University help in the U.S for a foreign student

[RoyArnon]

Hey, Anandtechers! I've been a silent Anandtecher for a long while. Here and there I'd pop up to ask a question, but usually I just read the posts and move on. This is mainly because I am usually in the Army (it's mandatory here in Israel) and I only have an hour or two of computer time a week.
But this time I have a serious question. I am going to finish my army duty soon enough (in 8 months... yay! ) and then I'll have a social life again. The thing is, I might be moving to the U.S after the army, as my dad lives there, and I'm looking to study there as well. But I have no clue how the Universities admit students. Here in Israel we have finals at the end of High School, and you have a final grade in each subject. For example, I have a final grade of 95 in Computer Science 5 units, and here 5 units gives you a bonus of 20 points, so that makes the total 115. In the end you take the Universities take the grade relevant to the subject you want to major in, add them up and get an average out of them. If you want the average to be lower, you take a test called an PsichoMetry here; the grades in the test range from 200-800, the higher the better (I won't bore you with the details on this test, I think it's enough to say it's a pretty hard test that consists of 3 parts: Language (Hebrew), Math and English). So for example if I want to study Computer Science in a University I'd need and average of my finals of around 110, or an average of 105 and a PsichoMetry of 650 and up.
Anyways, after that long and boring explanation of the way things go here, I really need to know how things work in the U.S so I can make my choice. Any info would help: Admition to Universities, Costs, Tests (I've heard there were like a million tests, if anyone can explain the important ones I'd be grateful.), Universities that help people like me, etc.
BTW, first priority are Universites in and around Connecticut, as my dad lives in Stamford, CT, and at least at the beginning I'll be staying with him if I move.

I'm counting on you people from Anandtech to help...

P.S
If anyone knows of a better place to ask these questions, or even wants to help me a bit more, please email me.

 

[CanOWorms]

You usually take either the ACT or SAT standardized tests and then apply to universities. I'm not sure what's different with international students... domestic students fill out an application form, take the SAT/ACT/SAT II's and provide their scores, get recommendations, etc. International students might need to take the TOEFL (english test).

We don't have it here where you take a test in computer science, you do well, and then you can go on and study computer science.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Would he need to take the TOEFL for undergraduate acceptance?

 

[RoyArnon]

We don't have it here where you take a test in computer science, you do well, and then you can go on and study computer science.

We don't do that here either. What you do is you study it in high school, and you go with you finals score to a University. Then you take the average of some grades (For example:Computer Science + Math + Hebrew + English), and with that you can get into a University. I think in the U.S there is a thing called GPA (Grade point average, no?). Don't know much about it though, only what I saw on TV and movies, hehe .
Anyhow, about those tests - What's the difference between them?

BTW, anyone know a site that help with these issues? The internet is big, it's gotta be out there somewhere.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: RoyArnon

We don't have it here where you take a test in computer science, you do well, and then you can go on and study computer science.

We don't do that here either. What you do is you study it in high school, and you go with you finals score to a University. Then you take the average of some grades (For example:Computer Science + Math + Hebrew + English), and with that you can get into a University. I think in the U.S there is a thing called GPA (Grade point average, no?). Don't know much about it though, only what I saw on TV and movies, hehe .
Anyhow, about those tests - What's the difference between them?

BTW, anyone know a site that help with these issues? The internet is big, it's gotta be out there somewhere.

Yeah we have a GPA which takes into account all the courses you took... I don't think we only take some scores. The university can look at what courses you took since you send them your transcript.

I'm in grad school now so it's been a long time since I took the ACT and SAT and SAT IIs... a lot has probably changed since then. They're just different standardized tests.. the ACT and SAT have separate sections. Like the ACT might have science, math, reading comprehension, and verbal. The SAT has verbal and math. The SAT IIs are subject-specific tests. They might have changed... added or changed new sections. I think maybe they did.

 

[TommyVercetti]

Here is what you will need to get admitted in a US university.

1) A transcript from your highschool, stating all the courses you took and passed. You talked about having final exams at the end of your high school career. Results of those will be required by the university, and I believe the university will go by that.

2) You will have to take the SAT. It is governed in just about every country I have met someone from. This is very important, and a score of 1200+ is a must for foreign students trying to study in the US. 1400+ if you are going for the top schools.

3) Say you want to major in Computer Science. It is not necessary that you took computer related classes in high school to prepare for it. I said not necessary, but admissions are very competitive, and evety bit helps. You could have just concentrated on all arts subjects in high school, and can still become a computer science major. You will just have to take some pre-required courses to make up for the lack of math.

4) Schools then request financial statements from your parents and other stuff.

Let me explain GPA. Points are assigned to every grade you make, A =4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0. You just add up your points and divide it by the number of classes. That is your GPA. 2 A's and 3 B' make a 3.4 GPA. <---- I am not too sure if this is how it works in high school.

Public universities have quotas here. Here in Texas most of them state that they will accept 90% Texas students, and 10% out of state and foreign students. Out of state and foreign students pay 2.5-4 times more than in-state people do. My yearly fees, tuition and living cost used to be around $8000 - $10000. Your will be more than that.

Every major university openly invites internation students, they like to make things diverse here. They have whole departments set up to help people like you. Go to the website university that interests you, and they will have a special section just for international students.

Here is a list of universities in Connecticut

http://u101.com/connecticut.shtml

 

[jacob0401]

http://www.collegeboard.com

That site gives information about the SAT Test and is the organization that runs it. You can even register for tests online at that web site.

Looks like there is one test center in Israel.

74450 Z.O.A House (Tel Aviv)