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Greetings,

Well, I'm a British student in a non traditional situation ( slight understatement ) and would appreciate some advice, as I will be applying to several American Universities this Autumn.

Now, the mundane things - I graduated high school with good grades ( all A's and B's ), went onto one of the better Uni's in the UK, and found myself having to drop out.

Why ? I have a severe hearing loss. For one year I received no support and was not even aware it was available ( silly now I look back, I know ), I developed major depression and my grades suffered badly as a result. It is all very well being described as being gifted with the English Language; but my grades do not back up my teachers statements at this point in time.

Oh, there is also the situation that I'll be applying for some financial aid. I'm hoping to save some of the cost from my current job ( I maintained a B average during my first year at Uni and worked a 56 hour week as I had no financial support from my parents from whom I happen to be estranged ) and I really do not know how all this is going to look.

I'm applying to Harvard ( incredibly long shot; but I think I have done well for someone with my disability and no support in the financial or emotional sense from anybody else ) , the Uni of Houston, Bryn Mawr College, Yale, Temple University ( safety ) and there are a few other possibilities - I'll certainly have three or four " safety " schools on my list, as I'm not expecting to get into Harvard in my situation.

I'm taking the SATS in October, and every practice test I have taken has placed me above 750 on the verbal, and 650 on the Maths. I'm also going to be taking some Advanced Level courses at a local college ( I already have three; but would like to study Maths at A Level to overcome my own difficulties with the subject ) during the evening, so I can fit it around my work schedule.

My job ? I manage a team for a Technical Support helpdesk at an ISP. I think this is going to be perceived as an achievement as I am 20 ( youngest person in the company ) and have often had difficulty communicating clearly and distinctly.

As much as I love studying; I'm simply not in a position to give up my job or I would very quickly find myself homeless through debt. This is why I am now trying to save, take a few classes and rectify matters.

I've contacted the Admissions Departments of several of the aforementioned Universities, and have received an application form from Bryn Mawr and Yale thus far.

I hope all of this is coherent, and that someone could assist me with the Admissions process. I do not wish to use my disability to any advantage - my aim is to state that " I have achieved this and this despite not having the opportunities readily available."

Yes, I'm aware that admission for International Students is fraught with difficulties; but I cannot imagine studying anywhere else. I have travelled across America several times, and would desire to relocate even if it were not for study.

So, if any friendly individual wishes to offer me advice, I'd be grateful. As it is, I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed by all the information I keep seeing about test scores - when mine are not uniform across the board - but amongst the highest in the country when it comes to the English Language and humanities.

Thankyou for your time.

By Barcode on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 06:01 pm: Edit

Addendum:

I presume it is possible to opt NOT to transfer existing University work ?

After all, the point of this is to begin afresh as an Undergrad. Hence my going back to the drawing board and accumulating some more British A Levels ( entry requirement which I already posess; but there is no harm in adding to it ).

I've recieved some terribly conflicting information, and I'm of the understanding that I do not need to apply as a transfer student.

Assistance anybody ?