Straylight wrote:I'll be aiming to study an undergrad degree in nanotechnology.
To be honest, I have never heard of a "nanotechnology degree," but I have heard of engineers and scientists whose specialization is nanotechnology. So my question is in what position do intend to pursue this area of study (engineer, scientist, etc.)? Also, I do not look into nanotechnology that often, but my understanding is that this technology is still primarily in the research phase. So, if that is the case, it would be wise to go to a school with a good research program in this area.
Straylight wrote:I have fairly average A-level (UK pre-university) grades in biology, chemistry and physics. (I could have done better but I was a slacker back then)
I am assuming the following with that statement: "pre-university" is college prepartory courses like the AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Baccalaureate), "A-level" meaning you mainly get A's. If that is the case, I think you are on solid ground with your grades when you fill out your application.
Straylight wrote:My question is, what are the academic entry requirements like in American universities? A few people told me that you can just take a SAT test which analyses your verbal reasoning and math skills. If you pass, you get in, and if you get a high score you become eligible for scholorship grants. Is this true?
Academic entry requirements is dependent on which school you apply and which major you want to enter in that school. So you are going to have to look at their websites and they should tell you.
As for standardized testing, the SAT is the most popular and famous standardized test, but it usually does not stop there (especially for you since you want to go to a nanotechnology program). You will also probably have to take the SAT II (yes, "two") in the Math and various science areas. These scores will be asked for with your application. My opinion about standardized tests is that if you do fairly/really well on them, then they do not mean much. However, if you do mediocre/poorly on them, then you probably dug yourself a deep hole. (In other words, they can guarantee that you will not go somewhere, but they do not guarantee if you got in somewhere.) You can always try these tests again, and they will only report your best scores. So there is no worry if you give yourself enough time. For more information on the standardized tests like SAT, you should go to
http://www.ets.org/ since they administrate the test.
In addition to these tests, you will usually need three letters of recommendation from three of your former teachers and you will have to write some type of essay (to a usually vague question). I think these letters, your essay, and your grades are far more important in your admission chances than your SAT scores (but you still have to do well on the SAT).
Straylight wrote:Funding is out of the equation for now, I'm just trying to figure out feasibility from an academic standpoint.
Actually, funding is probably the biggest part of the equation, but okay, I will leave that alone... somewhat. As for scholarships, they are usually not just tied to your standardized test scores. They are similar to your admissions applications.... I think someone else has posted a website pointing to quite a few.
Since you would be a foreign student, there might be some other requirements for you. However, I cannot state what they are. I believe Mave is a foreign student in the U.S., and if that is the case, she should be able to give you more information on that aspect.
Straylight wrote:Over here credits are a measure of how much you've achieved in a degree, and aren't used for any pre-college education. Do you earn credits before you go to college in America?
When you are talking about credits, do you mean pre-university education, degree level education or a bit of both?
Usually, if you have high AP or IB tests, a school might go ahead and grant you credits for their course that already covers that area. For example, if you score high on the AP Calculus exam, a school will most likely already give you credit for their Calculus course (which counts toward completing your degree). I earned about a semester's worth of credits at Georgia Tech with my AP and IB scores. If you took college courses (at a college) in your pre-university curriculum, a school might grant you credits for their equivalent courses (nothing is guaranteed though).
However, Straylight, do not even let this affect your decision on which school to go to. Treat this as purely "icing on the cake," if you are serious about your nanotechnology education.
Straylight wrote:I personally like the idea of a SAT test, I tend to be quite good in exams. It would also remove the uncertainty about whether my current qualifications can get me in or not... UK qualification conversions could get quite complicated.
You have to do well on the SAT, but everything else counts more, in my opinion, just like I stated previously.
Straylight wrote:Thanks
No problem. If you want to pursue nanotechnology from an electrical engineering perspective, I can give you a list of schools here with top electrical engineering programs, and then you can research on their nanotechnology programs.
Hope that gave you some insight.
