p>I'm considered an international student since I am not an U.S. citizen/permanent citizen, but I have attended a competitive school in California for my entire high school career and taken a pretty rigorous course load. Do you think the colleges that I'm applying to would take into consideration that I attended an American high school and be more lenient towards me than the other international students?</p>
<p>Yes, your application would be evaluated in the context of the American school system. You would be held to the standards of American applicants, not foreign applicants.</p>
<p>I believe your situation will be to your disadvantage. Colleges accept much fewer internationals and offer less aid to them. However, internationals usually have the advantage of having more lenient SAT verbal section requirements (because of the language differences).</p>
<p>As you are a non-citizen you will not be eligible for any federal funds that are given to colleges but because you’ve studied in the US for a long time colleges won’t be as lenient towards your tests.
I guess, you’ll also be required to take the TOEFL.</p>
<p>@ b@r!um: Does that mean that I will only be an international student by name ( and in terms of financial aid) while in actuality my chances of getting into a school will be almost the same as a regular, citizen applicant? </p>
<p>@ Bilguun: Thanks for answering! ;D</p>
<p>As far as I know, you are not required to take the TOEFL because you come from a school in the US which means English is the language of instruction. Check your colleges’ websites, though, as I might be wrong</p>
<p>You are classified as an international student because you aren’t eligible for the kind of aid a US student is, and because you probably will need an F-1 visa (check the rules about your current visa status if you don’t have an F-1 now).</p>
<p>Since your transcript, ECs, letters of recommendation, etc. will be from your school in the US, they will be much easier for the admission office to interpret. How this actually will play out at any given college or university is beyond our level of expertise.</p>
<p>Like everyone else, your biggest issue probably will be money. Find out from your family (or whoever it is exactly who will be paying for your education) just exactly how much money is available, and make your plans accordingly.</p>