Studying in the US: Part I
So you want to study in the US? Well, then read on.
[Lame opening. I know but can't help it]
In June 2004, after I had received my HSC (12th grade) results, I was unsure of what I wanted to do. I had all but given up hope of getting into IIT and it was now a toss-up between a college in Mumbai or one somewhere else. Admissions in Maharashtra were getting delayed big time so I thought I should try getting into Manipal in Mangalore (I believe). So we contacted this friend of my father who could help me get in. When he saw my grades (97.33% PCM and 90.5% overall), he suggested I apply to US universities. I was hesitant at first but still went to meet with the counselor. Even after the meeting, I was very hesitant and just wanted to go to a college in Mumbai so that I would stay at home. I thought it over for a couple of days.
I finally decided to give it a try. I started meeting up with the counselor and attending classes for SAT and TOEFL. Within a few days, I was completely into the idea of going to the US. There was to be no looking back. I started working on applications and took the requisite exams. I did pretty well as I managed a 1460 on the SAT I and 2230 on the SAT II alongwith a 290 on the TOEFL. These were good confidence boosters but the fact I wasn’t any good with extracurricular activities ultimately hurt my applications. Still, I got into Georgia Tech and Adelphi University. It was a tough decision to make but I finally decided on Adelphi because of the Columbia program.
So here I am, into my third semester, busy as hell, balancing homework, research, work, and extended UT2004 frag sessions, and writing this multi-part series on studying in the US. I know a threw a bunch of terms, names, and other things without explaining them. But do not worry. I will explain everything one by one. This is only a start - an introduction. There is much more to come in the following weeks. I cannot promise a regular update cycle, but do keep checking regularly for new stuff.
hey vivek!!! good choice.. n good job. Donno if u were fed up wih the indian education system or not, bt that certainly was the case with me. I mean 85% in SSC and a disappointing 55% show in 12th obviously propelled me to try out something new. I could no longer stand that ‘bina haath pair wala’ education system where u even cant use calculators in examination hall n all the exams did were to mirror out how much u can cram and how fast u can write. N guess wat.. i’m Toronto now.. away from dear home and studying auto. mechanics. I’m much more comfortable here, working on computers instead. wat else, i’m into dean’s list now…!!! i guess more has been squeezed out of me.. n North America is surely the in thing!! Neways, best luck and take care..
Mihir
Hey Vivek, interesting read. You made the right decision mate. Best of luck!
Hope u get a fat paycheck, Vivek.
Hey buddy
Looking for more…
Hi Vivek, read the forign education thread, where is the part2? You need to cover the cost factor too. I am interested in forign education, but I didn’t have that finantial support. So currently I have applied for Diploma courses in Singapore, which are very economic, giving 80% scholarship for Indian Students having more than 80% marks in SSLC. I have 93% so I applied with confidence, and now waiting for the Result. I hope it will come out in Feb or March, because the classes start in June. I will tell you, when it comes. Goodbye for now.
Hey Sreekanth
Even I am waiting for what response u get
I’ll admit I’m lazy. I’ve been meaning to write the next part since the day I published this entry. I promise I will put another one up in a day or two. I can’t say what it will be one, but I’ll cover all factors one by one. This one was just as an introduction.