The "Abroad" Question

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Greetings, </p>

<p>I was hoping the members here could lend me some advice or experiences on this whole 'college decision' process. I am a junior and in fairly good academic standing with a 35 act, 4.299 GPA (earned 2 B's in English so far and rest are A's, mostly honors or APs, will probably earn a third B in English this semester), earned a 5 on Geo AP and preparing to take 3 more this year. I am fairly ambitious about college, definitely want to go out of state, and am pretty confident in Computer Science as my major. I will undoubtedly apply to many of the top tier universities: MIT, CalTech, etc., and there is a decent chance for me to get into at least one of them (or so it seems). </p>

<p>However, I have given a fair amount of attention to the possibility of studying out of the country. I am enrolled in my third year of German language, will be going to an intensive Goethe-Institut course this summer, and will take German IV AP next year. I have a large interest in both the German language and Germany in general, and after much research have identified ETH Zurich and Karlsruhe Institut Technologie as my top choices in Europe. The entrance requirements for KIT undergrad seem much less problematic and so I am leaning towards KIT. </p>

<p>Ultimately I plan to apply to a wide range of colleges: top tier American schools, some German schools, and backups, but I am still not completely sure about everything...</p>

<p>For instance, if I were to get into both MIT and KIT, would it still be worth it to study in Germany?</p>

<p>Perhaps cost can decide for me? German studies are about 20k a year unlike MIT's 50k. I don't think I will receive much financial aid and my family could probably pay for whatever MIT charges me in the end, especially if I mooch off of grandparents or something, but is it worth it? Is MIT so superior to the experience in KIT? Am I giving up a valuable opportunity to live outside the US for 3 year?</p>

<p>What if I get don't get into MIT, but instead CMU or Caltech or Berkeley? Are those also better than KIT? (KIT is ranked as practically the best comp. sci uni in germany)</p>

<p>I think you can see my dilemma (even if it is dependent upon many different acceptances), but I still wish to have a clearer objective. I get mixed responses about the idea of studying in Germany, but can anyone here provide some especially good insights or experiences?</p>

2

<p>Any advice would be appreciated. You mustn’t be an expert on European education…</p>

3

<p>First of all, there is a decent chance you won’t get into either MIT or Caltech, and I hope you are wise enough to apply to a few matches and safeties as well.</p>

<p>Answering your question, MIT or Caltech beat any European university, including Karlsruhe. ETH Zurich is ranked higher than KIT though and, like Imperial College London, is a good alternative to second-tier US schools. You might want to check the [THES ranking of world universities in engineering/technology <a href=“where%20KIT%20didn’t%20even%20make%20to%20the%20top%2050”>/url</a> and the [url=&lt;a href=“http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011/subject-rankings/engineering/computer-science”&gt;http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011/subject-rankings/engineering/computer-science&lt;/a&gt;] QS ranking in computer science](<a href=“Subject Ranking 2011-12: Engineering & Technology | Times Higher Education (THE)”>http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/engineering-and-it.html&lt;/a&gt;) specifically (where KIT is ranked in the 100-150 range).</p>

4

<p>Be forewarned that the university experience in Germany is very, very different from the typical American college experience. There is not the focus on ‘campus life’ that you have here - people are assumed to be living at home/near family so they have their own support systems and the schools don’t have to provide it. Students are also assumed to be adults so there is no one from the school checking up on you should you not show up to class for a month and if you need help, it is entirely on you to get it. Close relationships with faculty are also less common because class sizes are larger and they use the ‘weeder’ function of testing to decide who advances in competitive subjects. Finally, you have to go in knowing what you plan to major in and if you change your mind and want to study something else, making that transition can set you back further.</p>

<p>That said, if you have a support system in Germany and are comfortable with living and working full time in another culture, it can be a wonderful experience. I know one American who is doing that (engineering) - but he is bi-lingual and bi-cultural. Even then, he’s been ‘adopted’ by his girlfriend’s local German family and they help him ‘navigate’ through some of the tougher part.</p>

5

<p>Even if you are able to obtain a Goethe certificate, that is no guarantee that you are really fluent enough in oral and written German to function successfully in the university environment described quite accurately above by M’s Mom. Consider this: there are plenty of people who pass the TOEFL and still are not sufficiently fluent in English to compete successfully in an English-language-instruction environment without a lot of outside support. If you want to spend some time studying in a German-speaking country, it’s possible to spend a semester or year abroad on an organized program where you will have some support, rather than being thrown in on your own.</p>

<p>Another thing to consider is contacts and employability when you graduate. If you plan on living and working in the US, it’s probably better to go to a US school.</p>

6

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<p>MIT and Caltech beat Cambridge and/or Oxford, too? (Not a rhetorical question, honestly wondering.)</p>

7

<p>Though attending university in Germany might be tempting for the lower cost, people have mentioned the significant problems you would face. Don’t forget about the higher cost of living in Europe, as well as your travel expenses.</p>

<p>Have you considered attending university in the US and spending a year abroad through your college? It can be a great opportunity and you’ll have the safety net that way.</p>

8

<p>I’d suggest that you send a PM to b@r!um who studied for several years at a German university before transferring to the US. She has experience with both systems, and can advise you on the advantages and disadvantages of both.</p>