<p>I’m a US citizen living in Spain, having moved to this country nearly three years ago. I have been studying my high school years here and I’m about to start what would be my senior year in high school in the US. Due to our differences in the educational system, I’m confused as to whether I need to take the SATs and ACTs I grew up hearing so much about in order to enter a US college. Here in Spain, 6th grade is part of elementary education, then 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th are considered 1st to 4th years of E.S.O (Obligatory Secondary Education) and the las two years of a US high school are considered 1st and 2nd of Bachillerato. The only important grades here are both years of Bachillerato’s and the final tests (Selectivity) which, depending on your grade, allow you to study in a certain field (e.g those striving for studies in medicine need to get a 9 over 10 in order to be accepted). I know the importance SATs and credits gained throughout high school years have when applying for college as an American student, but I’m confused about how my location and foreign studies affect my approach towards college applications. Am I supposed to take some sort of SATs? Or does a GED cover that? And how are my grades convalidated in the US?</p>
<p>Please and thank you!</p>
<p>You need to the the SAT or ACT for most colleges. They should be offered in Spain.</p>
<p>Most U.S. colleges require standardized tests, but typically they’ll allow you to choose between the SAT reasoning test (SAT I) and the ACT. A few also require 2 or 3 SAT Subject Tests (SAT IIs); at some schools the ACT is a substitute for both SAT I and SAT IIs, but a few schools require SAT IIs even if you take the ACT. A small but growing number of schools are now “test optional” (standardized tests not required) or “test flexible” (the schools allows you to choose from a menu of testing options including typically SAT IIs-only or AP tests in lieu of the SAT I or ACT). Look at the websites of the colleges you’re thinking about applying to; they’ll tell you what they require.</p>
<p>You can take either the SAT or the ACT (or both) in Spain. You may need to travel to a test center somewhere within Spain, or you may be able to have a service provider administer the test in your location for an additional fee. Go to their respective websites, [College</a> Admissions - SAT - University & College Search Tool](<a href=“http://www.collegeboard.com%5DCollege”>http://www.collegeboard.com) for the SAT and <a href=“The ACT Test for Students | ACT”>The ACT Test for Students | ACT; for the ACT. They’ll tell you how to register.</p>
<p>bclintonk: Thank you, I’m glad I’m finally getting somewhere after so much time… I have a question, though… When I’m registering for the tests, does this mean I’m taking it online?</p>
<p>Your best source for help in Spain is the local EducationUSA office. Read through the website at [EducationUSA</a> | Study Abroad, Student Visa, University Fairs, College Applications and Study in the U.S. / America](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.state.gov/]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.state.gov/) to find answers to most of your questions, and then make an appointment with the counselors at the advising center closest to you. There are two in Spain [EducationUSA</a> - Find an Advising Center](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.info/Spain]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.info/Spain) If you can’t visit in person, find out if they can help you by phone or email. They have experience with students just like you.</p>
<p>Because you are a US citizen, you will be a Domestic applicant for financial aid. Since you have an international academic record, you will need to contact each college/university that you apply to to find out what to do about your transcripts. In addition to the ACT or SAT, you will need to take the TOEFL to demonstrate your level of English proficiency. The TOEFL is an online exam. The ACT and SAT are on paper. For all three exams you will need to identify a testing center where you can take the exam. The folks at EducationUSA can help you with that as well.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>