Community College Student Reapplying

This probably is very niche and might not come with many answers, but I had initially planned to attend university in the UK earlier this year. My family is pretty financially stable, upper-middle class, so it wasn't going to be that big of an issue. However, due to some debates (potentially guilt-tripping) from my mom about leaving home and going far away, I ended up feeling guilty about it and not going.
I'm now in my first semester of community college and set up to attend for two years (which I was initially heavily against, wanting to attend a 4-year) since it's cheaper to get my GED out of the way and it opens my doors to different possibilities for transferring to institutions in the US. However, it's been making me depressed that I haven't gone through with my initial decision to attend university in the UK and I've contemplated reapplying even if it means starting from scratch, I'll in a place that I actually want to be. I'm unsure if it's better to submit my applications now so that I can attend in 2025 and be sort of on-track with everyone else my age (UK-wise) or wait two years so that I can cement my college GPA and strengthen my letters of recommendation since I don't know anyone at this school.

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

I’m completing my second year of community college right now and trying to figure out entry requirements for uni’s in London. It’s quite difficult. The best way to start is to know the course you want and the schools you want to apply to. Make a UCAS account. UK undergrad entry requirements are very different to the US. Each school is different for A level equivalency, most schools have something posted on their website but contact admissions for more questions. It is good to get a high GPA with a relevant degree/ relevant courses at a JC, but they care more about your high school stats for entry, specifically AP scores or IB. (Unless 2 years of college courses is specifically mentioned, not usual)

For me, community college gave me the time I needed to be sure about what I wanted and now I know my career plan. The U.K. school system is set for students who know what they want to do, there are no general classes, you will only be taking specific courses to your degree.

If going to a school in the UK is your goal and you have good high school stats I would reccomend getting your applications done by the end of next month (September 2025 applications are due in January)

Do what will be best for you, and keep in mind a lot of universities have study abroad programs that will allow you to study in the UK.