<p>@IBAustralia Thanks for the help
I think I can work in my passion for computing in my admission but to be honest the thing that really interests me for a career is probably medicine or a combination of the two. I’m not too sure how I should work that in though, because it sounds like US schools are hesitant to let international applicants into medicine.</p>
<p>Also, in my original post I forgot about my musical ECs:
I have played Cello since Year 4 and won Music Tuition Scholarships from my school, playing in multiple ensembles and an orchestra.</p>
<p>HighOracle: yeah, I wouldn’t put down pre-med as a major. Your best bet is to put down undecided. Since you’ve shown a strong commitment to music and comp, you’re better of choosing one as a passion.</p>
<p>Hi
I’m an international student from Melbourne. I have just finished year 11 and am now waiting for year 12. I love Australia, but US has always been my dream place; hence, I intend to apply for universities there at the end of the year.</p>
<p>Because my primary language is not English and I have just been to Australia for one year, my teacher suggested that I should take ESL so that so that my scores can be as high as A+. I don’t know, but she said that in VCE, the study programs of ESL and English are similar, and the only differences is in the marking process - apparently ESL is marked more leniently.</p>
<p>I am really confused whether to choose ESL or English. I understand that ESL will give me better scores, but the rigor of the course seems a significant factor in the admission process. As I don’t want to make a decision based on assumptions, I hope you guys can give me some advices and facts. Thank you so much.</p>
<p>Well, your written english appears up to standard. If you are capable of taking standard english (as I assume you are), I’d suggest that you do. Ofcourse, taking ESL would be ALOT easier, but colleges would rather that you challenge yourself (wink wink, node node; you and I know you can). Besides taking standard would make you alot more competitive. By the way, what colleges interest you?</p>
<p>sanga50, I gotta tell ya even though you got great stuff going for ya its gonna be hard to get into any Ivy League schools. You got a great shot at UC Berkeley though. If I were you, don’t be afraid to set your sights a little lower. Try lower tier schools for example: UCONN, SFSU, Clemson, or SJSU. What I’m doing is going to a community college, and next year I will be able to transfer out.</p>
<p>This is for all the Aussies here, forget the Ivy League. Just forget it. I know all of you have incredible stuff but just forget it. Try the UC system, I know its not as prestigious as the Ivy League but its still good. Beeish what California school did you go to? The only reason I’m asking is because I’m from California hahaha. I will say another thing to the Aussies, you have to know what you’re getting yourself into. Its not gonna be easy, far from it. But on the brighter side if you pick a school in California, chances are you’re gonna love the weather. Most of the year its sunny, and warm. So if any of you go to a school in or near the San Francisco Bay Area look me up.
P.S. Did any of you like my plugging of California schools? hahahaha</p>
<p>blankness, it appears that you’re trying to drag us all to Cal. It would be cool to have aussies all together. But seriously what works for you may not for someone else.</p>
<p>I have a friend whose flying to the US to do a summer program. Will this actually help her get into colleges, or just show that she has the money to pay for the flights, summer program etc.</p>
<p>It may help, marginally, though probably not for the top, elite schools. Lots of people there have done some kind of a summer International study program.</p>
<p>I was a bit vague in my last question… I was talking about whether summer programs such as harvard summer school will help, not selective ones such as RSI or TASP</p>
<p>i applied for fall 2011 admission as a transfer i’m completing my 2nd year this semester (i graduate 3 years June next year because i deferred a semester in first year) at ANU!
I thought it was a long shot applying to the US as i’ve only got a year left but to be honest i’m losing interest in my courses and have lived in Canberra all my life = time for a change!
Fingers crossed, i’m expecting a decline but oh well. I’ve also applied for the Global Summer Program so hopefully i’ll get to the US in july!
Did anyone else apply?</p>
<p>Another quick question - I know I may be pushing it, but if I am, just say so :D</p>
<p>Okay, it’s one thing to get into an Ivy League school with the financial aid I need, but would I be going too far in attempting to get into med school in the US with the financial aid I need (assuming, hypothetically, that I get into an Ivy League school for undergrad)?</p>
<p>I’ve heard contrasting views on this.</p>
<p>EDIT: Thanks for chancing me before there! Just wanted to ask, I just got into the Australian Chem Olympiad team (for IChO 2011) this year…does this increase my chances? If so, how much? Cheers!</p>
<p>woops haven’t been back on here in a while.</p>
<p>@IBAustralia: I’m going for the Ivies, Stanford, Duke etc. What about you?</p>
<p>@epicgee: Obviously doesn’t really matter now but I sat it at maq uni. Happy with your results?</p>
<p>@blankness: I recall reading that the UC system had cut off financial aid for international students so I took them off my list. Please correct me if i’m wrong because I’d love to go to Cali</p>
chance me? </p>