Timeline for attending college in Australia for a US student?
I am a current US high school senior, and was thinking of applying to a university in Australia... I tried looking for a timeline for admissions stuff, but couldn't find any. Since first semester is in January for schools in Australia, how would that work as a US student? And if I applied now would I be able to get an admissions decision around the same time I'll be getting decisions for my schools in the US?
Higher Education (University +) - 1 Answers
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You won't find any general timeline info about studying abroad because each university and college the world over has its own timeline set for native and foreign students. I'm guessing you would have to start the process well in advance if they start university in January. That is a bit of poor planning right off the bat, and you can't survive in a foreign country if you can't plan properly. First of all - you have no idea what school you even want to go to in Australia. So, that lets me know that this may be a spur of the moment decision for you. If you had researched and narrowed down the colleges of choice you were looking at - you would not even have to post this question because all of them would have had a section for "international applicants" that would have told you exactly what to do. So I suggest, if you're really serious about this, that your next steps be thusly: 1) Decide what you want to major in. What are your career interests. There's no way you're gonna go to another country and do what most American kids do here - waffle around not declaring a major til Jr year - and even then, still not being sure. So narrow down some majors for yourself. 2) RESEARCH and IDENTIFY Australian universities that can accommodate that major! You're not gonna go to Australian Arts University if you wanna be a scientist. Then again, if you are going back and forth between wanting to be a scientist and a writer - you may want to research both types of universities and then -> 3) LOOK up the admission requirements and deadlines for foreign students for EACH school you're interested in. You will probably have to have your grades and other test scores converted to its equivalent in Australia. This stuff takes TIME. You may even have to take Australian tests if American ones aren't accepted (i.e. ACT, SAT). You will probably need recommendations from teachers, employers, etc. You'll more than likely have to write an essay about why you want to go to that university. 4) READ the application requirements and begin getting the materials together to be able to complete the application CORRECTLY. Then fill out the application online (or however they request it). FINANCIAL AID will be a huge factor - that's also another process that takes massive amounts of TIME. You'll be wanting to research and apply for study abroad or international education scholarships. Trust me - you'll need that. A lot of universities want to know you can support yourself UP FRONT for all the years you intend to be there as you will not have access to their welfare or needy person programs. And most, if not all, foreign universities will not allow you to work any significant amount of time while you study. They are not trying to give their resources and jobs to people who have other countries to go home to and for whom studying abroad is a luxury. If your parents will fork over enough cash to cover you - you'll have to prove that you have all the money you need IN THE BANK before you leave. They'll ask for financial records. You will definitely be too late to apply for and win any scholarships at this late date. You can try checking www.fastweb.com as a start. It's a great resource anyway. Your high school counselor should also be able to tell you of other relevant scholarship and grant opportunities, but since you're the one who wants to go abroad - you're the one responsible to do the leg work to try to get there. Be sure that you want to go to the university, too as some of them may charge steep admissions fees of $50 - $75 dollars or more. They do this so they don't waste time going through frivolous applications. 5) IDENTIFY the person to contact for international applicants and make sure you email that person or call. They have hundreds and hundreds of new and returning applicants and can't be expected to remember any of you. The more you make yourself known, the better advantage you give yourself over other applicants. Don't email the person every day or anything, but as soon as you identify them - find a reason to touch base. Email them and tell them you've just submitted an application and you're excited about the possibility of being accepted and if they need any additional information from you - feel free to let you know. Ask them if there are any current American and/or Australian students who would be willing to talk to you about the university and their experiences there. ALWAYS DO THAT. It shows you're serious and that you have a real interest in the university and the university culture.
