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.

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.

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

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.

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)

why waste that opportunity?... i am doing my masters so i can do OPT... u get to do OPT and you dont want to... lol

USA's economy is dying now. I got my OPT but most probably will be headed home too. Most of my American friends have not even scored any offer as of today, so it will be even worse for the international students. This is sad because I really wanted to stay here and work for a couple years, but one gotta face the harsh reality. My summer internship company can't even give me a reply regarding full time position now...

agree... huh? that means u got a position or not? which state are u in
errrr... actually i am in already... just that my working visa expired... so need to find ways to extend my stay...

i see i see... ok ler.. nvm.. cya back in msia ^^

No, not in business. Undergrad in hardcore engineering, but now finishing my final semester in Engineering Management.

Graduating in 4 weeks and yes, thanks for reminding (just kidding) that I still don't have an offer

ermm.. why dont u fly to alaska... engineering seems to be doing fine here
i know.. my friend made 150k usd in 6 months... in that 6 months he was a sea 4 months... but i heard it is dangerous...

here in alaska engineering seems to be doing well... the recession doesnt seem to affect much

neway... back to studies.. i can only work in campus right, during studying sem.. but how about during summer?

I made $130 every two weeks last year while I was working part-time ... habis semua orang suruh belanja when I got back to KL

hahaha I only worked ten hours. my dad wasn't happy at all when he found out I had the job ... so ..

He doesn't want me to have a job .. and he said I don't need to have a job until I graduate from college .. so he wasn't happy about it but oh well. No my family is not with me. I'm here with my brother ... we both attend the same college.

I worked as a barista, so it got hectic sometimes.

I work as a grader! In my opinion, it's a relatively easy job with good hourly wage Graduating in 4 weeks and going back to Malaysia though

Gotta miss the States. A LOT.

I'm leaving on December 15. I actually did apply for OPT and it was actually approved within one month!!! The unfortunate thing is that I still can't secure any job offer as of now. My summer internship company is still reluctant to give me a definite answer. I don't want to waste my time and money staying here after graduation just to look for a job either, especially when the States' economy is sinking day by day. So yeah, I'm only left with the option to going back and starting another path ASAP.

Hahaha, have fun traveling in Europe! My friends and I kinda did that over winter break   It was really fun. But now, I'm already scheduling interviews right after I land in KLIA    Need to make myself feel better for actually getting a job. All of these rejections are hurting my morale 

But yeah, it is going to be even harder for us, international students, to score an offer at this time. Hopefully, we will find something great back home.

american companies don't tend to hire internationals just because there's no guarantee that they'd stick around.

lol my boyfriend's talking about marrying me so I can enjoy the benefits of it ... but I'm like uh, I don't want to marry you for that. But he knows what the companies are like when it comes to internationals. He doesn't want me to go back to KL either ...

yeah he's american. we're serious enough about each other to consider marriage but at the moment, it's all hypothetical. He's graduating next may and I still have two years to go.

oh I don't really care. marriage isn't even a consideration at this point. after college then I'll consider it.

all my local friends got married or pregnant at an early age... lol

for those in engineering... why dont try applying for OPT in alaska... here engineering is blooming and the state is not really affected much by the financial crisis

ermm... neway.. those who are returning if u wanna sell ur USD, pm me ^^ we come up with a win-win exchange

after 40 hours+ flight i am at singapore now... can't wait to fo home ^^

it won't really be early. I'm gonna be done when I'm like 22 or 23. my mother got married around 25. And pfft, premarital sex is not really my thing at the moment.

in singapore changi now... now it has been 50 hours i guess since i travel home... 5 more hours only reach klia.. zzzzz... no sleep at all
hehehee...

here very easy get pregnant 1.. yea, engineering only because oil n gas n construction is a big business here.. applied to do my masters for spring.. .rushing to send in documents... if accepted then i think 1st week of january... alaska is AK ... lol
ermm.. fly there 1st then look around lor... basically a lot of big oil company operates here

say only... can ur bf tahan? after 1st time then say... a little no harm.. then more and then more and then leak... and then baby... lol... happened to a lot of my local friends

I don't see why he wouldn't be able to wait, but then again that's just you guys.