4 schools for Marketing + please advise me on my applications

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi all, thank you for taking the time to read my post. </p>

<p>I wish to apply to: USC, UCB (Berkeley), UCD (Davis) and UCLA in descending order of preference. I would like to stay in the west coast. </p>

<p>My SAT 1 grade: 2030
(CR - 730, M - 660, W - 640 [genuinely disappointed])</p>

<p>My SAT 2 grades: TBC (taking Physics, Maths 2 and Literature this coming Nov. 2)
Hoping for 700++</p>

<p>Diploma in Banking and Financial Services (3.47/4.00)</p>

<p>GCE "O" Levels - 5A's 1B</p>

<p>I'm 23 years old this year, Asian, Male. I understand I'm a late starter because I pursued a 3-year Diploma in Banking after my high school. I believe this counts as 1 year of college in the U.S. system. After that I served 2 years in the army. I'm not too good about all this application stuff but a friend told me that there are a lot of helpful and knowledgeable people on this forum so I thought I'd give it a shot.</p>

<p>My noteworthy extra-curricular achievements:</p>

<p>Debates:
President, Debates Club
Champion and Best Speaker for 4 debate tournaments (national)
11th best speaker in an international debates tournament (ABP's).</p>

<p>Military:
Platoon Best Recruit, Basic Military Training
President, Cadet Mess Committee, Officer Cadet School
Infantry Officer, Lieutenant (NS)
Instructor, Officer Cadet School</p>

<p>Emceeing:
Sports Presenter, 1st Youth Olympic Games, Singapore. FIBA 3v3 Basketball
Sports Presenter, 1st Asian Youth Games, Singapore. Beach Volleyball ;)
Stadium Presenter, Singapore Slingers (our professional basketball team), 1 Season</p>

<p>APEC 2009 Summit:
Organizing Committee and Liaison Officer, Voices of the Future Programme
Said hi to Hillary Clinton at Starbucks</p>

<p>I'm really interested in Marketing (in fact I'm doing an internship at a Public Relations company at the moment - it's crazy) and would like to take that major up together with other business modules. I'm hoping for a minor in communications as well.</p>

<p>I would really appreciate any help/advice you guys could give because:
1) I'm not sure whether to apply as transfer or freshman, my other friend who was in a similar circumstance was accepted as a freshman into UCB this earlier this year. I don't mind not having the transfer credits if it gets in the way of admission.</p>

<p>2) My Uni list is far from final. I've heard that there are many good schools that are not in the "Top 30" so I would appreciate any insights you have. I just want to see my parents' money go to a good place for my education because they are trying really hard to put me through University.</p>

<p>Thanks so much!
-Julius</p>

2

<p>There is also an international student forum where posters will be more familiar with international qualifications and requirements than the Americans who mostly post.</p>

<p>I’m not too familiar with international admissions. But my understanding is that US colleges are going to expect 3 A levels in addition to your O levels. I don’t know if. your Diploma in Banking affects this. But if that diploma does count as a year of college then you are a transfer student and may not apply as a freshman to the UC system. Further the UC system only accepts Jr year transfers. Read more on the UCLA page
[International</a> Students - UCLA Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/intl.htm]International”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/intl.htm)</p>

<p>Sounds like you need to see if you can find out why your friend is a freshman if the diploma program counts as a year of college. Do they just allow it to be disregarded then? Or more likely it doesn’t count in the UC system. Also he would have to have A levels or an IB diploma.</p>

<p>USC may work better for you. They welcome sophomore transfers. I can’t tell if A levels are required, hopefully someone else will know. Read the admissions page for internationals and email if you have questions.</p>

<p>National level debate awards sound very good.</p>