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hey everyone
i am currently a junior and ive done a pretty good job in academics...i have 4.## gpa and a lot of good leaderships and ECS...also held a job for 3 year.
thers a situation where i might have to move halfway across the world. school system is different there, HS is 3 years. university entrance is also way different, theres only a test to get in, you either pass or u dont. i still wanna go to UCLA or Berkeley, but if i go there my 2nd semester, maybe or maybe not my SR year..........does it hurt me in any way? i can still take sat 1 and 2........and i have no idea about AP tests, i doubt they offer it. what am i supposed to do?
how will this affect me?

please help......im going into a depression

By Alyssa (Alyssa) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 01:59 pm: Edit

Tough situation. If I were in your situation I would probably just stay wherever you are and finish high school. Maybe you could live with family or get an apartment. I knew a friend that was in the same situation and he just lived in an apartment senior year to finish at the high school he started at. I guess a lot of this would depend on you and your parents too. If not you can only make due with what you have. Schools will look at your situation and won't blame you for it. Don't be depressed, its not the end of the world.

By Alyssa (Alyssa) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 02:06 pm: Edit

Tough situation. If I were in your situation I would probably just stay wherever you are and finish high school. Maybe you could live with family or get an apartment. I knew a friend that was in the same situation and he just lived in an apartment senior year to finish at the high school he started at. I guess a lot of this would depend on you and your parents too. If not you can only make due with what you have. Schools will look at your situation and won't blame you for it. Don't be depressed, its not the end of the world.

By Foreignboy (Foreignboy) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 02:06 pm: Edit

They won't penalize you for the circumstances. Just do your best wherever you are.

Plus, the migration thing will be a much better essay topic than "when my grandme died/life sucks because i'm an URM" that everyone seems to be writing.

By Melissamelissa (Melissamelissa) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 02:11 pm: Edit

thanks guys.......

i already have a pretty good essay topic, that really isnt the problem...its just that HS system there is different and the AP test factor.........i wont have any when im applying. what am i supposed to do? please help

i could just stay here also........i guess?

By Twotoo13 (Twotoo13) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 02:17 pm: Edit

one test to get it? are you headed for brazil?

By Melissamelissa (Melissamelissa) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 02:21 pm: Edit

turkey

By Sillygilly (Sillygilly) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 02:32 pm: Edit

Don't worry about it. Make an effort to take the standardized tests, though. Actually, there are American schools all over Europe so there should be testing places within a couple of hours of you. Honestly, just do your best wherever you are. Also, traveling experience is a HUGE plus on college apps. I'm going abroad second semester, and am currently doing a thesis on it--some schools, harvard for example, seek students with international backgrounds, because they have a larger view of the world. Good luck.

By Melissamelissa (Melissamelissa) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 05:21 pm: Edit

IF I HAD THE OPTION OF STAYING HERE........WHO U GUYS STRONGLY RECOMMEND IT?

By Whzup44412 (Whzup44412) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 05:32 pm: Edit

Probably going to England, right? Although, they don't have 3 years of high school.

By Devil (Devil) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 05:52 pm: Edit

melissa,
the system in Turkey changed a couple of years ago. Most private schools have 4 years of hs now, and some of them are pretty competitive. You only have to take the "one test" if you want to attend university in Turkey (and it is much harder/different than any SATs you will take), so if you are sure of going to college in the states, dont even bother with studying for it. Just try to get good grades in your classes (if you move there)
I would check the collegeboard site for AP test information. I know that IB programs are offered in a some schools but not sure about APs. I agree with Foreignboy and sillygilly - moving wont hurt you.

By Lhm501 (Lhm501) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 05:52 pm: Edit

No, don't stay here. You will be a more interesting person as well as a more interesting candidate from the experience of living in Turkey. Don't worry about AP courses, there are many schools in this country that don't have them and the students are judged accordingly, they don't compare apples and oranges. My vote is go and learn, that experience will be so much more educational than staying here and losing perspective on these boards. What a fantastic opportunity for growth!

By Melissamelissa (Melissamelissa) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 06:35 pm: Edit

wow thanks so much.....i feel a lot better....

i have a personal question...
lets say YOU were given the opportunity to finish your HS in a foreign country or u could stay where u are, where u are secure about everything and have a pretty good chance of getting to ur ideal college. what would you do, sincerely??

thanks again everyone, this means a lot to me

By Lhm501 (Lhm501) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 08:03 pm: Edit

It's the risk takers of this world who really succeed. I envy you your great adventure. I really believe that it will greatly improve your chances of admission.

By Melissamelissa (Melissamelissa) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 08:03 pm: Edit

well actually i may not have THAT good of a chance..........
u decide...if i stay:
4.## (probably 4.20)
SAT 1: 1420
Sat 2: writing high 600s, math 1 C 780, physics mid 700s
mostly 4s on AP tests
a lot of ECs........and MANY MANY leaderships
tri-lingual
few awards and position in physics lab competition in science olympiad
unique essay.........
CA resident

goals are UCLA berkeley NYU,

By Sillygilly (Sillygilly) on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 10:44 pm: Edit

Oh my goodness, don't even consider staying. You will be such a bigger person with so much more to offer after you go abroad. As for the question you posed, I'm graduating early from high school and spending second semester in france on my own terms! Studying abroad is a great way to widen your horizons. Go!

By Devil (Devil) on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 07:10 pm: Edit

and besides... turkey is so much fun : ) - I never want to go back to my h.school in the states after vacations/breaks in Turkey


+ You can apply to NYU-Florence (which is great, and nyu is one of your goals) if you graduate from hs abroad.

By Clickspring (Clickspring) on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 07:40 pm: Edit

There is a lot more to life than the college you go to. Go to Turkey, stay with your family, and work hard.

By Melissamelissa (Melissamelissa) on Monday, December 01, 2003 - 11:48 pm: Edit

thanks guys---i think we are gonna finish up HS here tho, too much of a risk. i really appreciate it. im just looking forward to spending the WHOLE summer there (this was previously one of my concerns because if we didnt move i was gonna take college classes, but im over that)
i cant stand another summer here, i have to go to my beautiful country
thanks again--

By Collegehelp1234 (Collegehelp1234) on Wednesday, December 03, 2003 - 12:03 am: Edit

Military family?

By Amnestykid (Amnestykid) on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 09:03 am: Edit

hey melissa,
just reading over the discussion so far...how have things been till now? I was just going to emphasize the benefits of studying abroad, even if it's for a short period of time. I've been studying in Thailand for the past four years after having studied in California all my life. The change is huge, but the effects are amazing! Your whole perception of the world can be changed by simply traveling to another country, especially a country with a very unique culture such as Turkey!

take care Melissa, and best wishes.
AK.