Where could I get in? (Int. Undergrad)

International Students
1

Hi, I’m a prospective international applicant for undergrad and am having some trouble figuring out what colleges I could feasibly get into, I would really appreciate it if someone could help me out!
My stats are as follows :
GPA:3.78 out of 4 (I did the O & A Level system and my school doesn’t supply us with the converted GPA, this is the best estimate I could come up with based on the research I’ve done)
ACT: 34 with a 10 in writing.
SAT II: Will be giving in October (fingers crossed)
IELTS: 8.5

ECs: Editor at School Yearbook for consecutive 3 years
Writes a blog that I spend at least 8 hours a week on and I think the content reflects who I am.
Got stories published in online journals and a national newspaper.
Volunteered/Interned at a premier Hospital for over 180 hours.
Volunteered at different community organizations throughout my years of high school.
Shadowed a physician at his private practice for a month.
Tutored younger children and underprivileged kids in English, Math and the Sciences.

Hooks: First Generation, Geographical Minority
Essays: I think I write well so I’m thinking I’m good there. Also, I’ve faced a bit of hard familial difficulty so I think I could write a good personal essay there.
Teachers Recs: Quite Good. My teachers are kind.

My weakness would be that I am applying a year late as I’m doing college here already. But as I’ve been told its much harder for a transfer than it is for an undergrad so I’m trying to figure out my position here.

I guess what would be the most important thing on my list would be financial aid as it is with most international applicants. I’d also like to go to a school that I would be academically challenged at, preferably

Any suggestions would be extremely helpful! :smiley:

2

Just to clarify. A Freshman Undergrad is an applicant that has not taken any College courses after graduating High School. Since you are currently in College, you would be a Transfer Undergrad. An Undergrad is a student that has not received a Bachelor’s degree.

You will need to apply as a Transfer student which will limit your choices due to your financial restrictions.

On your other thread, we were given some helpful advice and hopefully some posters can help with some school suggestions.

It would be helpful to state how much you can pay ($$ amount).

3

As a transfer student there is no point taking the SAT subject test (especially, as you mention in another thread, for a class that you have already taken at university level).

Also, first gen & geographical minority apply to US students (where they help at all) apply to US students, not international students.

Do your ECs refer to HS or to university? What were your A level scores (O level are not relevant at this point)? (don’t try to convert- colleges that want it converted will either say so or convert it themselves). From another thread it looks as though you have all As for your first year of university?

Are you applying for a particular subject area?

And, as @Gumbymom asks: what is your budget?

4

Making new posts and trying to get the answer that you want (becoming a new freshman) will not work.
You are a transfer student.

Your “position here” is as an international TRANSFER student who needs financial aid.

It is very difficult to get financial aid as an international student. It is even more difficult if you are a transfer.

Figure out what your family can pay, and then, you will receive appropriate suggestions for your status.

5

Okay, I did not understand that you couldn’t reapply as a freshman because the college websites I’ve looked at say that I have to apply as a freshman and forfeit college credit.

6

That’s interesting, @DeeMee1998 - can you give an example?

7

It seems that I read the website wrong. I originally read this “Nor do we accept transfer applications from students who have completed college coursework as part of any program of early graduation from secondary school or other accelerated completion of secondary school. (Such students should apply as first-year applicants.)” and interpreted it as I could apply as a freshman.

It was completely my mistake and I’m sorry for the trouble.

8

Thank you for correcting me @auntbea I had no idea that it was against the law.

9

One issue is that there are thousands of universities and colleges in the US. As such it is difficult to suggest any without more information.

At the top of the list of questions that come to mind: What is your budget?

I also wonder: Why do you want to go to university in the US? What country are you from? What do you intend to study in university?

10

Hooks (regional, first generation, racial) don’t apply to international students the way they do for Americans. They can offer only a slight advantage so they wouldn’t really be hooks.

Sadly, for students like you the only hook is being able to pay. If your family can spend $60,000 per year on your education, there are many schools which will welcome you with open arms.

11

It is not against the law; when you sign the online applications, you are indicating that all information is accounted for and truthful. It’s based on your honorable intentions.

12

However if at any point it is found that anstudent lied (including withholding information) on an application the college will revoke the acceptance. I would not want that hanging over my head.

13

And colleges DO revoke acceptances… even AFTER someone has started – and paid a lot of money for! – classes. Many international students are surprised by how seriously US colleges take honesty and integrity because in their countries it is acceptable (or even encouraged) to go around certain bureaucratic regulations.