<p>Only some of my previous posts Pix? 
You seem to have paraphrased and agreed with a lot of them :D</p>
<p>Brilliant argument PP, most of it certainly seems to me as plausible and reasonable. Combined with mysticgohanās argument, it makes sense to an extent. I myself realize that I sometimes become over-critical of our system, particularly the IITs. But being a guy who has studied in an average school in Delhi, I can still tell that the system is flawed. (And Iām not someone, whoās just excited and mindlessly ranting. I just speak of my experience.) Even if Iām totally wrong, this debate might just help me in getting it right.</p>
<p>Most of you would indeed conclude in the end that mysticgohanās earlier statement will justify all the concerns raised here. But in my opinion they donāt. My first question would be, why do we need coaching centers? I know there are brilliant exceptions who make it to IIT, but why do most toppers belong to a coaching center, especially the top 10? Or to reverse it, why is our school education system insufficient for students to make it to the IIT? And why do IIT demands such out-of-the-education system skills from students? Why donāt they allow them to just be them? Economic conditions and incompetitiveness of schools, one might say, eh? Some might even consider coaching as a sort of AP class, which if they do, is more than ridiculous. It might be these two to an extent, but thereās more to it - general mentality. Only a handful of people here actually agree that the system is flawed, none of which are you guys. There might be people like this in other countries that brand themselves as ādevelopedā and āsuperpowerā, but I can be sure thatās a small percentage, of course, except China and Korea etc, which the most thinkful would agree are some of biggest hypocrites in the world. WHY DO YOU NEED COACHING CENTERS AT ALL, if the test is to check your KNOWLEDGE and WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT IN YOUR LIFE?</p>
<p>The problem, therefore, is that the government and its dear people arenāt even concerned that we need to change the system from the basic level. Surely we have a lot of funds (as we saw in the CWG scam, and plethora of others. ;)), but the problem is that no one cares. The man who could well be the harbinger of better education in India, Kapil Sibal, is already loathed throughout the country for his suggestions which retrograde our country, and is apparently busy now in some other important matters. 
Surely, the toppers from top schools like DPS or Modern School etc. would be brilliant, for obvious reasons. But what about the students who study in other schools lower in the hierarchy, like me? Can all of them just get annoyed of the lack of opportunities and lack of multifarious careers and rant about it on the internet (which is apparently the best place to rant about all that stuff ;))? They could, only if they were actually made to realise that IIT isnāt life, or say, engineering isnāt life. But no! Through various counselling sessions by the top alumni, they are lulled into a sleep that nothing is better than a high paid job, no matter what you want. Someone would now say thatās the same with the others, particularly UK and US. But Iāve myself seen it being confessed by [mature] people (who btw never went to top unis) that their system is just not about marks and grades, apparently which is opposite in India. You donāt get marks, you lose in life. Of course, most of the āaverageā students manage to live a life of their wish, but can someone compensate for the time they waste? We need more kind people, not just people with high grades/marks. Please keep in mind that I say this not only with respect to the IITs, but every IIT aspirant, every non-aspirant, every student. The hype regarding the top institutions much pervades all of our society, much more than in the US or UK. </p>
<p>And why to compare the mental ability of MIT and IIT students. IIT, is an only-and-only engineering students? (there are humanities, honors etc, but people donāt want them, they reputation is negligible.) While MIT, and others have more than just engineering. I wonāt mention the course, for all of you might just be aware of them. Plus you major, minor and take entirely different courses at the same time. So how can we ****ing compare? The institutions are entirely different. Itās the same like comparing dancers and scientists. The resource thing is not an excuse here. </p>
<p>And what someone said earlier, (I donāt mean personal attacks, but that was nonsense) that the IITs donāt evaluate computer science because they teach you programming. Same with other fields like Biotechnology. But what the posters forgot was the contradiction : If one WANTS to do programming in his high school, and not the usual PCM (sorta like Mark Zuckerburg, who knew a lot of programming when he came in Harvard) doesnāt, according to them, he can NEVER EVER make it to the IIT, even if he develops his own OS or learns multiple computer languages while just in high school. I KNOW people like that (although they chose other institutes that actually paid heed to their interests.) Iām not talking about what IIT graduates are like, they might be great. But do you notice we are made so dependent on a guide (not that we donāt need ANY) that we need them everytime, thatās probably why IITs have such a mentality like that.
If anyone can answer this argument in a very convincing way - and not just ridicule it - hats off to him </p>
<p>Iām stopping in mid, because thatās what I think I should do at this time. I have tried enough to stay out of this discussion, but I canāt. Itās all screwed up, we can do nothing about it, as Paul Feyeraband, a science philosopher says :
</p>
<p>Sigh, donāt take me in a wrong way, Iām a much better appreciator in real life, and have got extremely high banter skills. Itās just that I feel smothered (most of my friends do), and thereās nothing better than putting your views to a group of people you think might understand your views, rather than living with the opinion, continuously tormented by the system. Please donāt think of me as a tool or someone with perverted thoughts, I just say my experience and my opinion.</p>
<p>Also, not being cynical and a pessimist, Iād say I donāt despise the students (except a few, who despite their penchant for marks, show a very tool like behaviour), I just hate the system. When Iām polemical about the IITians and IIT and the Indian education system, I say it with respect to the system. I have got nothing in my mind against any of the individuals, but the system, that it doesnāt value creative learning, more based on rote learning, cramming, studying only and only for exams and placement etc.</p>
<p>PP - I disagree about IIT top rankers. It is still book knowledge (many of them were my classmates and seniors when I was in India and I do see a lot of them in US that came later and so I know how good they are). What I am saying is that the same issue the holds back Indian scientists from implementing an idea holds back your average top ranker in India. If they get to US, they do well because they figure out how to implement the ideas which is the basic difference between the students in US vs India, having the resources to implement. You will see average freshmen planning to start companies or applying for patents while sitting in class at Harvard when you get here. That is how Microsoft and Facebook were born.</p>
<p>Parents actually donāt get the kids to win the top prizes (if that were so, I know a lot of parents who can get them there!). They get them to the regular science fairs, help them with work etc but it is very hard to get beyond the region and get to State and beyond. The average project that can reach nationals will take a commitment of 10-20 hours of work per week for an year or more.</p>
<p>@PP - also could you posts your SAT scores and ECs please? We wanted to see what stats are needed to get into ivies! Thanks :)</p>
<p>Hi Tizil7</p>
<p>The info can be found from various sources :</p>
<p>[What</a> is GPA ? How to Calculate GPA ? Indian Percentage Vs GPA](<a href=āhttp://www.achieverspoint.com/apply/gpa.htm]Whatā>http://www.achieverspoint.com/apply/gpa.htm)</p>
<p><a href=āhttp://www.24dunia.com/english-news/shownews/0/How-to-calculate-GPA-or-CGPA/9468757.html[/url]ā>www.24dunia.com/english-news/shownews/0/How-to-calculate-GPA-or-CGPA/9468757.html</a></p>
<p><a href=āhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_grading_in_India[/url]ā>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_grading_in_India</a></p>
<p>You can google it yourself āGPA Vs CBSE Scoresā</p>
<p>ummm my counsellor is new to thisā¦ so she is not sure of what to actually put in the GPA.
do I ask her to leave it blank (in august) ? or convert it?</p>
<p>@perfectprashant- thanks! wow its more tempting to follow the one given by anialways.
@anialways- thanks
@perfect pixie-since you have already gone through the process, could you point out which one is correct?</p>
<p>Thanks anialways! I have, on many different occasions tried to Google āCBSE % to GPAā but I never came across the results you provided. Particularly the wikipedia results, which seems quite authentic. According to it, Iāve been a 4.0 student all my life, with a few A+s thrown along my senior years :)</p>
<p>Really prinki, you find the conversion given by perfectprashant more tempting? Unless you have always scored 95-100 ;)</p>
<p>Oh by the way guys, when does one start applying (filling out the Common App, writing Essays, taking recommendations, etc) in India? My 12th grade will start in August, so I have to talk to my counsellors about these things.</p>
<p>Oh and Iām very much Indian. I even did half of my 12th grade in India - till the summer holidays. But since Iām very naive in the matters of US admissions, I would love for you guys to help me out :)</p>
<p>Hi guys I am a mom and my daughter is going to Stern,NYU Class of 2015 this fall. Did not know a thing about college admissions if you asked me in March of 2009, have done loads and loads of reading on the subject since then, just trying to share whatever little info I have. I am no guru but if you sit down to research you will finds loads of info it is not that hard. But do feel free to ask , this forum has loads of people who are willing and helpful. I believe only those who question shall learn.</p>
<p>Check this out </p>
<p>edbus2us.com/should-you-convert-marks-percentage-to-gpa-4-0-scale-for-usa-applications/</p>
<p>Should you convert Marks/ Percentage to GPA 4.0 Scale for USA Applications ?</p>
<p>Most of the times when we apply to US schools, they mention all the time about GPA, Grades and 4.0 Scale, etc. Few of the questions that comes to mind when you are applying are :</p>
<pre><code>How to convert percentage to GPA 4.0 scale ?
How to convert marks into letter grades ?
Should I convert my marks to GPA ?
What do US schools look ? How do they convert my percentage to GPA ?
</code></pre>
<p>Convert percentage to GPAIt can be very frustrating when you are filling out application and you are not sure what to do. I was exactly in the same boat few years ago. I will address try to address these question including some of my communication with some of the best Graduate Schools in USA.
Background: USA Grading system for GPA:</p>
<p>The grading system for education in USA is completely different when compared to other countries. USA grading system is on a 4.0 scale and there are letter grades that are given for a particular marks or score on the test. There is a bit of calculation involved here. You should really understand how the USA grading system works. You may read this article for better idea: How is GPA computed in US schools? GPA Computation formula? Though some of the schools across world are trying to embrace this, it is not very common though to have your score in GPA 4.0 scale.
Should you convert percentage to GPA 4.0 scale ?</p>
<p>Short answer: NO, you should NOT Convert marks or percentage to GPA 4.0 scale. Before I explain why, read the communication I had with top Graduate schools in US.</p>
<p>Here is the email communication that I had with some top Graduate schools in USA and their answers. Below is the exact email I have to schools.</p>
<pre><code>Hello,
I am from India and plan to apply to Grad School. I have this question about GPA. I have seen many schools asking for GPA. How to convert Indian Percentage to GPA of 4.0 Scale. Both systems are different. Can you please help me with this question on How to Convert Indian Percentage to GPA ?
</code></pre>
<p>Here are the responses that I got from these Universities.</p>
<p>University of Wisconsin-Madison</p>
<pre><code>Do not convert it. We are familiar with the Indian grading system. Just report your overall percentage.
</code></pre>
<p>Stanford University :</p>
<pre><code>Stanford does not ask you to convert your GPA when you apply online. If it is not already on a 4.0 scale, then you fill in some information about your grading scale on the online application. The admission committee of the department to which you apply will see your transcript, which should have grading information. Some departments preliminarily convert the GPAs before their admission committee reviews applications ā but not all do and our office does not.
</code></pre>
<p>Ohio State University :</p>
<pre><code>ā Students who attend institutions outside the U.S. should enter the cumulative (total) average as provided on your academic record and indicate the scale used to calculate the result (for example, 88/100 or 9/10). If your institution does not provide the average or you attended more than one institution, please calculate your average using the following formula:
Add all the numerical results for courses taken during your undergraduate study.
Divide the sum total number by the number of courses taken. This is your average result.
Enter this result. Do not convert this result to a 4-point scale.
Please note: Applicants who are recommended for admission will have their cumulative grade point average verified before being offered admission. A misrepresentation of information concerning cumulative average from other colleges and universities will negatively impact your admissibility.ā
</code></pre>
<p>Harvard Graduate School of Design</p>
<pre><code>I cannot speak for other schools, but for the GSD application, you are allowed to skip the GPA question if your school uses a grading system that cannot be converted to the typical US 4.0 system.
</code></pre>
<p>Why should you NOT Convert Percentage or Marks to GPA 4.0 Scale ?</p>
<p>Simple logic, both systems are different and you should not . Example, you can only compare apples to apples. You cannot compare Apples and Oranges. Well, some may argue that why donāt we convert GPA to percentage or percentage to GPA and them compare both of them equally. Think about it guys, every University is different in India, Sri lanka, Pakistan or any international country. Each have different standards different professors, different coursework, etc. Some universities may give high percentages to students but some may not at all give any percentage. Some Universities are certified and some are not. There is no General law or standard that all these different universities in other countries follow. This means their grading standards are not consistent and you cannot really use a general formula to all these. All in all the logic is, you should NOT convert and if you read carefully, none of the schools ask you to convert percentage to GPA 4.0 scale. They ask you send the exact mark sheets and indicate the scale. It is the job of the admission committee to decide. There might be always some exceptions depending on university. You should ask the university you are applying to for more info as needed. Also, check the article about : Wrong formulas to Convert Percencetage to GPA 4.0 scale by International students for Applying to US Schools</p>
<p>The common app will open 1 August as far as i remember</p>
<p>Wow. Thanks for the detailed and comprehensive information about GPA and percentage conversion. Iām researching about all the relevant topics - starting from CC. Seeing that CC is such an informative authority on US college admissions.</p>
<p>Please donāt mind if I drop a few questions in your PM anytime soon :D</p>
<p>Thanks once again :)</p>
<p>Anytime dear.</p>
<p>The tradition lives on! TIT #20</p>
<p>Thank you Anialways!!</p>
<p>Reading the 2010-2011 Common App form, a question came to my mind:</p>
<ol>
<li>Write a personal statement about a person who has influenced you. Explain the impact of that influence.</li>
</ol>
<p>I intend to write about my father. As I truly believe he is the only person who has influenced my decisions and personality. Will this be very generic? Because even if it is, I will still go ahead with it because it is very genuine for me. But I would still like everyoneās opinion. </p>
<p>Just a short example to illustrate my point - whenever in school we were given an essay on āYour idol/icon/most influential person/someone you look up toā other children always picked up well known social and political personalities. But for me, the answer is always my dad - thatās how deeply he has influenced me :D</p>
<p>I think it should be fine to write about your dad.</p>
<p>Now comes my dilemma : Iāve decided to choose another teacher as my counselor (not the schoolās counselor)
Will this be a problem?</p>
<p>Butā¦the schoolās official counselor and her profile is on our school website :(</p>
<p>The reason I wanted another teacher to be my counselor is because I believe she knows me
better than my counselor who came just last year.</p>
<p>On the common app preview, theres a slot to mention any college enrichment programmes or college courses you have attended. I know that people in the states would have attended various programs of this sort. But have you all attended anything of this sort as well?</p>
<p>Is non attendance going to be a disadvantage?</p>