Should I put the university I attended on exchange on my common app?

Hello! I would be so so grateful if someone would take the time to read this and offer any advice they had for this pretty unusual situation, I haven’t been able to find anything online.

I spend the year before my senior year of high school in Thailand as a Rotary Exchange Student. I see year before senior year, and not junior year, because I wasn’t earning any credit during this year. I actually skipped a year (10th grade), then took a year off from high school to do this, so ended up graduating high school in the same four years as if I had done neither.

Anyway, while I was in Thailand, I sat in on some classes for 3-4 months at the local university. I audited some english-speaking classes by American professors, and I had a couple private lessons from professors (in two different instruments). I didn’t earn credit, and I don’t think I was technically enrolled. I didn’t pay anything, most teachers just thought it was cool to have an American in class.

On my Common App Activities section I listed my exchange year as one thing. In the brief description, I did mention the fact that I “attended classes at the local university and high school” (I did the same thing for the high school earlier in the year).

The question is: should I list my Thai high school and college in the universities and high schools section? I don’t want to say I attended classes and then not list the schools, as it says I should list every school I’ve attended. However, I’m afraid that they’ll want to see transcripts, which I don’t have.

If it makes any difference I was a Running Start (dual enrollment) student in the US, taking classes at community college, so I am applying with the transfer common app at some places and the freshman common app at others, depending on their requirements. So I already have one high school and one college listed.

The question is should I add these?

Thank you in advance for any insight anyone may have!!

You need to always use the word “audited”. Better yet, if you can spin it as being there in part to serve as a native-English language model for local students. Do not use the word “attended”. You are correct that that word will lead to requests for transcripts. “Private lessons” can also be called “tutoring” - especially if in academic subjects or for learning the local language.

If you took community college classes BEFORE the graduation (or , running start) you should always apply as a freshman regardless of how many credits you earned.
Since you didn’t earn credit, you can mention details in Additional information but you shouldn’t list it in schools where you enrolled.

happymomof1, thank you! I’ll use the wording you reccommend.

MYOS1634, got it, thanks. Actually, I did take one Full quarter of classes during the summer after I graduated high school. So, I am a transfer student to some colleges., since i finished my AA after graduating.

Definitely “Audited X and Y Class at ABC University”

Ok, if you took classes after graduation, yes you may be considered a transfer at some universities, which would make you ineligible for scholarships etc. So, fingers crossed.

Also, my post wasn’t clear - don’t list the university in Thailand but do list “audited” or “took private lessons”.

Great, thank you everyone!