<p>here's the thing. i'm currently a junior at a highly regarded public in the US with great numbers (top 10%, AP's, blah blah), heavy involvement in extracurriculars, several leadership positions, varsity athlete, a minority, and a very unique background. sooo my dad recently told me we're moving back to europe (i lived there for about 3 years during my pre-school years). in the states, i am not a permanent resident but i will now be considered an international student but i will be attending a very good private school. however, i really want to go to college in the US and I'm looking at very good schools. what really bugs me is that every accomplishment ive achieved in the past few years in high school will suddenly drop like a cliff because i wouldnt be able to continue.</p>
<p>please tell me, exactly how screwed am i in the admissions process? is this a good thing or a bad thing? anyway, if anyone has any ideas on how to cope with this situation, please let me know.</p>
<p>i appreciate you reading this and thanks for your responses!</p>
<p>"what really bugs me is that every accomplishment ive achieved in the past few years in high school will suddenly drop like a cliff because i wouldnt be able to continue."</p>
<p>No, you will just doing different things next year.</p>
<p>You may want to speak with your teachers about obtaining letters of recommendation - this is not uncommon for students switching schools. You may also consider talking with the adults associated with your EC's about an additional letter of rec or two.</p>
<p>If you are at a competitive HS, the guidence office may well have experience with students leaving senior year. I would suggest that you discuss your concerns with guidence early on.</p>
<p>On the posititve side - if you are not ranked at the top of your school, you may be going into the admissions process without a rank (because of the move) but with the name of your HS.</p>
<p>If you will be requiring financial aid, remember that the situation is really tough for international students - so be even more careful with your list.</p>
<p>I attended 3 HS's (only one of them good), and I wish I had been able to stay at one. It did teach me to adapt quickly to new situations, so it was not all bad. </p>
<p>One more thought - you may want to try to get some school visits in while you are still on this continent! Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>many applications have a place where they invite you to tell them "anything" about your school history that affects your ap positively or negatively. That would be the place to mention a senior year move. Since it's something you can't control, and you can only control your response to it, work on making that transition as positive as humanly possible. Keep a log, if you wish; maybe it'll be fodder for a good application essay on "meeting challenges" and other things they love to ask. My S wrote about having to move all over as he grew up (clergy dad) and how it caused him to understand how to recreate community. I always thought it was a good essay topic, not only b/c it was true to his life experience, but b/c it told the colleges (subliminially) that he knew how to move out of his comfort zone,which is what starting college is all about. It is no fun to be moved senior year, that's for sure, but try to make the best of it; at least you've got a good private school to look forward to. The longterm interest of your unusual background and whatever it is that your family does remains alive, no matter from where you apply. Focus on the positive, and remember Robert Kennedy on having the wisdom to distinguish between what you can and can't control.</p>
<p>Have you spoken with your dad about the possibility of delaying his move for one year until your aps are done, then letting you live out second term senior year with a trusted friend or relative, in order not to have to move you? Does he understand your situation, or are his hands tied?</p>
<p>correction, 2 posts above: I meant to write: subliminally, not subliminially!!</p>
<p>wow, thank you so much for all your help!! ive gotten some great insight into what to do.</p>
<p>ohio mom, yea ill defenitely talk to my counselor. however, with what you said about an "expunged" class rank, my class rank is actually the good part in my GPA, since before this year i had a 3.6UW, so in a way my high class rank (based on a weighted average) would maybe balance this out.</p>
<p>thanks for your advice too paying tuitions and yes ive talked to my dad but i dont think he truly understands how bad this is for me. he's like 50 and im the oldest child so he doesnt know how competitive modern admissions procedures are these days. ive also talked to him about delaying the move but he said he cant do anything about it</p>
<p>All your achievements up till now will be recorded on your resume so you will not have lost them. College apps require you to list the school's you attended so it will be clear that you moved during or after junior year, and where you moved to. You will be going to a very good private school so academically you will continue to shine. Your SAT's will be important and shouldn't be impacted by any move since you will be able to take them wherever you are. You mention you have a very unique background; this, your achievements and your worldliness will help you stand out. Going to a school in the US is not a pre-requisite to getting into a US college; it helps where there are in-state benefits and perhaps the availability of a wide-ranging ec's but if you are what the colleges want, you will get in no matter where in the world you live.</p>
<p>thanks a lot nat! im giving a sigh of relief now...</p>
<p>Many international schools have long standing solid relationships with the US college recruiters - you should check this out at the school in Europe. As an applicant from overseas you will most likely go in a different selection pool which could be a good thing - esp at schools looking for diversity and esp if your new school has a good reputation. You have the advantage of having proved yourself in a US school and being an international applicant.</p>
<p>as mentioned before, I think you should be fine as long as you don't ask for too much financial aid. that could be a killer.</p>