Canadian mature student wanting to go to comm. college .. in the states?

College Search & Lists Community Colleges
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<p>I am a 24-year-old Canadian prospective mature student. After a few years in the work force I am ready to go back to school and have applied to a university on the east coast (in Toronto, Ontario). I am currently waiting to hear back from them. But what I have secretly always wanted is to study in the states. I often feel like I am an American stuck in Canada, and I’ve felt this way since I was 10! I feel like if I got the chance to study in the states I would feel so much more motivated, happier, etc. The only problem is money and the fact that I would be so terrified to take the “wrong” course and waste money, which would limit how exploratory my first year could be. Ultimately if I could just find a good quality community college with good facilities and a healthy mix of programs available with CHEAP tuition rates to internationals then I figure I would be all set. I could potentially get the same education for a cheaper price at home going to a local community college but I REALLY want to live in the states and hopefully even transfer to an Ivy League after 2 years. Surely my chances of getting there from an American community college are much better than if I were to start from a Canadian college? </p>

<ul>
<li>Are people required to know what they want to major in in their first term at community college? Is there not much room to take a large variety of courses? (I.e. are you required to take courses that closely follow a schedule set out by the university program you are aiming to get into)?</li>
<li>Do I need SAT’s and ACT scores to get into a US community college and then later when transferring to a 4-year Ivy league?</li>
<li>What do Ivy leagues look for in their community college transfer applicants? Are we required to fulfill the same criteria they apply to incoming 18 year old freshmen? (i.e. loads of e.c’s, leadership, teamwork, volunteer?)</li>
</ul>

<p>Is what I want to do crazy?!! Am I putting myself into debt for something stupid? All I know is every moment I stay stuck in Canada I feel like my life is slipping past me… I don’t know why I feel this way I just do.</p>

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<p>Sorry I would also like to add in my list of questions:</p>

<p>If I do really well in my SAT’s and ACT scores then does this mean I could apply directly to 4-year liberal arts universities?</p>

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<p>Anybody please?</p>

<p>I really want to study in the states but I realize how ridiculous it is to pay so much just to attend community college… but my dream is to transfer into an American university.</p>

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<p>'Student Eligibility</p>

<p>To be considered eligible for and receive Federal and most State financial aid, an applicant must:</p>

<pre><code>* Be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen (permanent resident, resident alien, refugee, asylee).
NOTE: State of California programs may have a less restrictive residency requirement for non U.S. citizens:’
</code></pre>

<p>[Financial</a> Aid Handbook 2009-10](<a href=“http://www.smc.edu/apps/pub.asp?Q=19]Financial”>http://www.smc.edu/apps/pub.asp?Q=19)</p>

<p>1.It it really hard to transfer to an ivy league from a community college, very few even accept transfer students.
2. No you do not need to know your major right away, community colleges allow you to take any classes you want as long as you have the money… don’t worry about that.
3. most colleges do not look at SAT’s for transfer students, some private college might.</p>