<p>I'm an international student admitted to Transfer at undergraduate level for next Fall (engineering major). In the process, I will perhaps lose a year meaning that though I should enter Senior year if I stayed in my country, I would perhaps have to enter Sophomore in the US College (won't know before September).</p>
<p>So my question is: would the fact that I will be 2 YEARS older than the average student (I lose 1 year in transfer + I had lost 1 year in my country ) a bad point for my employer (industry or finance) after my BS (or grad school if I decide to go for one) ? </p>
<p>The thing is, the US College I've been admitted to is good, but if being 2 years older IS a bad point,
I could always decide not to transfer in the end and stay in my country.</p>
<p>Being a slightly older student (2 years isn't that much) is not frowned upon. It can be slightly awkward socially, but usually it isn't. You shouldn't run into problems with employers either.</p>
<p>It depends on your field of study, but it may be worth finishing in your own country and then coming to the US for grad school. </p>
<p>Transferring to the US from elsewhere is hard--I did that myself. Good luck!</p>
<p>Actually, older students are usually considered to be more mature by prospective employers / graduate / professional schools. But I think PKswmr76 has a good question. Where will you be transferring from and to?</p>
<p>Thanks, good news.
I'm doing France -> Caltech.</p>
<p>noct: I know it would be more confortable to enter the US at grad level. But isnt it true that I could have better chances at grad schools coming from a Us College (even though I would still be considered as an internationa student ? And what was the hardest thing for you when transferring ?</p>
<p>Uh yeah I would definitely do it. Caltech is very tough to transfer into and an extremely well respected school, which will really help you when it comes time to apply to graduate school.</p>
<p>I agree with brand_182. Caltech is an amazing school and I would say it's definitely worth it. I don't think the 2 years will be a problem either.</p>
<p>
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I know it would be more confortable to enter the US at grad level. But isnt it true that I could have better chances at grad schools coming from a Us College
[/QUOTE]
I wouldn't say that's generally true, but Caltech you will certainly give better chances than a not so well known non-US-College.</p>
<p>i am also 2 years behind. i worked for a year after hs, and lost a year because of transferring. it's not awkward at all. you may be older than most of your classmates, but it's not a big deal at all. most people wouldn't even know anyway, and if they do know, they're like, oh, cool. </p>
<p>you'll also find that there are many other "non-traditional" students at every college or university. i thought it would be a weird transition for me, but it is totally fine. also, prospective employers would not even know your age unless you tell them. and even if you do, i don't see why it would hurt you in any way.</p>
<p>Thanks for answers, they are all pro-tranfer.</p>
<p>racnna: the previous caltech transf exam was about testing basic skills (basic theorems and procedures in mechanics, EM, linear algebra, diff equation,...) and rigour (don't make errors while calculating quickly), don't plan reviewing quantum stuff. I guess you must complete it as much as you can so...its not easy.</p>
<p>You're correct that it will be easier to apply for graduate school in the U.S. coming from a U.S. undergraduate institution. That was the reason that I transfered back to the US. However, if you are really that close to finishing as a science major at the top of your class and your transfer prospects are good state schools in the US, you might just be better off getting a degree in your home country. However you are talking about Caltech and that's a whole different story.</p>
<p>Definitely take the transfer to Caltech. Caltech is an amazing school and has a lot more to offer than just making it easier for you to transfer to a U.S. graduate institution. </p>