<p>Well...I'm in a small problem, I studied in CBSE from std. 8 to 12, I'm currently in 12th, and I'm a US citizen. So i'm not eligible for admission as an international student. I was wondering if anyone could compare the india school system with the american system.
In 11th and 12th I've taken Phy, Chem, Bio and Math. I believe these should be comparable to AP level courses...But im not sure.</p>
<p>Also if you are not accepted into the top ten colleges like Harvard, Yale, MIT etc... where would you go next?
My first college choice would be Stony Brook, because i'm technically a resident of New York, so I have lower fees. And they have a medical school, which is my holy grail, so i have a slightly better chance of getting in there. </p>
<p>One more thing...if there is anyone who had to go through the admissions process like me... US citizen in a foreign schooling system... please give me some tips...</p>
<p>Its tough to compare CBSE and AP since they are designed to test different skill sets. Also, APs can only giver you 5 grades, whereas CBSE has marks out of 100.
But on the whole, I feel CBSE is much more comprehensive than 4-5 random APs.
Also, there are no top 10 colleges, its all a matter of what fits you best.</p>
<p>If you are in 12th then your transcript is already set, so you dont really have to worry about comparing the systems - let the admissions offices do that (they are experienced with Indian applicants) or advise your guidance counselor to make a special note of the difficulty of your academic regimen. Even if you are science/med focused, dont toss out literature and arts classes. Most schools like to see academic curiosity as they know that a 17 year old has very rarely found their calling yet.</p>
<p>Your position as an American who studied abroad is a good one - Universities love to add diverse students like you to their population and then brag about it. This could be a good essay topic, but it need not be. Don’t force a topic you think they want to read about - choose one that excites you. At the level of writing competence that most High School seniors have achieved (no offense, this is a generalization), this can come across fairly easily. </p>
<p>Don’t apply to all top tier, even if you cured AIDS during your summer job. The rule of thumb that is a pretty good way to go by is safety, match, and reach. Get a few schools from each category. Take a look at the Brown University PLME program. If you have the grades, its a great fit for what you described (this would be a “reach” for almost everyone).</p>