<p>Hi! I’m an international student who plans to apply to university in 2012, or 2011 (early decision)…As I wasn’t really decided in highschool (when I should have started the application 
) where I would like to spend the next 4 years of college (I began the college in my country, but I would like to start anew; for the moment I study Biochemistry)…I found myself in a huge dilemma…Though I began the SAT’s preparation few months ago, I’m still quite concerned as regards my age by the time I am going to apply (21 years old) …So, i know that there’s no discrimination on several factors, but I still wonder about my chances to get in, taking into account that I’m not 18-19years old…So, does anybody know if an university let’s say one from the ivy league will look down on my application because of my age? Or should I take more SAT II exams (so far, i’ve taken 2) in order to try to make up for this? How can I make my application stronger in order to have a chance of being accepted? Any advice, suggestion is welcome 
. (sorry for the long thread)</p>
<p>Your are is not the primary issue. If you have completed a year of college you generally would not be considered for freshman admissions. Instead you would need to apply as a transfer student. You need to check each schools admissions website for their policy.</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply!
indeed, i could go for the transfer, but because of the big discrepancies between the US educational system and my country’s one, i think it would be better for me,in the long run to opt for the undergraduate program (and i didn’t hear of any transfer student from an university from here to an american one)…that’s why i asked about the age…if it would be an issue… but probably, i am a way too concerned about it:)</p>
<p>The point is that you cannot ignore the fact that you attended college in your country and apply as a fr here in the US. It’s not what’s better for you, but what the rules are for the colleges you’re applying to.</p>
<p>Each school has their own definition of a transfer, some consider you a transfer applicant if you have taken as little as 1 post-HS college course (anywhere), others have definitions based on number of credits or amount of time in college, but if you have spent a full year in college in your country, you will be a transfer applicant at ANY US college.</p>
<p>Finally, a transfer refers to a student who changes colleges during their UG program. So you would still be working on your UG degree, but you would likely be spending less than 4 yrs to do so.</p>
<p>I went back to college as a transfer when I was 35-years-old. You certainly are not too old.</p>
<p>And I have to ditto entomom. You won’t have a choice regarding applying as a transfer, because that is what you will be required to do since you have gone to college. If you try to apply as a Freshman and ignore your college experience, it would be dishonest and if discovered would disqualify you completely.</p>
<p>Now it is possible that the college won’t accept any of your credits and you might have to start over - but that would be up to the college you are attending.</p>
<p>maria20,</p>
<p>If you haven’t already done so, you need to read through everything at [EducationUSA</a> | Study Abroad, Student Visa, University Fairs, College Applications and Study in the U.S. / America](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.info/]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.info/) Then you need to make an appointment with the counselors at the advising center closest to you. [EducationUSA</a> - Find an Advising Center](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.info/centers.php?region=3]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.info/centers.php?region=3) These counselors have a lot of experience helping students from your country find good places to study in the USA, and they can help you with the whole process.</p>
<p>Since you have completed some university-level studies in your own country, you will probably need to have them formally evaluated. One company that does this is [World</a> Education Services - International Education Intelligence](<a href=“http://www.wes.org/]World”>http://www.wes.org/) Check with the colleges and universities that you are applying to, and find out which companies’s evaluations are acceptable to them.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you all for your replies and THANK YOU happymomof1 for the really helpful information 
!</p>