"Stuck" in Chile?

International Students
1

<p>I moved back to Chile about 4 years ago, and I'm getting near the end of my 'Segundo Medio', which in Chile is equivalent to sophomore year.
Because next year I have the option of choosing an IB Programme (an idea I am starting to really like, because of the TOK essay, rigorous content and whatnot, it's just a great programme IMO), there is a chance that I might stay in Chile for my last two years of high school (my father's job is also a huge factor.)
So, considering I REALLY (underscore, bold, italic REALLY) want to go to college in the US, would doing an IB IN CHILE "hurt" my chances in top American universities?
Or should I consider moving back to America (I have friends/family who live there), and finishing my last two years of high school here?</p>

<p>Another question: How would I do the SATs? Also, how would I practice for them? (they're forcing me to practice for the 'PSU', the 'Chilean SAT') Do I even have to do them?</p>

<p>Additional info:
-Chilean and Canadian citizen
-Can get US green card 'pretty fast' (less than half a year :P)
-Hispanic, born in Chile.
-Speak French, English, Spanish, all mother-tongue.</p>

<p>Thank you in advance.
Gaston</p>

2

<p>If your dad’s job keeps you in Chile, do the IB. It is recognized around the world and will be useful if you do apply to colleges in the US. Don’t worry so much about the ACT/SAT just yet. When you are ready (say next fall), pick up a couple of ACT and/or SAT prep books and review for the exam(s) following the “Xiggi method” <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html&lt;/a&gt; Unless you are attending a school where English is the primary medium of instruction, you may also be asked to take the TOEFL, so do a bit of review for that one too.</p>

<p>Unless one of your parents already has a green card in hand, or has one that is in process, the only way for you to get a green card “pretty fast” would be to marry a US citizen. I don’t think you are quite ready to do that. Some colleges/universities treat Canadian citizens the same as US citizens for admissions and financial aid. You need to identify them. You also need to take a long hard look at the colleges/universities in Canada. They are as good as the ones in the US, and for a Canadian citizen they will be much, much, much less expensive.</p>

3

<p>lmao “less than half a year”. impossible btw, with the super high backlog in applications.</p>

4

<p>@happymomof1
Xiggi’s SAT prep advice seems really useful, but you didn’t really answer my main question.
“would doing an IB IN CHILE “hurt” my chances in top American universities?
Or should I consider moving back to America (I have friends/family who live there), and finishing my last two years of high school here?”
Perhaps I should rephrase.
Would spending the next two years of high school in Chile affect my chances at a top school in America? (leaving aside financial aid, how expensive it is, or anything related to cost.)</p>

<p>@depr91
Uh, yeah… no.
Thank you for your contribution though.</p>

5

<p>An IB is an IB is an IB. That is the whole point of the program. It truly doesn’t matter what country you are in.</p>

<p>You do absolutely have to factor finances into your decision-making. If you come to the US and you do not have a green card by the time you enroll in college, you will be an international student for financial aid purposes, and most likely for admissions purposes as well. This means that your options will be very limited unless your family is made of money. Talk with your parents about the money situation. Then decide.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>

6

<p>

The IB itself is recognized by American universities as an excellent preparation for college, and even the tippy top universities award 1-2 semesters’ worth of transfer credit for it. So that won’t be an obstacle.</p>

<p>On the other hand, attending a high school in the US might give you way more opportunities to “stand out” than most foreign school systems. For example, American students can pretty easily compete in all sorts of competitions or work on projects that other people have organized. A strong performance will show that you are a star student on a bigger scale than your local high school graduating class. When a foreign school system and culture does not offer these opportunities, it might take a <em>lot</em> more initiative to build a resume that appeals to the top universities.</p>

7

<p>A green card will bring you into the US applicant pool which is far less competative. A few colleges will also consider Canadians as citz, but a green card is very useful for admission and fin aid purposes.</p>

<p>Your IB won’t hurt you. If anything it is considered more competative than an average HS Diploma from a public in the US. The ‘Chilean’ experience will make you a more interesting applicant.</p>

<p>So: If money is an issue or you want to get into the US applicant pool for schools that dont consider canadians as residents (which I would advise u) move to the US. Otherwise your Chilean situation will probably be to your advantage.</p>

<p>The SAT can be taken all around the world. You can prepare for it yourself or probably find some prep classes at the nearest American or International highschool in Chile (most bigger cities have one of the two).</p>