Would attending an international school overseas provide a college admission advantage?

[Anonymous]

I am curious to hear what people think regarding whether a child coming from a U.S. or international school abroad might have a slight competitive advantage when it comes to college admissions, especially to highly sought after state schools like W&M and UVA. As of this writing, my DD is a freshman at competitive Northern Virginia high school. We have just been told that my DH will be transferring to a job overseas in Europe in 11/2 years. We have been looking at the city where we will live, and they have a very good American school that offers the IB program.
Our thoughts on pros/cons:
PROS
The international school at the high school level is only 300 students (compared to 1500 at her NoVa school), so there would be a lot more individual instruction and attention.
She would be able to continue playing the sports she enjoys - softball and swiming, stay in the drama club, etc. She is not a girl who would be competing for a sports scholarship. She just likes to play.
The lifestyle would enable her to travel around Europe - both in and out of school. School sporting events and other activities and competitions with other schools would enable travel to Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria, Russia, Austria and the Czech Republic, among others.
She would be able to work in the summer at my DH's company. They offer a summer employment program for child dependents of staff.
We feel she would stand out more in applications to U.S. universities - especially our very competitive state schools in the college application process. She would not be just another one of the many kids from her NoVa high school.
Renting out our house in NoVa would allow us to apply the mortgage payment ($2600 per month) to her college savings fund.
CONS
She will be in the middle of high school. She will be moving not just to a new school, but to an entirely different culture.
She will need to leave her friends here.
The language of instruction at her school is English. She would continue foreign language study in Spanish. Because of her late entrance to the new school at 11th grade, she would not begin taking the local host country language.
Anyone who has been in this situation and can share experience is most welcome to comment. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

For the Virginia schools, wouldn't you still be considered in-state, presuming you continue to pay VA taxes? In-state is the main admissions boost; the out-of-state grades and test scores of admitted students to get into CWM and UVA are way above those of in-state students.

You will have a better idea of whether she is even competitive for those schools in her junior year before you move. Not everybody is.

Everything else being even, colleges are always looking for students who have had interesting experiences and time at an international school might help, even though it will be less than a year when she applies.

Balance that out against any social difficulties she may face moving as a junior. Military kids and many of the kids at international schools are used to moving all the time. If this is her first move, it could be hard.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a great experience. Everyone I know who moved to an international school overseas during high school ended up really enjoying it, even if they are kicking and screaming about it before going over there.

[Anonymous]

We would remain in-state residents and paying taxes in VA. I am of the feeling as 15:50 says that the international experience, beyond broadening her own horizons and giving her a much different high school experience than she might otherwise have, would make her a more interesting applicant.

DD has not moves since we moved between 3rd and 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if it would give your kid an "edge" or not, however that doesn't sound like a good reason to not go/to go abroad. Continuing with an IB program in English seems like it wouldn't be horribly disruptive in the way that switching languages half way through high school would be, and it sounds like a great cultural experience for your family and a great professional experience for your husband. I don't think she would be at any particular disadvantage unless her grades tank because she doesn't adjust to change well. Maybe there will be an advantage, but who knows. People have situations like this all the time. My mom was a military brat and moved between states and countries every couple years until she was in middle school, and it certainly shaped who she is today.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about state schools (in terms of whether they really have time to parse applications closely enough to weight this sort of experience as a positive) but for any private competitive school it would be a plus. But way more important is what a great experience/opportunity it would be for her as a developing young adult! And you can sell it to her by telling her she can come back to VA for next summer if she likes rather than working for your husband's firm overseas, if that is something that will reassure her so she can keep in touch with her friends, and/or tell her she can invite a friend or two from VA to stay with her on a school vacation (with a free place to stay maybe they can swing airfare for a graduation treat).

[Anonymous]

OP,

A bit of an edge, perhaps, not sure how much, even at competitive private schools, especially considering she's not going to be mastering a second language and she's moving at the start of her junior year, so it's not like some applicants who've been living overseas for many years. It sounds like an amazing experience for what it is. Life enhancing. But it carries some risks for college: IB programs are rigorous, there is less grade inflation, so her grades might not match, and the IB exams takes places at the end of senior year, so research that. I would be focusing on that academic transition more than the edge.

How does she feel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a great experience. Everyone I know who moved to an international school overseas during high school ended up really enjoying it, even if they are kicking and screaming about it before going over there.

+1 we've moved internationally a lot and have many friends who do, as well. Lots of kids were kicking and screaming at the outset and then loved it. Just the school itself won't necessarily give her an edge, but availing herself of the opportunities it gives her can absolutely give her an edge.

[Anonymous]

What country?

[Anonymous]

How do people know this will give a student an edge? Have admissions folks commented? What if grades slip?

[Anonymous]

The thing is, whatever you do that sets you apart, the admissions folks are going to put you in that category and evaluate from that pool. So OP's daughter will be compared to all the other students who've lived abroad.

I think it's great and if she's doing well in school her transition should be great. I do know students who've gone to IB programs and have been thrown off by the differences, including six academic classes versus five and tougher grading.

[Anonymous]

My DC is in this situation. Overseas in an IB school. Waiting to hear from colleges.

A couple thoughts: the IB is rigorous. DC is doing full IB and is going full throttle. I would not enroll a child in a full IB program in another country unless she or he is a confident student and decent writer.

As far as college admissions, the experience will give your DC something to write about in the essays. It will give your DC something to talk about in interviews. Every interviewer (2 Ivies; 4 LACS) has commented to my DC about the courage DC must have had to do this. Some colleges will emphasize your DC being from the US and others will consider DC's application within the international pool. You won't know for sure until your DC gets contacted for an interview which pool they are primarily being evaluated in. It will be a little of both, but with a stronger emphasis on one or the other. At least that's my DC's experience.

Not sure this helps your question. But be sure your DC can handle the IB.

Also my DC moved just before start of junior year and appreciated having a change halfway through high school. Totally happy, engaged, thriving. DC keeps in touch with old friends, but is fully immersed in the new school. Enjoy the move! I would go for it.

[Anonymous]

6:15 DD is independent or with you? Not following the part about having the courage.

I'm a PP who emphasized the rigor of IB programs. I'm glad you chimed in. Good luck hearing from colleges! DS is a senior so I can relate!

[Anonymous]

No. Disadvantage if your child won't be available for alumni interviews.

[Anonymous]

Schools use Skype. Not clear how meaningful alum interviews are.