<p>I was wondering if a foundation year in the UK (at UCL for example) could prepare me for entrance to top universities in the US. Will I even be allowed to apply as a first-year student ? If yes, is it the case for the French 2 years-classe pr</p>
<p>People who do foundation years in the UK tend to be mature students who, for whatever reason, dropped out of school and are trying to get back into education. It's like a preparation year for college. People don't tend to do foundation straight out of high school. They would probably consider you over-qualified if you had completed school in the normal way.</p>
<p>I've just looked at the UCK webs-ite and I can't find any foundation degrees. Do you perhaps mean enrolling for the normal first year and then dropping out? I can't see any point in this, but I am pretty sure if you did this you would have to apply to the US as a transfer student.</p>
<p>The foundation years I was thinking of are like the one linked below at uni of Bath
" is a full-time, one-year programme which provides a high standard and an appropriate academic background for degree entry at the University of bath or elsewhere. "
The purpose to to prepare people who haven't got the background knowledge to enter a degree course.</p>
<p>Division</a> for Lifelong Learning - University of Bath</p>
<p>I didn't know that foundation years were for mature students. Here is my situation. I made a huge mistake this year. Indeed, I applied to two colleges only: the first one deferred me and then rejected me and the second one wait-listed and then disbanded the wait list for international applicants as the quotas had been reached. Besides, I really had a hard time trying to balance between my school work and the US application process (including standardized tests ...). Now, I have graduated from high school and passed the French Baccalaur</p>
<p>Well the good news for you is that the UK application process is really simple. There is one common app at
UCAS</a> Home Page
and there is no concept of applying as a transfer. Everyone applies to enter the first year (with a few exceptions for people who want to enroll for a second undergraduate degree, which doesn't apply to you). If you completed a year at a French university it's unlikely that any credit would transfer to a UK course. I am sure they would fall over themselves to accept you though, since you did the French baccelaureat, and they love that. If you need financial aid, the UK is really not the place to go because if you're not an EU citizen, there is basically nothing available (if you ARE an EU citizen though, they are generous). Just in general, France is likely to be a LOT cheaper place to study than the UK. </p>
<p>I suggest you contact US schools directly about their credit transfer policy because it varies widely. Some may accept your credits.</p>
<p>For you I really don't think UK foundation degrees would be a good idea. You would probably find them too easy. They're basically a refresher course of high school studies, as far as I can tell (note that I didn't do one and of course can't vouch for every UK school). Again, if there is one you are really interested in I would advise you to contact the school directly. But in general they are not courses aimed at you.</p>