International student in US (NZ citizen) unsure about applying to UK vs US vs NZ universities

International Students
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I’m currently a junior at a small public high school in Nebraska, and I’ve been feeling pretty lost about my university options. I’d really appreciate some guidance from anyone who’s familiar with international student admissions or who’s gone through something similar.

I’m a New Zealand citizen (not a US citizen or permanent resident), but my family moved here to Nebraska last year. Before that, I lived in New Zealand for almost eight years (also did a lot of moving within the country), and before that, in Egypt for 7 years. I was born in Italy, but my parents are originally from Pakistan. So yes, it’s been a lot of moving.

My school is quite small and only offers 7 AP courses total. I took one last year (APUSH), taking two this year (AP Lang, AP US Gov), and I’m also self-studying two more APs (Microeconomics and Comp Gov) this year since I’m hoping to apply to UK universities, possibly for Politics, Economics, or PPE (I’ve already talked to my parents, my cousins who currently live here, and I’ve also done a lot of research on the process of applying to unis there, so I’m pretty familiar with the process and the entry requirements for APs). Next year, I plan to take two more APs (AP Calc AB (BC isn’t offered at my school) and Lit) and self-study one (AP Macroeconomics).

I don’t have a lot of extracurriculars (since I legally can’t work, internships, or job shadowing on an O3 visa), but I’m trying to get more involved where I can. Academically, I’m doing well this year after a difficult time adjusting when I first moved here last year. I’m taking the SAT this December and really hoping for a strong score.

My family and I recently learned that for most US universities, I’ll be considered an international applicant. However, we were told that I might be eligible for in-state/domestic status at UNL if I’ve lived here for three years by the time I graduate. Still, that’s not confirmed, and I’m not sure how that process works or if it’s even realistic.

I’d really love some advice on whether it makes sense for me to focus on UK universities (especially PPE/politics/econ courses) versus trying for US or NZ (which I will most definitely apply to since I’d be a domestic applicant) ones, how my citizenship and current visa status might affect my options, how to strengthen my application given my limited extracurriculars and school offerings, and any tips from people who were in a similar situation (international student doing high school in the US?).

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Here are the residency rules for state universities in Nebraska: https://cdn.nebraska.edu/docs/students/residency.pdf It seems you may qualify after 12 months of living there if you (or maybe your parents) can meet the other “domiciliary requirements”” - driver’s licence, bank account, etc. I suggest you contact the admissions department at the University of Nebraska to ask for more information.

If you are interested in PPE, I suggest you look at Denison University in Ohio. You would be treated as an international applicant, but the school meets full need for the international students it accepts. The PPE program is highly-regarded.

Regarding the extra-curriculars, at least you should be able to participate in some school activities? Sports teams, clubs, etc. Schools would also look at activities you participated in in New Zealand, and you (or your GC) can explain why you are currently unable to work, etc.

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I would keep an open mind and apply to colleges both in the UK and US. If you are considered in-state for UNL that is great – especially if your family will remain in Nebraska throughout your college years (if they plan another move while you are in college, research in advance if/how your status would change).

In terms of ECs there is nothing stopping you from getting involved with clubs in the HS and/or volunteering in your community.

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You might look at Omaha which has a minor in Leadership and Public Policy or concentrations in things like Government Affairs & Civic Engagement, foreign Affairs, Law and the Courts, Political Thought and Race, Ethnicity and Gender Politics. Also minors in Islamic Studies, Human rights, etc. you can also take an Econ minor.

Kearney is another with minors that could work in poli sci. Add an econ minor.

Yes budget and where do you want to be. And yes, you can get involved at school but that’s unlikely to matter for admission to these schools if you decide to stay in Nebraska.

Don’t know your budget but they are reasonable by most standards, even international. But hopefully you can get local tuition.

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Thanks!

My family are unsure about moving. We might move in a few years since we’re not really liking Nebraska so far, to be blunt, but it’s very iffy right now.

I’m in my school’s Quiz Bowl team and currently volunteer at the local library. I also plan on starting a passion project soon too.

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Those are two great ECs. You don’t need quantity…just quality and to be yourself.

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Why? Do you think a “passion project” that you start is going to move the needle on admissions? There are plenty of projects out there, already established, where your help and commitment would be valuable. Perhaps look for something like that.

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Agree with above post. No reason to create a “passion project”.

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Not saying you need to center your essay around this, but this is an interesting background that will interest at least some US colleges - not just the moving but the vast differences in the countries and variety of continents you’ve lived in. I would at least try to find some way to mention this.

Agree that you don’t need a “passion project”. You just need to find ECs you are passionate about and show depth in them.

Without a sense of your grades and scores it’s hard to suggest specific colleges that may be of interest /achievable.

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Ok!

I think I’m probably going to go for economics at US universities. Also, I did forget to mention, I don’t know if it counts as an EC, but I have been editing on After Effects (since 2022, though the following two accounts were started around 2024), and I have two editing accounts on TikTok, one with over 40k followers and the other with over 20k followers. Is it relevant, since it isn’t really related to economics?

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Thanks for your response.

Yeah, I am considering writing about it in my personal essay!

My grades have been a bit rocky. My converted grades from year 9 in New Zealand translated to a 3.92 UW here. But during sophomore year (when I moved to the US), my grades did suffer since I was struggling with adapting to the completely different education system, plus I had to go overseas for a month and a half because of a family emergency, which didn’t help. I ended that year with a 3.69 UW and a 3.73 W, which I definitely wasn’t proud of, considering I’ve never struggled academically. This year, so far, I have all A’s and an A+, so hopefully my GPA will go up. For context, my school only offers 7 APs (APUSH, AP US Gov, AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Lang, AP Lit, and AP Calc AB), and we’re only allowed to take APUSH in our sophomore year, which I did. I did end up doing really well in the class, I got an A+ (my highest grade out of all my classes in sophomore year) and loved learning the content, but I only ended up getting a 4 on the exam. I sort of expected it since I didn’t really study for the exam like I should’ve. This year I’m taking AP US Gov and AP Lang, and both my teachers think I’ll probably get a 5. I’ve also registered to take the AP Comp Gov and AP Microecon exams by self-studying, my AP US Gov teacher has all the resources (he used to teach them in a different school) and encouraged me to take them. So I am aiming for all 5’s in these 4 exams, considering I don’t have many things to do outside of studying, I can devote a lot of my time to it. In my senior year, I plan to take AP Lit and AP Calc AB and then self-study AP Macroecon. I haven’t taken the ACT or SAT yet, but I’m going to be taking the SAT in December, so maybe my score from that might be a better indicator.

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Just realised I already mentioned my APs in the original post, sorry. :sob:

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ECs needn’t be related to what you major in. If you do something, make an impact, and grow is what matters. If it’s quantifiable, that’s a bonus.

None of it will matter for UNL, which isn’t a hard school to be admitted to.

If you were apply to meets need privates (and had need), it could help but it’s not a differentiator as I commented earlier your ECs were quite good.

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Hi @zmifmq. My D22 is currently in her final undergrad year at a UK university. She is a STEM student but has friends who are studying PPE. Feel free to ask questions about the UK admission process (if I don’t know, I can ask my D). Be sure to tag my name so I am notified (I don’t log into CC that often).

Compared to the US, the UK has a much more straightforward application process, focusing almost exclusively on academic performance. Given the challenges you’ve faced in terms of involvement in ECs, UK universities might be an attractive option for you. Best wishes.