Singaporean connection

Brooke79 · July 19, 2009, 10:55am

Hi!
I’m currently a Year One student in TJC.I’m looking to further my studies in either the US or the UK after my A levels.

Here’s an introduction:

O level:8 distinctions-6 points (6A1s and 2A2s)-English,A Math,E Math,Chemistry,Biology,CH(SS+History),Physics,Mother Tongue(NTIL)

Member of the Drama Club in Secondary School.Performed in many plays and achieved a Gold in the SYF.

Did 129 hours of CIP in Secondary School.(Does this matter?)

Currently, I’m taking Biology,Chemistry,Mathematics and Economics(H2) and GP,PW and Mother Tongue (H1).

I’m a member of my school’s Debate Club and I’ve already represented the school at numerous debate and oratorical competitions,through the year.In addition, I’ve been elected the Vice-President of my school’s Indian Cultural Society.I’m going to embark on some volunteer work soon!

I will be taking my SAT 1 at the end of this year and SAT 2 maybe in the middle of next year.

I’m interested in pursuing Chemistry in University.

So,i was wondering, what ECs can I possibly undertake to make me a better potential candidate for universities?

I know the generic things like olympaids but I didn’t qualify for the Chemistry one this year.(Based on CTs,my school picked the top 30 students but I was in the top 60 instead.)

I’m trying for other olympaids too,such as Biology which I also have a keen interest in.Hopefully that works out.

But,in addition to that,what other things can I undertake to increase my chances?Maybe internships?

I’m looking at universities such as Cornell(I really wanna go there!),UCB,UCLA.
and as for the UK I’m looking at King’s College and Imperial.

Are these out of my reach?

In addition,I’m hoping to secure a scholarship by MOE.

Pls let me know all you’re opinions on the above-mentioned questions!

Sorry for the lengthy post.Just that I visited the University Seminar today and I’m a little anxious about University applications now!

Agneisse · July 19, 2009, 11:47am

Brooke79 - internships or H3 would help, especially for UCB as Chem admissions take interest/preparation in the major into account. Be active in going to competitions for debate or Indian cultural stuff and be active in class (speak up, do well on tests, be helpful, do homework etc.) to have a good rec. I think you have a good chance. In the UK they care about Personal Statement (“how do you know you want to study this” - reading books, internships, work experience etc.), rec and A Level predictions/grades (no dramatic essays on saving the world a la USA), so chem-related stuff would boost your chances too.

Sputnik: If you will enter uni in 2012 or later (i.e. if you’re male), you’re good because then the admissions formula will be skewed to put more weight on SAT I than SAT II. Right now the formula places more weight on SAT IIs and if you can do better + afford it I don’t see why it’ll hurt (I got 790/730 and got in). Oh they value school grades too so I suppose the SG equivalent is good A Level predictions.

kwaldner · July 20, 2009, 12:21am

regarding the common app, do we have to attach supporting evidence (ex. certified photocopies) to show that we have indeed attained those awards?

sputnikmuffin · July 20, 2009, 2:39am

Argh, I’m a girl so I’m applying for fall 2010. And I did quite badly for my promo exams in J1 (BBBU) so I guess I’m banking a lot on my prelims.

Thanks a lot!

yourxlover · July 20, 2009, 8:48am

Actually I don’t know how much SAT I matters.

I’ve pretty much given up on taking it again cos it’d be the THIRD TIME. I’m taking the ACT with writing instead… and I’m lazy to take the SAT II cos the ACT+writing replaces SAT I and SAT II.

I got 2080. Was hoping to get into Berkeley.

Anyway I met the USEIC (US Education Information Centre, I think) woman the other day in school, she said anything above 2000 was fine? But honestly though… not very sure.

morsmordre_1 · July 20, 2009, 2:53pm

rosewatercake, u might want to look at community colleges if u havent already considered them. they typically offer 2 year courses after which u can transfer into a 4 year college and graduate with a bachelor’s in another 2 years plus. they’re also a much cheaper option

Agneisse · July 20, 2009, 3:34pm

kwaldner: I didn’t, most people I know didn’t (I go to a US high school) unless the school explicitly wanted the certificates or something. Rarely the unis may want proof, in which case they will contact you and you will photocopy and send them over.

rosewatercake: Could you sit A Levels as a private candidate? (I know nothing about SG A Levels + SG uni admissions) Or if you’re looking towards the US, consider community colleges? Many states’ CCs have guaranteed transfers to the state flagships as long as you get a certain GPA and follow a prescribed course list in CC. One such state is Virginia, and UVA (our state flagship) is very good. Or you could look into Australia (I think you can take one year of foundation course after O Levels and go to uni after that).

frankchn · July 20, 2009, 10:57pm

It depends on the school you are aiming for. For Ivies, 2000 does seem a bit low - I think 2200 will be a safer mark.

1234d · July 21, 2009, 8:00am

i don’t think it’s a good idea to send in photocopies of certificates. those schools trust that you’re providing the right information and should they really be suspicious, they can always ask you to send the photocopies or do a simple check with your school.

yourxlover · July 21, 2009, 8:53am

As over asked as this question may be,

WHAT EXACTLY DO THE IVIES LOOK OUT FOR?

I know (for certain.) they look for people with the ‘X Factor’; it’d be great if the have found the cure to cancer, or something. Most people that I know who got accepted into these ivies are brilliant, but what about those that you know are relatively intelligent, come from a highly rigourous school system (this one bothers me the most, because i’m ranked nearly the bottom of my class but my class is made out of the very best in the level), haven’t cured cancer, but are just ordinary?

frankchn · July 21, 2009, 9:22am

They are looking out for people who will most probably do well when they graduate from university - your government, research and industry leaders 20 or 30 years down the road.

1234d · July 22, 2009, 7:15am

conflicting description? i’m sure being relatively intelligent is a given; but basically those schools have to find it worthwhile to expend their resources on you.

QuandVousCroyez · July 24, 2009, 9:45am

What about University Of Toronto? Can someone give me advice on how to prepare, what tests to take (other than A Levels), where can I find financial aid, how difficult is it to get in, how to maximise chances of getting in, etc.?

frankchn · July 24, 2009, 9:47am

They are losing money for each undergraduate student they take in - even if you pay full fees.

hbrad8002 · July 24, 2009, 10:44am

yea, does anyone know the process of applying to canada?
when? what requirements?

Agneisse · July 24, 2009, 11:27am

Toronto states their deadline is March 15 ([UT-Undergraduate</a> Admissions](<a href=“http://www.adm.utoronto.ca/adm/adm_other_req/adm_105.htm]UT-Undergraduate”>http://www.adm.utoronto.ca/adm/adm_other_req/adm_105.htm)) and they want 3 non-KI H2s relevant to your intended course. It doesn’t seem to be that bad since for IB, “competitive courses require […] as much as 35 points” which isn’t that high.

Financial aid, as with most government-funded institutions, seems harder to come by ([UT</a> - Student Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.utaps.utoronto.ca//fa/international.htm]UT”>http://www.utaps.utoronto.ca//fa/international.htm)), but Canada’s cheaper than many US schools pre-FA, and it doesn’t seem too hard to stay in Canada after graduation from a Canadian university (compared to the US, anyway), if that’s what you’re after (also taking earning potential of CA v. SG into account).

petrina_678 · July 25, 2009, 4:45am

Hi all!! I have not posted in a few months.

I have great news! today i went to the ACS International open house, I submitted my application , AND was OFFERED A PLACE!!

I get to do IB!!!

yesss!!! YES! :D

However I am enrolled in LaSalle Currently , courses start next week. I’ll still go and experience it, but Im pretty sure i’ll drop out in december to attend ACS international.

YAY!!!

Nadash · July 25, 2009, 9:34am

Congratulations! Have fun and don’t stress yourself too much.

Hermann · July 25, 2009, 12:26pm

^
haha…how is it even possible to have fun on IB? its meant to kill you or at least kill you the moment you make one wrong step! lols…

Agneisse · July 25, 2009, 2:18pm

^ The alternative is A Levels, which isn’t exactly renowned to be particularly fun either…Besides, once you figure out your teacher’s policies you can slack off every now and then on the minor stuff.

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