A question on US admissions

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey there.
I’ve got another question. =/</p>

<p>I’m an Indian student and I’m gonna apply for the SIA Youth Scholarship 2009. With that scholarship a few students from India go to Singapore for a 2 year pre-university score and graduate with the GCE ‘A’ level.</p>

<p>I want to apply to US universities for my undergrad, and I want to know if studying in Singapore increases or diminishes my chances of being admitted into US colleges?</p>

<p>Singapore will definitely give me better ECs, facilities and opportunities in research. But compared to India, Singapore has sooo many applicants that if a college looks for geographical diversity I’ll be lost in the crowd. =(</p>

<p>So what do you think? Studying in India? Or Singapore?</p>

2

<p>Whichever YOU want more.</p>

3

<p>Well, I want Singapore, obviously. But I wouldn’t want to go there if it affected my chances of getting accepted to a US university. Because that’s what I want MOST.</p>

4

<p>If you’re good, you’re good. there’s no grey here, only a black and white. If you think you can manage to make yourself a competitive candidate in Singapore where you’ll have a ton of resources at your disposal, by all means go for it. However, it’s not like the SIA scholarship is very easy to get…</p>

5

<p>I know it’s not easy. I never said that. But I’d rather not apply if it’s not worth it… </p>

<p>“But, if you are serious about this option, then we must let you know that chances of being accepted by a US/UK university is much higher if you are an applicant from India than from Singapore. This is because a lot more students from Singapore apply for overseas universities than from India. And, a lot of US\UK universities are looking to broaden the diversity and geographic representation on the campuses at the undergraduate level. So, an Indian student (one who completes grade 12th from India) stands a better chance at gaining admission to a US/UK school than a Singaporean candidate (including Indian students who complete grade 12th from Singapore).”
^ from [Singapore</a> Airlines (SIA) Youth Scholarship](<a href=“http://www.siascholarship.com%5DSingapore”>http://www.siascholarship.com)</p>

6

<p>It all depends on how you use the resources around you. A Singaporean student who does nothing but school clubs will definitely be a less attractive candidate than an Indian who strives to stand out and does something like start an NGO (just speculating).</p>

7

<p>Hmmm?? I always thought there are more applicants from India (number-wise, not percentage-wise) than Singapore…</p>

8

<p>Start an NGO? Wow. Is that even legal?
Anyway, my ECs before 10th are zero, so I doubt I’ll be shortlisted for the test.</p>

9

<p>i think going to singapore will be better :D</p>

10

<p>Thanks. I think that is the better option. Of course, getting scholarship is the poison dart hidden in the raisin tart.</p>

11

<p>Lol. Personally I think Singapore provides the avenue for growth that you might not find back home. Had I stayed, could I still have been admitted to the great schools I applied to? Honestly, no, at least for me. For example, going to Singapore has given me an experience which gave me an idea for an amazing topic for essay (which I think is the main reason why I got in). </p>

<p>I am a scholar too btw.</p>

12

<p>Wow. I’ve got loads of questions about the scholarship… Could I PM them to you?</p>

13

<p>SIA scholarship… Does that have bonds like all the other scholarships in Singapore? </p>

<p>Anyway, I do think it is easier to obtain a better portfolio here in Singapore. There’re simply more opportunities available. There again, you will have to really stretch yourself and use those opportunities to your fullest advantage. But, Singaporeans will enjoy those opportunities too. So will the other foreign scholars here. </p>

<p>Whichever case, all of us fall into the international applicant pools regardless of where we are from. I do think ethnicity matters more than geographical boundaries.</p>

14

<p>From [Ministry</a> of Education, Singapore: SIA Youth Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/scholarships/sia/]Ministry”>http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/scholarships/sia/) Terms and Conditions:</p>

<h1>There is no bond attached to the scholarship</h1>

15

<p>well, let me tell you why i recommend the SIA scholarship:

  1. to the US admission officers, you are seen as stretching yourself academically, to the extent of going overseas for education.
  2. at the same time, you will probably gain and learn in other areas, such as interacting with ppl from different parts of the world (like sporean chinese, malays, indians etc, along with prchinese, vietnamese scholars etc) and learning to live independently. even if it’s not for the sake of US admission, those will develop you as a person tremendously
  3. also, as many have mentioned, you will be exposed to myriad opportunities in spore. spore’s a pretty meritocratic and nationality-blind place, so as scholars you get most opportunities that the locals get, including exciting learning journeys, community projects, industry attachments etc etc etc.
  4. even if you don’t get into your desired US schools, you stand a better chance at entering the sporean universities, which are frankly quite good, and probably better than a large proportions of indian (and dare i say american) universities. </p>

<p>please note that i am not the most ardent supporter of the singaporean education system, but i have the feeling that you are looking at a great opportunitity that you should not give up on. </p>

<p>just my two cents.</p>

16

<p>I’ll definitely give it a shot then. =D
Though I’d have to demote myself to the class of '15. =(</p>

17

<p>blue_box, I’m not SIA scholar, I’m an ASEAN Scholar… 4 years in Singapore and not 2. I don’t know whether I can still answer all your questions. But anw, fire away, you can PM me.</p>