International students are confused by US college application steps

“Not American, but found out about how college applications goes in America and I am pretty impressed. I don’t really plan to study in the US but because being nosy I found out that the college applications are crazy. You have to do extracurriculars related to your major years before ( I believe, probably not that necessarily right?) whatsoever I am so impressed with the students who could figure what they wanna so early. I am currently a senior at high school and I can’t imagine myself doing any”

“I just wanted to know how the college acceptance process works for international students in general for context I have lived in the u.s. for as long as I can remember but I am a h4 dependent as I was not born here. and it infuriates me that I have to be considered international (alas such is life) I know finaid is basically impossible for international students but what about merit aid? How competitive are those scholarships? Realistically, how much lower are my chances because I’m internationa”

I recently moved to the us from pakistan and now im struggling BAD with admissions. if anyone who's studied in pakistan and has also filled the common app see this, please message…

“hi everyone! i've heard that most colleges, even those that are need-blind, are usually need-aware for all international students. I've been in America for a little over a decade, but since I'm still on a dependent visa I'd be considered an international applicant (could someone explain how this works cuz i heard its in the financial aspect and it's also more competitive but then you're evaluated as domestic???) basically, i was told to not check off the financial aid box”

“Hey yall, Im currently an A level student and will be aiming to start college/uni by fall 2027. I want to study in the US but I only have a budget of $30k for my whole 4 year bachelors degree. Ive asked Claude if i can complete my degree with my budget but it said its nearly impossible. im very heartbroken as its been a dream of mine to study in the us. Is there any unknown way that i can actually study in the us with my tight budget? Maybe any uni that has a low tuition fee? submitted by”

“I’m currently a Level 1 student in New Zealand (Year 11) . I’m thinking about pursuing my undergraduate degree in the US after completing Level 3 (Year 13), but I haven't narrowed down any specific universities, majors, or regions yet. My biggest question right now is regarding financial aid and scholarships for international students . I haven't been able to find many clear details online about how it works specifically for NZ students coming through the NCEA system. A few things I’d lo”

“I start my junior year tmr and like im just genuinely curious when one would consider it too early to start writing supps. submitted by /u/NoFig7173 [link] [comments]”

“Im 17F and in my last year of high school which means I need to start narrowing down my options for college except I have no idea where to start. For context I want to apply to colleges in the US but I’m an international student currently studying ALevels with latest predicted grades of AAB. I am also a US citizen so I’m not worried about the visa process but rather the application process to a US college. I have no idea how this process works, the only thing I do know is that it’s done through”

“I'll take my SAT in November, and I won't be able to admit early. Nevertheless, i have an option to not submit a test score, but how much would doing this affect my acceptance chances? Because if I applied RD in January and waited for the SAT score i'll still have my chances squished by ten times or something lol. Have anybody ever met an international who didn't submit a test score? (I have a 3.7/4.0 gpa, fairly strong activities and honors) submitted by /u/RandomSil”

“Which option is better for Undergrad Business Degree, NUS , NTU or some other?? Are there any other unis/colleges that are better than them globally?? submitted by /u/Snow_ashnation [link] [comments]”

“I’m graduating in 2027 and I live in Canada! I don’t have a job right now and I think taking a gap year would be the best. I’m unsure though if I should state that I will be taking a gap year right away as I apply (also, does it look bad if I do-?) or after I get accepted? Also I have no clue if they’ll be any costs to taking a gap year and generally my knowledge of gap years is very limited. Anything will help! submitted by /u/Twotimed_ [link] [comments]”

“I concurrently took 15 CC courses while in high school but I could only add 4 CC courses to my high school transcript. I entered these 4 as dual enrollment while adding high school courses in STARS. Should I be entering all 15 CC courses under college section or enter only 11 CC courses as 4 are already under the high school course tab. My CC transcript shows all 15 courses, so will the AO get confused if I add only 11 courses? submitted by /u/Anxious_Pea6647 [link] [comments]”

“I know there's a lot of other people asking about this but I was wondering if it was ok because my school offers up to Spanish 4 as well as AP Spanish Lang and Lit. I took Spanish 1 freshman year and Spanish 2 sophomore year, and I'm a senior right now. I will have taken 13 APs, with all of them being AP level core classes junior and senior year except for Calculus 3 which I'm taking right now and only a few people take. Instead of taking Spanish I've been taking AP Stats and bot”

“hi! im applying as a physics major and california resident. i want to write a banger essay. i currently want to begin with the sentence, "I became a father at 10 years old." why? because my sister was born 10 years after me, and i want to say that i took care of her and taught her chess and math and i was her guiding light when my parents were at work. is that a good idea? or is that weird? submitted by /u/Acceptable_Age_3380 [link] [comments]”