<p>No matter what they think about you studying abroad, YOU will understand and appreciate the value of the experience. Living/volunteering abroad for the past 10 months has taught me so much about myself, the world and different cultures. I think it is the best thing you can do. In fact I wish everyone would do it at some point in their young adult life, preferably before university. Don't worry what universities think about your experience. If they care and it helps you out, great, if not, there's no reason to regret what you did. It certainly won't harm you on your application in any case.</p>
<p>I spent my junior year in the Czech Republic, and everything I've heard from colleges is that significant experiences like these really only help to set your application apart. It was definitely a prevaling theme in my essays because it is one of the defining experiences of my life. One thing colleges look to see from these is that you've learned something and grown and that is wasn't just a vacation. Before I went I was worried how it would seem that I went abroad instead of taking some classes etc, but personally I am so much happier I have my experience in the Czech Republic, and I think to colleges, it is tremendous too. </p>
<p>Littlebear: it sounds like this isn't just a travel-on-a-bus experience, but real experience working with Germans, doing real research etc. Like someone said before, getting a recommendation from someone who mentored you would be great. One more thing though: don't spend all your time in the lab. Try and learn German, immersion is the best way, if all the people working in the lab are much older than you, maybe they have kids you could meet. Don't make this just doing labwork that happens to be in a foreign country, but you will be there. Experience it.</p>
<p>this thread makes me wonder, how will adcoms seeit if a international spent some time abroad during high school?
Because last year I spent 4 months in Canada and attended the local high school, because I feel in love with the country and really wanted to learn English by using.
Is this of any significance?</p>
<p>Don't do anything because of what some adcom is going to think! Any different experience will set you apart. If your parents take you with them when they work in another country it's not as if you had anything to do with it, but the experience was most likely different than the average American kid. Everyone is looking for a hook but that's NOT how you should experience life- by trying to figure out if it looks good or not to some anonymous person in the future. Just follow your passion and look for a college that fits you.</p>
<p>Well, put it this way- it won't hurt. Adcoms may see it as a rich-kid op to see europe, or they may not. even if they do see it as just a trip, it won't hurt your application any.</p>
<p>Go ahead. It will enrich your experience and enlarge your views,all of which will help you in your life.</p>
<p>I agree with Summer100, but you should really study abroad for the experience, not for how good it looks on your resume. </p>
<p>And no, it won't help you significantly, if at all, for your college applications IMO.</p>
<p>I can't see how it would hurt.</p>
<p>Could you tell me more about the full ride + scholarship
Thanks</p>
<p>Take it from me, graduate schools and future employers ALWAYS like to see a resume that includes a study abroad trip.</p>
<p>Of course you could commute to a nearby lab, but why not go to Germany instead?! Your future professors, employers and colleagues will admire your adventurous experience and the resulting cultural understandings.</p>
<p>Have an awesome time.</p>
<p>Traveling abroad for the summer in Germany would definately look great on a college application/ resume. And honestly, who cares if you have a beer or two or do some sightseeing along the way. When college students study abroad for a semester or year, their home university undoubtedly knows that students sole focus will not be on work. And thats the beauty of it - its about the whole experience. Travel, see new places, meet people from all over the world, experience new cultures, and yes, learn some stuff along the way, its all part of being a well rounded student that colleges will look for - rich girl or not. Colleges will also love to see that you were able to adapt to a new culture and set of customs, and that you were able to function without mommy and daddy for a few months. No question, studying abroad is an excellent option/ experience. this is what Ive done on my study experience so far… and its only been 2 and a half months [Study</a> Abroad Blog](<a href=“The Study Abroad Blog - Nate Nault”>http://thestudyabroadblog.com/)</p>
<p>doing a study abroad program (year-long deal in germany with yfu) was probably one of the two biggest factors that got me into the university of chicago. my gpa was a 3.17, but i could point to germany as having played a part in that - i spent my junior year there, and those grades were for keeps; i went over knowing how to swear, count to three (incorrectly, as it turned out,) and say hospital in german, and that was about it.</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>That’s not very comforting! “Because I was abroad when I got bad grades, grad schools didn’t take them too seriously”.</p>
<p>quenepa:</p>
<p>Just curious, how did you keep up in the german classes with so little previous german?? Did you take mostly courses taught in English?? Just curious… I will be studying abroad and have studied the language for 6 years and still do not feel prepared enough.</p>
<p>I think studying abroad is a great experience!</p>
<p>is it worth it even it means giving up other extra curricular activities and your top class rank? and I mean for applying to premed or engineering schools.
Thanks :)</p>
<p>Rosalie I assume your still in high school correct?</p>
<p>If so, then perfect. I may be able to help…</p>
<p>As a little background on me so you know where I’m coming from. I’m an engineering student who attends virginia tech on a full ride and got accepted to various engineering powerhouses like U of Michigan, Purdue, and U of Illinois. I looked into john hopkins for a while but decided not to apply. I understand the type of colleges your applying to and have spent HOURS on this site studying them. Here’s my thoughts on your situation:</p>
<p>I don’t know about premed too much but I know for engineering “the numbers” are VERY important. You know the SATs, Class rank, GPA, blah, blah, blah. I’m here to tell you that yes these are nice but colleges, engineering in particular, look for someone whos got an x-factor. Someone who goes beyond the typical robots that apply with perfect SATs, 4.0 GPAs, and top 10 in the class. They recieve these type of applicants ALL the FREAKING time. You may think your special by being valedictorian and participating in a varsity sport but I’m here to let you know that you aint crap… in a national perspective. OK that was kinda harsh, but its the truth. Don’t get me wrong being valedictorian is impressive and an admirable feat that will get you into several universities. I wish I could boast of that! Keep this idea in mind. The numbers you have will open the door but your extra-curriculars/essays/experiences are the things that will really get you THROUGH the door. Numbers are merely a stepping stone.</p>
<p>Going abroad will give you that X-factor colleges want. Will you lose your valedictorian status? Maybe… Probably actually. But as long as you remain top 5-10% with an X-factor you can get in anywhere. Sure a few Ivy leagues will drop you for not being valedictorian but they’re a dam lottery anyway (Ivies aren’t that great in engineering for the record btw). I was in the 6% of my class with solid SATs and a 3.7 GPA and still got into the schools mentioned. Don’t sweat it. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to know how to clearly and effectively explain some sort of X-factor. If I had a trip overseas I would have milked that baby for so much. Here are some ideas:
- You learned how to deal with other cultures and people, thus diversifying yourself. Many colleges actually have a “how can you add diversity to our college” as an essay topic and you get that covered. Diversity is unbelievably big to colleges.<br>
- Another idea is you gained a world perspective on an ever increasing global market/economy. I actually mentioned in many of my essays that I wanted to take the engineering education I got here in the states overseas to help the world (nuclear power to help energy crisis). And if you already went overseas then you will already know what I want to know 5 years from now when I’m over there. Global perspective is a big card to play as well.
- You can say you matured into an adult as you planned and fended for yourself. Your not the average johnny who needed his mom to wash his clothes. Everyone appreciates maturity. And this will prove they’re risking far less on the admission slot they deciding to hand to you.
- you learned a new language. Once again dipping into the global perspective idea.</p>
<p>I mean those are off the top of my head and I’m sure there will be NUMEROUS events/experiences/struggles that will occur and provide excellent essay material/hooks that you won’t even know until it happens and your there. Going abroad is undeniably an amazing X-factor. Now yeah you can really screw it up if you don’t portray and illustrate the positives that it brings but you seem like a person who won’t screw it up. I mean your valedictorian for christs sake. If I could go back to HS and study abroad for a summer or whatever I would do it fast as hell. Even if that meant redoing all of the work i put into applications and AP tests. I bet I could have gotten more money in scholarships/grants and gotten into Georgia Tech (they were the only school that denied me). </p>
<p>Just don’t be afraid to lose your valedictorian status. Life is about risks. HaHa thats actually another card you could pull! Many colleges also have essays where you need to explain a risk you took and what you learned/outcome. Risking valedictorian status is golden material. Colleges preach risk all the time. But using me as a prime example proves that you don’t need to be the best numerically. Sure I was a good student but certainly not top 10 in the class and I still had a very succesfull college application process. So if you drop to the 5th percentile, or even the 10th, over Germany, don’t worry. That X-factor when worded well will push you beyond what valedictorian ever will. </p>
<p>I hope it helped. Good luck in your endeavors/decisions. It seems you ought to do well regardless if you go or not.</p>
<p><em>Edit</em> And even if some DBag college denies you and you feel bad because you might have gotten in while valedictorian remember this: You have an experience that the vast majority of teenagers will never know/understand and you get to keep it with you for the rest of your life. Like I said, I’m insanely jealous of your opportunity. A degree will get you the first job or two but once you got work experience the degree loses its effectiveness/power. And while it does, you will be quoting things and experiences from abroad like it was yesterday. Just make sure that you have fun and don’t spend all of your time studying/in the lab. Enjoy the culture. Take pictures galore and bring a journal if you can. I’m so envious.</p>
<p>Thanks so much GoOakland!! that was a really well thought out response!!
I just want to clarify- for the record, im not valedictorian! what i typed earlier might have come out wrong. I’m pretty close though (top 3%).
Thanks a lot for the advice, I will definently consider it!
P.S. congrats on your full ride to Virginia Tech!</p>
<p>@zincoxide: i took the same classes everyone else was taking. MOST IMPORTANT: it usually wasn’t about keeping up, so much as exhibiting effort. </p>
<p>some factors made the whole experience easier:
- i was lucky enough to have already taken french. i hadn’t taken it in years, but started off as one of the strongest in the class; that said, learning two languages at once when you’re living in a country whose language you don’t know is REALLY REALLY hard, and my french got worse as the year went on.
- my history class was “bilingual” (taught and conducted exclusively in english.) </p>
<p>that said, anyone who dismisses math as “being the same in any language” is either 1. a genius, 2. already knows the material he/she is being “taught,” or 3. has never actually tried being taught math in another language. =)</p>
<p>i will say that the fact that i had no background in german helped in the sense that no one really expected anything out of me, which made it easier to do better than people thought i’d do.</p>
<p>the german language classes themselves were much like post-primary english education over here as well; that is to say, they were more literature-based than anything else. the stuff we were reading wasn’t written at all obtusely, so it worked out. oddly enough, we read kafka in class, and i’d gotten his anthology as a birthday present just before i left the US, so it proved to be much more useful to have than i thought it would. =)</p>