<p>Hi ppl I am from Thailand. I got rejected from my top choices of universities in the US, so I plan to study in Australia first then transfer next year to the U S. I am guaranteed admission to both UMelb and UNSW, and I plan to double major in bachelor (undergrad) of physics/electrical engineering. I plan to study in Australia for only 1 year and then transfer to universities in the US. In order to do so I need to obtain the best GPA that I can, and I would like to know how the grade inflation compares between U Melb and UNSW.</p>
<p>1) Is it harder to obtain a 4.0 gpa at U Melb or UNSW?</p>
<p>Also, which universities would give me a better chance of transferring to UC-Berkeley, Cornell and Carnegie Mellon?</p>
<p>2) Which one will the US universities have more respect for - U Melb or UNSW?</p>
<p>Anonamous, people aren't replying because neither of those universities is well known. In fact, Australian universities in general aren't very recognized. Between the two universities you mentioned, I am more familiar with the University of Melbourne. You should look at whether or not either one of those two universities has extensive student exchange programs with US universities and which of those schools send more students to graduate school in the US. That may answer your question.</p>
<p>I think they are of equal quality so in terms of chance for transferring, it really depends on how well you do in your first year there. Pick the one that you like more (in terms of people, campus, city, etc.) so you can study and perform better and get the best GPA.</p>
<p>Oh yes and also, can you please compare those 2 australian universities to NUS in singapore. They offer a scholarship whereby I have to work for a singaporean company for 3 years after my undergrad, before I can go and pursue my grad. I dont think I will take the scholarship because I want to pursue my grad right after undergrad. However, the cost at NUS and australia universities are apparently very similar. Which one should I choose?</p>
<p>Bear in mind that GPA in Australia is calculated on a scale of 100.
Moreover, it is ridiculously hard to maintain an average of 85+.
Some of my most talented friends in the engineering/science courses are content to simply pass, and ecstatic when they get above a 75. I remember a friend saying that for some engineering classes, the average was actually below a 50 (and they don't curve the grades). </p>
<p>Having said that, I am sure the rigor of your program will be reflected upon by the dean or the professor when it comes down to recommendations.</p>
<p>Go with U Melb... it's pretty much the best/second best uni in Australia - the other contender being ANU.</p>
<p>y17k - this is a bad thing right? i mean if US colleges dont recognise how hard it is to get good gpa at Melbourne, then i probably wont get accepted... :(</p>
<p>i mean they would probably go with another applicant whos in a 2 year community college, with a 4.0 gpa, rather than 3.5 gpa at Melbourne. am i correct in this?</p>
<p>btw how can the dean or professor reflect the rigors of the program, i mean every colleges say that their programs are very rigorous and stuff anyway right?</p>
<p>I would go with University of Melbourne because it's considered to be the best school in Australia, especially for the fields you mentioned.
Also, I'd second the sentiment that it might be a good idea to just stay in Australia: the education you'd get at Melbourne is probably on par (if not above) what you'd get when transferring to the US, it's a LOT cheaper, and Aussie's just an awesome place to be all around! If the US education is that important to you, you can always come here for grad school methinks.</p>
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I would go with University of Melbourne because it's considered to be the best school in Australia, especially for the fields you mentioned.
Also, I'd second the sentiment that it might be a good idea to just stay in Australia: the education you'd get at Melbourne is probably on par (if not above) what you'd get when transferring to the US, it's a LOT cheaper, and Aussie's just an awesome place to be all around! If the US education is that important to you, you can always come here for grad school methinks.
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<p>It would be much easier to get into grad school from US undergraduate schools, simply because the resources for grad admissions is much easier to obtain and widespread.</p>
<p>Australian Universities are completely different from U.S. universities, so I think you should research more and make a decision you will be happy with.</p>
<p>I want to go to the US. Simple as that. I love the country, i love the people and i love the universities there! haha</p>
<p>"If you didn't get in any US school off high school, you're not likely to transfer into a good one from Australia. Might as well study in OZ."
- I think I will try to transfer if I have a chance of being admitted. I guess I will have to see how my final grades in IB and my retake in the SAT goes.</p>
<p>One problem that I think i might encounter when i transfer is I will only have 1 semester grade, since the Australia semester has a different time line to the US's. I could take an extra summer semester so I would have 2 semester grades to put in my application when transferring to the US.</p>
<p>Also, I will hear about the NUS decision on the 19th. If i get into NUS i will most probably choose it over australia, and not transfer out, since it already is an elite school comparable to top US universities (i think...)</p>
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One problem that I think i might encounter when i transfer is I will only have 1 semester grade, since the Australia semester has a different time line to the US's. I could take an extra summer semester so I would have 2 semester grades to put in my application when transferring to the US.
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My friend applied as freshmen in your situation.
I.e. She applied for US Unis for Fall 2005 semester, attended Melb Uni between 02/2005~06/2005 (found about her US decions in April), and went to US as a freshmen for 09/2005.</p>
<p>Well Uni Melb is the best in Australia(Ive gotten in too) and they have good connections with Cornell, Carnegie Mellon.... You can use the study abroad option that Uni Melb offers to study for a semester or so in these schools and then come to the US for grad school. Uni Melb is pretty awesome in engineering btw and much cheaper.</p>
<p>niyantha -
but if im correct cornell and carnegie mellon are both better than u melb in engineering. another thing to consider is physics, since i plan to double major. also, i believe that graduation in undergrad from US universities will give me a better shot at other US universities for grad degree.</p>
<p>can you please explain to me how their connection with cornell and CMU works. does this give me a better chance to transfer permanently?</p>
<p>Well I met with the head of engineering at Uni Melb and she said that they have study abroad programs with top US universities(she mentioned some names like Cornell,CMU,... look in the brochure cos Im not able to remember now) and you could study there for a semester. I dont think you can transfer from an Australian uni to a US uni. Cornell and CMU are definitely better than UMelb in engineering but I dont thnk that studying in Australia would lessen ur chances of getting into a good uni in the US. Uni Melb is highly ranked and the people who matter when it comes to graduate school admissions would have heard about it.</p>