<p>Australian citizenship holder
Good stats (2340 SAT, etc.)
Have not been to Australia for the past 10 years (don't know anything about the culture, don't use an accent, don't know anybody there)
Have been going to an American school for the past 10 years
Upper middle class
Classic TCK</p>
<p>Choice 1: Australian university
- Will cost around $20,000/year total (including living expenses)
- Must spend 1 year gap year after graduation doing pretty much nothing
- Must watch everyone I know get accepted to college and have no idea for myself in where I am going because of the difference in admission dates
- Very low admission standards</p>
<p>Choice 2: American university
- Will cost around $60,000/year total (including living expenses)
- Will not be able to stay in the U.S. after graduation because I don't have a green card (poor employment prospects)
- Very high admission standards</p>
<p>What would you do if you were me? I've been torturing myself forever trying to decide what is the better choice....My parents don't mind where I go.</p>
<p>How much can your family pay? Where did you get the notion that studying in the US automatically means a cost of USD 60,000 each year? Are you currently resident in the US, and if so, do you qualify for in-state status in the state where you reside? Have you taken a long, hard look at the threads in the International Students Forum and the Financial Aid Forum on the topics of merit-based aid for International Students and guaranteed merit-based aid? </p>
<p>Why not Canada, the UK, or elsewhere? Why only the US or Australia? How soon will your family return to Australia? When they do return, where will they be living, and who do they have there who can help you re-start your life if you arrive before they do? If they won’t be returning, where do they plan to settle, and why aren’t you looking to study near there?</p>
<p>If your family is currently in the US, what is your immigration status here? You describe yourself as a “Classic TCK”, are your parents diplomatic, or with an international business?</p>
<p>Where do you get the notion that Australian universities have “Very low admission standards”? Why do you think that you would need to have a “1 year gap” rather than just six months or so? Have you picked up the phone and called your closest consulate to ask the Education Officer for help with your situation?</p>