<p>This is gonna be a very curious case, nd I will try n explain my position as best as possible:</p>
<p>I am an Indian in Dubai, grade 11. I have good academics, good ECs, some of which ive listed here, so you can size me up:
- CBSE 10th board: 94.4
- SAT: 2150, will try n improve
- Represented the UAE at the World Robot Olympiad (in Taiwan & Japan) two years in a row, after winning the national robot olympiad. Got decent ranks
- (Indian) Informatics Olympiad - qualified for the INOI (second stage) twice. Trying hard to make it to the training camp this year
- Lots of school-level and interschool quizzes and debates
- Hav been part of the school stundent council / prefectorial board for a number of years now. Presently am the Vice Captain of one of the four houses in our school.
- Two activities im passionate about (but dunno how theyll help): playing squash, and my guitar</p>
<p>My life goals in short: an undergrad engineering degree, an MBA from a good bschool, and then ultimately I want to work and live in India. </p>
<p>Now, I have two options before me -> an undergrad engineering degree from either the US or India. Now, fact is, the best engineering colleges in India are out of reach, considering the fact that I havent begun any sort of preparation for the JEE or BITSAT (serious lack of environment, materials here in Dubai + i chickened out). The other option is US. Needless to say, its very expensive, will break my parents, and i dunno about the prospects of getting a job in india after graduation. Even if i do, the costs of the undergrad degree will be a big burden. Also, the US is struggling with recession, that may hav further consequences.</p>
<p>The dilemma i face: Should I focus on admission to a good US university or start preparing for Indian entrance exams (if there is any point at this stage)? What will the prospects will be in each case?</p>
<p>Thank you, all! looking forward to your advice..</p>
<p>Now, I'm not an Indian, nor am I familiar with the JEE. However, it seems to me that it's very competitive to get into a good university in India. Furthermore, it is not easy to get into a good USA graduate school, especially if you come from a not-so-renowned Indian university and cannot pay your whole way (for graduate school)</p>
<p>Bachelor of Commerce: AUD $23,000 per year (min. 3 years)
Bachelor of Science (Electrical Engineering): AUD $25,000 per year (min. 4 years)
Living costs: AUD $16,000 per year</p>
<p>Total costs of Bachelor of Commerce: 3,800,000 INR (38 lakh)
Total costs of Bachelor of Science: 5,300,000 INR (53 lakh)</p>
<p>I'm not sure if it makes a difference to you, if you're considering the cheaper US colleges. But for example, UC Berkeley, where the tuition + fees is about 45,000 USD per year, it comes up to 85 lakh.</p>
<p>In India you can get a good quality education cheaper than USA but if you want to work in India afterwards than it is better to study here because one of my friends did post graduate in Eco from LSE but she had some difficulty in getting a job here .
I think so there's also a BITS campus in Dubai , because BITS Pilani is pretty reputed in India .
You can also get into a coaching centre for IIT-JEE or AIEEE preparation . </p>
<p>You have to take SAT I and SAT II to get admitted to a good univ. in USA , but I think so it would be too late now to take those exams.</p>
<p>Study in India as here you can get good quality education realtively cheaper .</p>
<p>thank you for your replies. tetrisfan, i would definitely want to keep all options open, but i dont know if it would amount to anything if i started preparing for indian entrances at this stage (grade 11 got only 3 months to go). i just chicken away becuz of the amount of slogging required.</p>
<p>also, should i go about setting plans of accepting admission to the US university that offers maximum fin aid? </p>
<p>@sid.is.best- yes, i agree that i cud get quality education in india, but is that true even in the cases of college lower down the ladder? below the iits, bits etc? cuz i wud say its nearly impossible for me to get admission to these now..
-yea there is a BITS campus in dubai, but i havent been considering it so far, cuz its very new, and cant be compared to its indian counterparts.
- coaching is not available here for JEE and AIEEE thats another reason its so hard for me to decide, cuz whatever i would have to prepare, would be on my own. i dont even know where to start
- about not getting a job - that is a major concern of mine with a US undergrad. need more opinion...</p>
<p>there is also the DASA scheme for NRIs for admission to the National Institues of Technology (NITs). admission is based on your 12th board marks, and is pretty easy to obtain (85%+ is nearly guaranteed admission). Should i consider that option?</p>
<p>All in all, do you think it would be wise for me to plan for a US undergrad education if my ultimate goal was living in India? Would it even be possible for me to get a decent job if I graduate from a lesser known US university?</p>
<p>tetrisfan is right... apply to NUS wit ur latest scores... so provided u score well in ur board exams u stand a good chance... n wit ur EC's u can try for a scholarship also... I got admit there 3 years back.. tho i dint take it up... ur board exam scores r very important but... so u need to really focus on tat...</p>
<p>I think in your predicament, Singapore would be the best option. Especially since you seem very keen to get a good job in India. A Singaporean degree will definitely earn you lots of respect.</p>
<p>well.. thanks everyone for your suggestions.. last questions:
- what are the admission requirements of NUS for CBSE students? I heard it was nearly on the sole basis of one's board marks
- can i apply to US universities a little lower down the ladder and expect to receive greater aid, while at the same time expect to get a decent job in India after my undergrad? ....(i know im asking for too much)</p>
<p>NUS:</a> Office of Admissions
check out this page for requirements for nus...
n you seem to have pretty good scores.. thing is.. even colleges lower down the ladder expect you to contribute atleast $18,000 per year..</p>
<p>NTU's better for engineering btw....
nd this year....i checked.....they dont even have an entrance exam....check at their site</p>
<p>yeah most probably NUS does admissions on the board marks solely....not too sure though....NTU does for sure</p>
<p>aid is well....next to impossible....BUT if ur SATs are good enough....yes lower colleges will give you aid...or merit scholarships atleast....
though i'd still say singapores a better option considering ur state.....</p>