Moving to the US

<p>As an international student, I'm concerned about my chances to get into a good college in the USA. Curriculumwise I mean. I live in Brazil and I might move to the US and do my senior year in a public school there and then proceed to college, or I might stay in Brazil, finish school here and then move to the USA for college. I'd like to know if by moving to the USA I'd be increasing my chances of getting into a good university as I'd have AP's and probably more EC's available. However, I've also been told that being an international student I'd be competing only against other international students, which would increase my chances, so I don't know which would be the best choice to make and I'd like some advice please.
Thank you in advance.</p>

<p>You haven’t told us the most important factor: can you afford $40-$60,000 per year or do you need financial aid?
Frankly, for the very best universities - Harvard, Stanford, etc. - your chances aren’t good whether you stay in Brazil or do your senior year in the US: that’s because no one’s chances are good for those schools. </p>

<p>As for other schools, there are more than 3,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. , and hundreds of them are “good.” If you have the money, many will be very happy to accept you - without caring where you did your senior year. If you need financial aid, that’s a whole different story. </p>

<p>Yeah, i could only answer now. I will most likely need financial aid, yes. </p>

<p>Would it cost extra to spend senior year in the US?</p>

<p>Also, what major/career interests do you have?</p>

<p>Yes it would, but the price of High School is incredibly cheaper than College, and if it would increase my chances of getting in and getting fin aid then it’d be worth it. </p>

<p>Well, I’m mostly interested in Business, Management and/or Economics</p>

<p>I am not convinced that one year at an American high school would help you. College applications (for selective colleges and scholarships) are due in December or January, before you’d even have a single grade from your American high school. Same goes for ECs. Doing something for 2-3 months before your college application is due, in a low-level position with little responsibility, isn’t going to make a difference for your college application. When evaluating ECs, colleges seem to be looking for sustained commitment and a record of achievement in your chosen field(s). </p>

<p>I think you’d be better off pursing a more substantial extra-curricular project in your home country, where you are able to work on it continuously for the next two years. </p>

<p>Also, it wouldn’t affect your fin aid. You’d still be considered an international student.</p>

<p>Do American public high schools even assist international students in applying for a visa (I don’t think so; I don’t even think they allow internationals to go to public school that way)? Is this a special exchange program?</p>

<p>‘I’ve also been told that being an international student I’d be competing only against other international students, which would increase my chances’</p>

<p>On the contrary, it would decrease your chances of getting admitted to any school with enough $$. Admission rates for every school that offers $$ to international students are below 10%.</p>

<p>International students are NOT disadvantaged by the lack of AP courses.</p>

<p>Hm, I see.
Thank you guys.</p>