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Posted

I've looked into applying to an American College as an alternative means of gaining entrance. I've been out of school for a long time and my high school diploma is pretty much useless here in Canada. I've read a lot about how SAT scores are not everything when it comes to getting accepted. What if an individual scored far beyond the 'norm' would it be sufficients grounds to be granted approval to study???????

 

Thx!

Posted

Depends how exceptional.

 

One think you should look into is the financial requirements, though. At one point, my wife (fiancee at the time) was looking into studying here (she's from the UK), and she found that a lot of places required a bank statement that showed 1 year's tuition + a full year's expected living expenses before even considering an international student.

Posted

American colleges like to see community service and involvement, not just SAT scores. But really good scores are a good bonus.

 

Tuition for international students won't be great though, even at public schools, because public schools depend on tax money to subsidize tuition, and you don't get the subsidy as a non-resident.

Posted

So if I was financially capable, with exceptional SAT scores and was actively involved in the community it may be possible to get around high school and/or community college pre-requisites?

 

As for how exceptional, well, I don't know a damn thing about the SATs so I really don't know. Knowledge of American History, correct me if I'm wrong, is avidly tested. :P It has always been a thought, the finances aren't really the big issue. I expected the part about community involvement and well..............and although I think I would do well on the SATs I would probably have to do some serious cramming to do exceptionally well.

 

Thanks, it is a thought I may one day entertain. If not working towards a Ba or a masters maybe towards a PhD!

Posted
So if I was financially capable, with exceptional SAT scores and was actively involved in the community it may be possible to get around high school and/or community college pre-requisites?

Most American universities have no community college pre-requisites -- you're expected to go straight from high school to university. As for university requirements, they want you to have graduated and usually want three to four years of math and science, and some places ask that you have taken a foreign language in high school. It all depends, though, and they might not hold the same requirements to someone who's been out of school for a while.

 

As for how exceptional, well, I don't know a damn thing about the SATs so I really don't know. Knowledge of American History, correct me if I'm wrong, is avidly tested. :P It has always been a thought, the finances aren't really the big issue. I expected the part about community involvement and well..............and although I think I would do well on the SATs I would probably have to do some serious cramming to do exceptionally well.

They do not test American History or any America-specific stuff.

 

The SAT has three sections:

  • Critical Reading tests your ability to read passages, see what's wrong grammatically, understand what's being said, and comprehend vocabulary.
  • Writing tests your ability to write an essay on a given topic.
  • Math tests, well, math. It covers algebra, geometry and some trigonometry -- no calculus though.

 

Most bookstores should offer SAT study books with practice tests. I'd recommend getting one to see what you're up against.

 

I might also point out that out-of-state tuition at a large American university can be as much as $20,000-$30,000 per year.

Posted

It also depends on where you're applying to. Even perfect SAT scores are not an automatic ticket to entry at many places.

Posted

I had tied High School prerequisites with Community College assisted entry........ In Canada this tends to be the means of gaining entrance to a University when one doesn't meet the High School expectations, either grades or time frame. Is this not the same in the States?

 

$20000 - $30000 tuition alone or living expenses included?????? No matter it's still not the real issue! I work and have no intention of even beginning my education for another three or four years. I promise not to ask if I'll be to old to go back to school...................

 

There's always the alternative I could set up lab.............unda tha sea, unda tha sea................. :P

Posted
$20000 - $30000 tuition alone or living expenses included??????

 

At most major schools, tuition does NOT include food and housing/living expenses.

 

As for getting in... being accepted to the school... it really varies. If the school is in high demand, they will have higher standards because they can afford to turn students away. If the school is in less demand, they will tend to have lower entrance requirements so they can ensure to attract enough students to keep revenues coming in. It really depends on where you go and what you want to study.

Posted

Well truthfully I don't really care where I go! I'm not trying to get a job! I'm trying to position myself to do my own research legally, with possible capital gain interests of coarse. I want to be the boss, jobs at NASA are cool and all but............... I know credentials would limit a person in this area also; I've never been one to look for the easiest answer to the question though.

 

unda tha sea.............unda tha sea............. maybe unda the oceans of the methane moon of Saturn! :P (Don't let my tom foolery down play the serious nature of the op. Thank you for the replies!)

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