<p>I'm an Irish-Indian studying in India in Class XII in a CBSE school. I gave my SAT IIs -Phy, Chem, Math II - in Jan '13 and they went pretty good.
I am worried about my undergrad studies, where i'll pursue it, and what would be the best for me. I plan to do engineering, computer science.
Since my nationality is not Indian(PIO though), I have to apply to engineering colleges in India (only NITs,IIITs,other engg colleges, NO IIT) through a program/scheme called DASA (<a href="https://www.dasanit.org/%5B/url%5D">https://www.dasanit.org/</a>), which require my SAT II scores.
I did think about applying and studying in the US in the beginning of my 12th, but things didnt work out, and I didnt apply. I have also considered applying to NUS/NTU after my preboards are over (in about a week or so), but going by what I've read and seen, I think my chances at both of them are slim. First, I dont have any International Olympiad medals. Second, Board result of ~96%? I can manage to get low 90's, but 96 is crazy.
About me studying in the States, I don't have any ECs, only music - grade 5 guitarist with Music theory + performance. I fared at 80% in 9th, CGPA of 9.6 (~93%) in 10th, and ~70% in 11th ( cos of the entrance exam prep I went through). I wouldnt ask you to 'chance-me', because there's actually nothing for you to even consider to chance me.</p>
<p>Now. What should I do? Should I play it safe, and go with the DASA scheme? Or max out these 20 days for NUS/NTU? Or should I take a gap year and work on my admission to US colleges?</p>
<p>Also. If I plan to do undergrad here, how should my record be in college so that I could plan my masters at a pretty decent US college like Stanford (for their comp sci programs)?</p>
<p>I would say that the best way now is to go with DASA.</p>
<p>If you do your undergrad here (India) and plan to attend unis like Stanford, you should probably study in India’s top colleges like IITs(as u said u can’t, leave it), NITs, BITS and maybe IIITs. Also, you must be a good student with above 8 GPA(probably above 8.5) and have some meaningful ECs.</p>
<p>Good Luck! Correct me anyone, if I’m wrong.</p>
<p>If you are fine with the Indian Undergrad curriculum - then go ahead with DASA. Also I doubt the GOOD private universities come under the DASA scheme(eg. BITS, VIT.etc.) so I guess you should apply there too!! You can always build a good profile over 4yrs & then do your postgrad from USA/UK - if you want to!!</p>
<p>If you are not fine with Indian Undergrad curriculum, you have two options.
Apply NUS/NTU/HKU - Study & give your best in boards & see what happens. Also check out Australia & UK as other possible destinations! Maybe return to Ireland?? I hear Trinity is a great place!!
Apply to the few US colleges that are still taking in applications, most of them are relatively easy to get into(eg. St.Johns maybe?). Spend a year there and try transferring next year to a better university??</p>
<p>All said and done, it is really up to what you want to do!!</p>
<p>Hmm. Why not all of it? The way I see it, you’re not particularly sure what you want to do. So, try the US colleges which still have rolling admissions AND enroll in that DASA thing. If you don’t feel satisfied by where you end up, you can always trasfer/ do your graduate studies somewhere else.
That means, you challenge yourself for all of the 4 years and build up some ECs. Or just one is cool, too. It should help! I’m a fellow applicant so this is more of an opinion than advice. :)</p>
<p>Hey Raj! Your situation sounds exactly like mine. I’m also a British-Indian (PIO) studying in a CBSE school in India. Im going to apply through DASA also this year; My SAT2 went pretty well (expecting 2300+) I hope I get NITK-Surathkal CSE :D</p>
<p>I pretty much messed up my JEE-Mains and my chances in BITSAT are slim to none; let alone international unis. So DASA is the only option for me.</p>
<p>Soham, awesome. How long have you been here? God luck for those subject test scores.
Yep, I’m in the same boat. JEE was a **** up, BITSAT:too lazy to study.
Applied to NUS/NTU/HKUST, expecting low 90’s, dont think I have a chance there either. If all fails, DASA’s loving arms will embrace me lol.
CSE for me too man, all the way. How was the 30 choice pref list?
Oh btw, how you gonna manage to get your scores in on time? I believe they’re out 23rd, DASA deadline’s 29th? I spoke to them and they said it takes more than a week. Any idea?</p>
<p>Can anyone please brief me about how the counseling procedure works for the DASA scheme? Do you apply for a specific NIT or are you allowed to take a shot at any NIT your score merits? Also, do they give you an option to fill in 2nd preferences too in case you weren’t allotted your top choice? Thanks a bunch!</p>
