<p>^
i guess if you’re applying to HYPSM having that D on your scorecard would be quite the blemish on your app. i can’t really give much advice since i’m still waiting for my application results as well. but i applied to some pretty decent public universities with an S for my chinese lol.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Why are you so offended? Is it such an insult to have a China accent? And even… why are you looking down on a China accent?</p>
<p>I don’t see other people being so offended when told they have another accent (I once told an Aussie that he has an Italian accent, he just laughed it off).</p>
<p>I’m a (born-and-bred) Singaporean and I’ve been told by other Singaporeans (and non-Singaporeans) that I have a Malaysian/HK/PRC accent. Ok lor… big deal? I don’t give a damn.</p>
<p>Hi! I’m Singaporean who grew up in North America (lost my sg accent though ^^"). mamaroneck is right in the second paragraph. People here don’t differentiate between people who look East Asian. For them Asian = Mainland Chinese and they think we all fit into the Mainland Chinese stereotype. However, some make an exception to Japanese people…not sure why ._.</p>
<p>Hey guys, I’m hoping that you can really help me out here.</p>
<p>So the A level results were recently released and I did really badly, got CCD/D and A for GP and PW. I think that with these kinda results my chances of entering a local u is going to be really slim, unless I go through the whole appealing process and stuff like that. I think FASS is out of the question, but I will be applying to NTU Linguistics and Sociology.</p>
<p>I also applied to a bunch of US unis last year (no brand names, the most recognisable would be Boston University) and I’ve already been accepted into the U of Oregon and waitlisted at UCONN (which I’m hoping for, because I think my chances of getting to BU with such A level results is really low).</p>
<p>My problem now is that my parents want me to attend a local U, while I really want to go to the US. One of the main reasons why I want to attend a US uni is because I have no idea what I want to study yet, and the impression that I have of US unis is that they are much more supportive of ‘undecided’ freshmen compared to Singapore unis (lots of advising, UofO even sent my parents a letter assuring them that it was okay for me to go in undecided). So assuming that I get accepted into NTU, which one should I attend? I know NTU is probably much more well-known compared to the universities I’ve applied to and also higher in the world rankings, which I guess might be more favourable in my employer’s eyes? But I’ve also heard that local u is just a bigger jc (which I absolutely loathed) and that the US system is a lot more flexible and encourages learning and passion, which is another thing that really attracted me. School fees will not be a problem for my family.</p>
<p>Please help! Like maybe those of you living in the US could tell me what the system is like, or Singaporeans studying can tell me how different it is. I think ultimately the decision on where I go is up to me, but I’d really like to have lots of information so I can convince my parents that I’m making the correct choice and that they’re not wasting their money (:</p>
<p>Thanks!!;D</p>
<p>Guys I’d really appreciate if you could give me a realistic chance at Princeton, Caltech, UC Berkeley or Cornell. Thanks</p>
<p>Hey anyone from Williams here? I’m a J2 currently. I’m deciding if I should apply early or not.</p>
<p>@littus</p>
<p>going to college undecided is a waste of money in my opinion.</p>
<p>yes, US unis are more accepting of undeclared majors… but if you’re going to a really good school, then you’ll have no chance in hell of getting into the good programs (typically engineering / business) because those departments are filled with too many people, all of whom are phenomenal students. you’ll end up wasting money for four years studying a joke major.</p>
<p>really, decide what you want to do first. people have trouble completing engineering programs at UC Berkeley in four years. if you go in undeclared you might as well be wasting your first 1-2 years goofing off.</p>
<p>@dustinthewind</p>
<p>US unis are designed such that you only declare your major at the end of Year 2 (sophomore yr in the US context). Therefore the majority of the students goes in undeclared. This of course does not take into account special programs offered at places such as UPenn (eg. Huntsman if I’m not wrong). The rationale behind this Liberal Arts system stems from the idea that at the age of 18, students are allowed to experiment and explore what is really fascinating for them. Hence, although matriculating with an idea of what you are going to do will prevent you from ‘goofing off’ 1-2 years, it may leave out potential possibilities that truly appeal to one’s interest. </p>
<p>Correct me if I’m wrong but you seem to come from the viewpoint that the ultimate goal, or one of the ultimate goals for a good college education is a promise of a good job prospect. You are indeed correct. However, US uni offer much more than that. Furthermore, a good school already provides excellent alumni network for career support. Therefore the difference between a good program (eg. Wharton from UPenn) or other ‘joke major’ are somewhat diminished. Even if the job prospect looks grim, there is always graduate school.</p>
<p>Regarding the issue of ‘unable to complete a particular program in a particular uni’, that is exactly the argument to support my stand. There are mainly 2 reasons for this occurrence, lack of the academic ability or the loss of passion. If the first case is true, then there are indeed numerous supports offered by both the uni department or the student self-help groups (at least in where I’m going this fall). Then again as you have said, those people that are there are all brilliant minds so the lack of academic rigor seem improbable at best. If the second option is true, then that may mean the student has not thought through about major selection before the declaration deadline. This is exactly what the Liberal Arts system is trying to prevent. Ample time and opportunities exist just to help the students to make this crucial decision because all parties involved, be it parents, students, professors or even scholarship sponsors know that it is THE decision that matters.</p>
<p>Just my $0.02. Pardon the grammar/spelling error please.</p>
<p>It’s nice to know what you really want before you step into college, but many people do not. I prefer the US system because it allows people to discover their true passion instead of choosing a random major and sticking with it for 4 years. Of course some people end up never finding it, but that’s not the fault of the system.</p>
<p>agree with both posts above.</p>
<p>mrbasil – it isn’t true that colleges only let you declare your major at the end of year 2. there are three different systems at work depending on what school you go to</p>
<ol>
<li>go in undeclared, declare later.</li>
<li>declare your department, qualify for your major at the end of yr 2 (UW Eng is like this. sometimes the requirements are so tough that you don’t qualify for your major even though you got into the school two years ago.)</li>
<li>declare and admitted into major when applying (and in the case of an impacted major, you won’t be able to transfer in later if you were accepted undeclared. This is the case for UIUC engineering/business)</li>
</ol>
<p>if you’re going to a brand name school for one of their best departments, be prepared to declare your major when you apply as it can be very difficult or even impossible to transfer in later. this is to deter students who apply undeclared to gain “backdoor” entry to a prestigious college’s impacted majors.</p>
<p>@littus, why dont your parents want to send you to the US for college? If it’s due to financial issues, then perhaps you might wanna rethink going to the US (unless you get a scholarship either here or there) as its very expensive and not a very worthwhile investment unless you’re going to a really great school.</p>
<p>I’m pretty similar to you in that I really loathed the JC system here and I’ve heard complaints from my friends that NUS/NTU is more of the same (except for 4 years O.O). I’m also anxiously waiting for my app results so good luck and hope you get things settled!</p>
<p>oregon vs NTU HSS - no brainer. oregon definitely. can’t comment about uconn or boston.</p>
<p>NTU has <5 batches of linguistics/sociology grads - outside of singapore, I doubt people even know NTU has a humanities school. even in singapore it has a reputation of being FASS rejects (harsh, but just look at the cut-off scores). </p>
<p>if you said NUS FASS vs some other US school, maybe I’ll still have a case for NUS FASS. but really, NTU really isn’t known for humanities.</p>
<p>you really do not have to worry about not being able to get your intended major at oregon.</p>
<p>hey guys thanks for all your help!^^</p>
<p>@techtechy, school fees are not a problem for my parents. I did get an out-of-state scholarship at oregon tho, which would help ease the burden a bit? Anw my parents think that if I am able to get into a local u, then maybe I should just stay home instead of flying across the world to attend uni. </p>
<p>@dustinthewind, i’m not completely undecided in what I want to study, it’s more like Im interested in a really wide range of courses from advertising (I think only NTU SOC which is really competitive?) to communication sciences (probably impossible since I didn’t take H2 science) to psychology (popular course so my chances are low w CCD/D), and I think that only a US uni will allow me to try out all of these courses.</p>
<p>@classicjuice, from what I’ve read, boston and uconn > oregon. and yeah I know NTU HSS is relatively unknown…but i’m pretty sure it’s the only local u where I have a chance.</p>
<p>from what you’ve said:
“But I’ve also heard that local u is just a bigger jc”
“it’s more like Im interested in a really wide range of courses”
I think you’re going to be really disappointed with life at NTU. chances are you’ll only be doing undergrad degree once, so might as well make the most out of it and let yourself have the best experience especially since your parents can afford the fees.</p>
<p>tbh the difference btw uconn, oregon, boston isn’t as much as ntu vs us school. boston is better known in singapore for its business school than its humanities. uconn is still rather unknown in singapore. uoregon has a very strong psychology dept.</p>
<p>oregon
- #52 in English
- #36 in Psychology
- #57 in Sociology
- #26 in Clinical Psychology</p>
<p>uconn
- #71 in English
- #50 in Psychology
- #57 in Sociology
- #47 in Clinical Psychology</p>
<p>boston
- #46 in English
- #50 in Psychology
- #57 in Sociology
- #26 in Clinical Psychology </p>
<p>[University</a> of Oregon | Best Social Sciences & Humanities School | US News](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/university-of-oregon-209551]University”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/university-of-oregon-209551)
[University</a> of Connecticut | Best Social Sciences & Humanities School | US News](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/university-of-connecticut-129020]University”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/university-of-connecticut-129020)
[Boston</a> University | Best Social Sciences & Humanities School | US News](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/boston-university-164988]Boston”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/boston-university-164988)</p>
<p>(as usual, take all rankings with a pinch of salt)</p>
<p>i’ll lean towards oregon especially since they’ve offered you an out of state scholarship. but of course, don’t let a scholarship affect your decision too much. you’re making a decision that you’ll have to stick with for 4 years (unless you transfer). some people prefer east coast over west coast schools. some people absolutely hate the weather in new england. each school has its own vibe and culture. what’s your preference? have you had a chance to tour the schools?</p>
<p>@classicjuice</p>
<p>I have visited a couple of US unis, but UCSB is the only one out of all those that I applied to and generally I think I prefer the vibe that schools in the us have. I’m also leaning towards oregon because I have a friend there and she’s told me pretty good stuff about the uni. weather on the west coast is definitely awesome, but i’m pretty alright with all the wind/snow/freezing temperatures in the east coast as well.</p>
<p>Hello guys!</p>
<p>I’ve been reading the past few pages of this thread and I don’t see any mentions about polytechnic applicants to the States. Does anyone know any insights about poly applicants?</p>
<p>I’m a Year 3 local poly student who’s about to graduate soon. Can I use my diploma transcript as an admission document?</p>
<p>yes, but take the SAT or ACT too. most colleges require them. work on your english, thats the part singaporeans tend to struggle with because we don’t natrually use proper grammar in our daily speech.</p>
<p>Hi, new here! currently J2 at VJC. Hope I can make friends with your guys :)</p>
<p>@littus</p>
<p>I went to NUS and from there, I went on exchange to UOregon.</p>
<p>Firstly, local universities are NOT "bigger jc"s. There is no hand-holding in local universities, unlike some JCs, and the workload is much heavier. And you can study what you want, unlike in JC. There’s a big difference, and without attending university, you really won’t have a full impression about what a university is like.</p>
<p>UOregon’s English modules are academically lax. As a Singaporean, I feel this way, and a high-scoring UO year 4 student felt the same way too. It was much more difficult to score well in NUS than in UO in my English modules. In a level-3 (i.e. 3rd years take it) English module I took in UOregon, an examination paper asked us what a novel was. That’s the standard of secondary school examinations in Singapore. </p>
<p>However, the Honors College in UO provides a broad, challenging education, and you should give it a shot. The profs are great. (Similarly, if you get into NTU or NUS, apply to either universities’ USP programmes.) Overall, I think the quality of my education was better in NUS, but I was much happier in UO. I’m applying to grad school in the US because of what I learned from my experiences in UO about how I can improve myself.</p>
<p>However, UO is not a brand name school in Singapore. There were many Singaporeans, particularly from ACS, who attended UO in the 70s and 80s in a wave of Singaporeans, but now the number of Singaporeans in UO can quite possibly be counted on two hands. And most will be NUS exchange students. There’s a sizeable number of Asian students, but the campus is mostly white. I found them to be ignorant about Asian culture, geography and languages, but always respectful.</p>
<p>NTU’s Humanities and Social Science department has a lot of support for students, and does a lot of contemporary research, so don’t write it off too soon. I would have been happier studying in NTU than in NUS. It’s a small faculty, and it seems to me that profs are closer to students. The department is not famous internationally, so you’ll have to take that into account.</p>
<p>@sallywong</p>
<p>Hi! That makes me two years your senior - I was from VJ too!</p>
<p>But I’m a guy so… still in the middle of NS, heh.</p>