Indians from India studying/aiming to study in the US... help

Applying to College
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<p>Well, if you fit that description... do you know what CBSE marks are considered good by US colleges? Because I know someone who got into Stanford with 85 (science), someone who got into UPenn with 90s (in commerce). These were internal marks. My internal marks are in the low-eighties, with about 85-86 in Math, and good scores in English too. I'm in Science. My 10th Boards were about 83.6, because I went through depression, which I plan to write about in my essays. 9th standard was 90s, so 10th should have been easy, if not for mentioned reasons.... anyways, with about 2170 in the General SAT (taking again on Nov 18, as the Oct 14 test which was delayed), and 790-800 (expected scores, Physics and Maths IIC... I did nothing else for two-three weeks), and a couple of inter-school certificates over the years, two school academic awards...</p>

<p>About my 2170 (taken without being serious, to be honest), my Math was low (650)... . however today I used a calculator and avoided silly mistakes that can happen when you're a bit freaked out. I practised a lot, so I am expecting about 790-800. Would the low general SAT Math score really matter then?</p>

<p>What do you think of my chances at the following places?
Umich, Cornell, CMU, Upenn, MIT, Stanford.</p>

<p>I want to do something like Maths, International Relations, or Finance.</p>

<p>I know MIT and Stanford are really tough to get into, and I'm not a typical science freak or an Intel-winner or something, but I have got a lot of nice inter-school awards, some of them pretty big (however, more in stuff like debates, writing, math, and all)... so please be honest and frank about my chances. Say anything you wish. I am curious to see things from another CBSE student's pespective.</p>

<p>By the way, I saw some college counselor change someone's 60s and 70s to As... in the sense he was in the top 1/8th of his class, which does happen in Class 11... 5th-6th position people in my class last year had low seventies/high sixties. I come about third. Do American colleges really understand our system?</p>

<p>What is the importance of SAT scores vs. CBSE marks vs. essays?</p>

<p>And in case it helps, am a US citizen (does it help...I know it's always a bit tougher on international students)</p>

<p>For Indians from India studying in college, is it true that the first year is a bit of a cakewalk? I heard calculus is repeated... however, my brother insists they do it in a entirely innovative and different way. However, I can't help feel depressed sometimes. Is the US really that great or what... anyways, my other plans are to do really well in the CBSE Boards and do Math honours in Delhi if I make the high cut-offs. Have been working hard in 12th, so hope for the best!</p>

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<p>
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However, I can't help feel depressed sometimes. Is the US really that great or what...

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The education in the top US universities is world class, right, otherwise why are people coming from all over the world to study :-)</p>

<p>I have heard that students from India who come to US for Graduate programs generally find the going 'not too tough' due to the rigor of the indian undergraduate programs and/or the caliber of the students.</p>

<p>Didnt know of many who come to US straight from HS. I am not sure if US universities are even aware of the CBSE system and so on. SAT scores may be the best bet. 2170 is a great score and will get you into a number of top universities if not MIT/Stanford. </p>

<p>US Citizenship may help but residency (state) is more important. For example, fees in CA public universities are much lower for in-state students.</p>

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<p>Your best bet is a private univ because you don't have residency for state. Admission rates are quite low for non-citizens, so your being citizenship will help. You will also get need-based financial aid, I guess, because income in Indian currency is like 1/100th of that in the US currency!
US college education is not like twice as good that in India or China, but may be 10% better on an average. A lot of international kids come not just for the education but the potential career opportunities in the US. College education in Canada, Europe is as good for international kids, probably at a lower cost.
For you, being a US citizen, it is best to get a US undergraduate degree. Will make your life easier. Already explaining your CBSE or whatever system to the rest of the world requires Einstein's help, I think. Beauty of the US is that everyone seems to know so much about it!</p>

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<p>Adcoms know about CBSE, Colleges get most of their int'l apps from India.
Internal marks in mid Eighties are perfectly fine, try to get your marks converted into grades, either by your counselor or by WES.
CBSE marks are more important than SATs, i know ppl who got 2300+ but got rejected coz their marks were in 60s. Being a citizen helps a lot, most of the colleges cap the number of int'l.</p>