<p>hi just want to comment regarding nus and hkust. b4 deciding to come to hkust i too was confused on whcih one to select because i was already living in singapore so i knew how life was like there. i eventually did not get accepted to nus or ntu for that matter. it might have to do with my ib score being only 36 but also nus’ lack of regard for the ib curriculum. On the other hand, hkust has much greater approvance to it. In restropect, im glad i chose to come to hong kong because besides the academics being quality, its jsut much more fun here in my opinion.</p>
<p>@system Failure-you made some valid points but the school of engineering at NUS is without doubt no 1 in Asia .I wouldn’t really compare resources,NUS is now an established world renowned uni and has everything that goes with it…
If i got accepted at NUS,i would take the first flight out of england.
and ya sarthaks case is different.he got a scholarship so that changes evrything…
btw are you at ust???</p>
<p>^ My sister is married to a Singaporean but she loves Hong Kong much better. Singapore is too authoritarian and sexist for her. Some call it the safest boring place in the world.</p>
<p>@Anand: True that. NUS being an older university is definitely more recognized worldwide! And, well NUS is darn good. No second thoughts. Btw, rankings suggest University of Tokyo as the best Engg school in Asia, no?
Even I’m applying to UST, NUS and all this year :]</p>
<p>@danjroman: So you’re like completely satisfied with HKUST? Academics, friends, the city and all?</p>
<p>@Sam Lee: LOL. I’ve heard that from MANY! People dont find Singapore happening enough! But HK is pretty safe too right?</p>
<p>@system failure-haha…maybe…but the medium of instruction i think is Japanese for undergrad…</p>
<p>@sam lee-whats ur opinion abt cityU…is it worth applying???</p>
<p>I’m interested in applieng to HKU and HKUST. Wanted to ask do the scholarships last for the entire duration of your time at the university or just for the first year?</p>
<p>@ALIMurtaza: I think the scholarships are renewable provide you continue to exhibit academic excellence every year!</p>
<p>@system failure- the academics was really tough to get adjusted to mainly because the pace is just so much faster in university. everyone experiences the same thing but after your first sem u shud get accustomed to it.also, at hkust, grades are on a normal curve which means you have to compete with your classmates. normally the mainland chinese pull the mean up so thats a bummer 
haha. but i guess with the time u will learn how to study and it gets comfortable in time. other than academics, im doing really well, great friends, love the city; always something to do. so yeh, you guys will enjoy hk very much on the first few weeks, hate it when the academics start kicking in, and once u get that sorted out, u will feel comfortable and enjoy hk again.</p>
<p>@aliMurtaza- scholarships in hkust vary, some scholarships such as the IB last for only one year, while others like the Swire last the whole program if u maintain ur grades.</p>
<p>@Anand78: Yea. LOL. If they change it to English, they’ll definitely receive hell lotta applications too! But anyway, Japan is like a totally different world.
Are you Indian too? ^_^</p>
<p>@danjroman: Ooh! That rigorous huh? I can understand the mainland kids pull up the average and all. But I really hope international students CAN score decent grades or no? :S</p>
<p>@system failure- well international kids do alright. all of us are very hard working and we do our best. but we have much for fun ;)</p>
<p>@danjroman: Awesome. Having fun is an integral part of university life besides acads and glad you guys are equally dedicated to both! XD
Oh another question! Which Engg Dept do you think is the most rigorous? And the easiest one too?
I’m sure Mech must be tough! I’ve always loved mechanics Phy is my fav subject for that matter!</p>
<p>Cyscfw: I have also not received anything Yet!!! Its strange! But I dont need it cause I just sent them an admission acceptance on the printed version of the offer they had mailed to me!</p>
<p>Anand78: You are right in saying that, but I think i’m going to stick with my decision of going to HKUST! Although what you said does make sense too!</p>
<p>Sam Lee: Dunno about that but the weather in Singapore is certainly horrible, no offense !</p>
<p>System Failure: Dont worry about Hk its extremely safe as compared to all other BIG places in the world! plus our campus is at clear water bay in Kowloon, which is away from the main city so safer, yet its easily connected to the main city! And I have many friends in Hk and know many from my class who are going with me to Hk so I can introduce you to them and you’ll feel safer!</p>
<p>AliMurtaza: The scholarships are extended if you maintain a hig GPA whilst in University</p>
<p>Danjroman: I saw the first year course and quite a lot is same as what we are doing in IB right now so I hope that will help me get adjusted quickly ! Whats the social and nightlife scene like at HKUST ?!?! Comparable to Shanghai ?</p>
<p>Everyone: Japan is where I wanted to go because of the truly inspirational courses and professors, but they have no courses in English!! Japan is really pretty too, but there is enormous pressure on students due to extremely intelligent students! if you wanna see what i mean watch any video on the Japanese Flash Arithmetics !!!</p>
<p>@sarthak-the math i learned in my first sem was pretty tight compared to ib. everything u covered for vectors in ib is covered in 2 weeks in math 100 haha. after that u learn totally new things regarding vectors. math 150: differential equations, none of it was covered in ib. math 113 was pretty good, its basically matrices the whole sem; the stuff u learned in ib will get u up to mid sem which is pretty good considering the other math courses haha. btw, u wouldnt need to know any of your physics for the first sem because all you do is math lol. U also do a computer programming class which if u have c++ background shud be fine but i did not have any programming background at all so that was pretty tough. im going to be doing my first mech courses in the upcoming semester so ive been refreshing on my physics and all.
nightlife in hk is awesome! compared to other cities where clubs close at 2am, most of my friends manage to eat breakfast at mcdonalds b4 heading back and passing out haha (guess how late that is lol). i cant compare it to shanghai cuz ihavent been there yet but its defo great!</p>
<p>Oh no! No physics in first semester?! Damn, that’s the only thing I like =P</p>
<p>Sarthak: Sure I’d love to meet your friends! Even though I’m very outgoing, it’s always good to have someone you already know :D</p>
<p>danjroman: Thanks a lot mate!! You really are the best person to be asking about the HKUST to, cause you are in there! I’ll guess i’ll get on with some Maths for Uni by myself as when I finish with IB… but wont rely on it as I believe in holidaying a lot!!
I have done Java for 2 years in India so have a decent programming background although that was 2 years ago so will have to brush up my computer skills a bit…!
Phew! Thats a relief! Its the same in Shanghai, i wont say its better cause I havent been to Hk clubs yet but Shanghai is famous for its night life! Clubs here normally close at 5-6, and normally we dont even start before 10-11 so it easily goes on till 5…
What additional courses have you opted for?? I was planning to do CAD, Co-op, indoor cooling, and stress/pressure… can you advice ?!</p>
<p>System Failure: That should not be a problem at all, that is if you do finalize your decision of coming to Hk!
You ever been to Hk before ?!</p>
<p>@system failure-Yup ,i am an indian living in england!!
i would have preferred to study here but the top unis are ridiculously expensive…(as expected)
where are you from??when did u apply hkust??</p>
<p>ooh i still havent decided on those additional mech classes because you dont do those til year 2 spring sem. so thats still a long time away. your much better of deciding which electives you will take from the other schools during first sem. i personally took introductory chemistry, china and the world, and organizational behaviour. if your doing ib chem this shud be a breeze for u after ur final exam. but beware, everything we covered in ib chem was covered in 1 sem here hahaha.</p>