junior year-states or shanghai

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>hi there! im an international student going on to my junior year..which is a pretty important year. im contemplating on whether to go to the states this year or to reside in asia. my parents want me to have global perspective and have a more cultural background. buh the thing is i would like to go to college in the states and chances are if i stay here i'd end up going to some chinese college here where i dont exactly excel in chinese, and my english wouldnt be as great as the hs-ers in the states. so my chances are limited. there is ib tho.. but if i move to the US..then i would be missing out the chinese background which my parents oh so want me to haf..but instead i haf a better chance to succeed in getting into my desired college as well as not hafin to pay the international price for tuition. </p>

<p>soo..should i pack my bags, or stay put and make the best of it 2 see the opportunity my parents are trying to make for me.</p>

2

<p>i would go to college over here in the states and mabye spend some vacation time over in asia</p>

3

<p>make sure to know if your really don't have to pay international tuition if you live in the US for only 2 years before college, becuase I was under the impression that if you were not a US citizen, you still have to pay international fees or something like that. Also, moving to the states might not help you that much as it is so late into the college admissions "game". I'd say only move here if you're sure that you can handle getting good grades in the English language at a school here.</p>

4

<p>okay well..ive been a cali resident up until 7th grade..then i left the states...so i would have to pay the international fee.. cuz i think if you go to hs there you don't have to. </p>

<p>the school i go to right now is just..so disorganized and doesnt prepare you much for university in the US. instead, students that care end up relying on themselves stressed and anxious. though...it is easier to get ahead and posess a leadership role but then academically, it gives u a disadvantage when u cant pursue the best you can. it has a good reputation in the eyes of colleges..but thats all just appearance..interior it does haf problems. </p>

<p>states. i would be attending a public high school. but i can catch up in english and ill be ahead in math. i know its not drama-friendly over there though but i already haf friends to help pull me throo..academically it would benifit me more.. i dont know how colleges look at the students in internationals compared to the states though.</p>

5

<p>Your name wouldn't happen to start with a "V", would it?</p>

<p>If you move back to California -assuming that's where you will be going-, as long as you have a permanent residence there for 2 years, you would not have to pay for international tuition to the state schools. Keep this in mind if money is a big issue for you because if you remain in China, you'll then have to consider whether you qualify for financial aid and/or whther you can attain scholarships. (Just for the record, attaining outside scholarships in Shanghai is more difficult than in America)</p>

<p>In terms of education, you'll be given a lot more options in terms of what classes you wish to study. If your school is the school which I think it is -if it's not, you can just ignore this sentence-, it means you won't be forced to take so many science/math oriented subjects and can choose others that may be of more interest to you. </p>

<p>Probably the strongest disadvantage of going to America is the subject of extracurriculars. On one side you'll have a lot more options in terms of sports, clubs, community service, etc. However, on the other it will be much more difficult -though not impossible- for you to gain leadership or an entitled position within said organizations. But then again, you don't necessarily need to be a leader in X club. As long as you are dedicated and show enough passion towards whatever your doing, enable someone of authority to notice, and express your dedication to colleges well enough in your essays, then hte lack of titles won't be a big deal at all. </p>

<p>That was academically. Socially, you have to consider how close you are to the people you are around with and how comfortable you are with the idea of leaving them for extended periods of time (only visiting them over breaks or summer). You'll also need to take into consideration that it is very likely that you'll grow apart from some of your friends. Long distance relationships -of any sort- aren't easy to maintain. </p>

<p>If you stay in Shanghai, you'd be staying in a place you've -I'm assuming- grown comfortable with and you won't have to struggle to adjust under a new enviroment. </p>

<p>I won't say whether or not you'd have to rely on yourself in shanghai more than you would in America because whose to say your future teachers in the US will be any better? Because honestly, you're never going to have teachers that are all, well, great teachers. </p>

<p>What it all comes down to, really, is how you'll be able to take advantage of the opportunities given to you in each case. If you work hard you'll be able to do well in each situation, but it won't be easy. Consider your strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities. Weigh your options and figure out what's important to you (not just academically, mind). Then measure out which case would be better off in allowing you to have the most secure future you can have (in terms of college). If you've done all that, then you should -hopefully- be able to come to a decision or whether or not yo ushould stay or go.</p>

<p>(That was long... apologies for any typos, atrocious grammar/spelling you've likely been subjected to after reading all that)</p>

6

<p>Do you go to sas (shanghai american school)? I have friends there.</p>