Transfer to American University of Paris or low tier US college? Help

Student Lounge International Students
1

Hi!
I’m 23 years old french girl studying in NYC & I have a very important choice to make hence why I’m posting here (not sure if it’s the right sub?)

Back story:
I came to the US in order to get into NYU, which always been my dream school. I worked very hard at community college & ended up applying to NYU Arts & Science for Econ as a transfer with a 3.8, a tech start up internship, involvement at NYU itself, and a lot of ECs related to my major. I speak 5 languages and my English is now fluent (I believe). Along with that I submitted 2 letters of recommendations, one of my finance professor and one of my advisor/faculty mentor who wrote about me leading my schools team for the Fed Challenge.
I talked to many people, professors, NYU transfer & Econ students, literally everybody told me I’m a shoe in and i shouldn’t “stress”, that i would get in so I was pretty positive.
I got rejected and did NOT expect it. NYU was the only college I applied to. (Dumb I know, don’t tell me)

My lease is up May and I have a flight to Paris May 28 so I’m VERY stressed about what’s next.
Now my alternatives in the US are, since most deadlines passed, either

  1. stay at my community college and finish to get my associates (I got one last semester)
  2. going to Baruch (automatic transfer since I go to CUNY) or Fordham which I’m not fond of. (high tuition and not that prestigious)

That would mean I’ll have to come back to the US, reapply for a visa, find a place, get a storage etc etc. which is basically annoying. I’m not even sure that I can transfer if I choose 1) because I been at this community college since Fall 2015 (took me longer to graduate because I had an F and dropped a class)

I recently started reevaluating staying in the US. I am thinking about going back to Paris to transfer my credits to American University of Paris so I would’ve not wasted my time and money.
The main reason for me wanting to go back home is, in the 3 years I’ve been living in the states, i been very depressed and alone. I have no family members, relatives or friends in the USA. I know some people from school but I don’t have close friends. I truly miss my parents and home in general. I basically feel like I wasted my time living here but it is what it is.

My main concern is, is it a good idea? I plan to go to grad school in England or the US.
Should I transfer to American University of Paris (which is waaaay cheaper than a low tier US college AND I get financial aid since I’m french, also I’ll be rent free) or stick it in and go to Baruch/Fordham? Would I be able to get into a good grad school if I get my bachelors from American University of Paris ?

I was seeking prestige when coming here but at this point I need to pick the best option for me & my career goals.
My parents can’t give me advice or connect me to opportunities like some kids so the school I choose is kinda a big factor that’s why I’m so stressed out.

2

You wouldn’t be able to get into a good grad school from AUP. You have excellent credentials, it’d be a shame to “waste” them on AUP.
What’s your budget per year ( for tuition, room, board)?

As of now, why don’t you wait a few Days till the list of colleges that miscalculated yield is published?

Also, Baruch and Fordham aren’t bad. Socially though I see the problem, it’s really hard to make friends at community college, which would be exacerbated by the Manhattan pace and distances - perhaps living in dorms would alleviate the issue.

3

go back home to Paris, get your UG degree, and apply to grad schools in the US or UK if that is STILL your goal.
I’m sure you will have many grad school options after you graduate.
Transferring to highly competitive private US colleges is very, very difficult, as you found out. That’s because most students dont leave once they are have been there for a while, and transfer vacancies are therefore very rare.

4

If you finish your Associates degree, you will have a few more options here in the US. Baruch is well respected, you can get into a good grad program from there. You don’t need to spend the money to go to Fordham.

What is it that you want to do professionally that would require grad school?

What is your major?

5

I agree that finishing the associate’s would get you more options. Some French ‘ecoles’ would admit you into the third year for a bachelor’s. I don’t think they’d do that with just two years.
And in a week there’s the NACAC list.

6

@menloparkmom It is. I am truly considering going back to France because it’d be a better environment for me, way less costly but i wonder if American of University is worth it…ugh
@happymomof1 Yes Baruch is respected here however I am not sure if it’d be valued when i’m back to Europe that’s my problem. I don’t know if i ‘need’ grad school but I want to have another degree to be more competitive. My major is Business administration at my community college but i’d transfer and pick finance.
@MYOS1634 I messaged you back :heart:

7

The Nacac list is up. I’ll return to post the best colleges.

8

Elon, DePauw, TCU, Penn State, Rutgers, st Louis university, UNC Wilmington, Rollins… :slight_smile:
Lots of excellent choices.

What BAC did you do and did you get a mention?

9

There are also American schools in Europe. SLU in Madrid comes to mind.

Granted, it isn’t quite SLU in StL.

Getting an associate’s may also position you better for entry to a UK uni.