<p>Thanks for your input!
Sry, I was a bit busy these days:d
I wanted to ask you, did you get a full ride from the colleges you were accepted to? B/c for me, the costs are EXTREMELY important: if i would be accepted, but my fin needs wouldn't be fully met - or almost, I don't think it would be possible for me to attend that particular college...which is quite unfair, let's not say sad. :)</p>
<p>Yeah, pisconet. Unless you get full or almost full aid, it's pretty much impossible to attend a particular college. At least for us Romanians.
But well, many did get a lot of aid, and I wish you the best of luck with your applications. Of course, there are no safeties, meaning colleges which are very likely to admit intl/ Romanian students and give you a lot of aid, but you shouldn't worry too much about it now. Just make sure your app stands out...</p>
<p>@angelutza: hi! I was thinking, did you consider applying as a transfer to a US university? Even though not many will offer you as an int'l student financial aid, you could give it a chance...as for the essay: UniversityPrep</a> Home. Check it out;). I'm considering using their services, but as I do not know the costs or location...I've send them a week ago a message requesting information, but they did not reply back...I'm still waiting for it.
But seriously, I think you should not give up. You've got excellent EC's. What were your SAT scores? What did you write about in your essays that you thought it got you rejected? It would be so kind of you if you would share it with the others (especially as I'm not a very good essay writer:P).
@ everyone who gives the BAC pretty soon (when? 1-2 weeks?) Good luck to you all. Hope you'll do wonderfuly (P.S.: What subjects are you taking your BAC in?:))</p>
<p>P.S.: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/international-students/525020-urgent-question-neen-answer-please.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/international-students/525020-urgent-question-neen-answer-please.html</a>
tHIS IS THE LInk to the thread which is posted a few lines down the int'l students page...That's if you don't want to be considered a transfer ;) Hope it helps</p>
<p>pisconet, if you find out the costs of Universityprep.ro services, please let me know...</p>
<p>Sure I will :D. I'm still waiting for an e-mail though 8-|, one week after I send them the request. And I'm also waiting for some insight information from one of the students ;). But weren't you already accepted at several universities? What do you need this service for now;))?</p>
<p>Oh and ph1.89 I saw your EC's - they're so cool - especially the astronomy olympiads. Thing is, I loved astronomy since I was a kid and I was thinking if I should try to go this year at the olympiad, as I think this is the last year a could go.
Could you please tell me some more about this? How is it? How did you prepare? What books did you use? Do you think I could give it a shot? How should I prepare? Thank you in advance :)!</p>
<p>for sis, in case she decides to study abroad ...
actually, I know some of the students that used their services; I can give you their IDs if you want...</p>
<p>My EC's? Maybe you mean my awards, because my EC's are few to none...</p>
<p>This year? this year's olympiad is long gone... But you can try next two years'</p>
<p>Sooo ... let my try and answer as completely as I can:</p>
<p>The astronomy Olympiad is relatively unknown; there can be judete with 2 participants at olimpiada judeteana ... but as you're from bucharest, the competiotion is pretty stiff...
If you loved astro from childhood, that's great; if you're still making observations from time to time, that should give you an edge. However, in order to advance to national olympiad and beyond, you should also study some theory (as in Romania emphasis is placed on theoretical aspects)</p>
<p>My experience: I found out about astro olympiad in late 10th grade, so I decided to participate in 11th. I had no background, neither practical nor theoretical. However, as I knew my physics, learning theory went easier. So I read some theoretical books (~2), and studied the problems given in previous astronomy olympiads; I qualified for national and ranked 3rd in theory and among last in observational round.</p>
<p>should you give it a shot? Why not? It's up to you how much time you spend on it, but you should at least participate at judeteana.</p>
<p>Books...The only books I remember reading are "Cartea astronomului amator", Ioan Todoran and Astronomie - Mihail SAndu. The latter emphasizes theory a lot and is relatively difficult; I recommend the former, which you can find (among others) at
Biblioteca</a> de Astronomie Online
You could also try buying books from sites such as amazon.com or betterworld.com; I recently bought a book (rather, a "compendiu") from betterworld for ~8$, way cheaper than you'd find in Romania. </p>
<p>any more questions - don't hesitate to ask...</p>
<p>Well, why is this years' olympiad long gone?:( Too bad... If it were this yr, I'd give it my best shot, but I'm a more Biology olympiad person...I have to thrive this year to get to the nationals, although the 11th year bio program is very, very tough - you know better than I :D.
I visited their Facebook profile - Dial 21 for America - and saw pictures etc. It seems as though they're tutored in groups, not individually - as I would've hoped. I already sent one to one of them an e-mail, to I. Cazan from Colby College - I might also apply to hers' b/c of their MolBio Major and also to a Mt Holyoke freshman from Lic German. I'm still waiting for their answers :-". What interests me the most is their costs, as I already found out their location; it's in the teachers' apartment in Floreasca...kinda long way from home as I live in the center.</p>
<p>P.S.:Like I cant apply anymore as a junior for the Astronomy olypmiad? For the year 2008-2009?</p>
<p>Do you look at the stars while typing too, coz there's an edit button here y'know. Double posting causes white dwarfs to explode.</p>
<p>I meant this school years' olympiad is long gone :)
of course you can participate in 11th grade (2008-2009 school year); and you have plenty of time since the olympiad will probably be around march 2009 (just a guess)
You won't be considered a junior, however, but a senior (junior ~under 16, I think)...</p>
<p>Thanks ph1.89 :)
You know, S33D, it's really not that much of a big deal if I post twice...I don't think it would hurt anybody's eyes...and sometimes it's best to keep your head way above the clouds:)You keep it from being too rained.:)</p>
<p>Haha, I was just on a "irritating post" spree :p no biggie</p>
<p>To all of you who have the first BAC exam: i wish you all good luck and may you return with astronomically high scores :) ;)</p>
<p>And we thank you! :)</p>
<p>Could anybody please tell me what type of credit card did they use when registering for the SAT's, the TOEFL, buying books, etc and from what bank? I want to make one but don't know where from, as College Board specifically says that they want their money in USD...and most banks I have checked have credit cards in EURO or LEI...:( I was very confident with ING Bank, but they only have in cards in EURO and LEI. And I need to decide soon so I may register in time for the October exam. Thank you!</p>
<p>Hey. basically you can pay with Mastercard and Visa for the collegeboard tests. And you don't need to have a credit card in USD specifically, because the money is converted automatically when you pay online.
But well, it's best to have a credit card in USD directly because you don't pay any additional taxes that the banks inform you about or not:D.
And about the credit card... i strongly advise you to get a Master Card because they're considered to be more secure. the Visa has had some serious problems lately and international sites don't tend to deny payment through the visa. Really.
So try Master Card and try USD.
Ooo, and try Raifessen too. I happen to have just asked for a Master Card in USD at Raifessen:D. I was very impressed with their service. And they're generally serious. I couldn't find a Master in USD either because banks don't have it. Lots of them. I think BCR also has Master in USD, but I find their services really anoying and choose Raifessen instead.
Hope this will help.</p>
<p>International sites tend to deny payment through the visa, sorry. I made a little typo error above.</p>
<p>Thank you! :D
Btw, how was Bac so far? Romanian, speaking section, right?</p>