How to get into colleges abroad?

[jobsism]

I'm a guy studying in the 12th grade(that's equivalent to final high school year) in India...I'm really interested in studying abroad as I intend to take up research in physics...I've heard of MIT, Harvard and Stanford universities, but I've no idea of how to get into one...can anyone please tell me the eligibility criteria, along with the steps to get into them?

Also, I'm a bit conscious about the cost factor(I've heard that studying abroad can be quite expensive)...so if anyone could tell me abt any scholarship exams being offered, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!:D

 

[QuarkCharmer]

I honestly don't know much about this whole process. I do know that it costs more for international students, but I am not sure how they typically cope with that financially, if there are special programs or whatever?

I do know that our government has a special website set up for answering questions just like this, as well as counselors/advisors who are educated on this process. Maybe that would help you find the right direction.

http://educationusa.state.gov/

I am sure that other PF'ers could be more specific.

Here is the specific manual for undergrad (how to apply and other stuff) from that site in english (they have many other languages)
http://www.educationusa.info/files/15ddad5d-ece1-4843-f858-23eb5e697340/IYWTS_Bk1_2010.pdf

 

[Schrodu]

I'm a guy studying in the 12th grade(that's equivalent to final high school year) in India...I'm really interested in studying abroad as I intend to take up research in physics...I've heard of MIT, Harvard and Stanford universities, but I've no idea of how to get into one...can anyone please tell me the eligibility criteria, along with the steps to get into them?

Also, I'm a bit conscious about the cost factor(I've heard that studying abroad can be quite expensive)...so if anyone could tell me abt any scholarship exams being offered, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!:D

Admission at the undergraduate level is determined on basis of several factors such as school marks, SAT scores, admission essays, reco letters and extra-curriculars. That said, all the places you mentioned are extremely competitive to get into.

Financial aid for international students is very very limited. There are maybe ~20 US univs which offer aid at all (~7 of them - MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Dartmouth, Williams are so-called "need blind" for internationals). Without any financial aid, you'll be spending around US$50,000 (INR 25,00,000)/year.

Overall, I estimate < 10 Indian students go to US universities for undergrad with full financial aid every year.