3) I got in! But where should I go?

Q) I want to do electrical engineering and research. I got into Colgate (physics-no engineering) and Lafayett (electrical) and wait listed from some really great universities in America. I can't decide where to go!

A) Well I looked around a little bit and there seem to be i think 3 primary concerns:
1-how the program they have suits your interest
2- financial need
3-rep of the university
(practically speaking 1 and 2 should be your priority)

1-So, first thing I'd like to ask you is how sure are you that you want to do engineering? I said I wanted to not knowing what exactly it is, but because its something I've been doing for a while. My freshmen year I experimented with Ec and Biology. At the moment I'm back to engineering/computer science. So if you are not so sure, then Colgate may be the way to go. It does not have engineering but it does have Computer Science, Math and Physics so those are at least in similar subjects. Computer Science could get you into some what engineering like jobs, coding and stuff, but Math and Physics would be good for more research oriented stuff. Are you sure you want to do research? Personally I feel like engineering is more practical because you build stuff (although you can do some research) but pure sciences are more research oriented like working in physics labs and doing theoretical stuff that could be later used by engineers to make things. So those are the options at Colgate, which perhaps you should take if you are uncertain about what to do. Liberal arts environment will help you figure out what it is that you want to do and you could later do masters in it (although for engineering it is better to have an B.S. than an A.B)

If you are certain you want to do engineering then Lafayette is the way to go. Harvard is liberal arts so I experimented. It does not have the best rep for engineering but its is at least accredited so I could take the risk. Lafayette is has a B.S degree not just A.B in engineering so that is good. You may want to ask them if it is ABET accredited, that's a board in america that sets standard for degrees I think. But it seems like a good program because they have specific degrees within engineering and not just a general engineering degree.

2- seems like both colleges provide need-based aid which does not affect your admission. Apply for aid and see who gives the biggest proportion.

3- Rep wise. Yes, Colgate is better. That is why you should consider how much you like engineering verses other sciences or the humanities.

As far as other wait-listed colleges are concerned, some but not all I believe will have aid policies that affect you admission or depend on your foreign status. I think Princeton, Harvard ki tarhaan, is need-blind: as long as you get in, they'll give you aid according to your needs. Duke I am not sure off. It is not need blind, so being an international asking for aid, affects your chances of getting in. But perhaps if you do get in, they will give you as much as you need. Northwestern probably doesn't have as much aid to give but their tuition will be less too. So apply for aid, ho gaya so ho gaya.

So I can't tell you yahan jao because it is a personal issue. Get advice from tonnes of people aur khud decision lo takai baad main life mein you don't blame someone else for persuading you in anyone direction. Inshallah where ever you go you will do well. A lot of college is the experience you get from it and that is something you make for yourself, regardless of what college you go to.

You should get in touch with the college people and ask them any questions or concerns directly. Do it early so they have time to respond.This might help:
http://www.lafayette.edu/tools/comments.php
http://www.colgate.edu/DesktopDefault1.aspx?tabid=474&pgID=45

Challo ok. Take care. Hope that helps. Good luck!

2) Should I go abroad?

Q) I can't decide whether I should go abroad? I'm probably engineering or management.

A)It's hard for me to give you advice, because I don't really know your goals and personality. But here are some things you can consider:

-your financial situation. School abroad is expensive. If you get into a good college then you will probably get good financial aid. Otherwise it can be very hard for international students. However, even if you get aid traveling back and forth from Pakistan once a year and just living in a place where the currency is stronger than the rupee can be expensive over time.

-what is the real reason you want to go abroad? better education? Do you think you could do the same thing in Pakistan? If you don't get financial aid for college, you could decide to stay for example in Pakistan for the moment and go later. For example, my brother is in medicine so he decided to go to AKU for now and insA do post grad abroad. Also medicine abroad takes 4 extra years. LUMS is a pretty good school too, for example for management, engineering schools are not as great in Pakistan.

-What are your credentials? Be honest to yourself...do you really think you can get into a good school abroad? If so great! but if not it might be worth it going to a good school in pakistan rather than some ok school abroad.

-Are you willing to adapt? Living abroad means a whole new environment...you'll be talking in English all the time, living with people who have a different culture (less desi food:P) and no family. I'm not saying that its not great to get an experience where you are challenged and learn to live independently, and that you have to be ready for that just yet, but are you willing to prepare for that?

-BUT IN THE END-----There is no harm applying!!! Go online and look at college websites...see what they require, what programs they have and what deadlines they have. Apply to the ones you like and you may have even some little chance of getting into. Keep your options open! It is better to have to choose whether you want to go abroad rather than to not have that option in the first place!

1) Overview of general application process?

Q) Could you guide me a little about the general application process?

A) Well my first answer would be sit online as much as you can and start looking at universities you would like to go to, what programs they have and what are their deadline. Deadlines are important to keep in your head.

Generally speaking, some school have two rounds of admissions: an early and a regular. The early usually makes you commit to the school if you do get admission. The regular is just a normal application, no strings attached-that's what most people do and that is probably what you have time for now. Most deadlines for US universities regular admissions will be late Dec, and may be early Jan. UK oxford and Cambridge (you can only apply to one) are earlier, rest are I think through a joint form that can be filled online called UCAS, which will i think have deadline say early Feb or something. Look at the unis you want to apply to, see the deadlines and according to that.

In the US you have something called a "common application" and in the UK you have "UCAS". These are like one application accepted by a bunch of universities. Some universities require separate applications.

Usually what they will ask for is your school transcript, one or two recommendations from a teacher or someone, a personal statement (an essay, depends on the school's topic), and O levels grades (and A1 if you apply in A2 i guess.

If you apply to the US you will need to give SATs, which you should register for soon if you plan to do that. If you're planning to apply this dec or something than give exams before that; sometimes they accept Jan ones as well. Almost all schools require SAT1 (reading, writing, math) and some require upto usually 3 SAT2s (for a particular subject) which may depend on what program you apply for. You will need to study for those a little bit so plan for that.
That's kind of it. I know it seems like a lot but you have time. Ask around for help. Just keep things in mind.