I've also heard from local Pakistani students that AKU is extremely difficult to get into, however I was wondering if getting into AKU as a foreigner was any easier. I am an American high school graduate, applying directly to Pakistani Medical Schools. I did well on my SAT II tests with
math:800
Bio:710
Chem: 750
SAT I is not so good with 1930, but I can retake it in December and score 2150+
my gpa is about 3.5 but I'm sure with hard work I can improve that if necessary. Do you guys think it is impossible for me to get into AKU?
Hey!
Before I say anything about your scores, let's get one thing straight: It's not easy for anyone, foreign or local. Obviously, there are fewer international applicants than local applicants, each year. But that doesn't mean the foreign seats are any less competitive. So no score/grade/GPA is high enough when you don't know what they've set the threshold as. If you have an opportunity to raise your scores, by all means avail it.
That been said, I think your scores are solid [but like I said, nobody can tell you if they're enough]. I did my CIE A levels [British Curriculum] but had to sit the SATs to meet AKU's requirements. I got 750, 780 and 800 in Bio, Phy and Chem respectively in the subject tests. I got a 2060 on my SAT. Their requirement is 1800 but the cut-off is usually higher depending on how competitive the scores are. Last year it was 1900. So it's very much possible for you to get into AKU with your present grades but you should work to improve them before you actually apply because you never know. I know a kid with a 800-800-790 SAT subject test score and a 1900ish SAT score who got rejected last year. Think of it like this: There's just one place left. There's another applicant who has a CV very similar to yours except he has a slightly better SAT score than you, say a 2200. They may just end up picking him instead of you because of that. Know what I mean?
One more thing: If you can, do the Physics subject test as well. It's not necessary as long as you've done Math but it may cause you trouble. There's a special thing you have to apply for if you've done math and the process for it is quite inconvenient. In case I've missed anything, you should go through their latest prospectus:
http://www.aku.edu/admissions/registraroffice/Documents/Programme Information Booklet-MBBS2013.pdf
At this point I should also mention that grades are not the only thing that matter. AKU is on the look-out for 'all-rounders'. You should be active in extra-curriculars and non-academic activities as well. Essentially, keep away from the book-worm personality. A lot of people think extra-curriculars are just sports but they're not (though sports would definitely be one of the best extra-curriculars). They're looking for talented children who have a genuine interest in society and its problems. So spend your free time volunteering and gaining work experience. I'll go as far as to say it's absolutely necessary, you will be rejected without it.
Finally there's the interview which is a major part of the selection process. You need to impress the interviewers. You can find more help on that once you get to that stage but it's important that you know that is does count... a lot.
Good luck!
(PS: Got into AKU this year Alhumdulillah! Waiting for classes to commence.)
