<p>Hello!
My name is Gabriele, I'm 18 years old and I'm writing from Venice (Italy).
I'm studying Information Technology at High School, and this is the last year in High School for me.
Here in Italy there aren't Colleges, we have only 5 years of High School, and then only University.
My dream is to study at MIT, but to be admitted could be so difficult for me.
At first for language, because I speack Italian as first language, at school I study english and I ddo well, but my English knowledge can't be compared with the knowledge of students from other countrys.
So, this is the first very big problem.
Then I've the standardized tests, this is not clear for me, must I complete the TOEFL and only SAT Subjects Tests (in math and physics), or both Subject and Reasoning Tests?
Here next TOEFL and SAT Tests session is in first decade of December. My english teacher says that I must speak a lot of english before the tests, what do you think I can do to improve my english skills and prepare to the exams?
For the rest, I love programming, I follow 5-6 projects at the same times, as robots and programs' projects.
Unlikely I haven't never won awards or prizes, but this will haven't influences on the application, is it?
What do you think about my situation, could this dream be realized or I must forgot it?
Thank you very much!
Gabriele</p>
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<p>In the U.S., “college” is used to mean the same thing as “university”. It’s not something in between high school and getting your degree (which is what it seems to mean in other countries?).</p>
<p>Anyway, you can take either the TOEFL or the SAT Reasoning. International students tend to perform better on the TOEFL, from my understanding. Your English seems quite good, though.</p>
<p>Ooops, I don’t know this, I read 2 o 3 document about school in USA, and it distinguish High School from Colleges and Universities.</p>
<p>So I could do only TOEFL and SAT Subjects. Very good, the bigger problem is for the TOEFL, because for the two subjects I don’t think I’ll have big problems. In math I haven’t problems, and in Physics I’m reviewing all the program following the SAT subjects tests book, because in Italy we studied it only for the first two years, and then I used it only for personal research.
Thank you
Gabriele</p>
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<p>Right. High school is what you attend when you’re about 14-18 years old, college or university is what you attend when you’re about 18-22 years old (assuming you’re taking the “normal” route). Universities are generally bigger, do more research, etc, but can be referred to as “colleges” in the US. There’s no real standard definition :)</p>
<p>Admissions knows what to expect from people who don’t speak English as their first language. Just study up and do your best on the TOEFL 
The idea is that, since MIT is all taught in English, students should be able to have enough understanding of English to do well here. If you can pass that bar, no problem :)</p>
<p>Re SAT/TOEFL: See the MIT admissions website for specific testing requirements, as well as the minimum score you’ll need on the TOEFL.</p>
<p>[MIT</a> Admissions: International Applicants: Helpful Tips](<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/international_applicants_helpful_tips/index.shtml#testingrequirements]MIT”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/international_applicants_helpful_tips/index.shtml#testingrequirements)</p>
<p>Make sure to complete your SATII requirement by the January test date.</p>
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<p>Actually according to the US Department of Education, there is a significant difference. A college is an institution of higher education that can offer degrees up to a Bachelor’s degree in Sciences or Arts (BSc or BA). Whereas a University can offer both Bachelor’s degrees and graduate degrees such as Masters degrees and doctorates.</p>
<p>The tricky bit is that there is some significant overlap. For example, Harvard University is made up of a collection of schools, one of which is Harvard College which is that part of the university that educates many of its undergraduate students.</p>
<p>You need to improve your english and meanwhile you have to do a course about TOEFL. The TOEFL is not so difficult, but you have to study a lot in order to get ready for the exam.
The other huge problem is SAT, which is considered very difficult by the american students; so it won’t be easy for an international student.</p>
<p>Are you going to apply for the class of 2015?
You don’t have any time to prepare 4 exams in one month. 
If you are well-prepared, go ahead!</p>
<p>Thank you all to have reply.
I’m looking to enter in next year i september, so, my standardizeds’ tests must completed in next January.
For the SATs i’m preparing for the two subject tests (Math and Physics), and for the TOEFL too, I decided to try, the worst of ipothesys is that i lose 1 year, 250(Toefl)+70(Admission) euros…In the Best I’ll get in MIT!!!
Thank you!
Bye</p>
<p>I didn’t understand you.
Are you going to lose one year of education for MIT? it doesn’t worth.</p>
<p>Yes…you haven’t undestood me!
I said that in the best case in next year I’ll get in MIT, in the Worst I’ll get in 2012, having a gap year in wich i can study English and re-take the TOEFL and re-try th admission at MIT.
Is it ok?
Bye
Gabriele</p>