<p>@eloriel You are right about that. If you do study for the test you can do pretty well. I notice that Singaporeans tend to do poorly on the CR and W sections, and very well on the math. Unfortunately its hard to really “study” for CR and W, because these are skills you develop reading high-level literature and writing a lot… two things that I feel are underrated in Singapore, where we focus very heavily on Math/Science. My advice would be to get a vocab book and memorize it end-to-end. Start a blog and write an argumentative piece every other day (try to tick off some of your friends so they write counterarguments you can respond to). It really helps build your writing skills.</p>
<p>^ haha for me it’s the opposite; I do MUCH better at the CR and W. I guess I just suck at Math.</p>
<p>Its rare to find well-spoken (older) Singaporeans in the US… I think a lot of us take too much pride in Singlish and don’t make the effort to develop a proper command of English. It becomes quite the crutch when you have to work with internationals. The moment you open your mouth and spew “lahs” and “lehs” and use bad grammar your first impression is down the drain…</p>
<p>(and then back home we wonder why FTs are taking all the high-level jobs…)</p>
<p>They really need to ramp up the speak good english campaign back home. I think that’s the biggest thing holding the country back from its fullest potential.</p>
<p>Also: hope you’re having fun at cal! my sister and s/o are there so i visit every week. Unfortunately I got rejected for EECS (too competitive… total crapshoot – maybe i should have applied for tourism or something instead and transfered 
) so I’m going to UIUC in the fall.</p>
<p>Haha there’s no tourism here, and the transfer process is equally demanding, so either way… I’m graduating soon though (early, in 2.5 years) so I’m glad to get out of sleepless nights and crazy academics, although I’m pretty sure it’s going to be more of the same in the job market. </p>
<p>Well I’ve never had that problem with Singlish mostly because all my friends are well spoken and I’ve been reading voraciously since young (hobby). You’re right though, it’s rare among older Singaporeans but I guess that’s because there was lesser cultural capital in general during that generation. It’s not really their fault; we /are/ a young country after all, and for many English is not the first language. “FT” from the U.S. or Europe often speak English as a first language, so you can’t really compare, and it’s not their fault.</p>
<p>But congrats on UIUC (:</p>
<p>Yup, i’m a voracious reader too. No wonder why you did better at CR/W. I’m a big science fiction aficionado (in the vein of Victor Hugo/Vernor Vinge, I don’t have a thing for Star Trek/Star Wars). Recently I’ve been too busy with work to indulge in liesure reading… my diet is mostly entrepreneurship/programming books now. Currently working my way through Eric Ries’ latest book.</p>
<p>Thanks about UIUC, I was really hoping for Cal but its not easy as I’m a CA resident and they’re dinging us so badly with the budget cuts… I wouldn’t be surprised if my spot went to someone in another state/an international. The state is broke.</p>
<p>Regarding SAT scores: please don’t fret too much over them, they really aren’t that much good. They’re only ever a requisite: they’ll never distinguish you as a candidate, not even a perfect 2400. The conventional wisdom of 3 times maximum has good reason behind it. Schools don’t want candidates obsessing so much over test scores, they’d rather you use your time better. Study a foreign language, pick up a new musical instrument, volunteer - you aren’t your test score. As they say in the SAF, do it once, do it good, and then you’ll have to let go.</p>
<p>To be honest the SAT math sections are a bit of a joke for Singaporeans. It’s more or less pitched at a secondary 2 level, so an ambitious Singaporean student really has no business looking at any score lower than 700. CR’s doable with a little reading (who am I kidding, list-mugging), WR doable once you really start getting punctilious with your grammar and quit playing by ‘ear’ (which let’s face it being Singaporean probably isn’t perfectly pitched).</p>
<p>Hey Guys!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all your advice about the SATs !! You guys are amazing !
Im probably gonna take my SAT again some time next year just to get a decent grade of around 2000 or 2100. Like I mentioned earlier, I took my SATs after O level so I was still in RELAX mode! Maybe I can do better if I take it again.</p>
<p>@eloriel and muffincakes- I guess most of the older Singaporeans aren’t that good in English, probably because they didn’t focus too much on academics. But I think younger singaporean have NO excuse not to be fluent in English! Recently, I was participating in a mentor programme and was trying to teach this P5 boy grammar rules,vocab and what not and he was like - why must I learn this? so boring. Can’t I just speak Chinese. I always speak to my family and friends in Chinese - and I was like <em>facepalm</em>. </p>
<p>I have to admit that its difficult to learn a language if you don’t practice it at home. </p>
<p>SORRY MODERATOR if Im being irrelevant.</p>
<p>Thanks again GUYS!!</p>
<p>I think i’m the only one here who scored great for CR and M but terribly for W :D</p>
<p>^
actually i think why a good proportion of singaporeans aren’t good at english is because of our education system. most who speak supposedly “good” english, like lonelyheartsclub said, play it by ear. we aren’t properly grounded in english grammar rules and such. </p>
<p>imo PAPbiz you should aim higher than a 2100. the SATs honestly aren’t that hard compared to the exams we take over here in Singapore and with some studying i’m sure you could score well! i personally know a friend who scored a C6 for his O’ level English and managed a score in the region of ~2300. he did mug quite hard for a month or so though. good luck for your SATs though! and i doubt any moderator visits this section of the forums lol.</p>
<p>@eloriel thanks! and i’m not a scholar haha, i just got into their honors program XD
and congrats on your graduation(soon) :D</p>
<p>Hey guys, so is anyone actually going to UCSD? I got in and I know it’s a great school and everything but I heard horror stories about the social life and the studying there.</p>
<p>On the other hand I also got into UW Madison. Anyone going there?</p>
<p>Hi guys, </p>
<p>I’m currently in sec 3 and I plan to go to college immediately after my O Levels, which I will take next year. </p>
<p>So far, I’ve took the SAT practice test online (w/o prep) and got 1740 – CR: 600 M: 600 W: 540, which is a pretty low score imo. My ECs aren’t that great either; mainly representing my school in sports, science talent programme and the NEmation competition of 2011 (got into top 40/ top 2% in the nation. I guess this would count achievement wise?). Also, I am taking part in the SMO and two AEMs in life sciences and electrical engineering this year.</p>
<p>I’m looking at UMich, Purdue, Wesleyan, IUB, Penn State, UIUC and Simon’s Rock. Is there any likelihood of me getting in if I manage to score an L1R5 of 7-9 for my Os and around 2000 for the SATs? Thanks. :)</p>
<p>Slim and close-to-none at Wesleyan. For the record I was waitlisted at Wesleyan I have 2300++ SATs, 7As for A levels and the usual yadda-yadda (nothing amazing, the average at my school I’d say) ccas, with what I’d consider to be a good essay.</p>
<p>I don’t fancy you chances at UMich or UIUC either - maybe when you’ve completed your high school you may stand a better chance. You’ve an outside shot at Purdue/Penn State though I reckon - but I’m not sure how kindly these schools look at students like yourself who’re only 16! The rest of the schools I’m not quite familiar with.</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t think it’s best to go college at such a young age. 16!, wow! I know the person I was at 16 would’ve done terribly at college (way too entitled) and the growing up has done wonders: when you’re older and more prepared (believe it or not, everyone gets markedly more mature, yes really.) you’ll learn more, and learn better. Make sure you think through your decision carefully; life’s not about finishing everything ASAP.</p>
<p>Purdue is well-known for accepting Singaporean O-level grads, so I’ll say Purdue is your best shot.</p>
<p>I agree with ^^. Probably none for Wesleyan, UMich and UIUC. Considering your goals of 7-9 points and 2000++, it’s going to be a long shot. Either you get 6 points and 2250++ and ramp up your ECs, or just wait two more years. </p>
<p>Why not go after your As? You stand a better chance, will probably do better at SATs, have better ECs, etc. If you really want to make up those two years, graduate from college in 2 years instead of 4. It is perfectly possible, because your A Level courses will allow you to pass out of many classes in college.</p>
<p>If you go there now, you can’t pass out of anything. So the learning curve will be especially steep. Think carefully.</p>
<p>Hm I understand. Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>How are you guys sending the 500 dollar deposit firming your offer? The schools don’t take local checks do they? Do we use bank drafts?</p>
<p>Hey porcade, a bit of experience- I applied to U-M CoE last year with a SAT of 1960 and got waitlisted and eventually rejected. I reapplied this year and took a last minute SAT and got 2270 and got admitted to CoE, but rejected from practically every other college i applied to. I also didnt do too well for my As (I had 2 out of 4 H2 Bs and a pass for my H3).</p>
<p>U-M is known for taking ivy rejects FROM SINGAPORE(im one and i know a few haha!). I say from singapore as admissions to top US colleges for singaporeans is a huge crapshoot. Everyone from here presents insanely high stats, and theres probably a quota so quite a few people don’t get in despite having way above average stats and ECs. My advise is to start early(which you are) and keep applying every year(afterAs/Os) to maximise your chances. Good luck!</p>
<p>god i still can’t decide between UCSD and UIUC…</p>
<p>Isnt UIUC alot cheaper? Not to mention ranked higher as well…I’ve read that the UC system is pretty low on funding so theyre having a lot of cutbacks and stuff. Have a read on this forums and you’ll get the picture…</p>
<p>Oh and has U-M got back to you?</p>
<p>UCSD has a pretty bad reputation of being a party school.</p>
<p>@techtechy
not exactly, UIUC’s tuition is now 33.5k for internationals, the californian system is now 36.1k. besides, the couple thousand difference in tuition fees will probably be covered by the domestic flights ill have to take i think.
yeah the budget cuts are a concern, but san diego seems like such a nice place to live in… always wanted to go to california too. and tbh the difference in rankings don’t bother me that much anymore, at the end of the day where your degree comes from isn’t that important in the grand scheme of things is what i feel.</p>
<p>and yup they did. got waitlisted sadly :(</p>
<p>@ClassicJuice
lol i’ve read that, and that UCSD has a reputation of terrible social life. so i don’t know which to believe…
besides, a cousin who attended UIUC did say that it is a party school too.</p>
<p>ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT. ARGH.</p>