<p>Hello guys! So, this is my first post in this forum and I am looking forward to your replies.</p>
<p>I am a class XI student from New Delhi and I wish to major In computer science or computational math form either of these colleges Carnegie Mellon/ Caltech/ Stanford/ MIT/ Princeton
I have heard so much from my school counselor as well as teachers about how difficult and rigorous the application procedure is. I am ready to do anything to get into any of these universities but I do not know where to start.
What I can make out from all these threads is that I still have to do the following:
1. SAT
2. SAT-II
3. TOEFL
When should I take my SAT ? Should I take SAT-II before SAT-I?
Should I join any coaching available locally? I live in Gurgaon and there are around 10 coaching centers here including Princeton Review.
Another thing is that I definitely require 80%+ financial aid and I have heard that Carnegie does not offer financial aid to international students? Is this true?</p>
<p>Essentially my question is how should I start preparing to apply into a good American University?
To all those Indian students who have gotten into good universities, please describe your preparation and course of study.
Please help me out.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Skip the TOEFL, if you are studying in an english medium school.</p></li>
<li><p>Take the SAT once, in 11th, if you aren’t happy, again in 11th itself (if this is not possible, take it during the summer vacations of 12th)</p></li>
<li><p>SAT II before SAT I is completely optional, however it may suit you.</p></li>
<li><p>Please, don’t take any coaching for the SAT tests. It is completely un-necessary and a waste of financial resources as well as time.</p></li>
<li><p>Harvad, Yale, MIT and two more (can’t recall) are need blind. And hence, are harder to get into. Some other advice: State universities are obliged to accept more students from within the state/US, and hence don’t be fooled by the low average SAT scores. Ex. GaTech.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I’m not into a university yet, I’m a 2016er :)</p>
<p>Yes agree with tizil7. I’m in the same boat, will be applying next yr, and I’m an international as well.
From what I know, most internationals, especially if you’re good at your math/science, can take the sat 2 in 11th grade and get over with it.
As for sat 1, I don’t think coaching is necessary, if u want to find out about resources, cc is a good source.
I’m sure Carnegie does offer fa for everyone, but of course it’s limited for foreigners, and hence don’t expect anything, esp like hyp, etc.
As for toefl, follow whats said above.</p>
<p>How should I go about studying for the SAT-I?
Should I buy a reference book like a Princeton Review or Kaplan and follow it religiously?
What do you suggest?</p>
<p>@knockknock1996 - hey there! welcome to cc first of all!
we are in the same boat. Even I intend to major in Comp Science from the Universities you mentioned. I too need FA.
As stated before, do write your SAT 1 and 2 SAT Subjects ( Maths and other science subject). TOEFL is not a necessity but its recommended.
Yes, Carnegie Mellon doesnt give Financial aid Include UC Berkeley too. Even I left them out :(</p>
<p>State schools also take more people from other countries. Places like UIUC are not insane to get into but is really really good. So dont mistake easy to get into as not good.</p>
uhhh…need blind actually makes it easier for someone who doesn’t want to be judged by admissions by the fact that they can’t pay the full fee. The reason why HYPM are hard to get into is b/c they have strict standards for admissions.</p>
<p>
Top state schools usually don’t take a lot of internationals and OOS b/c they have to meet their state criteria of 80-90% instate and 20-10% others. Additionally, they are just plain hard to get into…they have great expectations for outsiders. They also don’t have enough funding for internationals and are very stringent with offering money on the bases of need. You do have a chance of acquiring help through merit awards. </p>
<p>Additionally, one peace of universal advice is that CMU is extremely stringy in terms of offering money, even to domestic students. If you can pay it<strong><em>Great!</em></strong>if you can’t and choose to go…then look forward to big loans.
Finally…To the OP.
Take the SATI first b/c if you don’t have this, you can’t get admissions in the first place.
Then, brush up on a few subjects (preferably mathII, phys, eng, chem).
SAT timeline: December, January, March of junior year.
SAT II timeline: May (junior) or August (sen). You can sit for 3 subject tests max.
Don’t take a class or online gig for this. SAT is more of reasoning…that’s why it’s called a reasoning test.
Yes you will need to study. I highly recommend the blue book b/c it comes straight from ETS. If you want a key to a good score, this is your heaven before heaven.
Barrons------>big yawn
Princeton----->not great
Kaplan-------->good</p>
<p>Applying for financial aid at Caltech and Stanford will severely reduce your chances of getting in. MIT and Princeton are need-blind, but pretty hard to get into as it is. Carnegie Mellon, like most public universities, does not offer financial aid to international students.</p>
<p>For the SAT, don’t bother with anything not related to College Board. Buy the Blue Book, buy the Official Online Course. Extract as much from them as you possibly can. </p>
<p>@Tizil: You’re totally off the mark, Videl is my wife not mah daughter! And it is true that state schools are really good but much easier to get in. For eg as an eng school GATech is probably as good as Princeton but a lot easier to get in!</p>
<p>Yeah thats right, state schools normally dont give aid. But i heard there are some scholarships you can get if you go there. Or maybe thats just in Purdue. Also OP try some liberal arts colleges if you’re not too averse to the concept. They are a lot more generous with aid. Because otherwise you’re left with MIT and Princeton need-blind which are insane to get into and Stanford and Caltech need-aware which are even more insane.</p>
<p>It is true that for most part public schools are easier to get into. However, I wanted to stray away from directing my message to gtech and purdue. Rather, I was referring to schools like CMU, Berkeley, UNC, Umich…etc.</p>
<p>lol, few weeks ago, i had been asking the same questions here on CC…welcome to CC…
btw, i agree with liveurlife more… bluebook is like the best available option! … i had been suggested Direct Hits: SAT Vocab book for the CR. I suggest u should just go for bluebook (a.k.a College Boards Official SAT Guide, volume 2! it took me a while to guess what bluebook was)
also, getting into HYPS ( harvard, yale, princeton, stanford) is like SUPER tough, and it really depends on ur essay and SAT1( the most imp factor) to get into any of the ivies or any such college! am a 11th grader too! i will be giving my SAT in dec! start preparing from now onwards!. btw, if u need any help, PM me… maybe i can help u out in any way! :)…</p>
<p>Sorry Iamthatguy, from what i know state schools are definitely easier to get into. Your own Cal being a notable exception to this. Although Cal is still easier than the other tech schools of its caliber for intls to get into. I am referring to the friendly neighbourhood Stanford But that makes states schools so good. Fantastic schools that are not too hard to get into. What more can you ask for?</p>
<p>Rewant, I dont think you’re the most informed person on the college admissions process. Certainly not qualified enough to make sweeping generalisations like SAT 1 is the most important factor in determining if you get in. It is important but certainly not the most. Think of it like a sort of weeding out system, if you have a high enough SAT score you have better chances of being considered. Thats not to say that people with less than stellar scores dont get in. Which clearly shows that that is not the most important factor. No point getting a 2400 SAT I if your grades and ECs are bad.</p>
Your daughter is Pan, isn’t it :D</p>
But that makes states schools so good. Fantastic schools that are not too hard to get into. What more can you ask for?</p>