<p>I'm an Indian (born:07/10/1996) With a GPA of 10 (out of a possible of 10) in the 10th grade and I've been doing my 11th fairly good with about 89%~90% (CBSE).My athletic side is a bit weak, but I participate in a lot of Extra Curricular activites and I've won quite a few prizes as well. I've heard it's quite difficult for Indians to get into US universities. Is it A myth? Please advice.I aspire to do a major in aerospace engineering. Georgia Tech Or Embry Riddle - Which Is better? I'd like some value points. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Embry Riddle is considered more a practical school where you actually get to fly apart from studying. </p>
<p>If you want to be a pure engineer - Georgia Tech. If flying appeals to you, Embry Riddle.</p>
<p>You can come back ask more questions if you get into both. However, they are only two schools and at least Georgia Tech is pretty hard to get into while I know some people who have gone to Embry who were accepted at top notch engineering programs but chose to go to Embry.</p>
<p>American schools are quite expensive. Have you looked into finances?</p>
<p>Well, I Know it’s kinda expensive. I’ve quite looked into finances, not decided yet. I guess aerospace engineering involves less of “flying”. So In that case, is Georgia Tech better?</p>
<p>I have to disagree with Tex. Embry-Riddle does offer flight but is also one of the best engineering schools around. It ranks consistently ranks highly, students are actively recruited by the biggest names in the industry and the focus is very hands-on with students active and successful in various competitions and hands-on projects (Eco-car, water purifier system, rockets, robotics, etc.) You might want to give it a closer look if those are things you’re seeking in an education.</p>
<p>^ what part of my message do you disagree with?</p>
<p>Only that it seemed like your message was saying ERAU is more focused on flight than engineering, at least that’s how I understood what you wrote. Many of the students who study engineering at Riddle would probably say they are “pure engineers” and not attracted to ERAU for flight. Other than that your remarks seem right on point Tex.</p>
<p>Ok. I dont know much about Embry. I do know at least one student who gave up some really well known schools to go there in order to be able to fly along with an aerospace major. The student planned to major only in aerospace engineering anywhere admitted.</p>
<p>Why are there two Embry Riddle schools?</p>
<p>IF you are going to need financial aid, you had better look at the policies for both schools regarding international students, Som school have no funds for internationals, some limited, some more.</p>
<p>There are actually three Tex - two residential campuses (Daytona Beach Florida and Prescott Arizona) as well as a Worldwide division that offers online and has more than 100 learning centers throughout the world. They are geared towards adult learners and often cater to students in the military. It’s really easy to get confused about what Embry-Riddle offers and the culture because of this. I think the fact that we have multiple campuses probably stems from the fact the we’re so specialized.</p>
<p>You should start by reading the forum for International students -
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/international-students/58751-important-advice-international-students.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/international-students/58751-important-advice-international-students.html</a></p>
<p>The real problem is that I come from quite a remote state of India, with no access to SAT prep programs nor advisers, the nearest adviser might be about ~400 kms away. So, I am self tutored. I’ve taken the SAT once and I performed below par. I’m planning to take it again and improve it, But the problem of tutoring still remains. I wish the admissions officer would understand my situation, but I know the reply’s a huge NO. I’ve a good GPA and I perform well in SAT-I math. Please Advice. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>A school that you may want to investigate is the California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo or Cal Poly SLO [Home</a> - Admissions - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo](<a href=“Cal Poly Admissions”>http://admissions.calpoly.edu/). As an Indian, you will have zero discrimination getting in as the school is actively looking to diversify and wants international students. It is also significantly less expensive than other public schools and most privates. It also happens to be one of the nation’s leaders in Aerospace Engineering.</p>
<p>Here are some facts:</p>
<p>Cal Poly SLO is a number one recruiting spot for Aero. “Aviation Week & Space Technology recently named Cal Poly the best place in the nation to recruit for employees. Cal Poly tops Georgia Tech, Penn State, Virginia Tech and MIT” Link: [Cal</a> Poly: National Honors, Ranking and Recognition - A Constantly Growing List](<a href=“http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/rankings.html]Cal”>Cal Poly's National Honors, Rankings and Recognition: A Constantly Growing List - Cal Poly News - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo)</p>
<p>Cal Poly students are the best in the nation: “Cal Poly aerospace seniors swept first, second and third place in the 2011-12 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation (AIAA) Undergraduate Team Aircraft Design competition in early September. The wins extended a decade of remarkable finishes at what is considered the most prestigious national collegiate aeronautical engineering design contest in the country.”
Link: [Cal</a> Poly Sweeps AIAA Design Competition](<a href=“http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2012/September/AIAA.html]Cal”>http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2012/September/AIAA.html)</p>
<p>You owe it to yourself to take a serious look at this school. Another thing, Cal Poly SLO grads also earn top starting salaries beating even UC Berkely and UCLA.</p>
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<p>Is it good for undergrad as well? 
Please advise.</p>
<p>And I’d be quite happy if someone could solve the dilemma I’m facing. :)</p>
<p>And @Osakadad why does the USnews website say that Georgia Tech is the 2nd best college (after MIT, of course) For Aerospace Engineering. Do they mean graduation and research? Please Advise.</p>
<p>Cal Poly SLO is primarily for undergrads. It is a teaching college that focuses on undergraduate education. However, they do offer master’s degrees, but not PhD’s. The rankings are a bit confusing. Georgia Tech and MIT are ranked in a separate category than Cal Poly SLO as they are research institutions that offer doctorate degrees. Cal Poly SLO is in the category of schools whose highest degree is a masters. This category includes the Air Force Academy, West Point (US Military Academy) and the Naval Academy as well as other top engineering schools like Harvey Mudd and Rose Hulman. </p>
<p>Cal Poly SLO uses a unique teaching methodology that emphasizes a “hands on, learn by doing” approach. What this means is that you will spend a lot of time in labs actually getting hands on experience while you are in school. For example, you will learn theory in the lecture hall and then go prove it in the lab. Often Cal Poly SLO spends more time in the lab than in the classroom for certain subjects. My son often has an hour lecture then followed by two hours in the lab, etc. The reason why employers like Cal Poly SLO grads so much is that the school’s graduates often need very little training once hired. They are “plug and play” and immediately useful upon graduation. You will find Cal Poly SLO grads working at the highest levels of the Aerospace industry. For example, William Swanson, the CEO of Raytheon, one of America’s premier defense contractors is a Cal Poly SLO grad [William</a> H. Swanson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Swanson]William”>William H. Swanson - Wikipedia). Also, the world famous Jet Propulsion Laboratory is full of Cal Poly SLO grads, many of whom work on high profile projects such as the Curiosity rover.</p>
<p>If you are interested primarily in theory and research then this school may not be for you. Choose another school that focuses on that aspect of aerospace. However, if you want to actually work in the field and get your hands dirty then Cal Poly SLO may be a good choice. Furthermore, Cal Poly SLO is a great place to launch yourself into grad school or a PhD program. Georgia Tech, MIT, Cal Tech, etc. are all amazing schools of significant worth and make incredible contributions to the field. It is the approach and focus that are different. Additionally, Cal Poly SLO is very competitive and acceptance is not guaranteed. However, the school will be less challenging to get into than those other choices but potentially harder to get into than Embry-Riddle.</p>
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<p>By the way, you do not have a dilemma at all. At this moment you have not applied to any schools and are just doing your initial research. The dilemma will come after you have applied and been accepted to several schools and then you have to choose between them. My suggestion is that you apply to at least 10 to 15 schools to be sure that you are accepted somewhere. Here are some choices:</p>
<p>Any school on this list will be OK: [Best</a> Aerospace Engineering Programs | Top Aerospace Engineering Schools | US News](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/aerospace-rankings]Best”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/aerospace-rankings)</p>
<p>But also add Embry-Riddle, Cal Poly SLO <a href=“https://aero.calpoly.edu/[/url]”>https://aero.calpoly.edu/</a> and its sister school Cal Poly Pomona (somewhat lower ranked but still a good school). I think that you are assured acceptance to Cal Poly Pomona if you apply. Go for Reach, Match and Safety schools.</p>
<p>For example a Reach would be MIT, Cal Tech or Stanford. A match would be Cal Poly SLO or many of the state schools on the US News list. A safety would be Cal Poly Pomona [Cal</a> Poly Pomona Aerospace Engineering](<a href=“http://www.csupomona.edu/~aro/]Cal”>http://www.csupomona.edu/~aro/) or Cal State Long Beach [Mechanical</a> & Aerospace Engineering Department (MAE)](<a href=“http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/coe/mae/]Mechanical”>http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/coe/mae/), etc.</p>
<p>Jeez, You’re Awesome. Thanks. :)</p>
<p>and @Osakadad what about the problem I’m facing with the SAT scores? GPA is high but scores, poor.</p>
<p>I’ll try to improve as I’m taking the SAT once again this 26th. I’ll post the scores. :)</p>