<p>I'm a student from Malaysia who has recently graduated high school (November 2013) and is currently 17 going on 18 (born in 1996). It has come to my attention that most universities in America have already closed their Fall 2014 admissions. To add to my list of problems, I have not taken the SAT or ACT as they are uncommon in my country. </p>
<p>My questions are :</p>
<p>1) What are my chances of being accepted into the UCs (excluding Merced,Riverside & Santa Cruz) as a transfer student from a 4-year, arguably less reputable university (OSU,CSU,UNH) provided I keep my GPA up?</p>
<p>2) Would my chances increase if I enter a 2-year progression college first?</p>
<p>3) Would it be wise for me to take the SAT/ACT asap and attempt applying to universities (Top 50) with rolling admissions/late deadlines (Fall 2014) or is this a lost cause?</p>
<p>4) Can anyone list reputable universities with rolling admissions/late deadlines and/or spring intakes?</p>
<p>5) I can probably get into certain universities without taking the SAT/ACT which include OSU,CSU,UNH,UVM,USF & UMass Lowell but how do they compare to the UCs?</p>
<p>I think you’d be better taking the year off to take your SATs etc as required by your selected colleges. It also gives you more time to organise what you need to do and when so you don’t miss any deadlines next year.</p>
<p>In the meantime, if family would allow it, you could perhaps work for the year as they money would always be helpful. It wouldn’t affect your applications so long as you’re doing something productive with your time. </p>
<p>Are your family able to pay for all your college education or will you require any financial aid?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You’d be better served by going to a community college in California which has good links with the UCs you’d like to attend.</p></li>
<li><p>See 1.</p></li>
<li><p>Give yourself the time to practice for the tests are they’re extremely important in American admissions. Do yourself justice. </p></li>
<li><p>I’d advise against this as you’ll find making friends and settling in so much more difficult that at the start of a regular academic year.</p></li>
<li><p>Those colleges are all solid but UCB and UCLA are world class.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>What are your school qualifications and how do they compare against other students in your year at school? Best, very good, average, below average, poor?</p>
<p>Basically, take your time and apply in good time next year. You won’t regret it.</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to give a proper reply.</p>
<p>To answer your questions :</p>
<p>1) My family would probably be able to afford the price of college, but financial aid wouldn’t hurt. How often is financial aid given to international students?</p>
<p>2) My school qualifications are basically very good, though we do not use a GPA system here. I am predicting good to very good results for my SPM (Malaysian equivalent of O-Level).</p>
<p>Some more questions of my own :</p>
<p>1) How often do international students go for community college? The stigma still exists to say the least.</p>
<p>2) Opinions on Penn State?</p>
<p>On an added note, it is very rare for Malaysian students to take a gap year, with Asian parents and all.</p>
<p>Your chance for getting admitted as a freshman is way more than getting in as a transfer.
Take the ACT/ SAT now and apply for top public colleges. Many of them have later deadlines.
Penn State is a very good example! And I think it is one the best options for your situation. (For this year: Freshman)</p>
<p>I also recommend Canadian schools. They are easier to get into and mostly they don’t require SAT/ACT… (Mostly: Only TOEFL+Transcript)</p>