<p>Hello I'm currently in high school in italy. My gpa is 8.5/9 out of 10 and this because my teachers are way too demanding. In Italy grades are not important so the maximum during the year is 8 and by the end of the school year I can finally see a 9 (after struggling). Studying to a us university is one of my biggest dreams, not to talk about one of the ivies but also mit Stanford. But I'm aware of my capacities so I know these schools will always be just a dream. My extracurricular activities are not at the level requested by those schools. I'm not ranked first in national competitions. Actually my school doesn't even participate in these events! And I have been thinking a lot about my future so next year I'll be in the us as an au-pair and I'm planning to have English classes at a local college ( as you can see my English is not perfect) and also math and physics classes (I would like engineering as a major). And then the year after I thought to applying to a community college ( also to reduce the expenses) so I would have time to improve noticeably my application, starting with grades. I'm sure I'll improve them and also my extracurricular activities. But after two years at a community college how difficult would it be to transfer to a "well-known" university? </p>
<p>Many students in the USA do it. For you, you should be careful because the quality of comm colleges varies greatly. Some are very good at placing students to 4 year unis. Some are terrible and are filled with students who barely graduated high school and will eventually drop out, never to return again. Your hurdle will be how to evaluate which ones since you currently live outside the USA.</p>
<p>Thank you T26E4 … </p>
<p>Have you looked at the forums here on CC for international students? Maybe there are others trying to discover what you need as well. <a href=“International Students - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/international-students/</a></p>
<p>Yes, I took a look at the forum but didn’t find anything useful. Well it doesn’t matter. In September once I’m in the US I’ll inform better about all opportunities. There is enough time till then. Thank you again </p>
<p>In the US, CC’s really vary by state.</p>
<p>Going from a CC to a UC is a well-worn path taken by many in CA.
In VA, you’re guaranteed a transfer to UVa if you keep your GPA above 3.7 and if you attend Richard Bland, a GPA above 3.25 guarantees you a transfer to William&Mary.
Certain colleges of Cornell also have articulation agreements with various CC’s where, if you have a high enough GPA, transferring in is probable (only certain colleges, though, so a limited number of majors available).</p>
<p>Key question, however: what can you afford to pay?</p>
<p>Also, be aware that the Ivies, MIT, and Stanford are far from the only highly-regarded universities in the US, especially in engineering.</p>
<p>Money is not a problem. I’m not rich but my parents put my education first. Yet I don’t want to make them spend more than $40-45000. What’s more I am used to a certain quality of life. I don’t want to come to the US and spend all the money for the tuition. I know that the best universities for petroleum engineering are in Texas ( university of Texas in Austin) Oklahoma ( university of Oklahoma) California ( stanford). Can i afford these universities? </p>
<p>But to be honest when I think of the USA I think of Seattle Boston Washington New York or San Francisco. I don’t think of Texas or Oklahoma. So are there good petroleum engineering schools in Seattle or in one the cities mentioned above?<br>
I know that may sound stupid or superficial but it’s how “WE” think of America</p>
<p>So you have to ask yourself: Are you motivated to learn about a field and enter a career, or are you looking to go on an extended vacation?</p>
<p>And why petroleum engineering?</p>
<p>Maybe the best thing for you to do is to take a gap year or 3, live in different places of the US as an au pair (I’ll promise you that life in different parts of the US will be different from your conceptions), and find yourself first.</p>
<p>I teach at a community college that recruits a lot of international students. Many of them find it helpful to improve their English while they complete prerequisite courses. When they are ready transfer to upper-level programs, their English has also improved. Coincidentally, one of my favorite students during the last two semesters has been a young woman from Italy.</p>
<p>@PurpleTitan Yes I am motivated. I’m not looking for a vacation! If I am spending next year as an au pair is just to improve my English not because I’m not willing to study. Honestly I’m not sure for petroleum engineering. I also like chemical engineering.
@WasatchWriter yes it’s exactly what I would like to do. I’m not Italian though. I’m just studying here. At which cc do you teach? </p>
<p>If you’re not sure, then I would not commit to a college yet.</p>
<p>The University of Oklahoma and Texas A&M are very good in petroleum engineering and affordable for you. The University of Minnesota is very good in chemical engineering and affordable for you.</p>
<p>Going to a CC first may be a plan, but you’d want to check to see that the credits in the CC you choose can transfer over to the university that you want to go to.</p>
<p>Also, is that $40K total or per year that your parents can spend on your education? I was assuming per year.</p>