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[quote=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.   
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