<p>Hey guys, I am new to this website. Hey guys, I am new to this website. I am a high school student studying in India. I will be completing my high school in April next year and I'll have my final board exams in March. In India the system is pretty simple, the more marks you get in these board exams, the better college you get into. Some engineering and business universities have their own entrance exams but I want to do a bachelors in pure science so everything for me depends on the board exams.</p>
<p>So here's the thing, I want to become a physicist later in life but I have very little idea right now how I'll go about it. For now I am planning to do a Bsc.(hons) in Physics from the best university in New Delhi but there's so much of competition here (considering the population) that its close to impossible. After my Bsc.(hons) here I plan to go to USA and do my Msc. and Phd. What I want to ask you guys is whether the university I go to in New Delhi will affect my admissions in the US universities? If I don't get admission in the best one, and go to some average college, is it possible to get into an Ivy League University like Harvard?</p>
<p>I get pretty good marks in school but I haven't partcipated in many extra-curricular activites. Not that I couldn't have but because I found this stuff a waste of time during my school life. Its only now that I have realized that how seriously universities take this ****. So, my second question is, will the universities consider extra-curriculars from school too when I'll apply for my Msc.?</p>
<p>Another thing, the Bsc.(hons) in India is a 3-year course but I read somewhere that you have to have a 4-year education before applying to Masters in USA. So will I have to do an extra one year to apply?</p>
<p>I have asked 3 questions, I hope you guys help me out with all of them. Thanks a lot in advance!</p>
<p>“What I want to ask you guys is whether the university I go to in New Delhi will affect my admissions in the US universities? If I don’t get admission in the best one, and go to some average college, is it possible to get into an Ivy League University like Harvard?”</p>
<p>Absolutely. Since many good US schools and faculty have had experiences with Indian students, your undergrad school and grades will almost always be the first thing they look at. For an Indian/international applicant, it is next to impossible to be accepted into top grad schools if your undergrad school is average.</p>
<p>“So, my second question is, will the universities consider extra-curriculars from school too when I’ll apply for my Msc.?”</p>
<p>Grad schools will consider your research and other academic activities, but not other ECs. Your research involvements and accomplishments could play a BIG role if they are truly good.</p>
<p>“So will I have to do an extra one year to apply?”</p>
<p>I am applying to Canada too for undergrad (in case I mess up in my exams). Is it true that Canadian Universities are easier to get into (considering that my ECs are not that impressive)?</p>
<p>As the chair of the physics admission committee for my university, I can tell you that we look for a 4 year degree or a B.Sc. + M.Sc. four our Ph.D. program. If a student is applying for a M.S., then we can relax the criteria if the student is outstanding. Some universities won’t even consider you without 4 years of university studies.</p>
<p>The university in India matters but it is more important that you get good marks and get involved in research and have strong, personal, letters from your faculty mentors. Some of them may have experience in the United States and you should ask them where to apply.</p>