<p>As I mentioned at another forum, if you have a Green Card, then you'll be considered as other domestic US Citizens. If not, then you'll be lumped in with the other International students who face stiffer competition</p>
<p>NO. Thats not true. Singaporeans are regarded as internationals and therefore being put into a much more stronger pool. The statistics just show that your state is rather weak, afterall, the Singaporeans who actually apply to schools like Amherst are the one of the best in Singapore.</p>
<p>Harder for international students. Harder still for international students asking for aid. It is just that applicants from Singapore are generally very strong (think international competitions like ISEF, selection for RSI, etc..) - and thus are admitted in relatively large numbers.</p>
<p>Honestly there's not much use comparing the statistics, you are what you are--there's no way to change your citizenship. However, one good thing about studying in America is that your system is directly comparable to domestic applicants, so it's easier for the adcom to understand when you shine (e.g valedictorian, 4.0 GPA as opposed to 4As at A levels)</p>
<p>And btw Frank, don't you think you're taking it a bit too far? ISEF + RSI + international competition winners are a still in the minority of Singaporean applicants =.=</p>
<p>^ Well, sure they are probably a minority but often those people (along with the council presidents, sportsmen, etc...) snap up most of the places at HYPSM and equivalents. (In other words, I was damn lucky)</p>
<p>Look at the list of schools Katie is applying to... C'mon, seriously, I can count on two hands the total number of S'porean students at the Claremont colleges. I can't even find <em>ONE</em> Singaporean student at Harvey Mudd.</p>
<p>Her competitors aren't the ISEF + RSI + International Competition winners.</p>
<p>so fiona.....are u saying since there are not that many singaporean applicants that are applying to claremont, vassar, that I will be more dinstinctive (i have some of the accomplishments you mentioned earlier)?</p>
<p>also....my competition won't be the international competition winners anyway right? </p>
<p>besides claremont and vassar, do you think there will be significantly more singaporean applicants at Dartmouth, Cornell, New York University (Stern), and Amherst?</p>
<p>1) it's significantly harder to get into college as a singaporean. i attend one of those schools on your list, and the international acceptance rate is half (yes, half) the overall acceptance rate. within the international pool, the singaporean pool is <em>particularly</em> competitive. of course, this differs from university to university, but the general principle holds true.</p>
<p>2) your list of colleges has no commonality whatsoever. i think you should try to figure what you want out of college, and tailor your list to those needs. going to amherst or dartmouth, for example, will be extremely different from going to stern.</p>
I'm an applicant to Mudd. I've been trying to speak to SGPean students at colleges I'm interested in, and Mudd is kinda crazily unpopular? I haven't found any Singaporean at Mudd, which annoys me muchly XD Even the less-known LACs have been easier to contact--I've interviewed with a SGPean at Reed.</p>
<p>^ Most people in Singapore wouldnt even know what is Mudd. They would think it is just some random school, which it is so NOT. But. Again, why would anyone give up the chance to go to the schools that are recognised and known in Singapore when the more known schools would definitely make your work application easier?</p>
<p>There are definitely more Singaporeans at Dartmouth, Cornell, New York University (Stern), and Amherst. The really competent ones, meaning the best students, would normally choose more famous schools for an obvious reason, easier employment. Personally, I have never heard of Clartmont colleges until I came on CC. So I doubt the rest of Singapore do.</p>
<p>The not so competitive ones might choose Clartmont, however, since they are not as competitive, they would not get in. Clartmont, though not as famous and a little underrated, is still selective(though not as much as HYPMS and the Ivies).</p>
<p>AND, it is still easier for you to get in as a domestic student. That is a well established fact.</p>
<p>I'm looking at your list of colleges and I agree that you should try to apply to the ivies as a U.S. perm resident if possible. That is because of the huge singaporean population there and the admit rates for citizens are usually higher. However if you're looking for LAC like claremont and vassar, it would be good to apply as a singaporean. LACs love diversity. I'm studying in Vassar now (it's awesome!) and i'm the only singaporean fresh(wo)man. The fact is that Vassar wants to increase it's international population and by appearing foreign you'll stand a greater chance. Lastly, do you need fin aid? That changes the story because vassar is need-blind only for americans.</p>
<p>Like katie, I'm Singaporean but I'm also studying the United States now. Katie, which state are you in??</p>
<p>Generally, there is a WHOLE BUNCH of Singaporeans studying in the Ivy League schools, because honestly, there are a whole lot of Singaporeans out there who think that the only schools in the US are the Ivy League schools. Ask them if they know schools like Washington University in St. Louis (AMAZING school, comparable to the Ivy Leagues) and I bet you they'll be like HUH? Never heard of it, definitely not famous. Not good.</p>
<p>Definitely need to promote the lesser-known-but-still-amazing schools to Singaporeans!</p>