<p>Well, I'm from India, and am a little confused about what factors affect admission for us to US colleges.</p>
<p>We aren't ranked by GPA, and our entire grade each year in high school depends solely on one exam -- so you really can't compare it to the US high school grading system.</p>
<p>So what counts most for us? SAT Reasoning Tests? SAT Subject Tests? Or do they accept the CBSE mark sheet? My SAT scores are sufficiently high, and so is my Class X CBSE mark sheet. However, I developed severe urticaria during my final year and was on a lot of medication while giving my exams -- because of which my grades are only average.</p>
<p>And about work experience. People here don't normally start working before finishing college. No one works in high school. I have, however, had some experience as a professional web designer. Do they look at work experience for us?</p>
<p>As for extra-curriculars, few schools have clubs and societies for astronomy, maths, etc. Mine didn't. I do, however, have quite a few awards in Computers and Programming. Does that make any difference whatsoever?</p>
<p>Lastly, I have a Certification in IT from NIIT (a major IT institute in India), and will soon be getting an MCTS from Microsoft for .NET and possibly an ACE from Adobe for Photoshop CS3. These are all professional certifications. Do you think that can improve my odds of getting in?</p>
<p>So, in short, I'm asking what is the admission process for a student from India. Any and all help would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>The admissions policies are pretty much the same for everyone. Don't listen to all of the nonsense about affirmative action and such.</p>
<p>The most important things:</p>
<p>1.) Get good test scores. Since you are an international I would say 2200+ on the SAT is gives you a good shot. Same goes for the SAT II's. Those are out of 800, so shoot for 750+ on three different exams.</p>
<p>2.) You need to have extracurricular involvements and interests. Clearly you have both as you have shown clear interest in computers and such. That said, try to diversify your activities a little bit or concentrate at becoming REALLY good at one thing. Make sure to strive to have leadership positions in some of the activities you participate in.</p>
<p>3.) Present yourself well in the application. Basically you do this by choosing references who know you well to write your recommendations, you write essays that talk about who you are and what your values are, and you figure out how to best organize your list of extracurriculars. I went into great detail as to how to do some of these things in the Harvard forum. Search for a thread by saywha.</p>
<p>Hi, uttarash I'm from india too, and yea for internationals SAT scores have more importance than they do for US nationals, because it's a standardized exam and everyone can be compared using the result. The national exams that we have, as long as you did decently in them, it's okay I guess. Where are you from in india? And what board, CBSE?</p>
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Where are you from in india? And what board, CBSE?
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<p>New Delhi here. Yes, CBSE.</p>
<p>So you completed 12th? Even I'm from Delhi and CBSE. Let me PM you.</p>
<p>Everything counts: grades, test scores, board marks, extracurricular activities, recommendations - the whole shebang, basically. Yes, most schools don't have clubs. But if you've taken the initiative to start something club-like in your school, or if you're actively involved in stuff outside school - boy, that sure shows some initiative on your part. There's a reason why HYPSM take only the best; the very best Indians would definitely have great extracurriculars in addition to outstanding numbers.</p>