<p>Hi. It is a pleasure to write in this thoughtful and informative forum. My situation: I am in a tough spot currently about the possible college choices for my masters degree.</p>
<p>Some facts:</p>
<p>-I am a Turkish Citizen in my senior year at college in Business Administration (In Turkey)</p>
<p>-Male 20 years old.</p>
<p>-Got my High School diploma in US (Wisconsin) as an International Exchange Student. (Also I am curious as to what benefits will this diploma have, if any)</p>
<p>-Have a 2.94 GPA that I am hoping will improve to at least 3.0 by the end of this year. I have taken most of the heavy-load classes that were given in my school. Also got an academic success scholarship and award at my first year.</p>
<p>-I am yet to take the GMAT but have a TOEFL score of 91.</p>
<p>-Average German and Good English proficiency.</p>
<p>-Sports: Amateur Golf and Tennis.</p>
<p>I know this is not a very complete list but I think these are the most important ones, if you ask I would be happy to provide more.</p>
<p>I keep hearing a Masters Degree is very important in my field but I can't decide which colleges should I even consider applying. Of course I want to get into a prestigious school if possible. Also I am planning on doing a masters in supply chain management (logistics) failing that (as my social skills are better than math) in a more social field of management.</p>
<p>Also Money is an issue since Internationals get very little in regards to scholarships especially at graduate school.</p>
<p>A 3.0 GPA will not bring you into a prestigious US business program. As a matter of fact, your prospects at any graduate program (in any subject matter) is dismal. A 3.0 is generally not considered graduate school caliber in the US. Often times, this is the minimum grade requirement necessary to apply.</p>
<p>My best advice is to stay in Turkey if you aspire for an MBA. It will be unlikely you will be admitted into any school in the US remotely worth your while if you are fortunate enough to be admitted anywhere at all.</p>
<p>It was my understanding that MBA programs usually have much higher requirements than specific subject degrees. Correct me if I’m wrong on that. Also I am not planning on doing a MBA but lean towards a single subject.</p>
<p>And we are talking 3.00 out of 4 right? I know its not good but it is not terrible either. Prestigious programs usually have a high cost so they might be out of the equation from the start.</p>
<p>Finally my biggest question was does a US High School diploma bring with it any advantages when Applying to College. It was disadvantageous for me in Europe as they consider US education to be inferior -.- so I was hoping it might give me an edge in US at least.</p>
<p>First, in the US, you’re only as good as your last degree – in this case, your undergraduate degree in Turkey. Your high school diploma will have no bearing on graduate admissions, although your ability to speak and understand English will. </p>
<p>Next, it’s not clear from your posts what kind of program you want to enter. If not an MBA, then what? In the US, most professional schools (business school falls into this category) expect students to pay their own way through loans, although top applicants may be offered more. The academic programs are more likely to offer aid. </p>
<p>US programs that accept international students are generally aware that the grading standards are different throughout the world. If your 2.94 is the equivalent of, say, a 3.4 in the US, you will be fine. If it is directly equivalent, then you’ll be at a disadvantage. It all depends on where you stand in relation to your peers at your university.</p>
<p>I am leaning towards a specific field for a master degree. Supply management for example.</p>
<p>Unfortunately my 2.94 is 2.94 no difference between the US system and ours, but as I said that grade will improve by the end of this year. Also I had a personal crisis if you will at my second year. My GPA were 3.30 before. First semester of my second year I had a whooping grade of 1.88 and it has taken allot of effort to see 2.90s. I hope I can explain that in my essay during application.</p>
<p>Also I believe I am in the top %10-15 of my class and %20-25 in my faculty. Don’t know how will it change by the end of the year though.</p>
<p>Well, you have to understand that international admissions are much more competitive.
But, there is nothing you can do but try.
Get your GPA as high as you can.</p>
<p>Then, apply to a lot of schools. Both highly regarded ones, and lower tier ones. You can find school rankings easily online.</p>
<p>If you don’t get in ANYWHERE, then a few years of work experience can improve your application, perhaps. Good luck!</p>