The Official Pakistani Thread for the Class of 2014

Student Lounge International Students
761

<p>US List:</p>

<ol>
<li>Harvard - 1 (LAS [likely])</li>
<li>Stanford - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>Caltech - 1 (KGS)</li>
<li>MIT - 3 (1 LAS, 2 Roots)</li>
<li>Columbia - 2 (1 KAS [likely], 1 LAS [likely])</li>
<li>UPenn (2 Wharton) - 4 (3 LAS, 1 KGS)</li>
<li>Brown - 2 (1 LAS, 1 Headstart)</li>
<li>Yale - 1 (St. Patrick’s)</li>
<li>UChicago - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>Tufts - 3 (1 LAS, 2 Roots)</li>
<li>University of Texas at Austin - 2 (1 Aitchison, 1 KAS)</li>
<li>Texas A&M University - 3 (1 KAS, 1 LAS, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>SUNY Buffalo - 1 (KAS)</li>
<li>Purdue - 4 (1 LAS, 3 Aitchison)</li>
<li>NYU - 12 (3 KAS, 6 Aitchison [4 likely letters], 3 LGS)</li>
<li>Notre Dame - 1 (Choueifat)</li>
<li>Indiana University, Bloomington - 4 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>UMich, Ann Arbor - 2 (LAS)</li>
<li>Bryant - 2 (LAS)</li>
<li>Ohio Wesleyan - 5 (3 Aitchison, 1 LGS, 1 Roots)</li>
<li>University of Tampa - 3 (LAS)</li>
<li>Rutgers - 2 (1 LAS, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>Syracuse - 4 (1 Aitchison, 3 KAS)</li>
<li>University of Florida - 2 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Creighton - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>Dowling - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>UMich, Flint - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Northeastern - 11 (3 LAS, 4 Aitchison, 4 KAS)</li>
<li>Florida Institute of Technology - 2 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>UIllinois, Urbana-Champaign - 4 (2 Aitchison, 1 LAS, 1 KAS)</li>
<li>Mercy College – 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>DePauw - 3 (1 LGS, 2 Roots)</li>
<li>ASU - 1 (LGS)</li>
<li>UC San Diego - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>UC Irvine - 2 (1 KGS, 1 KAS)</li>
<li>University of Minnesota, Twin Cities - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Washington University in St. Louis - 2 (1 KAS, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>Rhode Island - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>American University - 1 (KAS)</li>
<li>Simmons College - 2 (1 KAS, 1 LAS)</li>
<li>U Mass Amherst - 2 (1 KAS, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>Regis College - 1 (KAS)</li>
<li>Cal State: Long Beach - 1 (KAS)</li>
<li>Valparaiso – 3 (LAS)</li>
<li>University of Maryland, College Park – 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>Washington College – 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>Illinois Tech - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Penn State - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Babson - 3 (LAS)</li>
<li>Bentley - 2 (LAS)</li>
<li>Hobart and William Smith Colleges - 1 (Roots)</li>
<li>Colgate - 1 (Roots)</li>
<li>Drexel - 1 (Roots)</li>
<li>USC - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>UC LA - 2 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Oberlin - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
</ol>

<p>UK List:</p>

<ol>
<li>Oxford - 3 (2 Roots, 1 KGS)</li>
<li>Cambridge - 5 (2 KGS, 2 LGS, 1 Engro Chemical School Ghotki)</li>
<li>Imperial College, London - 7 (3 LGS, 4 Aitchison)</li>
<li>Sheffield - 3 (2 Aitchison, 1 KGS)</li>
<li>University College London - 10 (7 Aitchison, 2 LGS, 1 PISES Riyadh)</li>
<li>University of Edinburgh - 4 (4 Aitchison)</li>
<li>CASS - 3 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Exeter - 3 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Warwick - 4 (3 Aitchison, 1 TCS)</li>
<li>Cardiff - 2 (1 LAS, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>Nottingham - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Regents - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>St. Andrews - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>Kent - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>London School of Economics - 6(4 LGS, 1 Resource, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>Southampton - 2 (1 Aitchison, 1 KGS)</li>
<li>London College of Fashion - 1 (KAS)</li>
<li>Loughborough – 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>University of Manchester - 1 (PISES Riyadh)</li>
<li>University of Birmingham - 1 (PISES Riyadh)</li>
<li>University of Liverpool - 1 (PISES Riyadh)</li>
</ol>

<p>Canadian List:</p>

<ol>
<li>University of Toronto - 6 (1 LAS, 1 LGS, 4 Aitchison)</li>
<li>University of Waterloo - 10 (5 Aitchison, 3 LAS, 1 LGS, 1 BSS)</li>
<li>Carleton - 4 (LAS)</li>
<li>McGill - 37 (1 TCS, 16 LGS, 19 Aitchison, 1 Headstart School Islamabad)</li>
<li>University of British Columbia - 5 (1 LGS, 4 LAS)</li>
<li>York University - 5 (2 LAS, 1 Aitchison, 1 LGS, 1 PIS, Khobar)</li>
<li>Concordia University - 2 (1 LAS, 1 PIS Khobar)</li>
<li>University of New Brunswick - 1 (PIS Khobar)</li>
<li>University of Manitoba - 1 (PIS Khobar)</li>
<li>McMaster University - 2 (1 PIS Khobar, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>University of Western Ontario – 4 (2 LAS, 2 LGS)</li>
<li>University of Alberta - 1 (PISES Riyadh)</li>
<li>Queen’s University - 2 (1 ISG Dammam, 1 Aitchison)</li>
</ol>

<p>Other List:</p>

<ol>
<li>HKUST - 2 (1 LAS, 1 Roots)</li>
<li>Curtin Institute of Technology, Australia - 1 (PIS Khobar)</li>
<li>HKU - 3 (1 LGS, 1 Roots, 1 TCS)</li>
</ol>

762

<p>I’m not going to go into a deep discussion about the differences in admission methods between UK and US universities, but I am going to say this: UK universities accept academics for how much they have memorized for their gazillion O- and A-levels (not to be disrespectful, but how easy is it to get As in O- and A-levels these days?), US universities accept genuine people for who they are as human beings, for how much effort they’ve put in and for what they have achieved, both academically and otherwise. And very quickly, about the difference between the UCAS personal statement and the personal essays for US universities, US personal essays give you an opportunity to put yourself on paper in the best possible way - they cover what the UCAS personal statement asks for and even more. In short, as you can probably judge from my arguments, the US admission system is far superior to the outdated UK one.</p>

763

<p><uk universities=“” accept=“” academics=“” for=“” how=“” much=“” they=“” have=“” memorized=“” their=“” gazillion=“” o-=“” and=“” a-levels=“” (not=“” to=“” be=“” disrespectful,=“” but=“” easy=“” is=“” it=“” get=“” as=“” in=“” these=“” days?)=“”></uk></p>

<p>Actually one aspect of Medicine and Oxbridge interviews is to determine whether you got your grades by a combination of mindless past paper practicing and memorisation or whether you demonstrate true academic potential. Another major aspect is to see your thought process and judge your intellect. What I’m trying to say is that it’s through the interview that they determine your academic potential, not merely grades.</p>

<p>Although I am going to agree with you that it has become ridiculously easy to get A-grades in O- and A-Levels. However, this is due to the fact that our schools have started trying to fool the system by focusing their studies wholly and solely on the final examinations without caring for the education of the students. If administered the way they were meant to be administered - i.e. the way they are administered in the UK - A-Levels are a very good tool to distinguish between applicants. I presume UK universities don’t know yet about the lowly tactics our students resort to just to get A’s.</p>

<p>You will be able to see what I mean if you take a look at A-Level Further Mathematics. That subject still has value because Pakistani schools have 'til now been unable to find the “jugaadh” partially because CIE refused to publish marking schemes for many years.</p>

<p>Also, our syllabuses have been incredibly dumbed-down just to increase participation. On this count, I agree with you.</p>

<p><us universities=“” accept=“” genuine=“” people=“” for=“” who=“” they=“” are=“” as=“” human=“” beings,=“” how=“” much=“” effort=“” they’ve=“” put=“” in=“” and=“” what=“” have=“” achieved,=“” both=“” academically=“” otherwise.=“”></us></p>

<p>Yes, that sentence does describe the difference between the two systems and in fact this is what I said too. UK universities focus on aspects relevant to a candidate’s education whereas US universities try to play God by making students do community service and extracurriculars to please admissions officers. If I may add in Urdu, US universities chahti hain ke aap har amal ikhlaas ke saath university ki raza ke liye karein.</p>

<p>UK universities explicitly state that extracurricular activities are for your own sake - do them if you enjoy them, but the only way they will help you in the admissions process is by demonstrating time management skills.</p>

<p><us personal=“” essays=“” give=“” you=“” an=“” opportunity=“” to=“” put=“” yourself=“” on=“” paper=“” in=“” the=“” best=“” possible=“” way=“” -=“” they=“” cover=“” what=“” ucas=“” statement=“” asks=“” for=“” and=“” even=“” more.=“”></us></p>

<p>You are right on this point. Personally, I prefer the UK’s formal statement. Others may prefer the US’ more personal approach.</p>

<p>(Of course this discussion does not have a definite right and wrong to it - everyone will have different preferences.)</p>

764

<p>Oops I didn’t realize how long that post got. Sorry!</p>

765

<p>btw a 2370 requirement for SAT means a huge income of SAT company. </p>

<p>Intert - U want to purse in the business of SAT thingi in future??</p>

766

<p>Hardly any university will set the minimum SAT score to one such as 2370. Why? Because then only people who have achieved that score will apply, and that will mean a serious decrease in the applications to the university, and HENCE a decrease in all the application fees =D</p>

767

<p>As far as British universities are concerned, Oxford and Cambridge are exception to the norm. LSE is probably another. But I am not too sure about Imperial. A friend of mine got a conditional offer of AAB for its medicine program despite having only 5 As in O Levels. He did go to U.K. for the interview though!</p>

768

<p>US List:</p>

<ol>
<li>Harvard - 1 (LAS [likely])</li>
<li>Stanford - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>Caltech - 1 (KGS)</li>
<li>MIT - 3 (1 LAS, 2 Roots)</li>
<li>Columbia - 2 (1 KAS [likely], 1 LAS [likely])</li>
<li>UPenn (2 Wharton) - 4 (3 LAS, 1 KGS)</li>
<li>Brown - 2 (1 LAS, 1 Headstart)</li>
<li>Yale - 1 (St. Patrick’s)</li>
<li>UChicago - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>Tufts - 3 (1 LAS, 2 Roots)</li>
<li>University of Texas at Austin - 2 (1 Aitchison, 1 KAS)</li>
<li>Texas A&M University - 3 (1 KAS, 1 LAS, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>SUNY Buffalo - 1 (KAS)</li>
<li>Purdue - 4 (1 LAS, 3 Aitchison)</li>
<li>NYU - 12 (3 KAS, 6 Aitchison [4 likely letters], 3 LGS)</li>
<li>Notre Dame - 1 (Choueifat)</li>
<li>Indiana University, Bloomington - 4 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>UMich, Ann Arbor - 2 (LAS)</li>
<li>Bryant - 2 (LAS)</li>
<li>Ohio Wesleyan - 5 (3 Aitchison, 1 LGS, 1 Roots)</li>
<li>University of Tampa - 3 (LAS)</li>
<li>Rutgers - 2 (1 LAS, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>Syracuse - 4 (1 Aitchison, 3 KAS)</li>
<li>University of Florida - 2 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Creighton - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>Dowling - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>UMich, Flint - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Northeastern - 11 (3 LAS, 4 Aitchison, 4 KAS)</li>
<li>Florida Institute of Technology - 2 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>UIllinois, Urbana-Champaign - 4 (2 Aitchison, 1 LAS, 1 KAS)</li>
<li>Mercy College – 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>DePauw - 3 (1 LGS, 2 Roots)</li>
<li>ASU - 1 (LGS)</li>
<li>UC San Diego - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>UC Irvine - 2 (1 KGS, 1 KAS)</li>
<li>University of Minnesota, Twin Cities - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Washington University in St. Louis - 2 (1 KAS, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>Rhode Island - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>American University - 1 (KAS)</li>
<li>Simmons College - 2 (1 KAS, 1 LAS)</li>
<li>U Mass Amherst - 2 (1 KAS, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>Regis College - 1 (KAS)</li>
<li>Cal State: Long Beach - 1 (KAS)</li>
<li>Valparaiso – 3 (LAS)</li>
<li>University of Maryland, College Park – 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>Washington College – 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>Illinois Tech - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Penn State - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Babson - 3 (LAS)</li>
<li>Bentley - 2 (LAS)</li>
<li>Hobart and William Smith Colleges - 1 (Roots)</li>
<li>Colgate - 1 (Roots)</li>
<li>Drexel - 1 (Roots)</li>
<li>USC - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>UC LA - 2 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Oberlin - 1 (Aitchison)
57. Mount Holyoke College - 1 (LGS)</li>
</ol>

<p>UK List:</p>

<ol>
<li>Oxford - 3 (2 Roots, 1 KGS)</li>
<li>Cambridge - 5 (2 KGS, 2 LGS, 1 Engro Chemical School Ghotki)</li>
<li>Imperial College, London - 7 (3 LGS, 4 Aitchison)</li>
<li>Sheffield - 3 (2 Aitchison, 1 KGS)</li>
<li>University College London - 10 (7 Aitchison, 2 LGS, 1 PISES Riyadh)</li>
<li>University of Edinburgh - 4 (4 Aitchison)</li>
<li>CASS - 3 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Exeter - 3 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Warwick - 4 (3 Aitchison, 1 TCS)</li>
<li>Cardiff - 2 (1 LAS, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>Nottingham - 1 (Aitchison)</li>
<li>Regents - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>St. Andrews - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>Kent - 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>London School of Economics - 6(4 LGS, 1 Resource, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>Southampton - 2 (1 Aitchison, 1 KGS)</li>
<li>London College of Fashion - 1 (KAS)</li>
<li>Loughborough – 1 (LAS)</li>
<li>University of Manchester - 1 (PISES Riyadh)</li>
<li>University of Birmingham - 1 (PISES Riyadh)</li>
<li>University of Liverpool - 1 (PISES Riyadh)</li>
</ol>

<p>Canadian List:</p>

<ol>
<li>University of Toronto - 6 (1 LAS, 1 LGS, 4 Aitchison)</li>
<li>University of Waterloo - 10 (5 Aitchison, 3 LAS, 1 LGS, 1 BSS)</li>
<li>Carleton - 4 (LAS)</li>
<li>McGill - 37 (1 TCS, 16 LGS, 19 Aitchison, 1 Headstart School Islamabad)</li>
<li>University of British Columbia - 5 (1 LGS, 4 LAS)</li>
<li>York University - 5 (2 LAS, 1 Aitchison, 1 LGS, 1 PIS, Khobar)</li>
<li>Concordia University - 2 (1 LAS, 1 PIS Khobar)</li>
<li>University of New Brunswick - 1 (PIS Khobar)</li>
<li>University of Manitoba - 1 (PIS Khobar)</li>
<li>McMaster University - 2 (1 PIS Khobar, 1 Aitchison)</li>
<li>University of Western Ontario – 4 (2 LAS, 2 LGS)</li>
<li>University of Alberta - 1 (PISES Riyadh)</li>
<li>Queen’s University - 2 (1 ISG Dammam, 1 Aitchison)</li>
</ol>

<p>Other List:</p>

<ol>
<li>HKUST - 2 (1 LAS, 1 Roots)</li>
<li>Curtin Institute of Technology, Australia - 1 (PIS Khobar)</li>
<li>HKU - 3 (1 LGS, 1 Roots, 1 TCS)</li>
</ol>

769

<p>Guys there is a NYU Abu Dhabi acceptance from my school.Should I add it to the US list or other list?</p>

770

<p>Yes add it under the Others list!</p>

771

<p>I was going through the Roots website and saw the school’s advertisement in The News about its two MIT acceptances. Apparently the counselling system is solid there. </p>

<p>Congrats to the ones who got in, and one of them is in CC.</p>

772

<p>Umm, last I checked NYU Abu Dhabi will start it’s classes from the September of 2011, so that would be the class of 2015. Correct me if my info is wrong :)</p>

773

<p>i just went to the NYU Abu Dhabi Candidate Weekend Alhamdulillah, and it was the most epic thing ever.
it’s a really cool college for those who want to do their college experience not just for a degree, but to actually gain a lot more than merely satisfy their intellectual curiosity. i was so surprised at the diversity at the weekend, so much pouring in of ideas, and the hospitality of the college staff was just incredible! We literally had the President give us all giant hugs!lol.
so if any of you guys are planning to apply to colleges next year, i would really suggest you give this place a shot. and it’s also a LOT more competitive than NYU New York; they are gonna have a class of 120 members only! </p>

<p>And talaltq: it’s inaugural class will start fall, 2010. :)</p>

774

<p>oh and they are also need-blind to internationals, as opposed to NYU New York.</p>

775

<p>Mushoo, I’m glad you put your thoughts out here for all of us to see; such discussions can only help.</p>

<p>Just to briefly comment on your statement about US universities “playing God,” the truth is that nobody is forcing anybody to participate in anything. People all around the world are drawn to certain things because they want to attend these US universities - which tells you about the education these universities give their students. Even if it’s only to get into US universities (I’m sure all students don’t do it only for this reason), people do all sorts of good things these days. If these universities can get people to do these “good deeds,” they’re doing the whole world a service.</p>

776

<p>Ok, seriously, I didn’t REALLY mean it when I said there should be a 2370 requirement for the SAT. Yeah, the SAT is great and it is a pretty good indicator of your aptitude, but a lot more goes into being ‘successful’. You can be the smartest person alive and still not make anything of your so-called ‘aptitude’. Which is why US universities care so much about essays, ECs, and recs. They don’t want perfect-scoring-yet-lifeless zombies; they want people who will actually be SUCCESSFUL after they graduate, whether that means becoming the next president or disproving Newton’s Third Law.</p>

<p>Test scores, however, are not exactly good measures of success. Nothing really is. But someone with, say, a 2100 and who’s already started a small-time software company and delivers babies as a part-time hobby would definitely be preferred over someone with, I dunno, a 2370 (<em>cough</em> <em>cough</em>) and who wastes his life making pointless posts like these to random strangers on CC.</p>

<p>This is exactly why British universities often ignore REAL talent, since a lot of the not-so-high-scoring-but-still-talented peeps end up doing exceedingly well in the US. This is also exactly why I will probably have to take a gap year…</p>

<p>Anyway, I’ve heard a lot about Roots. Apparently they have excellent acceptances. Would any ‘Rootsian’ on CC please do us the honor of explaining to us why Roots is so awesome?</p>

777

<p>I think what primarily makes Roots awesome is exactly what makes Grammar or Lahore Grammar or Aitchison awesome: The students.</p>

<p>But I read on Roots’ websites that one of the MIT acceptees had his/her counselor proofread 10 essays. Seriously? I can’t even imagine most Grammar counselors doing that! Kudos to Roots counselors for this personal attention.</p>

<p>With all due respect, I would like to add that some smaller schools (not referring to any named above) beef up their students’ applications, and the larger schools don’t do this. For instance at Grammar, teachers are told to be honest in their applications. The good stuff is never exaggerated and the bad stuff is never omitted. Smaller schools want their students to get into good places and will often overlook the integrity that is required of them. (Just to reiterate, I’m not referring to any of the above-mentioned schools.)</p>

778

<p>Well, at KAS you see the counselor every day and get to know them- they help with virtually any part of the process as long as you have sensible questions. It’s amazing being in a small school like this- and we actually hear a lot about other schools inflating their students’ credentials- at KAS recs and ECs tell it like it is. I’m glad Grammar does the same. But sometimes you do get suspicious hearing about amazing acceptances for schools that, well… don’t offer the same resources and yet have students claiming to be partaking in over 30 EC hours a week? (no offense intended in the previous statement, of course)</p>

779

<p>I think it’s very sad that colleges don’t bother verifying ECs. It’s an invitation to let people cheat… Pretty much everything on your application is an invitation to cheat, other than your SAT score.</p>

780

<p>@Inert101: I dont know about you, but with the way things are going, it seems that i definitely will have to take a gap year.</p>