Should I apply as a freshman or make a transfer?

Transfer Students
1

Hi. It’s me again:) I’ve been looking to transfer from a UK university to the US. Here’s my background: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/transfer-students/2184623-can-i-transfer-from-a-top-uk-university-to-a-us-college-what-are-my-chances-of-getting-in.html#latest

I found quite a few schools let you apply as freshman as long has you have less than 12 credits. I’m on a gap year and I’m just starting college this fall. now I could:

  1. withdraw from the UK university and apply for 2021 freshman entry. (I don't think I'm competent enough when it comes to ECs and recommendations.)
  2. go to uni and apply for transfer (with a good college GPA and professor recommendations).

All in all I really would prefer to start as freshman and experience the curriculum at maximum flexibility. I don’t mind having to start over and spend an additional year or two in college.

it is not that common for international students to transfer and dive right into sophomore year without having the freshman core curriculum etc. under their belt. so I’m genuinely confused as to what kind of course requirements I’d have to complete or how much flexibility I could have as an international transfer student in the sophomore year.

I’d appreciate any insight and/or advice. thank you.

2

@LingeringBerries - How your credits transfer will be determined by the place you enroll at. When you are accepted as a transfer, you will be given a preliminary evaluation of your courses, but what transfers as what won’t be finalized until after you do enroll. It is entirely possible that you could be admitted as a transfer, but find that so few of your credits apply toward your specific degree program that you need to be there for four years.

Each college/university in the US sets its own policies about general education credits, general college/university graduation requirements, and major graduation requirements. That information can be found right on the college/university website. So dig into the details. You will be able to determine which places will give you the kind of flexibility you desire.