Honestly, as an international student with your case, maybe a gap year is the right decision.
OP, you seem like a sweet and passionate girl. I think AOs will see that. But as an intl seeking FA and no test score, it’s difficult to gain admission. If you will not be 18 when you graduate high school, the extra year can give you time to take the SAT, build a really strong profile, and perhaps work part time to help pay for the SAT/Application fees.
Coming from Nigeria, I think you have a decent shot at top US universities that meet need and are need blind (and even at those who are not need blind for intl), if you just get that SAT score. Since you are low income, I think any school would be impressed with a score in the low 1400’s. You can do it.
I’m going to be turning eighteen in three years I would have taken a gap year, but I don’t think my parents would allow it. That depends tho, if I did horrible on 2/3 of the exams I’m taking this year and not gain admission in any home uni then i’ll be forced to take a gap year. If that happens, I’ll retake the SAT and all that. If it doesn’t (i pass my exams), i’ll either not be going to uni at all or be going to a college here (cost dependent). I don’t know…I’m too deep into this whole process to stop mid-way. How would i explain to my parents that I suddenly didn’t apply anymore because of my score. It’s a valid reason, thay’re just not going to see that. I don’t want to end up not going to uni at all, and I don’t want to work low end jobs my entire life or forever live in poverty (I might have said in this thread or my other thread that local unis are an option, and they very much are. But I would have to study either medicine, engineering or accounting here (I can’t change my course now, too late) and you have to pay like 500k to whoever you know to get you actually considered even if you have good test scores and that’s for state unis, not even private (my friend just graduated and she’s going state and that’s what she said her parents had to do, and her uni is literally run through like what?? ). My parents didn’t have to do that for my brother cuz he is studying something in computer science, but its going to be a lot harder for me. Thats just why I’m trying to crawl my way out of a hole I haven’t fully dug yet.)
If I end up taking a gap year (didn’t get admission; EU unis don’t want me)I’ll retake the SAT. For now, i’ll just apply and see what happens, and if nothing works (with THIS and a bunch of other non-American unis I’m applying to) then well…
I know my odds right now are low, but apart from consultation (with a fricking con woman cuz who pays to tell you how their service works:roll_eyes:) and the money for the SAT, I haven’t spent much on applying itself. Don’t get it wrong I have spent money that my famiily didn’t have, but applying itself isn’t taking anything from me right now so I’ll do it.
I appreciate the advice, it keeps me realistic enough. I’ll just apply and let anything that wants to happen happen (idk how else to put it other than i don’t want to be leftover human). Thank you
The silver lining of sorts is that your parents have invested in your education, are trying to protect you from kidnappings, and don’t want to marry you off - and that you’ve succeeded beyond expectations despite low income, little electricity, and surrounding violence. But for your sake I hope you have an acceptance anywhere where you won’t be at risk.
You’re so young and so intelligent to do the things you’re doing. Scoring a 1280 as a 15 year old from a low income house in a foreign country….that is impressive! You have a lot for you in the future whether you go to a US uni or not.
My guess is that you will be successful no matter what university you attend. Keep the work ethic and passion you have. That is more important than any name on a diploma.
Thank you, thank you so much I’m hoping and praying that I get an acceptance literally anywhere, I’ll take it (not just ANYWHERE, but the countries I’m applying to are good so )
Thank you so much I think that score is embarrassing honestly and I feel like I could do better. I actually really hate it and this comment was reassuring so thank you
Hi! So can anyone explain to me the financial aid thing at Howard. I get their a HBCU so I know they’re not all that generous with aid to international students (this might be wrong, its just what I saw on some other threads sorry ) but on their website it says : **Starting for the 2023-2024 School Year, First Time In College (FTIC) international students may only be considered for merit based Howard University Freshman Scholarships (HUFS) awards, if applicable. and I was like oh okay, but then under that it says:
Students classified as international are not eligible to receive federal aid; therefore, completing an International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) allows Howard University to determine eligibility for and award available institutional aid. All international students must complete an International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) to receive institutional aid while enrolled at Howard University.
Here, is the institutional aid different from merit aid? And is the ISFAA kind of just proof that you can actually pay tuition if admitted?
Its on my list and I alr have all 20 schools, so if they don’t provide any need based aid, I’ll switch it out for Northwestern or just something else (please let me know if you have another school in mind). Thank you!
Once upon a a time, Howard did offer full ride merit scholarships which international students were eligible for. No idea what the situation with that is now.
Here is a thread you may want to read through. It’s a couple years old, but perhaps there’s some useful information. Apologies, I don’t have time to read through it right now.
@ChangeTheGame had two students at Howard, although they were US citizens. Perhaps they have some insight.
As many people are busy or traveling over the holidays, responses may be limited for the next week or so. Keep asking questions and I’m sure you’ll get more guidance once people are back to their normal routines.
You did not mention that you are only 15 years old! This is very important information. You are jumping the gun. You need further high school level education in your home country, and apply when you are 17. Are there any high standards high schools in your country where you could attend on scholarship? You could be a competitive applicant in two years, with two more years of rigorous high school education.
Yes, Howard only provides merit aid, no financial aid. You’d need to figure out if they still offer full rides. They used to, before COVID (but required test scores then).
If you can’t locate a possibility, then yes it should be removed.
Warning: Being 15 is likely to be seen as a liability by US colleges, not as evidence that you’re smart and dedicated.
Is there any prestigious boarding school preparing for ALevels in Lagos that you could attend on scholarship? That would be the best for you and would give you time to prepare for the SAT on top of it.
Since WAEC is not seen as equivalent to ALevels, it wouldn’t be “repeating”.
OP, this is something to note. Colleges will be hesitant about your age, despite how much they may like you. Is there any way you can further your education (even outside the classroom!) for two more years? You should be at least 17 when entering college, although as an international student 18 is much safer.
You also need to research whether 15 and 16 year olds are even allowed to live in the college dorms at these colleges. I don’t know the answer, but some colleges do have restrictions in terms of young students and housing.
I’m checking the thread you attached rn and will contact the person you tagged hopefully later today, as I don’t have time to postpone it because so many apps are due soon, Thank you!
I only realized it was christmas on eve and then kinda forgot people’s schedules change atound the holidays I’ll make sure to ask my questions, I’ll be waiting if anyone wants to answer me
Also happy holidays, and merry Christmas. To you and everyone else on here, I hope this year’s Christmas was…fulfilling despite everything happening in the world and your personal lives this year. Merry Christmas!
Jesus I didn’t mention it cuz I didn’t think it was important
Sir I’m at the furthest level of high school education in my home country Idk the age thing here makes it that kids starting uni are literally 14 like I’m one of the oldest in my class Thats just how it is. 4 yo in the first grade, 9 in the 7th, 11/12 in the 9th and 14/15 (16 for kids that repeated or smth) in the 12th grade, 15/16 in uni 1st year
They don’t even do A-levels here and in school that do, there’s no 12th grade so its still the same result–15/16 in 1st year uni, then there’s the abnormal ones whose parents made them skip a year and are 13 rushing to higher education
Idk how else to do it, I could do Alevels and still be 15 when I apply and I’m not even going to be left to stay at home two years
I’ll take it off then do you have any colleges in mind to replace Howard then? I was thinking NorthWestern or NorthEastern but NE only provides up to 28k in merit aid and that is up to.
I’m not trying to prove anything thats just how it is, I did all my years. I just started school at 2-like everyone one else. 4 classes before 1st grade too. This doesn’t matter cuz I know AOs won’t see that, but I genuinely don’t know how else I’m supposed to age a year, like Alevels is first year uni here and my parents aren’t going to enroll me into a uni and then I ask them to take the SAT again and they’ll agree. That includes chickening out and stopping midway and then springing it up on them a year later that we should go at it again. They aren;t going to do that because they already put everything in my hands right now and aren’t going to trust me a second time.
If i get rejected from everywhere cuz of my age or the strength of my app then so be it, I just have to actually finish this round first.
If the average high school graduate age in Nigeria is really 14 or so…perhaps you should consider college there…where others your age will be attending college.
I know Wikipedia is not the definitive source but according to this…14 is not the average age of graduation from high school…did you complete both junior secondary school and senior secondary school?
I would have taken a gap year, but I don’t think my parents would allow it. That depends tho, if I did horrible on 2/3 of the exams I’m taking this year and not gain admission in any home uni then i’ll be forced to take a gap year. If that happens, I’ll retake the SAT and all that. If it doesn’t (i pass my exams), i’ll either not be going to uni at all or be going to a college here (cost dependent). I don’t know…I’m too deep into this whole process to stop mid-way. How would i explain to my parents that I suddenly didn’t apply anymore because of my score. It’s a valid reason, thay’re just not going to see that. I don’t want to end up not going to uni at all, and I don’t want to work low end jobs my entire life or forever live in poverty (I might have said in this thread or my other thread that local unis are an option, and they very much are. But I would have to study either medicine, engineering or accounting here (I can’t change my course now, too late) and you have to pay like 500k to whoever you know to get you actually considered even if you have good test scores and that’s for state unis, not even private (my friend just graduated and she’s going state and that’s what she said her parents had to do, and her uni is literally run through like what?? 
). My parents didn’t have to do that for my brother cuz he is studying something in computer science, but its going to be a lot harder for me. Thats just why I’m trying to crawl my way out of a hole I haven’t fully dug yet.)
I’m hoping and praying that I get an acceptance literally anywhere, I’ll take it (not just ANYWHERE, but the countries I’m applying to are good so 
) but on their website it says : **Starting for the 2023-2024 School Year, First Time In College (FTIC) international students may only be considered for merit based Howard University Freshman Scholarships (HUFS) awards, if applicable. and I was like oh okay, but then under that it says:
!
…turning 16, 15 on arrival