<p>I am international student and I am planning to take up computer science in Stanford. I will be graduating from high school soon and I am wondering how does the college system in US works cause I am really confused.
In order to take up computer science, I need to study physics and calculus which neither of them was available in my school. I only took math (modern math). I did my research and they say you can take physics and calculus in college? but I don't understand like do u take them as majors, subjects? And how do you do this? I am really confused. Because I really want to study computer science in Stanford and I definitely need to include physics and calculus. I get mostly A's and A+'s for the rest of my subjects like history and stuff which won't really help me into taking computer science since it is mainly related to math field. Can someone help me? Sorry for all my dumb questions.</p>
<p>It sounds like you have some reading to do. With regard to some of your specific questions, you can read this Stanford CS FAQ. On that page is a link which will show you the courses you will take for a CS degree, which includes calculus and physics.
[High</a> School FAQ](<a href=“http://cs.stanford.edu/degrees/undergrad/HS-FAQ.shtml]High”>Stanford University Undergraduate Major in Computer Science)</p>
<p>It is very difficult to be accepted to Stanford, so you need to have more schools to apply to in case you are not accepted. Use this website to find more about applying to U.S. colleges. Also you can go to the international students forum here for some reading.
[EducationUSA</a> | 5 Steps To Study](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.info/5_steps_to_study/]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.info/5_steps_to_study/)</p>
<p>In the midst of the good tips BrownParent is giving you Sarah, let me emphasize: “It is very difficult to be accepted to Stanford”</p>
<p>93.4% of applicants were denied last year. And the international pool is even HARDER. Please research a broader list of US colleges. You’d be insane to only apply to Stanford.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>am international student and I am planning to take up computer science in Stanford</p>
<p>You don’t realize it, but that sentence is like saying, “I am planning on winning the lottery next year.”</p>
<p>Your chances for being admitted to Stanford are low, even if you have top stats. What are your test scores and GPA? </p>
<p>Where else are you applying?</p>
<p>I know it is really hard to get into Stanford, my current GPA is 3.8. I’m trying my best to get a GPA of 4.0, since next year will be my senior year.
I definitely can’t risk my chance by only applying to Stanford so I’m also looking at Caltech, University of berkeley, MIT, Cornell, Columbia, Cal Poly and also a tons more. I know I am looking into a lot of prestigious schools but I also will apply myself to other average schools, just in case.
And also, will they accept me if I didn’t take up calculus and physics during high school? I can’t change my subjects anymore and plus my school doesn’t even have Calculus. Can I take them up when I’m uni?</p>
<p>At the schools you mention, nearly all admitted students will have taken math through calculus. You may get some consideration for the fact it isn’t available at your school, but successful applicants in your situation generally master the subject another way such as through online courses, summer programs or self studying. Four years each of math and science is the normal minimum with at least two and preferably three years of lab science (typically bio, chem and physics, but physics is less critical to admissions than calc, especially for a prospective CS major).</p>
<p>Not having taken Calc or Physics in high school is a disadvantage that can be perhaps offset by outstanding SAT or ACT scores. Unless you show remarkable academic achievement, it will be very difficult for these very selective schools to take a chance on you. You’re competing against kids from PRC, Korea, India/Pakistan who have top level Calc and Physics AND top level SAT/ACT scores.</p>
<p>While you aren’t in control of your school’s offerings, you’ll have to compensate in other areas to be viable. And then it may not be enough</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all the information. Can someone please elaborate on summer programs and such? And just wondering the IB exam is taken during your last year of high school or after high school? Once again, sorry for all my dub questions.</p>
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<p>No, you just have to take a individual classes in them, which are specified by the department. At Stanford, they count for credit toward your major. Note that you also need two math electives, which means taking a couple of math classes above calculus:</p>
<p><a href=“http://cs.stanford.edu/degrees/undergrad/ProgramSheets/CS_Unspec_1314PS.pdf[/url]”>http://cs.stanford.edu/degrees/undergrad/ProgramSheets/CS_Unspec_1314PS.pdf</a></p>
<p>Those will also count for major credit. Much of this will also be applicable to other US programs.</p>
<p>Speaking of which, keep in mind that at an American college, only a third to a half of your coursework would be in your major, then about another third in required general education or core classes outside your major, and the rest completely free choice. This can be very confusing for some international students, who are used to systems where you only take one subject. Also, when we say ‘course’ we generally mean a single class that you would take over a term or semester.</p>
<p>IB is a curriculum (a series of courses) offered at some high schools (something like 2,000 schools worldwide with most of those being outside the US) leading (for successful students) to an IB diploma upon high school graduation. Students who take the IB curriculum during their final two years of high school are generally the only ones who take IB exams. The exams are required before the IB high school diploma is awarded. In the US, far more students have AP courses available to them in high school than IB courses. Both AP and IB courses are considered highly rigorous and good grades in them are valuable for admissions at selective colleges.</p>
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<p>IB is a multi-year multi-subject programme/curriculum that you take in high school, you don’t just take the exam (exams are in May or November, depending on location/school calendar). So if you are not already studying it in high school, I don’t think you will be getting an IB diploma; if you are studying it then presumably your school should tell you when your exams are.
The general thrust of your questions suggests that you are seriously under-informed; not having taken calculus or physics would seem to be a minor problem by comparison. You will likely find more helpful information on the forum covering international students from your location.</p>