Hello Friends!
I am from Bangladesh.I am getting graduated from my school this year.My A2 (Grade 12) is finished on May 2017.However,My family has planned to Settle here In The US.So, i have heard from my freinds that After I finish my A levels,If I settle here I will need to attend community classes for 2 years As I am a foreign student,and then start for my 4 year undergraduation studies…I heard that A levels is not really counted Here…So I thinking of skipping my A2 level (grade 12) in Bangladesh and Appear for the SAT and GED exams,in order to get scholarships in the university…So my question will the University accept my ACT/GED/SAT and give me scholarship? How do I actaully get the scholarship? Should I take my A2 level course? Cause If i settle here In january I have no idea I will get admitted to High school…Cause Everything is different and new for me…And i want to do things efficiently.My cousins say If Finish my A levels…And Come here for undergraduation I will waste 2 years…So i need some suggestions on what to do,So that I dont need to face a year loss or Two.
Thankyou!
-A levels are counted, you should finish highschool there and then move with your parents.
-you don’t get a scholarship by just taking and scoring high on the SAT/ACT, you have to check each university’s website that you are going to apply and see whether they offer scholarships for internationals or not
-you need to check your finances too, more than 60% of international students pay with their parents’ money, just a cupful get enough financial aid for paying little or nothing.
-your high-school performance also matters, if your GPA is average/below average then you should apply to community college and then transfer (considering that you will have enough money to pay)
-if English is not your first language you have to take TOEFL ibt, 80 will do the trick (for not too selective schools that offer little financial aid), 90 (for more selective schools), and +100 for all schools (Ivy league, Top tier tech schools, LACs, and the rest).
Check out https://educationusa.state.gov/
They have centers in your country to help you get advise:
https://educationusa.state.gov/find-advising-center?field_region_target_id=&field_country_target_id=313&field_center_level_value=All
If you will arrive in the US before you turn 18, and before you complete your A levels, the public high school where you live will be obligated to allow you to enroll. Period. You can be in high school here until you finish up the graduation requirements, or until the end of the year in which you turn 21. Then you would be able to head straight off to college/university. Public schools have to admit you whenever you arrive, so you don’t have to wait until second semester starts in January. You can arrive here any time that works for your family. If you will arrive after you turn 18, or after you complete your A levels, it still might be possible to enroll at the public high school depending on their specific policies. So ask them.
Colleges and universities in the US normally accept A levels. Don’t worry about that. You do not want to take the GED. It is very difficult for students educated in the US. You are better off either completing your A levels, or graduating from high school here.
How much scholarship money are you going to need? The GED is not the way to go if you need a scholarship. The best scholarship money goes to students with excellent grades and excellent ACT/SAT scores.
Community colleges are not a “waste of time”. They offer the first two years of your university-level work. If you plan your program correctly, when you transfer you will only need two more years at the new place.
You also should read everything at the EducationUSA website, and contact the counselors at the advising center closest to where you live. They are experts on this https://educationusa.state.gov/find-advising-center?field_region_target_id=&field_country_target_id=313&field_center_level_value=All
^thanks A loot! if I face any more problems,I am hoping that You will reply…
Anyways thank you
@ booper, I am currently in US…So can I find An advisor/councellor from a nearby High school,and talk to him About my university or school program…And talk to him,That do I really need to Face year loss or not…Because My cousins came In USA a year ago,and They had to face Year loss even after they finished their A levels.
Will you have a Green Card (US permanent residency) by the time you apply to colleges? If so, you will be categorised as a domestic applicant and will be elegible for US Federal financial aid.
Was that because they did not complete the test requirements (SAT, ACT, TORFL, SAT2) in time to make the college application deadlines?
@PrimeMeridian
1.Yes,i will have a green card approximately in January (Before I finish my A levels) before getting enrolled in University.
2.My cousin only took The A levels (Not the SAT,ACT,TORFL,SAT2) So she had to take ESOL classes for 2 years and Then she started the 4 year undergraduation Program.
So,what exams do I need to sit for Before I come to US…Like SAT/TORLF etc.
@PrimeMeridian,
what does US fedral Financial aid means? Btw, is it possible to get admitted to High school without
Each college has its own application requirements for tests. Typically, 4-year colleges require the SAT or ACT. For non-native English speakers, the TOEFL is usually required. If you were educated at an English language high school and are fluent in English, then the college may waive the TOEFL requirement.
The test requirements should be posted on the college’s Admissions webpage. Do not assume that different colleges have identical admissions requirements.
US Federal financial aid means grant money for low income students and/or subsidised student loans directly from the US government for US citizens/PR to use to attend college. Having a Green Card also means you will be in the college’s domestic application pool, rather than its international applicant pool. This will make a BIG difference in the chance of admission. Also, many colleges do not give much or any financial aid to int’l students. It makes sense to wait until you have your Green Card before you apply,
The test dates/locations for the SAT & other tests are easily found by googling.
If you’ve alresdy completed HS in your home country, then there’s no requirement to further attend HS in the US.
Is your English about the same as your cousin’s was before she got here? If so, then you do want to get yourself here as soon as possible and go to high school. The ESOL classes will be free then. Can you enroll here this fall, and just wait for your family to arrive in January when they have the green cards? Ask at the high school you would attend.
A Levels actually grant you college credit at most American universities. You do not need to enroll in a community college. You can simple take a year off and apply to American colleges in that time. You will need SAT/ACT/TOEFL scores, however.
@PrimeMeridian
Thanks a loot!
@happymomof1
Well,It is a lot easier for me if I get back in Bangladesh and finish my A levels.Because,I dont think The school will take me If I cannot live in the nearby area of the school,and Unless my parents come I wont have anywhere to live.
So,Right now I am thinking of Finishing my A levels within a year,and take the SAT/TOEFLS.By January I am likely to get my Green card,and then I am going to apply to the designated University,and thus I think I will get the Financial Aid and be in the domestic application pool of the University…
Is this a wise option? Am I missing anything.
PS: Do the college/University check the English speaking/Writing skills even if you have a high SAT score?
Thankyou.
@International95
Yes,I am thinking of taking SAT/ACT/TOEFLS.
However,What do you mean by “college credit”?
Thankyou!
Every college class is worth a certain amount of credits. You need a specific amount to graduate. International95 is telling you that your A levels may count toward your degree at most American universities.
Thankyou @katliamom
OP, in answer to your earlier question – yes, your English (written and spoken) will matter to colleges. They will consider your TOEFL scores as much as your other statistics, and most schools have a minimum score cutoff for acceptance. It would be a good idea to find some remedial instruction prior to taking the TOEFL exam and submitting college applications.
@boomboommmmmm Yes - many US universities require one or more essays and/or a personal statement from applicants, and readers can easily tell when an essay has multiple grammatical errors, poor organization or clarity, etc.
Also, you shouldn’t need to take both the SAT and ACT – universities almost always accept one or the other. You may still need to prepare for and take the TOEFL, and possibly SAT subject tests.
Each college/university has its own policy about English proficiency. You need to check each website separately. Some do not require the TOEFL if the ACT/SAT score is high enough.
Your biggest problem is likely to be money. Once you have your green card, you will be eligible to receive student loans ($5,500 freshman year, $6,500 sophomore year, $7,500 junior year, $7,500 senior year), but that is the only aid that you are absolutely guaranteed. You need to find out whether your parents can help you pay anything. They might not be able to if you are new immigrants and everyone is still looking for jobs.