Applying To The United States Of America
Again, I feel obliged to sound a word of caution. I am not an authority on this subject and just sharing my experiences applying abroad from my country's (Singapore) perspective or point of view. I recommend you read General Stuff first, before embarking onto the universities you are interested in...
INTRODUCTION
Well, I tell you that once you have successfully applied to US universities, you are MORE than able to apply anywhere. Applying to US universities require quite a lot of preparations and NOT something you can dash off and do at the absolute last minute. So apply early! Another thing is that because there is so many sections to the application, be organised and super kiasu (very cautious)! Make a list of all the documents you have. When passing the things to your teacher, do write down what course you are going to take, the DEADLINE. Of course, don't tell the teacher, it may be wise if you put the supposed deadline earlier than the actual one. Also, CHECK on the teacher that he or she has sent it.. Real life story, my friend ran into her teacher and to her horror, she found that he thought that she was supposed to take it from him and send it for him. She had to speed post it. $30 for 1kg, her letter was only 200g, so we were kidding around that she should send a box of chocolates and wine as well. Hee hee. ^_^ (Of course she didn't!)
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CHOOSING
A huge range of US universities, from big to small, private to public, arts to science. There are so many universities that some universities can afford to specialise in specific areas. You can look at rankings, as usual, take it with a pinch of salt. Here are URLs I found useful.
Rankings
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/cohome.htm
http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/
A comprehensive list of the USA universities web pages
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/CLAS/american-universities.html
A simple word of advice. It takes the absolute MINIMUM of ONE MONTH for the USA universities to send the application package to you. So, ask them for it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!! So, if you have an interest in the university, no harm asking them for the application package, you are not under any obligation to apply once you get the package! (Except moral ones, I guess, feeling guilty for wasting their paper) Do check if they have downloadable applications. This is particularly useful when you can type the information directly into the application form itself. Much neater and looks so much nicer! There are some that have online applications as well as the traditional paper. I really don't know about online applications by USA, so do find out more about it before attempting. ^_^
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TESTS YOU
HAVE TO TAKE
You HAVE to take the SAT1. SAT2 is strongly advised by some USA universities. In other words, take it. If your verbal score doesn't hit a certain range, you are required to take TOEFL.
SAT1
Consists of 2 sections. Verbal and Maths. All multiple choices. I strongly, strongly advise you to practice the whole thing with time at least once! One thing about US tests I find is that it is not difficult because of difficulty but difficult because of the time constraint! As in, the questions are not that bad, but it is the time that kills you off.
Verbal: Tests your vocabulary, expect big and scary words you have never heard before in your life. There are comprehensions as well, but the language is so verbose and bombastic it really takes much ploughing through. One paragraph can be summarised into one sentence. Seriously. I do recommend reading through Princeton Review for this. Princeton Review is exam smart.
Mathematics: Easy, easy. Like Secondary school mathematics. However, the questions are often very lengthy and "seems" complicated at first. You have to think carefully what the question is trying to ask you. Once you figured that out, the rest is easy. They do have a few topics that we don't have. Like patterns and such. But it can be worked out through logic.
SAT2
Subject tests. Goes more into depth, I guess. In choosing which subject test you want to take. Here's a bit of advice...
1. Check out what is the format. (how many questions in how much time).
2. Check out what is required of you, what you need to know and what you DON'T KNOW.
3. You may want to ask seniors if you want, on their experience.
4. Most important, check out if the university you are applying to wants that subject. For some courses or some universities, they may want you to take specific subject tests. Eg. Maths. And almost all wants you to take Writing.
Let me talk about the subject tests I took.
WRITING: MUST MUST PRACTICE!! Seriously. This writing test is a true test of your proper English. Grammar and such. Very tricky. You have a writing bit and a multiple choice bit.
MATHEMATICS 2C: This was alright, seriously, there are a few topics we don't know, but it is like "AO" level. I say "AO" because it is between O level and A level standard. Now, some universities ask you to take a Math test subject. And you must be thinking Math 1C or Math 2C. I say, Math 2C! Math 2C is a higher level than Math 1C, and seriously it is not that hard. Mostly multiple choice, a few ones where you have to write down the answers.
PHYSICS: This is like Secondary school level. There are some topics we don't know, but study on it. The hard bit of this test is the time restraint. 100 questions in half an hour, I think. Yup, a mad rush. But it can be done. Not to brag, but I got 800. If I can do it, you can. Hey, I'm the girl whose Physics tutors despaired over in Secondary school! ~_~
TOEFL
It is sort of an English qualifying test. You need to take this if you do not have a certain score range of SAT1, do check with your university. You can also try to write in and appeal to the university not to take the test, trying to show that you have adequate proof of your proficiency in English.
A useful URL is
Where you sign up for the test, etc, etc.
OTHER MATTERS TO TAKE NOTE OF
I strongly advise you to take the SAT tests seriously and prepare for it. Simply as the results stay with you for life, unfortunately. Let's say you get an unfortunate score of 700 out of 1600 for SAT 1. But you got 1400 the second time round. The collegeboard will send your results of the latest test, yes, but along with ALL PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS! So it doesn't speak too well of you...
You must be thinking, how many times should I retake? As many as you wish, but i don't think you should take too many nor be too greedy. Imagine if you had 1500 for the SAT1, and want to aim higher, but instead, second time round you get 1200. Not too good impression for the university, they may think you got lucky the first time round. But if of course, you get better scores the second time round, then it's worth the risk! So evaluate and think about it. You can check the universities webpages on what was the SAT1 ranges of the students it had accepted.
The Collegeboard system is unique. In the sense that the universities and other institutions only can get a recognised copy of your results DIRECTLY from the collegeboard. Of course, you have to pay, pay, pay, the more you send. To speed send it, you naturally need to pay more. It is not like in UK or other parts of the world where you get a certificate from the examining board and hence forth, all you need to do is to flash your certificate as proof. =P So, when you apply for SAT, do take note that you have up to 4 free "sendings", as in you can send the results to 4 places for free! So don't waste this opportunity!
Take note for students who took their SAT over different years, or some time before you apply for the university. Firstly, you must make a note to the university that you had sent the results previously, blah blah years ago. State the year and month, your name and such of your SAT test date. Simply, the university assumes that you will send the results and everything to them directly that year you are applying. Also bring it to the attention of the university if the name you put on your SAT is different from the one you are applying to! Secondly, please realise that the SAT 1 and 2 have a certain "life span". If I am not wrong, the SAT 1 results only last for 1 year!! So make sure that your SAT results are still valid when you use it to apply into a university...
A few useful URLS.
Of course, the mother of SAT. Where you sign up, send and manage your SAT results.
It may be useful to invest in a study guide or to borrow from the library. I strongly advise you to at least read one study guide so that you have an idea of what is in store for you. Reading instructions on that day wastes time and not to mention, may make you more stressed! I have only tried two brands so far...
This is a more technical study guide. It teaches you the concepts, sort of like your normal study guide you can find.
This is an exam smart study guide. It doesn't really focus much on the technical aspect, more of the exam smart aspect. It is user friendly and easy to read.
http://www.princetonreview.com/
Of course, take note that this is just one person's opinion, okay? It depends on your needs and what you know or don't know. Both are useful in their own way, so it depends on your style.
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APPLYING
Filling in The Forms
Anything I missed out or "mistaked" out? Any suggestions? Contact Me!