<p>I'm an American citizen who has lived outside of the US all her life. I have been schooled according to the British system (I have IGCSEs and soon will have GCE A-Levels) and I'm now thinking of going to university in the US.</p>
<p>But I've encountered some complications:</p>
<p>*should I apply as an international student since I have foreign qualification
*or should I apply as a American citizen even though I don't understand all the GPA, honors, AP thingy that you have in the US?</p>
<p>Oh and most of my family live in Ohio, so if I go to college there will I pay in-state or out-of-state tuition?</p>
<p>The most advantageous thing for you, in applying to US colleges, is to apply as a citizen – no doubt about it. The colleges will understand that your HS is not in the US and will evaluate accordingly – that’s not a disadvantage.</p>
<p>As for in-state tuition, you need to look at the specific OH university’s guidelines.</p>
<p>Definitely apply as a US citizen. But unless your parents live in Ohio, most likely you will not be able to obtain state residency for tuition purposes.</p>
<p>@ M’s Mom: Oh, I do have dual nationality…so does this mean that I don’t mention my other nationality at all? I say I’m an American citizen only?</p>
<p>Thanks bluebayou and T26E4 for your replies!!! Helps alot!! I’ll apply as a citizen even though I see that I won’t benefit from in-state tuition since my parents haven’t lived in Ohio for close to 20 years. (however they do pay US taxes still!!!)</p>
<p>No reason not to mention dual citizenship if you have it. It’s just one more interesting fact about you, right? (My kids are also dual citizens).</p>
<p>Just to clarify, although this probably won’t apply to you, but if your family is overseas on official government business (e.g. a military family serving in Germany, and American diplomat) you retain your residency and instate status in your home state.</p>
<p>All US citizens and legal permanent residents who reside outside the US are obligated to file US Federal Income Tax returns. Often they find that they do not owe any taxes to the US government because of the Foreign Income Exclusion and/or tax treaties that cover how their income should be taxed.</p>
<p>If your parents are filing and paying Ohio State taxes, then you may have an argument in support of in-state residence, and you should contact the public universities there to find out how to proceed.</p>
<p>Are you attending a US-style international school? Then talk with your guidance counselor about the college application process. If you are attending another type of international school, or a local school read through the information at [EducationUSA</a> | Study Abroad, Student Visa, University Fairs, College Applications and Study in the U.S. / America](<a href=“http://educationusa.state.gov/]EducationUSA”>http://educationusa.state.gov/) and make an appointment with the counselors at the advising center closest to where you live. Chances are that someone in that office has worked with a US citizen in the past, and if no one there has their colleagues in other offices around that country (and around the world) will be able to give you a hand.</p>