Considering International Education?

International Students
1

So I am highkey panicking right now. I will be going into my Junior year of high school as an IB student. My unweighted is a 3.68 and I am not proud of that. I will definitely be trying a lot better the next couple of years so I am expecting it to go up. I’ll do some dual enrollment classes soon, so that will raise my weighted (4.01). It’s not great but it is what it is.

I guess I was counting on a scholarship to an in-state school like University of Florida but I don’t think I will get in, but I won’t be able to afford it anyway.

My parents have about $4,000 saved up for me and they are doing the best they can. On top of that, I probably won’t be able to get in with my GPA so low. I refuse to go to a community college.

I’ve have always been held to very high expectations, and I haven’t really disappointed my family academically my whole life so I don’t know what my parents will say if I don’t get into a good school like UF (let alone afford it).

So I have given up hoping for UF (I will probably still apply, but I am trying to get over the denial early so I am not miserable) and I want to pursue an education elsewhere.

As a result I am considering going overseas to places where college is free and simply pay for the cost of living. I want to major in engineering, not sure what type yet, probably electrical, renewable, or mechanical.

I have been specifically looking at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. Apparently it is a good school and all you have to pay is a small registration fee and the cost of living. I do speak a good amount of Portuguese, I am not fluent but I have some basics down. (I am also semi-fluent in Spanish). I love the culture, I love the language, I love the music, but to be honest, I am terrified. The country is less safe than the US, old infrastructure, and an unstable currency. I’m worried about being safe.

I have also looked at the University of Munich in Germany. It is a great school and I have always wanted to go to Europe, but I don’t know a lick of German. I don’t have the safety fears I have in Brazil, but what use is Germany if I can’t talk to anyone.

Anyways, to sum it up, I am terrified about college. I am looking for some insight from people who are more knowledgeable than me, especially on Brazil and Germany.

I can’t afford a domestic education so an international one is the next step. I guess my question is, where do you think I should go, Brazil, Germany, or somewhere else? What do you think is the best course for me?

Thanks so much for your response. I need some input from anyone who will listen.

2

Can’t speak to much about studying internationally, other than learning a new language while studing engineering can be a challenge. Lets review your in-state options…

First, it sounds like cost is a major issue (as it is with most folks). Florida has several very good to decent public universities that offer engineering, all with low in-state tution rates (about $6K+ a year). As an IB student, you would also qualify for Bright Futures scholarship, which is about $3K+ a year (for 30 credits). You also will be able to take advantage of IB test scores and duel enrollment classes to earn college credit (saving you a substantial amount of $$).

Based on your family income, you may also qualify for Pell Grants, work study and student loans.

Now, how to take advantage of this items…

You may or may not get accepted to UF, but put that aside for now. You’ll want to do well your junior year, raise your GPA if possible, take the ACT/SAT (likely more than once, keep in mind that UF and the other schools will “superscore” your SAT scores), and earn college credits via DE and IB.

Now, your strategy…

First, if you’re accepted to UF, you’ll need a plan to deal with UF’s cost (about $19K a year, including tuition, room and board, etc). Bright futures, student loands, savings, working, etc., can help. However, if cost proves to be too much of a challenge, it’s time for plan B.

Several of Florida’s public universities (like UCF, USF, UNF, FIU, FAU, etc) offer engineering programs. They also will likely offer you merit scholarships (if you do well on your ACT/SAT, at least $3K to $4K a year). If you can commute to one of these schools, you can signficantly reduce your cost, even to the point that you can avoid student loands and still be able to save some money.

After 2 years, you can continue at the school (UCF and USF have very good engineering departments), or then transfer to UF.

Community college is an option used by many UF students, including engineering students. You may not like this option, but you should keep it in mind…

Another option for Engineering students, is co-ops.

http://www.crc.ufl.edu/employers/employerInternships.html

Many of my peers took advantages of co-ops. Engineering co-ops pay well, enough to help fund your time at UF/UCF/USF….

Other options…

You can also apply to OOS Publics and private universities (who would offer merit/need based aid to make them more affordable). As an engineering student, your private universities options may be limited. However, several OOS publics would offer you significant merit scholarships (if you do well on your ACT/SAT), that could make them affordable. Even though you would lose Bright Futures, the merit scholarships may be a better deal. Using the University of Alabama as an example, as an engineering student, you could be awarded a full tuition scholarship, leaving you to pay for the other cost (about $16K at UA). You should apply to a few schools and compare their offers.

Good Luck!

3

OP, financial aid exists. And some liberal arts colleges, like Bucknell and Lafayette, offer both an engineering degree and generous financial aid. Perhaps consider the University of Alabama. If you maintain a GPA of above 3.5 by the end of junior year and have the required test score, you would get full tuition. There are also several other similar possibilities. Please don’t look at Brazil and what not. I have been through this phase and I can guarantee you that you will not be going to college in Brazil or Germany if you do your research. Besides, have you ever considered how hard it would be to go a foreign country just like that? What if you become very sick? Would your parents be able to fly out the next day?

4

I play an online political nation simulator game and it has it own forums. I asked the same thing there that I asked here but there is a lot more activity there. If someone could please do a quick glance of what I wrote. You don’t need an account or anything.
http://politicsandwar.com/forums/index.php?/topic/7515-college-help/page-3#entry121965

See beyond the financial part, I want a little bit of an adventure, and a way to experience and learn about other cultures first hand. That’s the main reason that I would like to travel and study abroad.

On that forum, someone mentioned exchange programs. Could one of you shed some light on those, particularly at UF?

In addition, I’ve considered UCF and that is certainly an option but the foreign experience is what really matters to me. It’s not the end all be all, but it’s what I’d like to achieve if I can.

Okay, now for a slew of questions:

Say I get my IB diploma, is is true in most Universities they grant you enough credit to be basically halfway through sophomore year? I’ve read a lot of conflicting info.

Do international universities care about IB? Does UF care about IB?

Are you familiar with PLTW? I’m currently enrolled in PLTW in my school, scored a 7 on IED and an 8 on POE. Do colleges, domestic or international care?

I’m considering going for a master’s. Is that extra schooling wise?

And thanks for responding, my OP sounded pretty desperate (as I was in a little emotion turmoil when I posted it :P). My school counselor can’t answer any of my questions so sorry again about the quantity; it’s just confusing given all of the possibilities.

5

First, the questions…

It varies by college. see the following link to see how UF (for example) awards class credit based on IB exam scores.

https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/advising/info/IB-examination-credit-info.aspx

In addition, UF will offer course credit for any AP test scores (if they are high enough) and DE classes.

It’s a “standard” high school program that’s understood by most universities. UF does like IB students (from an admissions standpoint). UF likes students that are part of IB/AICE program, and/or take AP and DE classes. The more rigorous your schedule (and IB is considered very rigorous), the better.

Not familiar with it. Since it’s a US based programs, international colleges likely don’t give it much thought.

It typically takes 2 additional years (4 for the BS, and 2 for the MS). However, that number can vary, and you’ll find schools offer different “types” of master programs. Talking about Engineering, UF, UCF, USF, etc, offer a 4+1 program (a “Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program”) where you start taking grad level classes your senior year (year 4), allowing you to receive both your BS and MS after 5 years.

From UF’s website:

UF, UCF, USF, etc. all offer travel abroad programs. Here’s a link to UF’s engineering study abroad website.

https://www.eng.ufl.edu/students/programs/international/study-abroad-opportunities/

Good Luck!

6

Thanks so much :).