HKU or HKUST

<p>rubichino
I’m an exchange student at UST for the semester. I don’t really know HKU that well, but it seems that for engineering, UST is the way to go. But HKU is still a great school. </p>

<p>The UST campus is really new only about 15 years old and they are adding more to it (a new dorm will be opening up next year I think). The lecture halls are quite modern (with really comfy chairs, which isn’t good if the lecture is boring…you might fall asleep!) UST has a very beautiful campus looking over the Clear Water Bay and surrounded by mountains. I’d say what you lose in the historical feeling of UST, you gain in natural beauty. My friends at home thing it looks like a resort, not a school! And while it is a little far from Central, it is kind of calming to be in such a nice area. </p>

<p>Probably both at UST and HKU, I’d say the classes are quite pretty rigorous. People work REALLY REALLY hard, and would probably stay in the library all the time if they could. Students’ schedules are really packed with 5-7 classes, probably mostly because local students are on a 3 year college schedule. While I find there isn’t much assigned work (at least in my classes, but I’m taking kind of an easy load), you are expected to do a lot of work outside of class, and since they curve kind of harshly, it is necessary to do the extra work. </p>

<p>Students are really hard core about their student groups and societies. It was definitely one of the biggest shocks I had when I came here.</p>

<p>Yeah Math HL paper 2 was sh…, really too challenging for my knowledge…;/</p>

<p>So this week for me was alright, 5 papers, finished one subject, 2 more papers to go for 2 subjects but next week NOOO, its going to be so bad, especially when its basically finishing up an independent (unrelated to any other course material that has been tested already) paper for 2 subjects each (english and math…). How about you guys?</p>

<p>actually, my exam schedule is really well spread out so it’s not THAT bad.
This week I had three papers (english and math) and I have four papers next week but I have two free days, and then on the third week I have five papers but also have a day off before the last exam =]</p>

<p>I just can’t wait until this is over!!</p>

<p>I’m really a little worried whether I can meet my offer now -_-
Done with 5 papers and 8 papers in this upcoming week…</p>

<p>@vivace13:
you said, “Students are really hard core about their student groups and societies. It was definitely one of the biggest shocks I had when I came here.”
what exactly do you mean by this? thanks!</p>

<p>kawaiigurl
The beginning of the semester was the promotion period for the new executive boards for the groups (meaning new boards are trying to get themselves known so people vote them into leadership). So students in all the different groups set up little booths with games and promotional stuff, and the groups hang out in the atrium chanting or giving you stuff. I had never seen anything like this before at my school. </p>

<p>Maybe as an example, the new board from my hall had built a tank, were dressed up in army uniforms (complete with plastic guns and helmets), and were marching around the atrium shouting things! I initially thought it was some sort of anti-US demonstration, but then more groups started doing similar things. There were also dance off like things between the groups trying to get the most attention. My hall exec board also likes to march down the hallways of the building, chanting, and banging on doors. </p>

<p>Now as students are getting ready for next year, they are all promoting their Orientation Camps. Each society seams to have an O-camp in place, from the hall societies, to the magic club, to the business society. </p>

<p>I’ve been blogging about my experiences in Hong Kong. If any of you want to look at it, PM me and I can give you the link.</p>

<p>@theGrand I hear you… Next week I have 8 papers too, I am going crazy about it. They are all hard papers… I think I might just not study English and focus on my HL subjects.</p>

<p>Haha, so I’m guessing you have HL Phy + Econs + Math and English right?</p>

<p>Does it ever happen so that Applicants to HKUST are considered for TWO programs, or that they are interviewed for TWO different programs? Just curious…</p>

<p>Yea, its going to be crazy. Physics options, math option.</p>

<p>Does anyone know if HKU engineering ppl are less hard core about their study than UST gigs
I don’t really wanna feel depressed whole year staying at the bottom of the smart hk ppl… T^T</p>

<p>Don’t worry so much. “Just do it!” ( Trademarked by Nike)</p>

<p>hi people! i am new here and i am gg to attend hkust’s bba program in september. i am so glad i managed to find this thread and realizing there are many others like me who believe in the competence and prospects of hong kong universities. just wanna know if there are any singaporeans attending hkust as well??</p>

<p>@fridayevening: hey! I’m not singaporean but I’ll be attending HKUST for the BBA program as well =] so I guess we’re future class mates haha!</p>

<p>Not Singaporean :X</p>

<p>hi, i’m new here, and this is my first post…
i’ve just received the acceptance letter from HKU’s BA program yesterday, and right now i’m deciding between UW Seattle and HKU…
I think someone has the same dilemma? It was all decided that i’m going to UW, until yesterday, out of the blue, when the acceptance letter came… since i’m not doing the full IB diploma, i didn’t expect to get in at all. This is really a big surprise for me.
By the way, i’m an international student (Asian, english is my 2nd language) .
Oh, and the offer is conditional; i have to score a 4 and above for my IB english A1 hl exam…
wahhhhh… this is so hard</p>

<p>HKUST does have much higher workload for its math courses and all engineering courses than HKU does. </p>

<p>But for business programs, I would say both are roughly the same. </p>

<p>I am an undergraduate majoring math in HKUST.</p>

<p>HKU faculty of engineering is not the best faculty of engineering in HK. Not surprisingly, the top HK students and top CN students in engineering prefer UST or CUHK rather than HKU. </p>

<p>For engineering faculties in HK, the ranking (for undergraduate) roughly goes like the following:</p>

<p>UST = CUHK > POLYU = HKU = CITYU</p>

<p>@merrypips which country are u from? i am so excited for september to come. i am slightly disappointed though that i was rejected by hku despite hkust being my first choice. felt like i wasnt good enough for them =(</p>