Hi, total newbie here so not sure if this is the right place to ask for advice…but please bear with me!
So I’m a third-year international student studying at a local polytechnic in Singapore (sort of like a technical high school) with a GPA of 2.942 (yikes!). My predicted GPA this semester though is a 4, so there’s an upward trend there (polytechnics in Singapore have 6 semesters). One of the biggest reasons why my GPA is less than stellar is because I’m enrolled in a design-related diploma, so grades are very subjective-essentially, if the lecturers decide that they don’t like the look of your design and it doesn’t fit in with their favored aesthetic, you’re screwed.
I recently took the SAT after about a week of prep and scored a 2210 (Math 670 CR 740 Writing 800). I’ve also taken two subject tests so far (800 Japanese, 790 Lit) and plan to take Math 2 later this year. I’ve always struggled with Mathematics and Science though.
I’m pretty active in my ECs and other activities-ten years of karate, four years of sailing, Model ASEAN, volunteering at a dojo, volunteering at a local tourist attraction etc. I’ve also won a few essay competitions, but nothing major. I have a portfolio of design work done in my diploma that I think is decent.
Here’s my question: where should I apply with my decent SAT and shitty GPA? I know little to nothing about what universities in the US might be a good fit for me, and our school doesn’t have guidance counselors. Most students go to local universities or Australian universities after graduating. I realize that my GPA is very low by American high school standards, but the local polytechnic system here is so different that I don’t think the American GPA and polytechnic GPA are equivalent. I also realize that my chances are lower as an international student.
Ideally I’d like to study international relations/political science, or maybe something to do with writing.
Any advice would be appreciated. (: