<p>I'm a sophomore at the National University of Singapore majoring in Computer Engineering (ECE). For various reasons, academic and other, I'm interested in applying as a transfer student to universities in the US. I'd appreciate any help I can get regarding the following issues:</p>
<p>1) How well is NUS regarded by universities there? How does applying from a university abroad position me against transfer applicants from colleges within the US?</p>
<p>2) Getting a 4.0 GPA isn't as common here (I don't know anyone with one), and they calculate it on a scale of 5.0 here. So with a 4.2 (on 5), where exactly do I stand? (It seems to be above average here, but then the average student here is pretty smart.)</p>
<p>3) Are my SAT scores still valid? I sat for them about 3 years ago.</p>
<p>4) I don't want to make the mistake of choosing somewhere on the basis of US News rankings again, so I'm wondering if someone can recommend some universities. I want to go somewhere with good academics, but more importantly a flexible curriculum (which is very lacking here). I'm not all that much into engineering, and I'd really like to do courses in other disciplines along with my major in Comp Engin.</p>
<p>Your SAT is valid... and some colleges even points out that do not take SAT again in college even if you dont have taken in their homepages.
I am also a intl so I cant help you too much, but I think MIT Caltech and Carnegie Mellon are good choices for you.</p>
<p>If you pay full tuition, you probably won't be at a disadvantage compared to domestic applicants.
MIT and Caltech are the top engineering schools in the country, and take very few transfers. I don't recommend trying for them without nearly perfect grades and spectacular accomplishments.
Carnegie Mellon might be more reachable, and is strong outside of engineering, too. Check the transfer statistics at collegeboard.
Other well-regarded engineering schools are Case Western, RPI, WPI. A lot of state universities have excellent engineering schools, too. The University of Wisconsin, for instance, has a top-rated engineering school and everything else you could want. .</p>