How do I get into an American University with a 3 year undergraduate degree?

Question

I am a 3rd (final) year BSc Biotechnology student in India, and I'm interested in getting into an American University for my MSc in Biotech ---- (for Fall 2007). Most of the universities have a prerequisite sayin I need a 4 year degree, (which, in my opinion, stinks!)..... So, I just wanted to know if there were ANY universities that let students like me in, and if there are, can someone pleeeeeeeeeeeease temme which ones they are?!!!!!!! I've done loads of searches on Google and everything, but I couldnt find much information. So, if you could tell me, I'd reeeally appreciate it....

Answer 1

Can I suggest that you look at degrees in the UK? A US degree isn't regarded as much of an achievement outside the US.

Answer 2

I am not certain how most of the people replying to your posting acquired the feeling that American four year degrees lack merit. The truth is that few other schools in the world can compete with the type of education that Americans receive at their top schools.

I have attended UC Berkeley and St. Stephens/Delhi University. The top American schools have numbers of Nobel laureate professors that surpass any given nation and they also attract world renown faculty, because American schools pay well. Alas, there is a brain drain to the US in the education field.

Sure a four year degree from lesser US Universities generally do not have the academic vigor of Harvard, Stanford, or Berkeley. However, the lesser schools do follow the model of the top schools.

I suggest that if you wish to attend graduate school in the US, that you first find out which Universities have the best programs in your field of interest and then contact their individual departments about international admissions. Do initial research using the PrincetonReview.com to research the programs and schools and look at the international admissions web links.

I know many international students studying at top US schools and they all feel that it is the best choice.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

Go to the source, meaning contact the US university of your choice and ask about their requirements or exceptions for students from India. Some universities have special programs in place where you could complete extra undergraduate credits while attending graduate courses. Others will grant you conditional acceptance as a graduate student. In the end, this really depends on the university where you wish to apply, so contact their graduate admissions office and get some answers.

Answer 4

Have you checked the information for international students? American degrees are usually 4 years, what they are actually saying is you need to have done more than the basic 2 year college education.

I'd be suprised if your 3 year degree isn't equivelant.

Answer 5

American degrees are not regarded as parrticularly valid, especially the ones from the Southern States. They are viewed with suspicion in the world community.

You'd be better gaining admittance to a European University, if at all possible.

Answer 6

I think this might help u.

Universities in the US have started accepting three-year bachelor’s degrees for admission to their graduates that straightaway opens the doors of higher studies in American varsities to a massive Indian pool of three-year BA, BCom, BSc

Until now, the US accepted students in its graduate schools only after they had completed16 years of formal education (12 plus that Indian students were required to study for another year their graduation before they could sit for GRE or GMAT for e universities.

The US acceptance of 15 years of formal education follows a European decision to harmonise the degree structure under the to award a bachelor’s degree in three years rather than four that’s been the norm in US.

The new structure takes its name from the Bologna Declaration of 1999, when 29 countries resolved to create a European High Area by 2010. The Bologna Process has since grown to include 45 countries, virtually forcing the US to acknowledge the India, too. Becomes a beneficiary of this change.

Earlier, the only exceptions to the 16-year norm were very bright students who would be given a waiver by grad schools to join extra credits. Engineering degree holders faced no problems since theirs was a four-year degree.

There was relief among aspiring US-geors. “Now, I can concentrate on my graduation as I do not have to spend an extra year graduation, which would ultimately be no help, “ said Jaita Das, an English literature student of Delhi’s Kirori Mal College, who Harvard.

“Earlier, only students with outstanding academic record used to get a year waived. This would be an opportunity for all Indian their dreams immediately after they pass out of college and not waste a year. It will double the number of applicants, “ said AS Sri. Venkateswara College, Delhi University.

Anecdotal evidence also suggest that US institutions are now beginning to recognize Indian degrees as equivalent to America Gurukar who has a BA, MA and MPhil form Karnataka University in Dharwar, recently had her degrees evaluated by the Wo Service (WES). Her BA, and MA were certified equivalent to similar US degrees, while her MPhil was considered equivalent to American advanced graduate studies.

A recent study by the Council of Graduates Schools (CGS) says: Evaluating applications to US graduate schools from international bachelors degrees earned in three years has become a less controversial issue on US campuses.”

Answer 7

go for us ,there are universities in us for u but better meet a counsellor