<p>My family might be moving to Sweden for a year, for a contract assignment my dad got. They don't want to leave me in America, so now they are seriously urging me to apply for schools in Stockholm. I was born in Sweden and am a Swedish citizen so I won't have to worry about visas or anything, BUT I am planning to go to law school eventually, and I'm worried that would completely interfere with my plans. Even if I take generic poli sci classes, etc., I'm worried about how they will fit into American law. I know it's only a year but I was hoping to finish undergrad in 4 years and have acceptable prelaw courses.</p>
<p>So will this be a huge disadvantage for me when trying to transfer back into the US and apply to a top school? I mean the experience will be great, I miss the country, I'll be able to touch up my Swedish,<b> PLUS free tuition</b>. My dad's company is providing my family company housing nearby Stockholm University. But law...</p>
<p>If I only wanted to study Biotech, there wouldn't have been a better country...lol.</p>
<p>hey (or should I say, hej? heh..get it that was a swedish joke) here's just what I think: if you're only moving for a year, it shouldn't make much of a difference, it's like studying abroad for 2 semesters. I don't think it will make a huge difference in the long run, as long as you pick classes similar to what you would take here, although obviously there's differences between their law classes and ours. when you transfer back to the U.S, you'll have that international experience to talk about in your essay, they can't hold it against you. If you're a freshman it's not much of a problem at all, since 1st yr you basically take generic basic intro classes for the most part. it's really junior/senior yr where the classes become really specialized.</p>
<p>if you're really worried, why not stay in the U.S and just live on your college campus? even if your parents stayed in America, you would be in college for most of the year anyhow (unless you live at home and commute). You can visit during holidays/the summer. good luck whatever you decide.</p>
<p>Go look at some of the threads here about "Gap" years. Your credits may or may not transfer to a school in the US, but the experience of studying abroad will be extremely valuable.</p>
<p>Your best bet might be to apply to the US universities that interest you now, and when you have your acceptances next spring, ask to defer enrollment until fall 2010. If you know which school you will go to on your return to the US, you may be able to choose your coursework in Sweden so that it fits into or complements the US program of study. And, remember that what you major in as an undergrad doesn't matter if you are planning on law school. Your grades, recommendations, and LSAT scores do.</p>
<p>What is your immigration status in the US? Are you a dual national or permanent resident? Will university study here require that you convert from an H to an F visa? Those are things that will ultimately affect your college admissions options, and your eligibility for financial aid. You may find that an undergraduate law degree from Sweden, followed by a Master's in Law from a US university will serve you just as well as two US degrees.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I know it would definitely be worth the experience, but my parents are having trouble with just the idea of me going out of state, rather than being in a completely different state. </p>
<p>Great idea about the deffered enrollment, that would be perfect in my situation if I can find a college that accepts it. </p>
<p>I'm currently a greencard holder in the U.S., planning on getting dual citizenship in the next year or so (another thing to worry about when going abroad).</p>
<p>Just about every college/university in the US will defer your enrollment if you request it once you are accepted. Lots of people do this every year for different reasons, so you won't be the only one. </p>
<p>But do be sure that you (and your family) have all the information straight on just how long you can be out of the US without jeopardizing your green card status. It used to be that so long as you came back within a year, you could be "gone" for relatively long stretches of time. I don't know if there have been any changes though in recent years.</p>
<p>In addition to all of the excellent advice above, I suggest you post a question on the Law School board here. I have no expertise in that area, but it's always been my impression that there is no particular undergrad major or coursework that you need to be a good candidate for law school. So I wouldn't think it would matter if one year of your ug included poli sci courses taught in Stockholm vs. anywhere USA. You could certainly select poli sci courses, over there, which address US government topics, if you wish.</p>
<p>Like I say, I don't have the expertise but I'm sure you will find it over on the Law School board.</p>