Rangzen

Hey there,

thanks for reading this.

I'm currently living and going to school in Germany, 12th class (You gotta go 13 years to school in Germany) and am 17 years old.
The reason for this topic is that I am very interested in studying in the United States, specially in / around Los Angeles, as that's where my family lives.
I have already done some researched and know basic stuff like very high fees.

I am best in Math Preference course, which consists of the best students of two schools (There are no AP or honor courses in Germany, but something called Preference or Performence course) and am best in Physics and English.
TOEFL Test won't be a problem and I guess I will get good scores in my SAT tests.

After some research I have decided to apply to UCLA, UCSB and Caltech, which seem to be very good Universities.
But do I stand a chance? What SAT scores should I have to be accepted to UCLA (which is my dream university)?
Can you recommend any other Universities to me?
And are there any tricks for the application to increase chances?

I was thinking about studying either Engineering or IT, but which major gives me better chances of employment and more salary? (Planning to stay in LA after University - bye Germany )
My main strengths are as mentioned above Math and Science.

I am very thankful for every bit of information.

Yours,

Choenden

vossron

Servus Choenden, the Common Data Set contains the data you need about SAT scores; UCLA's is at http://www.aim.ucla.edu/data/campus/...S2006_2007.pdf. See sections C9 to C12. Many schools publish this data. Tschüss!

Rangzen

Thanks for that link.
Can anyone answer any of the other questions?
According to WES, my German grades translated into American Graded would result into A's except for Philosophy and History with B+

world changer

Try looking at a few other schools as back-ups.

Cal Poly could be a good option.

Rangzen

Thanks for that recommendation, the website is very informative and well designed

Is that a backup option?
Any other recommendations?

I know that its kinda hard without SAT scores but I just would like to find out more about Universities while learning for the SAT

dntw8up

I don't know if it's a consideration for you but many U.S. schools do not give much, or any, financial aid to international students.

Rangzen

Financial Aid is not needed, I have already seen the figures of estimated expenses for international students and talked with my parents.

dntw8up

Then you're ahead of the game, as many international students need aid. Good Luck!

Rangzen

Thanks =)
But are there any other Universities you can recommend?

Going to sleep now,

good night

NewEngSocSciMan

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a good option.

If you're not adverse to going to school on the east coast, what about Worchester Polytechnic Institute or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for engineering? Another good option is Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

The fact is, you can major in anything and go into almost any field of work. Study what you enjoy, because if you intend to pursue engineering or computer science, you'll probably end up with a master's or MBA, at least, and if you study what you like as an undergraduate, you'll have a better chance at grad school admissions (assuming that you're good at what you like).

Another recommendation is Rice University in Houston, TX. It's not what you'd expect of a Texas school based on stereotypes alone –*it's actually really awesome, and I'm speaking from the perspective of someone from the rather liberal northeast United States.

Are you going for an IB diploma? Also, have you talked to any other Germans who study in the US? Any abitur-related work (which seems a lot like a bunch of AP or IB exams, if I'm not mistaken) may look very good to many of the schools in the US.

world changer

Yeah, Cal Poly would be a good back up.

And since you want to be in California, try also looking at maybe Loyola Marymount, as another back up.

carrots

Are you sure you want to study here?

Not to discourage you or anything, but come on, you're really choosing the US over Germany? I'd do anything to study/live in your country.. And your English seems really good which would probably be a plus if you stayed in Europe.

Have you been here before? I'd strongly recommend that you visit California before going to college there. See if you like it (the weather, the people) and then decide.

nero103

Try for Stanford, if your Abitur is like 1....-ish. Don't worry about SAT. It might be easy for Abitur students.

Rangzen

Thanks for the answers.

I am very sure about studying in the LA area as I have visited it more than 5 times for periods of around 4-6 weeks.
A part of my family lives there and weather n ppl are nice.

I won't have my Abitur by the time I apply, because I want to study directly after receiving it. But if my grades stay this way (And I am trying to improve it of course ) it will be an average of 1,4

I appretiate your help =)

nero103

And the best thing about Abitur is that you will get credits for your abitur courses! So after three years you would be finished with your undergraduate degree.