Expert: Bruce - 3/9/2007

Question
  i am 20 years old and currently 2nd year University student in Ethiopia. i had recently had taken TOEFL. i don't know my results yet but i will bounce between 550 to 600. i have no intention on taking SAT. i am looking for a college or University in USA that will accept me without asking SAT scores. Are there any?  i also have a G.P.A of 3.8. i am not asking for transfer but want to enroll as undergraduate student. i wish to study Architecture.
     i am also looking for scholarship. i do not think that i would get a scholarship with my TOEFL score, but i have heard that if you become an outstanding student in your first semester you could ask a transfer for another  University that could give you scholarship. is this true? if then what kind of scholarship could you get? last but not  least are there any special requirements for students who are applying to become an architecture? if there what are they?  

Answer
Abiy,

I don't know a lot about architecture schools, but I can offer some general advice for you.

It's possible that you will not need to take an SAT, since you have college credit behind you already, and have done well. Your grades and TOEFL score together will provide an indication of your scholastic orientation.

If you are in year two already, you should look now for a college to enter in the US as a transfer student, so you can go for 2 years (maybe a bit more) for your architecture degree.

Based on your GPA, scholarships are possible, but if you need full funding, that may be hard to find. You should do some figuring as to how much you can provide through your own and family resources. That will be important for colleges to know, and for the Visa process.

The scholarships you are looking at would come primarily from the college you'll attend.

For architecture, you should show particular aptitude in math. Any courses you have in art, drawing and drafting would help from a practical point of view. And since building design work uses computers a lot these days, you should show thta you are comfortable using a computer (or have the aptitude to become so).

I hope this helps. Good luck, Abiy.

Bruce