International student from dubai

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hello, my name is Fahad, I want to study Computer science at US I'm currently have my IGCSE exams.</p>

<p>here is the list of universities I'm interested in:</p>

<p>1) MIT
2) University of California–Berkeley
3) Stanford
4) University of washington
5) California Institute of Technology</p>

<p>each of these universities require different tests, University of washington accepts IGCSE but others require SAT I or SATII and I'm taking it at October.</p>

<p>my question is: some of universities require AP for credit, what is AP (advanced placement)?, how hard is it? and is there any other option i can take?.</p>

<p>the other thing that some of them require me to take at least X years in history which i didn't take is there any way to substitute this requirement?</p>

<p>thank you</p>

2

<p>hi fahad. before you consider the schools above (all of which are top, top, top schools, i suggest that you finish your post-IGCSE exams i.e. A-Levels or IB. I doubt all the other schools apart from UWash, as you said, will accept you based on IGCSE. In the meantime, good luck with everything, work hard, play hard and make sure you have some solid EC’s to back you up. I support you man! good luck!</p>

3

<p>thank you for your advice, but what do you mean by EC’s ?</p>

4

<p>the other thing is:</p>

<p>here is a link from mit admission site:</p>

<p>[MIT</a> Admissions: Advanced Placement & International Exams](<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/before/advanced_placement_international_exams/index.shtml]MIT”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/before/advanced_placement_international_exams/index.shtml)</p>

<p>what will the credits that i will receive when taking A-levels will help me with?</p>

<p>and the other thing:</p>

<p>Recommended Coursework Prior to Applying to MIT</p>

<p>Four years of English
Mathematics through calculus
Two or more years of history / social studies
Biology
Chemistry
Physics</p>

<p>i have not taken social studies or history what should i do?</p>

<p>thank you</p>

5

<p>it’s recommended, not required. And i bet you would have studied AT least a little history/social studies.</p>

6

<p>yes i have studied history but stopped at grade 9</p>

7

<p>i suggest you study either of geography/history/social studies for two years if you’re serious abt the colleges you’ve mentioned.</p>

8

<p>BASIC LINGO</p>

<p>EC = Extra-curricular activities
LAC = Liberal arts college e.g. Amherst
Ivy league = Elite schools with admit rate comparable to Heaven</p>

9

<p>where do you recommend me to study the two years of geography/history/social studies at university or at school ?</p>

10

<p>at school. obviously. High School (9-12)</p>

11

<p>too bad I’m at 11 now hmm but i can take it at 12 and 13 but it will take time :(</p>

12

<p>AP classes are never required for admission to any college. It’s just that the superselective colleges want to see that you’ve taken the most rigorous curriculum, and for most Americans, that means AP classes.</p>

<p>MIT is not generous giving credit for any classes taken in high school. You can maybe get some credits for calculus and advanced physics. You can place out of more classes with their placement tests, but not get credit.</p>

13

<p>what about if i take the required SAT tests?</p>

14

<p>Most of the applicants in Pakistan take O-Levels & A-Levels in school, then in their A Levels, they appear for SAT Reasoning Test & SAT Subjects Test (atleast 3, in your case). Then, according to their scores, they decide which colleges they should apply to.</p>

<p>I see that you’re a beginner to the entire U.S. admissions process. My advice would be, *don’t get disheartened by harsh comments or responses and believe in yourself! * :)</p>

<p>Focus on Extra-curricular activities, these are really important for such top top selective colleges. Whoever has an impeccable academic record applies there, so only those applicants stand out who are truly phenomenal in all ways.</p>

15

<p>thanks for the info, for extra-curricular activities, I’m currently developing projects (in computer) which is the field I’m will be going to, and I’m also opening a web hosting company.</p>

16

<p>do you advice me to take history/social studies in my A-levels and yes I’m new to the U.S. Admissions process, luckily my uncle is living in CA and yes I’m getting harsh and discouraging comments from my family that i can’t do it, i know it’s hard but I’m so passionate about computers i already know programming languages and i want to do something great in this field.</p>

17

<p>I don’t really know, so it would be better if I don’t comment whether you should or you should not take History/Social Studies.</p>

<p>From your ExtraCurricular point of view, I think you’re doing a great job learning many different computer languages and the stuff of that sort. But the things these universities most value is, Creativity!</p>

<p>Pulling that off, is just something amazing!</p>

18

<p>You should read everything (and I do mean everything) at <a href=“http://educationusa.state.gov/undergrad.htm[/url]”>http://educationusa.state.gov/undergrad.htm&lt;/a&gt; and then you should make an appointment with the advisors at their office closest to where you live [Middle</a> East/ North Africa ? Educational Advising Centers ? EducationUSA](<a href=“http://eca.state.gov/educationusa/centers/index.cfm?region=MENA]Middle”>http://eca.state.gov/educationusa/centers/index.cfm?region=MENA)
If you can’t visit the office in person, you should talk to their counselors on the phone or communicate with them by email. They are the real experts on helping students in your region find good places to study in the US.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

19

<p>thanks happymomof1, one concern thought:</p>

<p>if i get my green card will i also be considered as an international student and if not what other things they will require for US resident</p>

20

<p>If you get your green card, you will be eligible for federally determined financial aid. Read all about that at [FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/]FAFSA”>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) You also will be able to live and work in the US. That might allow you to establish in-state residence for tuition purposes at public colleges and universities. Each state has its own policies, so you need to spend some time researching this issue.</p>

<p>Most colleges and universities have experience dealing with US citizens and permanent residents who received their educations abroad. This should not be a problem. However, the big question is about the green card. Is it already in process? Or are you just thinking you might apply for one? If that is the case, you need to read up on the process at [Permanent</a> Resident (Green Card)](<a href=“http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=4f719c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=4f719c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD]Permanent”>http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=4f719c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=4f719c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD)</p>