I know it may seem illogical & unconventional to pursue early college in the US as a traditional curriculum student from South Asia, but my circumstances compel me to try.
I am applying a year earlier than my expected high school graduation in 2027, targeting the Class of 2030 instead of 2031. I will submit my Grade 9–11 transcripts, pre-board results, and a principal-signed school readiness certificate, having completed the full syllabus through school’s academic readiness examination. Many students in my country already skip final boards to meet international enrollment timelines; I intend to do the same, while also skipping two-thirds into Grade 12 if get admitted.
My decision is driven by urgent family needs. My father, who has long worked abroad to support us, is facing declining health. As the eldest child, I feel a deep responsibility to relieve the financial and emotional strain on my family. Beginning college earlier and covering my own expenses would allow my father to return home permanently, focus on his health, and ease our family’s burden. (It is a bit more complex)
Academically, I have completed the full traditional school syllabus and demonstrated my readiness by passing my school’s academic readiness exam. Beyond the classroom, I have pursued independent learning in psychology, earning a silver medal in IPsyO and conducting independent research under the mentorship of a professor at my country’s top university. My profile, from academics to extracurriculars, is strongly aligned with my intended major: Psychology with some kinda big bold social impacts! I will sit for SAT, and maybe I can pull a score of at least 1450+ and if I do seriously study it can go upto 1550ish! Also about my age I”ll be 18 before reaching college even if I apply for this cycle!
My personal statement comes from an experience only I can tell, rooted in deeply personal moments, tho a bit risky due to sensitivity of the topic. A Harvard student who reviewed my essay and profile described my chances at top schools as strong! He was amazed by my essay especially! My question remains: will US colleges consider an early applicant from South Asia for a full-ride or near-full-ride scholarship even if he is very unique individual? I’m pretty nervous, be brutally honest, it is better to apply knowing the bitter reality.
Here’s the bitter reality. Outside of public universities, which for financial reasons aren’t an option for you, basically nobody gets admitted in their penultimate year. And even applying in your final year, as an international requiring aid, your chances are greatly diminished. And if you’re from China, Korea, or the Indian subcontinent, your odds are further diminished
OK how are you planning to ease your family’s financial burden?
If you go to school in the United States, you can’t expect to be employed in the US.
When a university accepts you, they’re accepting you for four years of education. They don’t guarantee jobs, they don’t guarantee residency, they only provide four years of an education.
After those four years are up you are expected to return to your home country. Do you have a guaranteed job when you get back?
A few comments:
–Agree that getting a full ride to a US college is a longshot – even more so for an international applicant.
–Even if you get a “full ride” you will likely have to cover expenses such as transportation, health insurance, books, spending money, etc. which could run thousands of dollars. Your ability to work in the US as an international student will be very limited.
–Applying a year early will likely be viewed as a negative rather than a positive.
–Paychology is a fascinating field of study, but not sure what type of job (to help support a family) you could get after graduation with that degree.
–As noted upthread, there is no guarantee you will be able to stay in the US after graduating college.
–Take your shot with US colleges but I recommend you also look into college options in your home country.
Agree.
A psychology degree typically requires additional graduate level degrees to work in that field, in the US. If you know you are guaranteed a position in your country, you should jump on that and attend a university in your country.
There is no lack of US students with Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology. So, the US Immigration Service wouldn’t be inclined to grant additional time, to grant an Optional Practical training (OPT) year. WHO would sponsor that, since there are tons of students with this degree?
Most students in the US, with a Bachelors degree in psychology, typically don’t earn a lot of money in that field and typically can’t “practice” in it without further education.
Those who intend to practice as psychologists, spend years in training after their Bachelor’s and earn PSYD or Ph.Ds. It’s not a rapid process. So if you were intending to help your parents out, it’ll take at least 6 to 8 years, minimum in the US, and then you would return to your country to become employed.
Rushing through the Bachelor’s degree, would prepare you for further study in the field.