International transfer student seeking advice

intltransfer
Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:03:50 +0000

I’m a sophomore at the National University of Singapore majoring in Computer Engineering (ECE). For various reasons, academic and other, I’m interested in applying as a transfer student to universities in the US. I’d appreciate any help I can get regarding the following issues:

1) How well is NUS regarded by universities there? How does applying from a university abroad position me against transfer applicants from colleges within the US?

2) Getting a 4.0 GPA isn’t as common here (I don’t know anyone with one), and they calculate it on a scale of 5.0 here. So with a 4.2 (on 5), where exactly do I stand? (It seems to be above average here, but then the average student here is pretty smart.)

3) Are my SAT scores still valid? I sat for them about 3 years ago.

4) I don’t want to make the mistake of choosing somewhere on the basis of US News rankings again, so I’m wondering if someone can recommend some universities. I want to go somewhere with good academics, but more importantly a flexible curriculum (which is very lacking here). I’m not all that much into engineering, and I’d really like to do courses in other disciplines along with my major in Comp Engin.

(I don’t expect any fin aid)

Thanks to anyone who can help out!