Q: I will be applying to universities in the U.S. from France. My English is fluent and I lived in the U.S. as a child. My father is American, my mom is Colombian, and I have an American passport. We have been living in France for the past four years. Will this allow me to apply as an "international student" or would I be considered an American applicant? If I stress my international side, could my application be rejected as an "international student" when colleges see that I am an American citizen?

A: Being an "international student" is, strictly speaking, a matter of citizenship rather than residency. In other words, what counts is the legal citizenship of the applicant and not where he or she lives or goes to school. As an American citizen, you are an American wherever you live, whether it's in France, Colombia, England, or the U.S. On the other hand, a student who is German -- for example -- a German citizen whose parents work for an German company with an office in Chicago, and who has lived in the U.S. and attends an American high school, must apply as an international student.

But there is more to consider. You will bring a real international perspective to the U.S. college you attend. Your life as a dual citizen and your experiences abroad count for something! Your viewpoint will enrich your classroom life in the U.S. While the German student living in Chicago will also bring an international viewpoint to the college he attends, so will you! Your combined experiences have created the person you are, and it's the whole person you are who will be considered for admission.<!--more-->

Another advantage: As a United States citizen, you are entitled to applied for financial aid at U.S. colleges and universities. You are eligible to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Most American schools offer no financial support for international students.

American colleges and universities welcome students from around the world, but some of them have a limited number of spots for non-U.S. citizens. This is especially true of publicly-funded schools (state or city universities). You will fall into the larger applicant pool.

When you apply, you must, of course, tell the truth. You will apply as a U.S. citizen, even though you are currently living abroad. But your life as a citizen of the world will become evident to admissions officers as soon as they start reading your application. It sounds like you will have a most interesting story to tell. Now tell it!