- This is actually a really popular option though, because as I understand it there is no tuition, even for foreigners.
- Basically, you need to be able to get into about a 100th ranked US college based on academics and speak perfect German
- It is sort of what you would expect, very rigorous.
- Need perfect German, close to a year of study after German AP exam.
- You need high scores on AP exams related to whatever you want to study.
- The links discuss procedures for getting visas and so on.
- It is similar to the UK in that they want AP exams.
- You study one thing, whatever the program you are accepted in, as with most universities outside the US.
- A lot of people fail, and there are no support services.
- I went to Johns Hopkins, which is modeled on Heidelberg.
- Back then you went to Germany for a PhD and German schools were the model
- Hopkins has some similar characteristics, lack of support, less emphasis of student life, very rigorous.
- Although not ranked as high as top US universities today based on faculty research etc., Germany has excellent universities
- There are several other countries with free or cheap tuition
- Germany is a popular destination partly for the quality of its universities.
- Although it is rigorous, I am not sure if any of the schools are as competitive as top 30 US schools, certainly not MIT or Caltech.
https://eduadvisor.my/articles/7-reasons-why-studying-germany-destroy-your-life/ A humorous Malaysian point of view
https://www.studying-in-germany.org/how-to-study-in-germany/
https://www.dw.com/en/10-things-to-know-before-studying-in-germany/a-18210563
Additional Information on Studying in Germany
Studying in Germany has the obvious advantages of no tuition (yes, free tuition, even for internationals) and being part of a very rigorous and historical set of universities. German universities are among the oldest and most well established in the world, with Heidelberg University and the Humboldt University in Berlin, among others, being extremely strong. Most prestigious U.S universities are modeled, at least in part, on the German model. Moreover, Germany has a vibrant industrial-based economy and is at the leading edge of manufacturing technology and competitiveness in Europe and in the world. Indeed, there was a point in time where if you even wanted to learn look at any type of chemistry or chemical engineering, you had to know German. There are a few important things to mention, however. Firstly, German schools are naturally taught auf Deutsch (in German), and although most Germans (especially in the cities) have decent grasp of English, knowing the native language is especially helpful for getting around town. Not only that, the German needed in school is of course more technical and academic-focused than the German used for day-to-day life. So not only must you be fluent in German, you also need to be fluent in academic German to ensure you keep up. It is possible for some free studying in Germany in English, but it is not the norm.When considering studying in Germany vs US, another important caveat is that although tuition is free, international students will have to pay the student fee (average $250-$750), the cost of a visa (average about $75), as well as the costs of moving internationally, and other sundry expenses (. So yes, tuition free studying is possible in Germany for international students and Americans, but financial support otherwise is limited. The average living costs in Germany are about 11,800 USD, per year and average monthly costs according to the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) for students total about $880 per month. Not bad, all things considered, but not completely free.
It should also be mentioned that the German educational tertiary education system (German colleges) is designed specifically for students who have been trained to continue their education in college at specialty high-schools called a Gymnasium. College is not seen as a requirement, like in the United States, so only the most motivated students – students with the equivalent of a serious commitment to AP learning in the United States, or the full International Bachelorette (IB) program.
German universities place a lot of emphasis on specialization, meaning you will usually study what you are accepted in, with little opportunity to change course. German universities also put a lot of emphasis on self-study and provide little structure outside of that which students provide for themselves. It’s possible for students to not even have real classes per se, but rather just be expected to self-study for an exam at the end of the semester.
