Questions about undergraduate programs in the US / P, a 16-year-old, from Chennai

[Vijay]

These past few weeks, I have been talking to a talented 16-year-old
kid from Chennai, someone who got in touch randomly on Orkut; she'd
been leaving messages for Chennai-based journalists, hoping they'd
respond with some career advice.

We've analyzed her writing in one-one Google chat sessions. Most
Indian kids with an interest in writing get told at age 16 that they
are geniuses; consequently they never progress. Most get into
conventional fields and fail to develop the rigour that writing
demands -- scarily, these same kids turn 30, still believing they
write brilliantly despite their lack of training. This kid I'm talking
to has talent, but that talent needs nurturing, shaping in the long
term.

Last week, I suggested that she consider applying to undergraduate
programs in the US. This is the email I sent her a few minutes ago.
I'm posting this here because I know getting kids to apply to programs
in the US is a fairly controversial idea within our group. Many of you
feel that is not what we set out to do here.

It would be interesting to hear what you all feel, in the context of
this concrete example. Any idea if small, liberal arts programs offer
funding for international students?

-- v


-------------

Hey P,

I trust your first few classes in class XII have gone well. I'm sure
you'll do well; make sure to study intelligently, retain your
perspective and conserve energy, so you peak at the right time.

I don't want to needlessly distract you at this stage. This email is
really meant for your parents, who are in a great position to help you
plan your future. I haven't had the pleasure of talking to them
directly yet, but please show them the links at the bottom of this
email, if they're still considering the idea of sending you abroad to
get an undergraduate degree. It will help them in the decision-making
process.

I wouldn't ordinarily advocate studying in the US; but for someone
like you who is so obviously talented, academically gifted, and
interested in creative writing, the range of academic opportunities
would be significantly wider in the US. The great thing about the
American undergraduate experience of course is that you must take a
wide range of courses in the humanities and the sciences, and learn to
be independent while you're doing all this.

Of course, there is a lot of planning involved -- financial,
emotional, practical. You'll need to think about taking the SATs by
September 2009. There are other viable alternatives: you could study
for a couple of years in India and still apply to complete your
undergraduate degree in the US. If you are more inclined to apply to
US colleges at the graduate level, that makes sense too.

If you think this idea is too crazy, too rushed, I can forward any in-
depth questions to people who have had first-hand experience in this
matter.

For example, M., one of the volunteers with Teach in India, went to
school in Mussoorie, got her undergraduate degree in the US at Oberlin
College, a small private liberal-arts school, and is now a PhD student
in chemistry at Columbia University. A., another volunteer, went to
school in Chennai, got an undergraduate degree at Wellesley; she
subsequently returned to India, worked in a textile company and
subsequently got an MBA from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.
My friend, P.J., attended school in Mumbai, joined St. Xavier's
College, Bombay for a BSc in Life Science, moved to the US after two
years and completed his undergraduate degree in neuroscience at
Rutgers; he went on to do a PhD at the University of Rochester and is
now doing a post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford University.

They will be able to answer in great detail over the next couple of
months (as and when their busy schedule permits) about the pros and
cons of doing an undergraduate program in the US.

I am of course always available to answer any general questions that
your parents might have, and to give you general tips on writing.

Regards,
Vijay


LINKS:

Wiki entry on the SATs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAT

The financial aid scene for the current cycle, 2009-10:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/education/08yield.html?hp


Wiki entry on college admissions in the US:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_admissions_in_the_United_States

(These links are only meant as a starting point.)