<p>Hi
I have some questions for applying to universities.
I just finished high school and I was planning to continue my undergraduate degree in my country. However, I didn't like the level of education it's offered here.
I decided to apply to universities in the US the next year (For Fall or spring 2014)
But anyway I will enter university here and apply in the same time (Universities in the US will not allow transfer from int'l med schools) </p>
<p>Will this gap year affect my admission?
I got SAT score of 2180 (790M 740W 650CR) (2 trials) and SAT subject tests 800 Biology and 800 Math level 2 and 800 Math level 1
I am planning to apply for biomedical engineering at competitive universities
Do I have to retake SAT or take another SAT subject tests ? </p>
<p>When should I apply and start on my applications? (I mean I finished High school, they would have all my transcripts)</p>
<p>Any tips and suggestions for my case will be great. </p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>If you will need any financial aid at all to study in the US, do not take any classes this fall. Drop your enrollment and spend your gap year doing something other than studying. It is extremely difficult for international students to receive aid, and it is even harder for international transfer students to receive aid. And yes. If you will have completed a year of studies at the university level in your home country before enrolling here, you will almost certainly be considered a transfer applicant. It doesn’t matter one bit that you would be leaving a medical program to come here as an engineering major. You still will have finished a year of university level studies.</p>
<p>If your long-range goals include a degree in medicine, pursue that in your home country and then come to the US later for advanced studies. It is even more unlikely for an international student to be admitted to med school here than it is for an international transfer to be able to get financial aid.</p>
<p>For more information on the application process, read through <a href=“http://www.educationusa.state.gov%5B/url%5D”>www.educationusa.state.gov</a> and make an appointment with the counselors at the advising center closest to where you live. They are the experts on helping students from your country find good places to study in the US. You also should pay a visit to the International Students Forum here. Go to the main page where all of the forums are listed, and scroll down to find it.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>
<p>You do not need to take any more SAT subject tests unless you plan to apply to a college that requires three, and the last I knew, only one or two colleges did. I recognize that you have taken three, but colleges won’t accept both math 1 and math 2 to meet their requirements. Be sure to check the specific requirements of the colleges to which you plan to apply.</p>
<p>Whether you should retake the SAT (or take the ACT for the first time) will be based on the typical requirements for the colleges to which you would like to apply.</p>
<p>Many US colleges use the Common Application as their application forms, and the Common App for the following school year is usually posted on August 1. However, the essay questions are usually the same or similar, so you could begin to work on your essays now.</p>
<p>For most competitive universities you will also need the English subject test or a non-scientific subject test, especially since Math1 is useless for someone who scores 800 on Math2. Many schools will frown on your taking your native language as a subject test but if you know another language from studying it or from being instructed in it, it’s a good choice, probably easier for a non-native speaker than the English Subject Test.
You can start to look at the new CommonApp essay questions since they’re posted already - you’ll have to draft and redraft (write, correct, improve, rewrite, correct, improve… 
) The new application (C4) will be online in August, if you post anything now you’ll be using the old one and it’ll be lost in August.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your replies.</p>
<p>I have read that medical schools in the US don’t allow transfer students from other international medical schools since both follow totally different systems. So will they recognize the year I will stay here ?
That is just to be in the safe side. If I am not admitted to universities I want. </p>
<p>Second, I am planning to apply for ivys and if i get accepted to biomed engineering I will most likely continue in biomed.</p>
<p>Third, is my scores good enough for an ivy
I may take SAT subject tests chemistry and physics to enhance my application
Since no language tests are offered here. </p>
<p>What do you think ?</p>
<p>Also I have done myriad of extracurricular activities and I am planning to do research this summer.</p>
<p>Ivies WILL require you to have a non-science subject test. But to make yourself competitive you will have to be a national winner of something.
Are you planning on applying to med school? Because this would be an entirely different topic…</p>
<p>No
Just biomedical engineering</p>
<p>The first year of your home country med school program will probably include coursework in biology, chemistry, and math. All of those subjects could transfer as the equivalent if first or second year undergraduate courses. What will probably not transfer is any clinical work that you do.</p>
<p>However, each college and university in the US makes its own policy about this, so you do need to ask.</p>
<p>Also, you must be aware that there are virtually no scholarships for international transfers so if you need financial aid you should take a gap year, not attend university.</p>