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Hi everyone,
i'm a student from Singapore (the highly developed island in Southeast Asia, not China) intending to apply to engineering at Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Uni Mich & UC Berkeley..i'm trying to seek financial assistance. My grades are as follows:

SAT I composite: 790Math 680 Verbal
SAT II: Average 730 for writing, math IIc & physics
Singapore follows the British system of examination. My 'A' level results are as follows:
Maths: A
Further Maths: B
Physics: B
Economics: C
I'm from the top school in my country but apparently my school doesn't rank her students. The subjects i took are the most demanding "maths combination" in the country.
I also scored 8 distinctions & a 'B' for my physics at 'O' levels.
My EC records are as follows:
freshman - sophomore: participated in several activites, competitions and concerts held during my country's Youth Festival earned an 'A' for my overall EC grade
junior - senior: also participated in numerous activities but due to the lack of participation in competitions, got only an overall 'D' in EC grading.. =(
The EC grading in my country stresses most highly in competitions & winning them..active participation & leadership posts in ECs will not necessary earn a high EC grading.

Have strong recommendations & essays.

Anyone out there who can give advice on my application? chances? singaporeans who are familiar?

By Foreignboy (Foreignboy) on Saturday, December 06, 2003 - 11:01 pm: Edit

Not Singaporean, but Malaysian..
You're good for U.Mich, probably Cornell. Berkeley I seriously dunno, they tend to favour Californians after all. Johns Hopkins is a reach, but you have a bit of a shot.
Keep in mind that Singaporeans are over-represented in most schools.

By Sparkle (Sparkle) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 01:29 am: Edit

hey, thanks for your comments! =)
r u studying in the states now? which uni r u in?

By Miseryxsignals (Miseryxsignals) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 01:33 am: Edit

HEY dude,
I am Singaporean (born there) but I came to Cali when i was 5. I still visit lots though, just wanted to wish a fellow Singaporean the best of luck in admittance

By Foreignboy (Foreignboy) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 05:52 am: Edit

Actually I still live in (good ole') KL. Doing A-Levels.

By Leecming (Leecming) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 09:00 am: Edit

Hi Sparkle,

Singaporean here as well. I assume you're from RJ?

Anyway, to be honest, your results are below the average for the schools you're applying for (with the exception of UMich). The fact that you're from RJ means that you'll be compared with straight As students with 1500+ scores... Have you thought of applying to 2nd tier schools like UIUC?

Are you outstanding in anything non-academic? That could help a lot.

Good Luck.

By Sparkle (Sparkle) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 01:47 pm: Edit

Hello all,
i really appreciate ur comments, encouragement & advice. =)
actually, i haven't really decide on the exact few schools i'll be applying to but the uni listed above are by far my most preferred choices. the only sch that i'm really very eager to be enrolled in is Cornell..=P btw, wat r my chances at Cornell? is it 'realistic' or 'out of my reach'?
hmm..i've checked UIUC's website & they don't offer financial aids to international students..with my current 'A' level results, it's quite impossible to get a scholarship in Singapore..so i really need aids from the uni itself or some other source of fiancial assistance..any recommendations from u guys? gd schs offering financial aids?

By Leecming (Leecming) on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 06:28 pm: Edit

It's very difficult for an international student to get financial aid except through need-blind schools.

And those need-blind schools such as MIT are very competitive. We're talking about people with literally perfect scores and great ECs. In fact, it's probably easier to get a Singaporean scholarship then to be offered such financial aid.

Have you given serious thought about why you want to study in the States? How about Australia as a cheaper alternative.

By Foreignboy (Foreignboy) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 06:03 am: Edit

US college is infinitely superior to Australia (highly over-rated).

My advice... apply to lots of schools and see where you get in.

By Sparkle (Sparkle) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 07:43 am: Edit

hmm..icic..i'll check up on the various scholarships offered by the stat boards & private companies in Singapore..hope they can give me some form of aid for my studies in the US..in fact, i seriously don't mind a bond of 6 or 7 yrs..what i'm afraid of is that they only look at my 'A' level grades to determine my eligibility for the scholarship (which is mainly the case)..my 'A' level results are really not impressive compared to a lot of people..i'm wondering whether it's possible to get some form of scholarship or aid from companies in Singapore after i've proven to be accepted by the university..by the way, i'm planning to major in computer science or mechanical/civil engineering..mainly interested in the maths area..what suggestions do u guys have?

By Upandover (Upandover) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 10:56 pm: Edit

hiya sparkle, which junior college are you from?

By Sparkle (Sparkle) on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 11:33 am: Edit

hi updandover,
i'm from rjc. u from rj too?