Filipino considering studying in the US

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Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:30:31 +0000

Hello all.

I’d taken it for granted that I would be enrolling in a university in Manila, but my entire family convinced me to go global.

After an extensive and exhaustive research (which pretty much means I read most of the posts on this site) I’ve narrowed my choices down to two: Columbia and Stanford.

I love the thought of a small (relatively speaking) cozy campus in one of the greatest cities in the world. I’m already drooling at the prospect of being in NYC for 4 years or longer. I’m probably going to try to major in biosomething engineering with an eye towards a medical degree.

On the other hand, I love the thought of a huge, green campus close to a lot of major cities. I’d probably go for a pre-med degree on my way to a medical degree.

Assuming I don’t mess up in the next few months, my average will end up around 94 to 96.
I’ll be flying to the US in October to take the SATs there and also to visit the campuses. What’s October going to be like in Columbia and Stanford?
I’ve been accelerated twice, skipping 5th grade and 1st year.
Spent my junior year in Japan as an exchange student.
I’m not an athlete, unless you count wall handball.

What do you think my chances are of being accepted into Columbia or Stanford? (I’ll be posting this to the other forum as well to get their answers.)

After reading through Columbia’s website, I’m left with the notion that as long as I can achieve the bare minimum required, I’m in because Ill be a foreign student?
Stanford doesn’t really mention much about foreign student applications.

Financial aid isn’t necessary, if that matters.

On another note, how much should I budget for an apartment or condo in a good neighborhood that’s close to Stanford? I have an international license and can get a car or maybe one of those electric scooters to navigate around the campus.
University housing is not an option because of personal reasons.