lol it basically sums up that people with a good amount of salary can study in USA

Iliveunderwater:

I'm in a similar situation, my SPM wasn't that great just 7As and 3Bs, I didn't try admitting right away into freshman year. I'm in a middle class family too, 4 years of tuition fees would be a burden to the family. After checking all the need blind universities I realise they're out of my reach, my results as you can see are just average and my co-curricular activities weren't really that stellar (was just a class treasurer, prefect and vice-prez of the computer club, nothing outstanding, no Olympiads, not much community work, nothing that stood out)
So I took AUP at Inti, and as added precaution took the SAT I, I didn't take SAT II. My parents could spare 100k comfortably for my expenses in US, I'm worried this won't be sufficient which is why I am seeking ways to cut down cost (eg. Found out some states waive out-of-state tuition fees, planning to work part-time there)
I plan to use AUP as a stepping stone, first a degree at a reasonably good university, then for grad school, the Ivies!

To answer your question, the American Degree Programme credits are not transferable to need-blind universities in US. You should have sufficient funds beforehand before taking this course. There are scholarships though but they're usually not enough to cover the whole cost.

I think you should try taking A levels, do your best, combine that with SATs I & II and try applying to any of the need-blind universities. Umm about why I myself didn't take this route, was well I wasn't confident that I could muster enough discipline to undergo another round of examinations that rely largely on memorization as we all know Malaysia's education system mirrors the British of which the grades count on the final exam, I'm not well suited for this system as I tend to slack and do things last minute an attitude that will bring me no-where if I attempted A levels.

transhumanist92:

Not to say rich, but most middle class, upper middle class mind you, can afford education abroad reasonably well with the help of some financial aid.
But if you're a brilliant student, you probably can get on a free ride when it comes to education expenses abroad.

The problem is if you're not brilliant enough to enter any of those universities that offer such aid.

This post has been edited by Jyou: Nov 11 2008, 08:30 PM

That's why if you still want to get an education from North America, Canada is a great option since they allow you to work while you're studying to fund your expenses.

You won't know if you want to do graduate studies until the later part of your undergraduate degree.

It depends which city you're in and how much time you can spare for work. It supplements one's allowance but I doubt one can get through school just by this income.

Jyou! oh man thanks! finally i found someone who actually talks about need blind unis. Btw, whats AUP? u mean ADP?
I have a friend who is studying American Degree Program at Inti as well, he's majoring in engineering. But you know for me actually, Ivy League isn't really my aim but if can get in that would be good, because one thing I didn't tell you is that, I actually already taken Diploma in Mass Communication at KDU College since late 2006 and is finishing that soon already, I only thought about studying in US during my last semester and now I have doubts whether the US universities recognize my KDU Diploma or not because on the KDU website it's stated that It's recognize by UK and Aus unis, but no mention of US unis, my lecturers doesn't seem to mention about problems transferring to a US uni except that they say not many ppl do it because of the visa application and stuff. When I check US unis website, they never say anything about accepting diploma, but only International Baccaulerate Diploma, don't know what is that, might be diploma as well, because I saw in the brochure of the Aus uni that my course is twinning with, they listed International Baccaulerate as well.

I suddenly plan to go US because US has a good media industry for my career in mass comm, but now I'm already 1 semester left so there's not really much I can do except to finish it and my plan is that if the US unis recognize my KDU Diploma, I submit my diploma results to get into the need blind universities and try to get some loans for extra funding ( i don't mind paying back the loan, cuz US money bigger than ours Lol) but the problem is that I am really afraid that even if they recognize my diploma, my CGPA is not very good because I was playing around abit during the mid of my course because at that time I never thought of having the need to go overseas until I realize the media industry in Msia is quite small for mass comm graduates hard to get a good future. Now my cgpa drop to like 3.1 like that , i never fail anything, just that got like one D, and three C+. Currently I'm retaking the subject I got D to improve my cgpa and trying to figure out whether it is worth it or not to retake the other three subject that I got Cs and whether that would be sufficient to boost my CGPA back to like at least 3.5. My cocuriculum in college is quite good compared to other students here that got 3.7 cgpa with no cocuriculum Lol (most ppl here just study), but then its not great la, I join clubs, have positions, join some college competition, but then not a state athlete or anything la. The advisor in HELP uni seems to think that US unis won't recognize my diploma though.

How do you know that the need blind universities won't accept ADP transfer credits? even if you study 2 years here? Your lecturer/ advisor told u is it? that means no ADP students can transfer to need blind unis la?

Btw, u sure A levels can get in US unis? I don't mind taking A levels tho, cuz A levels is just one year right? and then can apply as freshmen?
Where is the best college/uni for A levels here? and how much the fees are usually for a levels?
What scares me about A levels is science. Cause its been a like 3 years since I actually studied any science since I took Diploma in Mass Comm, forgot everything that I learn in Biology, Chemistry and Physics already Lol. I realize that A levels have many courses, which one u think i should take ar? Cause I'm more to arts. I don't mind a little bit of science, but too much science might not be good for me, because my science in school last time not that good, unless in A levels the science subjects taught are new topics and new syllabus and most doesn't require any skills learned thru secondary school then can la, can catch up. Maths scares me a little bit as well. I can do, just that if requires some memories of high school syllabus then thats a problem.

This post has been edited by Iliveunderwater: Nov 12 2008, 06:02 AM

who's going america? i am doing my masters there next year...

current stil in america... returning end of the week

on the 19th got talk from macee on post grad studies... dont miss it

Tereno:

Yes, I am considering Canada, Inti's AUP offer credit transfer there. Any decent universities to recommend? I heard good things about Waterloo's co-op programme.

feynman:

Ahh yes that's usually the case, but regardless of what undergraduate degree I intend to pursue, after a few years of work I hope to go to grad school. Either to do my MBA or law, once my family's finances are settled (My mother is comfortably retired and my siblings have graduated from university) I intend to further my studies, for both MBA and law in the US, there's no specific pre-requisite degree required so either way I can choose anyone later on when its time for me to decide. I view furthering studies as something natural, the learning process never stops. I suppose the only question would be which discipline? But this of course will be answered later on.

Yeap Canada allows international students to work off-campus, wages earn would not be enough to cover the total cost though, but its a good supplement, as I said earlier on, students with no scholarship, before going abroad should have some funds available beforehand.

Iliveunderwater:

Yes, Aup = ADP, Inti calls it AUP (American University Programme)

You should check with your college advisers whether any US universities accept KDU's diploma, I think its possible but I don't think need-blind universities accept them (I notice they prefer students entering as freshman)
Check whether any of your seniors have tried applying to US with the diploma.

The thing is need-blind universities are usually the crème de la crème, they're among the best universities US offers, they are need blind because they're filthy rich with their enormous endowment funds


Wikipedia

Most are partial towards students entering as freshman, some accept transfers from universities they deem their equal. I highly doubt they would accept diplomas.

Going to US using your diploma is possible I think just that, universities that accept your dip usually aren't need-blind.
You went to HELP?
Other alternatives are transferring your diploma credits to ADP. But not advisable because you're aiming for need-blind institutes.

Need blind universities do not accept AUP credits, I remember someone transferring to Cornell, but Cornell isn't need blind full aid although its an Ivy so no they do not accept credits from us.
However I have heard of students combining AUP + SATs I & II to apply, so I'm not sure really, but one thing for sure AUP on its own will not get you to need-blind universities.

A levels + SATs I & II will get you there, or STPM + SATs I & II or even IB with both SATs, these will get you there.
A levels is 1.5 years if I'm not mistaken. There are other subjects like Law, Business Studies, Economics, whatever suits your fancy.
You know you really have to work hard if you want to take this route, you've been warn...
But you've already done your diploma...
Lol you're in a rather tight spot there.
How much is your budget?

SeLrAhC:

If everything goes as planned, I should be heading to US next fall.
Where are you doing your masters?
and since you're in US have you heard of any states that waive out-of-state fees (I heard a state waive those fees if you work 20 hours on campus) my googling skills failed me here, I can't find any information about that.

Really good schools to go to are University of British Columbia, University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, McGill University (but it's in Montreal so it might be a lil awkward). University of Toronto, I know has internships that span a year. Waterloo co-ops are typically 4 months at a go for 4 times I think? What do you intend to study? I think based on that, it'll be easier to recommend you a university.

Others include University of Alberta, Simon Frasier University, McMaster University, York University.

Lol you're right Jyou, I am indeed in a rather tight spot right now. But i seriously do not mind at all to work hard for 1.5 years. I could probably take law or business studies, I prefer to learn facts more than theory. In KDU for mass comm we learn a lot of theory. My budget, you mean for the a level? I was actually thinking about loan for that. Where is good for A level? (I really can't stand lousy lecturers anymore, hard to score with their crappy teaching, can't understand) I think I need to explain to my parents about me wanting to take A level to see if they can help. I don't mind loan because I plan to work in the US after I graduate there, US money bigger and you also get more pay than Malaysia, so paying my A level loan won't be a problem, RM20k for the whole course is rather small if compared to the US unis fees. What most important is that it can get me into the need-blind unis, so that after I graduate in US, what I need to pay back is only my A level loan, cuz I'm looking for the Unis that meet 100% of need as well, most need blind and need based do. But i'm sure if I score well for A levels I can get some type of scholarship as well right. If I do A levels and score well, it can overshadow my spm results right?

About my KDU Diploma, right now I'm email-ing the need blind unis to see if they recognize the KDU Diploma or not. But somehow, I have a feeling that they don't though, because of the advance standing transfer thing. The UK and Aus recognize KDU Diploma as an advance standing certificate where KDU students can jump straight to second year for degree in universities because it is done from agreement between the UK and Aus unis with KDU College, but in US, no agreement, how to transfer. The difference between freshmen and transfer is not much from what I checked at those need blind uni websites. Except Freshmen are more honored, and some unis don't give financial aid for transfer but they do give it for freshmen, I can get more options if I enter as freshmen.

I found out that KDU only has one partner university in the US, which is the south minnesota state university, it is need-based if im not mistaken, but the thing is, if only 1 uni that recognize KDU Diploma, is not worth it for me to try and wait and apply, cuz my CGPA is like cannot be saved anymore also Lol, when I retake subjects, It will take time, and time is money, so not worth it also cuz especially when some unis don't honor repeated subjects taken for better grades. if get rejected for financial aid, then hard already, I went to HELP to enquire about the ADP Program there, they say my diploma is not recognized. I will try to ask my advisor in KDU, but somehow I have a feeling what ur saying is right, only the normal uni will accept my diploma, i really have no money for that, not to mention my cgpa again .

I was wondering if I can use my KDU Diploma to apply for any type of loan/scholarship to do A level...cuz its like applying to go back to pre-u lol.

Jyou, can u PM me your msn or yahoo messenger? thanks

This post has been edited by Iliveunderwater: Nov 13 2008, 08:08 AM

Hi I'm Inti ADP alumni.

IMO, I think Inti have the most affiliation with U.S uni's. I didn't regret taking ADP in Inti. Right now I'm in U.S, graduating next month!!! I CAN"T WAIT TO GRADUATE!!! Done studying for now.

For those interested to study in U.S, taking ADP will be your 1st step. Something to keep in mind is that the U.S system & U.K system is slightly different in terms of curriculum. But once you get used to the structure, you'll be fine.

Oh I forgot to add, unless you have scholarship, be prepare to sell of a semi-detached house for your education here in U.S. All I can say is that it ain't cheap. But think of the exposure you get here, its nothing compare to the money you paid. Start saving money for those who intend to study in U.S. If you have scholarship, that'll ease your family's burden a lil' bit.

This post has been edited by P.I.M.P: Nov 13 2008, 08:47 AM

Tereno:

Well I'm thinking of computer security, still it isn't fix really. I'll most probably make my decision towards January considering I have to declare a major when I deal with my applications.

I'll have you know, my relatives are urging to go into a more traditional field ...ie. finance, banking, economics, investment etc etc. Universities that are strong in these fields would be good.

Iliveunderwater:

Woah that's drastic, you're seriously considering A levels? Good luck man.
Uhh A levels, I suppose you can take it at Taylors or HELP. Yeap bout 20k for the whole course.
Ok before you do anything, do you know about the application process to those need-blind universities? It won't be easy, first your SATs I & II, then application essays, then interviews. You must be outstanding.
Its a rather grueling process if you're going to apply for multiple universities.
One more thing, although you'll be taking A levels, freshman university applications require school results, umm so SPM and your school results will be needed (don't worry if its bad, as long as your results are in an upward trend, as in improving, that should be good)

Yeap financial aid is usually easier to come-by when you're applying as a freshman.

I don't think pre-U courses accept another pre-U course results during scholarship application, you should check things out though.
Good luck in your endeavours.
Before doing anything, think things through, this is your future after all.

Yeah alright I'll pm my msn.

P.I.M.P:

Hi! Ahh a fellow Inti mate, yeah same reason too, Inti has the most connections. Which university are you in right now? How's life there? Do you plan to stay there or come back?
Lol sorry for being so inquisitive, haha just want some feedback from seniors

Seriously, you are living in your own universe. I don't think you know what are saying and doing.

You plan to work in the US so that you can pay off your loan when it doesn't seem to occur to you that you can't just get a job as and when you want. The us has lots of restrictions regarding the employment of aliens, they also have a quota as to how many can get a permit to work each year.

It also did not occur to you that A-level doesn't really mean anything when in comes to university admission in the States, especially when you are aiming for universities that will grant you a full ride. Academic excellence doesn't guarantee you a place in a rich university, more so a scholarship or an aid. Go read up on this particular issue, on admission rates of overseas chinese and what sort of people who usually get admitted.

On financial aid, don't bother about aid from State schools, it is already extremely difficult for out of state Americans to get aid, what more for an alien? That said, that South Minnesota State University is unlikely to give any form of aid to foreigners, especially to KDU diploma holders. The fact that they are have an MoU with KDU is to get students to go over there to pay full fees. The most that they might give is probably a token scholarship worth $3000 for one student out of the many who transferred over.

Think about it.

Seriously, RM100k is not enough if you're depending on family aid. No way. You better prepare for more than that. My mum already prepared the financial aid since I enrolled in AUP. Don't wait till last minute to shop for your funding. You'll end up having trouble applying to uni cos they will wanna see your financial statement & bank letter. Get prepared early.




I am in U.S and A now. Graduating on Dec 20!!




Were you in Subang or Nilai campus? Yeah Inti has the most connections if you're into ADP. FOr other courses I'm not too sure. I'm in Univ. of Nebraska Lincoln. What about you? Aaahhhhh, don't ask about life here. Life here is slow moving. Good for retirees. Not for city boy like me . I'm more into NY or LA or SF. Live life on the fast lane. Keep in touch.




Its almost impossible to get in-state tuition fee. Depends on which state you're in. Some states have laws like if you stay there for a number of years, you can pay in-state tuition. Not too sure about that cos my uni doesn't such law.

If you're planning to work off campus (legally) & support your education, forget about it. There is no way you can fully support your edu & living exp at the same time. You're not allowed to work off campus because you're under F-1 student visa. Student on F-1 visa are NOT ALLOWED to work off campus. There are students who work off campus illegally. Thereby, you're at risk of being deported. Why risk you future on waiter/waitressing. IMO, not worth it. Better finish you degree fast fast & get a real paying job. Besides, working off campus employers will treat you like shit.

P.I.M.P:

100k a year, for 2 years, that's my budget la, that should be sufficient (I hope). But I would prefer to save my parents money so I'm looking for ways to cut down expenses

Currently in Inti Subang, just finished my first year, college break now. Slow moving? Nebraska-Lincoln, quite a lot of people planning to apply there, all my friends who plan to major in actuarial science are going there.

Hmm bout the in-state tuition fees, its possible but I don't know which state, someone managed to get it, his story is in a thread somewhere (I can't find it anymore otherwise I would ask him)

Thanks for the advice regarding working off-campus, if you don't mind me asking, how much were your total expenses (living expenses + tuition fees + miscellaneous fees) a rough estimate would be helpful because everyone tells me for education expenses abroad, its usually 100k a year and they say its the same everywhere (U.S., U.K., Aus)

Iliveunderwater:

As feynman said, I think you're being very idealistic, nothing wrong with dreams of course but you are already in the last leg of your diploma, you should consider options at hand that don't involve such grand endeavours, furthermore if you do indeed take the route to U.S. as described above, there are a lot of "ifs" its not guranteed, you will get a place in any of those need-blind universities, if it was that easy, I would have done it myself.

Perhaps you should consider doing your undergraduate degree at any of the universities KDU offer and then later work awhile, get some experience, save some money then apply to do your masters in the U.S.A.

This post has been edited by Jyou: Nov 13 2008, 05:18 PM

feynman, are you currently grad student or postdoc in physics? thinking of going oversea after my master. Which field are you in? theoretical HEP?

Hm. Computer-related then I'd say University of Waterloo or University of Toronto. Both are excellent computer schools IMO and will provide opportunities with some of the big names in the business ( I was at Cisco earlier this year for an internship and I'm from U of Toronto.) For finance, banking, econs, I think U of Toronto is still a great school as many US banks and the top 4 Canadian banks are close by.

U of Toronto is situated right in the city of Toronto - which means there is some nightlife. U of Waterloo would be your typical university town where it's located outside of a major metropolis and so not much goes on there. I think it really depends on what type of university you're looking at and how you want to explore your education. I know for a fact U of Toronto has plenty of Asians, has great Chinese food nearby and have quite a few Singaporeans and Malaysians studying there so you might get less homesick. It's also easier to get around to big shopping malls and hot spots - the tradeoff would be that rental could be expensive if you plan on staying close to school.

For act. sci., I would suggest Drake Univ. 99% of M'sians there are doing A.S. Great place to develop A.S career. IF and only IF you get scholarship, then only you go to Drake, if not don't bother. Its a private uni & therefore the tuition is way more exp.

Who are the advisors in Inti now? Do you know Ms. Pei Yi working at the AUP office? Total living exp depends on individual. I roughly need like $5k for a semester; rent, utilities, gas, car insurance, petrol, groceries, food, entertainment, phone bill etc. But don't worry about the living exp, if you can adjust your lifestyle, then its okay.

SeLrAhC:

If everything goes as planned, I should be heading to US next fall.
Where are you doing your masters?
and since you're in US have you heard of any states that waive out-of-state fees (I heard a state waive those fees if you work 20 hours on campus) my googling skills failed me here, I can't find any information about that.


[/quote]

next fall? so long meh.. university of alaska, anchorage campus... only 1 msian student there... lol

ermm... they used to, my cousin got her tuition waived and she was being paid to tutor.. but she got her scholarship before going for the course... and 1 requirement is to be part of the academic staff... i dont think they have that anymore unless u r doing very very well...

u can't google because your tuition fee is not waived by the uni admin but by that of individual dept itself out of their own funds...

ermm... tailors is very good too... are u doing OPT there?

No I'm not doing OPT. I got all the documents done, but not gonna do OPT. Gonna head back home

maybe u can contact MACEE. kinda british council for american.