<p>Hey guys, please forgive me if this topic is meant to be on another board, but just bear with me, as this is my first post on CC. </p>
<p>I graduated from high school last May. My time in high school wasn't exactly easy despite studying in an international school (in china). I was diagnosed with severe anxiety in the 8th grade and diagnosed with dyscalculia (for those who aren't sure about what that is-it's a form of dyslexia that involves difficulty comprehending an understanding mathematics) and ADHD during my junior year-my parents weren't exactly very happy considering the school did nothing to point out the problem earlier. Basically, my school sucked. Too liberal, too relaxed, apathetic teachers (SOME, but not all) who would go off topic and browse Facebook in class (no joke) and to make matters worse the International Baccalaureate (IB) system was used primarily by my school-In short they constantly implied that those who took IB were guaranteed success and those who didn't were losers.
Naturally, I tried taking the IB but with my disorders (along with additional problems socially and at home) I found it harder to stay on top of things. The saddest part is that the most 'basic' level of math I could take at an IB level was too hard for me to comprehend (something that made me feel really bad about myself) despite my parents telling me to drop the IB-I was afraid of the social effects and kept on going...until I was pretty much forced to drop it in a meeting with my counselor and my father. </p>
<p>My senior year wasn't completely smooth sailing either. I didn't apply to any colleges because my school counselors weren't exactly completely supportive (as I'd be told-oh 'University of X or College Y is way out of your reach) my grades weren't completely representative of what I was capable of achieving and as far as recommendations..I was too scared to really ask for any from any teachers considering my grades and whatnot. I took the SAT and received a total score of 1550: 600 verbal, 600 Writing, and 350 on the Math -____- I did not take any of the SAT subject tests, nor did I take the ACT (much to my chagrin) After graduating, I decided to go to Japan. </p>
<p>At the moment, I'm in Tokyo learning Japanese as foreign languages have always been a strong point of mine and I'm about to start working with an English language Theater troupe that puts on plays for mass audiences in Tokyo every season-my reasons for this are because throughout Middle and High School I actively participated in as many theater and drama productions as I could, sometimes being the youngest participant in the entire play as none of my peers would participate-noting my determination among Teachers. Acting and Theater always got me excited as a child and it still does to this day.
In addition, I'm also taking online film courses from UCLA over the summer which also counts as college credit (would that help with my application/resume in anyway?) Someday, I would like to pursue East Asian languages/linguistics or Film/Drama in University. </p>
<p>Here are my questions</p>
<p>1) Can I still take the SAT/ACT/SAT subject tests even after I've graduated?
2) Could I take the tests abroad in a test center/school or would I have to go back to my old high school?
3) How do gap year (or in my case a gap year "and a half") applicants who apply during their time off get their applications and transcripts together?
4) What do I do in terms of recommendations? :/
5) Will my colleges still look at me as an applicant and judge me by my grades and exam results from high school?
6) Once I start college..I'll be around 20/21 years of age. Is there a stigma against those who started college a little later down the line? </p>
<p>Thank you</p>