American Student -> German Universities

<p>Hello, I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my questions but I figure it's close enough.</p>

<p>I'm currently a Senior (class of 2012) in highschool, from the U.S.</p>

<p>I have an interest in possibly attending a University in Germany but I have a few questions. I wish to study economics as an undergrad and to eventually attend law school (in the U.S.).</p>

<p>My first question is this: what is the process for applying as an international to these Universities and is German Proficiency required TO apply or can it be acquired after the fact ( AKA apply, acceptance, go to Germany and learn the language while starting school). [I had heard from German Relatives that many if not all the courses are taught in English anyway]</p>

<p>Second, is the accreditation of a degree [and grades] from one of these Universities suitable for Law Schools within the U.S., coupled with a good LSAT score?</p>

<p>Any other information would be much appreciated. </p>

<p>Thanks for your time.</p>

<p>I am also in high school, and I visited Germany last summer! While I was there, the topic of universities came up, and I was told that proficiency in German is a requirement for entrance into a German university. I was also told that there are American universities that don’t have this requirement, but I am not too sure of this info.</p>

<p>All universities will require you to demonstrate proficiency in German before the beginning of classes. Some require proof along with the initial application while others will let you submit it a few weeks past the application deadline. Please note though that you won’t have terribly much time between the application deadline and the beginning of classes, so don’t wait too long. (Applications are typically due sometime between June and August for start in October.)</p>

<p>It is true that many classes are taught in English - however, those are typically the more advanced classes. Intro lectures are almost always taught in German.</p>

<p>You should also be aware that an American high school diploma does not automatically allow you to enter a German university. The university would go through your high school transcript and decide whether you are sufficiently prepared for your major. If you are not, you would be offered to take a proficiency exam or enroll in a year-long remedial course specifically for foreign students (“Studienkolleg”). For an economics major, you would probably be tested in German, math (including calculus) and basic micro and macro economics. </p>

<p>I don’t know enough about law school to give you advice on that front. Please do note that some American graduate schools don’t accept 3-year Bachelor’s degrees for admission, which forces many foreign students to get a Master’s degree first.</p>

<p>P.S. to follow up on what KingUncaged1 said: there is Jacob’s University, a private American-style university. It also charges American-style tuition fees, in contrast to German public universities which are practically free.</p>

<p>Certain German schools teach in English but they are few and far between. You could try searching independently - I had much more success this way. Jacobs University, for one, teaches in English. Their tuition fees are ~20k eur/year.</p>

<p>Maastricht University in the Netherlands has a liberal arts English program, as well as one in economics. (or a similar subject, might’ve been econometrics) Their tuition fees for non-EU students are on the ~10k eur range.</p>

<p>Some don’t require proficiency.</p>

<p>Like which?</p>