J1 to F1 Visa

Hello,
I have a question regarding my visa status. I am currently on my last year on my J1 visa and set to go back to Colombia at the end of the year in December. I have about 9 months left here in the US. I already renewed once and cant again. I would like to study here and switch to an f1 visa. My family here would like me to stay with them. I already have a degree in English and French from a university in Colombia. I was wondering if I could make this switch this year. I was also curious how long the process would take? I was really wondering how my chances are to stay? Do they deny a lot people or do most people get the change? Is it likely I will be able to stay and study? Any information on how I could go about this process would be greatly appreciated. From what I am told I J1 to F1 visa change doesn't involve the two year home resident agreement. Thank you.

Have you applied for and been admitted to an academic program, or is this entirely theoretical?

If in fact you are admitted to an academic program, the odds are pretty good that you will get a F1 visa. Most schools have people on staff who can assist students with immigration issues.

Admissions is handled entirely separately from the visa processing, at many if not most, universities. If the question is posed to the correct office with all of the US immigration history, the prospective student may get a good assessment. If it is not asked, the problem has not likely been considered by the admitting official.