My list of college. Help me narrow down the list!! [Indian + More help needed]

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey all.</p>

<p>I'm new here. But not new to the Internet, or education (bah)</p>

<p>OK. So, I wandered the CollegeBoard site for months, and added 21 of my favorite colleges in the US to my list. Now, I need some of your help to narrow the list down to a suitable number..</p>

<p>First of all, some things about me so you get an idea, if these will be suitable for me or now.</p>

<p>I'm an Indian student. I'm 17 year old now (March 2011) and I'll be completing my class XII (high school) in March 2012. So, I'm looking for a Sep 2012 intake.. I'm looking to apply somewhere around August 2011. So, my first question is can I do this? I mean, by the time I apply, my schooling wouldn't be complete.</p>

<p>Here are my class scores from last 3 years.
Class IX = 85%
Class X = 86%
Class XI = 79%</p>

<p>Also, I've been an active in badminton and have represented my school in numerous (50+) badminton tournaments, and won majority of them. I've played badminton at National level for 3 consecutive years..</p>

<p>Other than sports, I've been to other various competitions, and won them.</p>

<p>Next up is my SAT. It was pretty low: 1700. Should I take the SAT again?</p>

<p>Also, some people told me that TOEFL is required, some told only SAT is enough. So, should I take the TOEFL, too?</p>

<p>OK. So I think you know me a little now. So, here is my list of college.</p>

<p>Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, Massachusetts
College</a> Search - Bridgewater State University - BSC - At a Glance</p>

<p>California State University: Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California
College</a> Search - California State University: Bakersfield - CSUB - At a Glance</p>

<p>California State University: Fresno
Fresno, California
College</a> Search - California State University: Fresno - Fresno State - At a Glance</p>

<p>California State University: Long Beach
Long Beach, California
College</a> Search - California State University: Long Beach - Long Beach State - At a Glance</p>

<p>California State University: San Bernardino
San Bernardino, California
College</a> Search - California State University: San Bernardino - CSUSB - At a Glance</p>

<p>City University of New York: Baruch College
New York, New York
College</a> Search - City University of New York: Baruch College - At a Glance</p>

<p>Georgia Southwestern State University
Americus, Georgia
College</a> Search - Georgia Southwestern State University - GSW - At a Glance</p>

<p>New York Institute of Technology
Old Westbury, New York
College</a> Search - New York Institute of Technology - NYIT - At a Glance</p>

<p>New York University
New York, New York
College</a> Search - New York University - NYU - At a Glance</p>

<p>Niagara University
Niagara University, New York
College</a> Search - Niagara University - At a Glance</p>

<p>Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts
College</a> Search - Northeastern University - NU - At a Glance</p>

<p>Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, Washington
College</a> Search - Pacific Lutheran University - PLU - At a Glance</p>

<p>San Diego State University
San Diego, California
College</a> Search - San Diego State University - SDSU - At a Glance</p>

<p>San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California
College</a> Search - San Francisco State University - SF State - At a Glance</p>

<p>Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, Washington
College</a> Search - Seattle Pacific University - SPU - At a Glance</p>

<p>Suffolk University
Boston, Massachusetts
College</a> Search - Suffolk University - At a Glance</p>

<p>SUNY University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
College</a> Search - SUNY University at Buffalo - UB - At a Glance</p>

<p>University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
College</a> Search - University of Michigan - U of M - At a Glance</p>

<p>University of Washington
Seattle, Washington
College</a> Search - University of Washington - U-Dub - At a Glance</p>

<p>Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas
College</a> Search - Wichita State University - WSU - At a Glance</p>

<p>William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, New Jersey
College</a> Search - William Paterson University of New Jersey - At a Glance</p>

<p>Now, you may notice that most of these are public universities. I intentionally chose more of public, because of the momentous fees the private universities charge.</p>

<p>Also, I'm interested in Computer Sciences. Now, I went to a Study Abroad counseling last month, and the people there explained to me the credit system and all. But, really, I didn't get it. They told me that I would have to acquire 120 credits in the 4 years, then only I can graduate. So, would you please take a little time to explain me the system out there?</p>

<p>Also, I have come to know that my graduation can be completed in 6 or 7 semesters (3 or 3.5 years) if I study in the Summer break as well. Please tell me more about it. And how much cuts in fees can I expect if I complete my graduation in 3 years?</p>

<p>Please help me. Please answer my doubts, and post here if you need to know anything else about me. :)</p>

<p>Thanks
Karan</p>

2

<p>You want to study computer science, but your list of California State Universities does not include San Jose State or either of the California Polytechnics? You also have no University of California schools listed.</p>

<p>Regarding credits, 120 credits in 4 years (8 semesters) means taking 15 semester credits per semester on average. At most schools, a typical course is 3 or 4 credits, but the “size” of courses varies, theoretically based on the amount of work it is. Some schools use the quarter system; students typically do 180 credits in 4 years (12 quarters), with 15 quarter credits per quarter on average (a quarter credit is 2/3 of a semester credit).</p>

3

<p>OK. Here’s my new list with their rankings particularly for Computer Sciences…</p>

<h1>1 Carnegie Mellon University</h1>

<h1>1 University of California–Berkeley</h1>

<h1>5 University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign</h1>

<h1>7 University of Washington</h1>

<h1>8 University of Texas–Austin</h1>

<h1>10 Georgia Institute of Technology</h1>

<h1>11 University of Wisconsin–Madison</h1>

<h1>13 University of Michigan–Ann Arbor</h1>

<h1>14 University of California–Los Angeles</h1>

<h1>14 University of California–San Diego</h1>

<h1>14 University of Maryland–College Park</h1>

<h1>20 Purdue University–West Lafayette</h1>

<h1>20 University of Southern California</h1>

<p>Which of these do you people think I can get into?</p>

4

<p>If you haven’t already done so, you need to read through everything (and I do indeed mean everything at [EducationUSA</a> | Study Abroad, Student Visa, University Fairs, College Applications and Study in the U.S. / America](<a href=“http://educationusa.state.gov/]EducationUSA”>http://educationusa.state.gov/) Then you need to make an appointment without the counselors at the advising center closest to you. There are several in India: [EducationUSA</a> - Find an Advising Center](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.info/India]EducationUSA”>India | EducationUSA) These people are expert at helping students like you find good places to study in the US.</p>

<p>You also need to sit down with your parents and find out how much they can pay. If you need financial aid in order to pay for an education in the US, you need to start identifying universities that might give you that amount of aid. Please remember that many universities don’t include all possible expenses in their reported Cost of Attendance (COA). If you will be returning home once or twice each year, you need to consider that when you set up your budget.</p>

<p>Don’t focus entirely on rankings. There are many good universities in the US where you can receive a fine education. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

5

<p>@happymomof1</p>

<p>OK. I’ll read through the site today.</p>

<p>And my parents can pay for my education, provided it’s good. But someone has seeded into my parent’s mind that it’s better to become an engineer in India, or from a reputed US college.</p>

<p>Thanks
Karan</p>

6

<p>Karan -</p>

<p>You need to know which universities in the US train engineers that are hired for jobs in India after graduation. That is why you shouldn’t focus on the USNWR rankings. You need to know which universities matter for the market where you will be working. In your case, it may be better to study in India than in the US.</p>

7

<p>@happymomof1</p>

<p>Actually, I have not planned about my jobs. I could also work in the US, if that’s better.</p>

<p>Karan</p>

8

<p>If you aren’t a US citizen or legal permanent resident (green card status) it will be extremely difficult to find a permanent job in the US. The H1B (work) visa application process takes a lot of time and money for your potential employer. Even if they do have the time and the money, because a limited number of these visas are issued each year many employers are unable to get the visas for the workers that they want.</p>

<p>In order to get a student visa (F1), when you have your interview at the US Consulate, you have to be able to look the interviewer in the eye and tell him/her that you fully intend to return to your home country after your studies. If they don’t believe that you intend to return, they won’t give you a student visa. It really is that simple. Every year there are students who are all set to go to college in the US but who don’t pass the interview.</p>

<p>College is extremely expensive. If you don’t have a goal for your life after college, you should take a gap year and think about it before you commit to it.</p>

9

<p>@happymomof1:</p>

<p>OK. That’s really good info you gave me.</p>

<p>See, at this moment, all I want to get into a good US college.</p>

<p>Jobs, will follow somewhere like 6 years down the line…</p>

<p>So, what do you suggest for cutting education costs? Part time jobs? Scholarships? What else? Could you run the numbers for me?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Karan</p>

10

<p>You really need to get accurate advice on your end. If you can’t visit the EducationUSA office in person, talk to them on the phone and/or communicate with them by email. </p>

<p>Some international applicants do get good scholarships. b@r!um who posts in the International Student forum has reported investigating 300 different colleges and universities in order to identify the ones that were most likely to give her enough aid. Most international students however are here without any scholarships at all. Their parents pay for everything. </p>

<p>There are limits on where you can work, and how many hours you can work, when you are here with an F1 visa. Again b@r!um is the resident expert on that topic. Spend some time in the International Students Forum and you will get useful ideas. There even is a sub-forum there just for students in India that might be even more informative for you.</p>

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<h1>1 Carnegie Mellon University- Out</h1>

<h1>1 University of California–Berkeley- Out</h1>

<h1>5 University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign- In</h1>

<h1>7 University of Washington- In</h1>

<h1>8 University of Texas–Austin- In</h1>

<h1>10 Georgia Institute of Technology- Out</h1>

<h1>11 University of Wisconsin–Madison- In</h1>

<h1>13 University of Michigan–Ann Arbor- Out</h1>

<h1>14 University of California–Los Angeles- Out</h1>

<h1>14 University of California–San Diego- Out</h1>

<h1>14 University of Maryland–College Park- In</h1>

<h1>20 Purdue University–West Lafayette- In</h1>

<h1>20 University of Southern California- Out</h1>

12

<p>@thecolororange: Thanks for your help. Could you please enlighten me on the basis that you chose these ones?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>@happymomof1: Thanks man.</p>

<p>I’m going to visit my nearest EducationUSA centre this Saturday.</p>

<p>Further, I contacted a person (who’s the same age as me) but has gotten into Univ of Massachusetts. He gave me a lot of good info. He said he applied to:
Stony Brook University
Univ of Massachusetts
Florida State Univ
for CS only. He had the same scores as me, and got accepted into all three…</p>

<p>Now, a few more questions: Do I need to take the TOEFL?
And, is my calender fine?</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Will I be late or too early to apply?</p>

<p>Karan</p>

13

<p>Each university posts its specific exam requirements on its website. Some may require the TOEFL, others won’t. You really do have to check each university separately.</p>

<p>Likewise with application dates. Many won’t have their application forms available in August, but some might.</p>

14

<p>@happymomof1:</p>

<p>Okay. So the ones that won’t have the form out in August, will have so after August? Right?</p>

<p>And with 1700 in my SAT, should I retake it? The farthest date available as of now is June 4, but I’m looking at a date in July, may be. Anyone has an idea as to when, if any, will SAT be in July?</p>

15

<p>[SAT</a> Registration - Register for the SAT](<a href=“http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/?s_kwcid=TC|7002|sat||S|e|6571739324]SAT”>http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/?s_kwcid=TC|7002|sat||S|e|6571739324)</p>

<p>Before taking the SAT again, spend some time preparing for it. Xiggi has a good do-it-yourself method that you can try. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

16

<p>@happymomof1: Thanks for the Xiggi… :wink: But do I need to retake the SAT if I want to get into say, U of Washington, or U of Massachusetts?</p>

<p>The CC site shows dates up to June 4. Do you know any dates after that?</p>

17

<p>The SAT is offered all year at multiple locations around the world. If June is the only date showing at the SAT website, send them an email and ask.</p>

<p>For a good idea of the SAT range you will need for those two universities, check the statistics reported for them in the various college-matching search engines. Or, ask at the individual university’s sub-forum here at CC. You can find them by returning to the main page for the forums, and then scrolling down to the Colleges and Universities Forum. Here is a link for you: [Colleges</a> and Universities - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/colleges-universities/]Colleges”>Colleges and Universities A-Z - College Confidential Forums)</p>

18

<p>OK. I think all my doubts are done, for now.</p>

<p>Will post any future queries.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>