International student needs guidance

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hi parents,</p>

<p>I have been accepted by University of Louisiana at Monroe to study Bachelor’s of Science ( Computer Science ) with a free ride ( Tuition, Room and board, iPad, Funded study abroad opportunity ).</p>

<p>I do not know much about this college, nor does the Internet provides substantial information since it is not a very high ranked school. But I am really interested to attend ULM.</p>

<p>I have a few questions :-</p>

<ol>
<li><p>How is the college in general? ( I know the BS Computer Science degree is accredited by ABET, but what does it exactly mean? )</p></li>
<li><p>What will be my job prospects out of this college? What about Grad school prospects?</p></li>
<li><p>How easy is it for international students to adjust in Louisiana? Is Monroe and ULM a international friendly community?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Please help me! I do not have any other source of guidance!</p>

2

<p>Any other options ? Sorry, but I don’t know much about UL-Monroe.</p>

3

<p>@Axelrod - Yeah, Troy University, McNeese State University or maybe Bates College ( I was wait listed last time and I’ve applied ED1 this time with a better SAT score, better essays and an interview. )</p>

<p>Unfortunately I need a full ride wherever I study so I do not have much options! :(</p>

4

<p>I think it would depend more on what university you could attend in your own country and what kind of reputation that university has…the value of that vs. coming to the United States. Conversely, what is the value of the US education if you are required to return to your home country after graduation. Also your job prospects will depend on what kind of visa situation you would have once you complete your education. Not all companies will sponsor the necessary H1B visas for international students to work in the US.</p>

<p>I can’t help you with info on this particular college or region of the country.</p>

5

<p>Are you willing to share the name of home country ? </p>

<p>What are the basic details of the funded study abroad option ? One year or one semester ?</p>

<p>What is/are your standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) ?</p>

<p>Although ULM is not well known in the US, your offer is outstanding. </p>

<p>P.S. Your written English is excellent.</p>

6

<p>ABET is the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology–it means that the program meets certain standards. You definitely want an accredited program, so that is good that the program you’re looking at meets those standards.</p>

<p>If you do well in your program, going to a lesser-known state school should not hurt your chances at grad school or employment. You might need to work harder to make connections to get internships or interviews for jobs, but if you are a top student, your record will speak for itself.
I can’t say from personal experience what the atmosphere is like at this college, but if you explore their website, you will see that it is apparent that they are trying to recruit more international students and that there is plenty of diversity. Contact their director of programs for international students, (found on website) and she can help you with your questions and concerns.
People in Louisiana tend to be friendly and hospitable in general, so if you need to go this school to take advantage of this very generous scholarship, have no fear and make the most of it.</p>

7

<p>@Axelrod - Thanks for the compliment.</p>

<p>I am from India.</p>

<p>My SAT score is 2150 ( Critical Reading 730, Maths 700, Writing 720 )</p>

<p>My GPA is quite good, ULM calculated it as 3.96 and McNeese calculated it as 4.00</p>

<p>I have quite good ECs ( Bragging a bit! :wink: ). So can I get into better colleges with full ride?</p>

<p>I do not know much about the study abroad part, I am yet to receive the official letters, I only received an email a few hours ago.</p>

8

<p>@atomom - Thank You!</p>

<p>I’ll definitely work hard and try to be a top student. And yes, I’ve also been accepted by their Honors college. Will that be helpful?</p>

9

<p>At most state schools, the advantages of being in the Honors college are smaller class size, more personal attention from professors, and being with the other Honors students.</p>

10

<p>You can always do one or two years there and transfer to a better ranked school or go for grad school where more funding is available. </p>

<p>I did undergrad and grad at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Comp Sci (go Ragin’ Cajuns!!!) and will always cherish my years there; Monroe ain’t Lafayette of course but it’s quiet, etc. </p>

<p>Now the question is, can you get into a better program with the same type of funding? that, I’m afraid you can’t find out without applying.</p>

<p>The other thing is what are your ‘long term’ plans? if you plan to give it a shot for work via the usual F1 → OPT → H1 → etc way, again, a better school may be more worthwhile. Honors college is good, and a good grad school even better… If you want to go to academia, etc then again, it’s different.</p>

<p>McNeese is a bit brrrr (actually the school is ok, Lake Charles, well… I never got the warm fuzzies about it) Bates may be a bit too LAC :)… In general college in the South is very entertaining, and for us internationals it’s a great experience on its own…</p>