<p>p.s. about the Claremont colleges- the easiest one to get into is Pitzer</p>
<p>My children were in a similar situation, however we are not only OOS, but OOC (out of country). They have attended DoDDS schools (Department of Defense Dependents Schools) all their lives in Europe. Having lived overseas for so long we can no longer claim residency in any state. They wanted to go to school in California, because that's where their extended family lives and they were weary of the bleak European weather. </p>
<p>S (SAT 2000, GPA 3.8, AP Scholar w/ Distinction, good EC's) and D (SAT 2170, GPA 3.98, AP Scholar w/ Honor, decent EC's) applied to:</p>
<p>USF - both received University Scholarships worth nearly $20K, but that still leaves a substantial amount to pay. S is attending there as a computer science major and loves it. Sports are not a big deal there (no American football). Easy to get around the city with the bus pass and getting to the airport is no big deal on public transportation.</p>
<p>USD - S received about $15K, D about $20K - nice looking school, but not to their liking. S wanted to be in northern CA; too preppy for liberal, Euro-type D.</p>
<p>Santa Clara - S received only $7K, which ruled it out. D was accepted into Honors Program and offered $20K, which made it very tempting, but it was not #1 on her list.</p>
<p>Pitzer - D received need-based grant of approx. $22K and liked the school - she is there now and very happy.</p>
<p>We thought we might move to CA, so they each applied to some UC schools. S got into UCD, UCSB, and UCSD; D same schools as well as UCB. But, we didn't move and there are no financial breaks for OOS kids, so they were ruled out (though D liked Berkeley).</p>
<p>Regarding transportation - it is much easier for my S to get to SFO from USF than it is for my D to get from Claremont to LAX - airport location might be something to consider when choosing a school. Luckily, they usually fly directly from CA to Heathrow, so there are no weather delays. Claremont is near Ontario Airport, which is handy if you live in the states, but not Europe.</p>
<p>Apply to many schools! At the beginning of their college hunt my children never thought they would end up at the schools they are currently attending. However, they are both very happy and I think they are both in good schools. Don't rule out any schools as long as you can afford the application fees. But forget about the UC schools unless you plan to move to CA or are very wealthy. Good luck!</p>