I'm heading to the US next fall through Inti's AUP and I have to send my applications soon, after reading this thread, I tried to search on google about states that offer this in-state waiver/discount but I found a load of not very informative sites, umm so guys mind telling me what states offer this waiver cause I want to reduce my expenses there...

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

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.

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

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

GRE but its best to check with the university.

Ok, I took a look at the university

International Applicants: How to Apply

Most of the info needed are there,

Malaysia Required Documents


What masters are you going to pursue? Depending on the field of study, you may need to sit for the GRE or GMAT exams.

Graduate Program Test Requirement

Are you planning to take something related to computer science/IT?

San Jose State U is smack in the middle of Silicon Valley

What's your major?
Well I've never taken the GRE only SATs but apparently GRE is a harder version of SATs, it tests your maths and English capabilities, I think the language might be a killer.

More information can be found at MACEE's site

MACEE's Testing Services

Software engineering

MS Software Engineering

Well, is your university ABET accredited?
If it is, GRE isn't necessary, all the info is available at the uni's site, anymore enquiries, you should email the admission's department.