International Student

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hey,
I’ve been reading this board to death, and currently I have a few more questions of my own.</p>

<p>Well, before I ask the questions, here’s a little biography of my life.</p>

<p>I’m from the Caribbean, aged 17. In the Caribbean we do an exam called the CSEC, which is equivalent to the British GCSE. I received the following results:</p>

<p>Spanish - 3 (C)
Mathematics - 3 (C)
Biology - 2 (B)
Chemistry - 2 (B)
Physics - 2 (B)
Geography - 2 (B)
Principles of Business - 2 (B)
English Language - 2 (B)
Electricity and Electronics - 2 (B)
Information Technology - 1 (A)</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I realise these results aren’t fantastic. :(</p>

<p>Well, I’ve been ranked in the top 15 in my school year consistently, and placed in the top 10 (they weren’t specific) in my year out of a total of 150 students.</p>

<p>Currently I go a Community College, majoring in Maths, Physics and Geography and frankly - I’m not doing excellent. I’m an A student in Geography, while a C/B student in Maths/Physics. Soon we will receive our year one scores. I’ll update you with them.</p>

<p>Well, if you need anymore information about me to help, ask away, because really - this is the hardest decisions I had to comptemplate, and it really bothers me to be honest. So here’s the questions.</p>

<li>I don’t know anything exactly about the US college system. Will they accept me solely on my secondary school education?</li>
<li>I’m not doing to well at my Community College. Honestly, I really don’t like it there, and I guess the environment itself is negatively impacting me. Do you think they will look at my College grades mostly? (I don’t plan on becoming a transfer student, I will like to start afresh). While reading, I realised American colleges don’t take international students 17 and younger. I won’t be 18 until next year February…</li>
<li>Should I finish college here? Or try to get into the US Education system ASAP? Remember, I’m not comfortable at my current college.</li>
<li>What exactly must I do to get into an American college?</li>
</ol>

<p>Oh, by the way - I’m an aspiring geologist. Thank you very much. I know this was a long post.</p>

2

<p>I'm not familiar with admissions for students from the Caribbean or your syllabus level, so I won't address that.</p>

<p>@ 3. That's completely untrue! US colleges don't have a minimum age limit; I'm 16, as is my brother, I know of two younger people on CC itself, who're also going to the US for college. Don't worry about that.</p>

<p>I've got to leave the computer now, I'll address your other points later. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I can safely tell you that students under 17 are definitely admitted to American colleges, even as internationals (Shrivats and k_twin, both of whom hang around on these boards, are sixteen at the moment, and going to top schools in the fall; I'm fifteen). That shouldn't be a worry for you. </p>

<p>That said, it's probably going to be a tad easier for us to tell you what you'll need if you specify what sort of colleges you're looking at; you'll also need SAT or ACT scores, most definitely, and a list of the extracurricular activities you were involved in at school. </p>

<p>I'm also not sure whether colleges let you start afresh if you've already done a year at a community college; someone more experienced than I might have to answer that.</p>

<p>edit to add: right, so k_twin showed up already, I didn't need to mention him. :D</p>

4

<p>OK, thanks very much. I have to go out, and I forgot to add this question.</p>

<ol>
<li>I'm also considering going to a Canadian university. Does it really make any difference in choosing a US university over a Canadian? And which one is generally easier to get in? eg Uni of Toronto vs Cornell/Brown (will love to get into any of these).</li>
</ol>

<p>When I'm back I'll add more details on my situation. Thanks very much. I appreciate it.</p>

5

<p>Any Canadian university will be much easier than an Ivy league school, or even most other top US schools. UofT isn't particularly hard unless you want to study engineering or some kind of applied science, which are difficult to get into.</p>

<p>In terms of the difference, the top US schools are generally better known than almost any Canadian school; this is especially true the further away from Canada you get, in my opinion. On the other hand, after about the top 10 schools name recognition drops precipitously outside of North America anyways, so it may not matter much.</p>

6

<p>Hmm.. Sir Vidia was in Caribbean few weeks ago.</p>

<p>
[quote]
1. I don't know anything exactly about the US college system. Will they accept me solely on my secondary school education?

[/quote]

GCSE satisfy the minimum requirments at most of the universities. But you grades don't look good to me. Your grades would be a major problem if you are applying for financial aid. If possible retake CSEC/GCSE or the A levels. </p>

<p>At some colleges you can start afresh even after spending a year at CC. It varies with colleges, so it would be better to ask the colleges you are interested in.</p>

7

<p>i;m from the caribbean also i got for the CSEC exams</p>

<p>Spanish - 3 (C)
Mathematics - 1 with distinction(A+)
Biology - 2 (B)
Chemistry - 3 (C)
Physics - 2 (B)
Geography - 2 (B)
Human and Social Biology- 2(B)
English Language - 1 with distinction (A+)
Engish Literature- 4 (D) :(
Information Technology - 2 (B)
Electronic Document Preparation and Management- 1 (A)</p>

<p>Currently i am doing A levels</p>

<p>Pure Mathematics with Mechanics
Physics
Information Technology
Communication Studies</p>

<p>and also have a Diploma in Computer Repairs and Networking and i will be doing my A+ and Networking+ courses soon.</p>

<p>i want to go to college in america or canada, but i'm dead broke. any advice?</p>

8

<p>As long as you're above 16, you'll be admitted. A guy from country got into Amherst - he was 16.</p>

9

<p>You can get in below 16...</p>

10

<p>we are kinda similiar....</p>

<p>I am 15 right now. My grades in High School seems not too well to all the Americans, but universities do take the rank too. So don't worry about that too much!! =) I only have 3.8 (out of 5) but rank about top 10 out of 683 kids in my grade. Besides, my high school is very tough to get in in my country (All 9th graders have to take same exam and place to the high schools base on your scores) </p>

<p>I am doing my first year in CC too!!! and I don't really like here either....=(
Seeking for transfer next year spring. When are you planning to transfer?? What kind of schools you looking for?? Maybe we can help each others. I took SAT last year but the score is not perfect, I am going to retake again on June 2nd. </p>

<p>Anyway, good luckssss!!!!!</p>

11

<p>Advice For Meeee?</p>

12

<p>Take a gap year if you can. It will be richly rewarding. I finished high school at 16, too. Took a gap year, hesitated, and took another one. Although it may not have seemed like it at the time, those two years were no waste of time. They were super good growing-up times.</p>