Where to even start, as an int'll student?

[cookernetes]

Hi! I'm a (just turned) 17 y/o international A-Levels student hailing from the United Kingdom, and my dream has always been to study in-person (and possibly also move) in the USA. 

I unfortunately did not win the gene lottery, and come from a high-low-income family (just below middle class definition) - which means I'm way out of financial aid options, as well as charitable organization help. For this reason, as well as some others, I want to try and graduate with pre-degree earned credits, in terms of doing Sophia learning courses and (since I'm good at examinations, as it's kind of our thing here in the UK) loads of CLEP examinations to try and mitigate at least a quarter of my university fees, to make it an actually approachable thing to do, to then go onto an OPT and possibly work and live there too.

The biggest problem I have right now is where to start, and what schools I need to look at. I am currently studying for the Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and College Mathematics CLEP examinations - but that's only because those exams are easier versions than GCSE mathematics exams done at the age of 15-16 in secondary school. So, for this reason, and the fact that I am an elective A-Level Mathematics student, I think just doing these would be a good place to start, but still - an un-guided one.

If anybody would be able to provide any advice on how to even pick a school (my preferred state was California, but I don't think that's possible due to state based legal limitations around financial aid and scholarships being provided to international students), to things like how to even know (since it's a TOTALLY different education system, so I am thoroughly lost) which courses can overwrite/be used to "test-out" which ones in which schools, etc etc. I'd be eternally grateful for any help, whatsoever. 

FYI also, my dream job career would be in teaching. Long story!

Thank you so much for any prospective replies, and I thoroughly appreciate any support.

[bjcheung77]

@cookernetes, Welcome to the board, that's a good intro post, but you missed the addendum and template with the info asked for, it's best to provide these details to give readers the overall picture of your scenario. Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

Question: Is there a particular reason you're looking to get into the US instead of staying in the UK? There have been a few people from the UK, as there are options within the country as well, where you can ladder from a level 5-6 combo diploma to a top-up degree.  Why not do that instead?

[Leedeedee]

Hey, I'm English but I live in the USA. You can study for a US degree from the UK, I know for a fact you can register with TESU as I did it myself years ago. Get yourself a part time job to pay for the $199 per month Study.com and you'll be well away, taking 6 credits a month for the next year, then as you get more credits you can plan the remaining so you have the necessary RA credits. Doing that you could easily be a graduate by age 20.
It'll be easier for you to get full scholarships in the US for a graduate degree rather than a bachelors, especially if you're doing something like math or other STEM degree.