Canadian applying to US College

Hello,

I'm a Canadian citizen that wants to move to the states!. My father lives in California and is a lawful permanent residence(Green card).He is currently starting the process of sponsoring me,from the US while i'm here in Canada. I am also hoping to start College in september of 08'. I havnt exactly applied for college yet!.But my question is, is it even possibly to apply and start college while the process is going on?(of him sponsoring me)
And if so, what status will i have in California?.

I don't know about state sponsored schools, but for the private ones I recall there being early admissions already announced in late January for the fall start date. I was treated as an international student since I didn't have anyone to sponsor me, but I'm worried that you may have already missed a few deadlines (like taking and sending SAT, ACT scores).

Depending on the school that you choose, most schools will do whatever it takes to get you into their school b/c you're an international student and they want you to pay double in tuition. I was an international student in the U.S., just graduated. If you have to apply and get accepted, I would do that first, and then its up to the school to file you're paper work with immigration. Not sure if your father is able to sponsor you as a permanent resident since he's not a citizen. I believe you have to be a citizen to sponsor, unless he's sponsoring you as a student.

I would recommend contacting the International Student Advisor at the school you choose to apply to and then go from there. They will help get your paperwork in order. Usually they'll want proof of income so that you can prove you're able to pay for the costs of tuition and costs of living. Thats where you're dad will come in and provide a bank statement with the amount of money they're requiring.

Depending on the sponsorship you're getting, if I'm right and you can't be sponsored as a permanent resident, then you'll be sponsored as a student and you will be on in F-1 status. This allows you to live and go to school for the duration of your program, unless you fall out of status. You'll need that paper work before classes begin, so to answer your question, if you aren't sponsored or have your proper paperwork, you can apply to school, but you won't be able to start, or even cross into the U.S. for that matter.

You need to get the college to get you an I-20, and then you go in as F-1. You can have change of status while you are in the US, although it might be simpler just to leave and re-enter, say during a summer vacation.

You need to get the college to get you an I-20, and then you go in as F-1. You can have change of status while you are in the US, although it might be simpler just to leave and re-enter, say during a summer vacation.

Yeah

Ditto everyone else. You'll need to confirm an acceptance from a college first, but once you do that, they'll help you get all of the necessary forms.

I agree that it's probably too late to apply to most American colleges for this August. During the year I applied to American colleges, I wrote the SATs in May, September, and October, sent in my applications halfway through December, and got my admissions-decisions in March and April.

I would start work on identifying individual colleges that interest you. Consider geography, academic programs you want to explore, and any other relevant factors. Guidebooks to American colleges such as the ones published by the Princeton Review are a great place to start. Narrow down your list of colleges to fewer than ten, because applying to American colleges takes a lot more time than applying to Canadian universities. Note their requirements and deadlines carefully; each college asks for slightly different things from you. Register for the SATs and get letters of recommendation from high-school teachers. You'll also probably need to write essays. Note that most American colleges will ask for an application-fee, which is another reason not to apply to too many (that's something that I did).

You do have a fair bit of work to do, so I would aim for starting college in August 2009 (meaning you'd be sending applications during December 2008 or so). Another option, though, would be to aim for a college at which students can start their degrees in January, though I'm not sure how many places have that as an option, and it might be a bit difficult socially.

Best of luck!

I suspect the college system in the US is going to meltdown this autumn, because of the credit crunch. Students are finding it very hard to get student loans, so if you've got the cash you shouldn't have much difficulty getting in.

I'm from alberta but thinking of going to UCLA for grad school.

Does anyone happen to have a copy of 'curious canadian guide to US colleges'? I heard it was pretty good but they seem to be sold out everywhere. If anyone has a copy i'd be willing to buy it off you used...

Hello,

Yes you can apply to a US school without having your citizenship.
Canadians do not require VISAS to attend US schools, but rather I-20 documentation,
which is much simpler and more straightforward to secure.

If you have complex questions or if you need help with the process,
there is a pretty great event in Toronto Jan. 13-14, 2012.
The US College Expo at Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place.
There will be many US school reps and experts on hand to answer
your questions and help with the process!

Good luck!