<p>The OP will be competing against IMO, IOI, IPhO, IChO, and IBO medalists from across the world. I don’t see anything that can rival an international olympiad medal. Good luck, but Georgetown, Columbia, and Johns Hopkins are definitely not safeties.</p>
<p>Thanks for comment. Yes, Ive come to realize that Georgetown Columbia and JH are indeed not safeties. Dunno if I have mentioned but I am applying columbia ED.</p>
<p>haha, i’m not doing a paper application. If they see too much of my handwriting chances are they’ll reject me. :D</p>
<p>Well, I’m not in an IB program, so I wouldn’t know. I’ve been a member of this USEIC, United States Education Information Center in singapore - they offer alot of good advice. They told me the only things that colleges care about are my O and A level certs.</p>
<p>You can call them and ask - I don’t think they’ll be so anal as to ask you for a membership before they’ll answer ur question. <a href=“http://www”>www</a>. useic.org</p>
<p>I don’t think you need to worry abt applying before or after NS, since by your stats you’re very likely to be a PSC scholar 
and you’ll be off after serving just six months.</p>
<p>As a Singaporean myself, I have to agree that the school system in Singapore is much different from the US. My whole year got a 5 for AP Physics B, despite a wide range of student abilities - including people who’ve been getting C’s so far. So, comparing a 3.4 in Singapore and 3.4 in the US is not wholly accurate or justified. </p>
<p>On the other hand, OP, I’m curious as to how you could describe LA as a city of “illegal aliens and gangs”. International Affairs major? That comment reeks of biasness and prejudice, definitely not good qualifies for a future diplomat or politician.</p>
<p>On the bright side, OP, your resume is spectacular - I think you know that already. How did you fit in so many ECs? Commendable. Your standardized scores are really good too, it doesn’t get any better P: I’d say you’d get into one of HYP especially since you aren’t applying for financial aid. Good luck!</p>
<p>yeah, it’s political suicide (heh) to describe LA like that. it really appears condescending, and that’s gonna make people very disgusted.</p>
<p>I think you’ve got a great shot at those schools.</p>
<p>But Calcruzer has a point, even though he might have been a little over-the-top about your chances. You’d be too overconfident in labeling Columbia a “safety” school. Of course it probably wasn’t intentional, just based on what your counselor says and how the Singaporean system compares to the American one.</p>
<p>By the way I’ve heard it’s harder for international applicants to get into top schools because there is such a competitive pool.</p>
<p>screwitlah - thanks for the website, ill surely look into the website. I am in the IP so we dont do o levels, so I really hope that they only seriously consider my JC marks lol.</p>
<p>fiona_ - lol sorry, was just over the head when i wrote that. ive been to LA myself. it’s a beautiful city. i really wanted to do well after doing so badly in sec 3 and sec 4 so i got a little carried away with the CCAs.</p>
<p>tinnovici- yes u r right. it’s more difficult for international students i guess. and no, columbia is not a safety school lol :)</p>
<p>just one last question to the singaporeans: so if u r in IP and not doing O levels, does that mean they will consider only your JC marks?</p>
<p>ask your GC? frankly you shouldn’t concern yourself about this if you can’t choose whether or not to let colleges see those marks.</p>
<p>and yeah, DEFINITELY look into the website. i wish i had known about it in J2 - it’s authorised by the US Embassy, and offers advising and essay reviewing services. though of course you could probably find more comprehensive and more in-depth essay evaluation services on the net.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot screwitlah. Btw, which JC/Uni are you from? I have applied for the Foreign Ministry’s scholarship and I hope to get it. I also applied to schools like LSE, Oxford and Cambridge (which are tons more difficult considering only 0.5% of applicants selected for schools like LSE). Well thanks a lot for your help then.</p>
<p>hraghuvir, do you go to Raffles by any chance?</p>
<p>haha no. Raffles’ rival school.</p>
<p>I’m from HC. Excuse me, but Raffles’ rival school is HC, not AC :P</p>
<p>Have you been recommended by the school for the PSC tea session? Not the big one where everybody attends, but a small and cozy one for those highly recommended by the school.</p>
<p>Er, and you can’t apply to both Oxford and Cambridge if you’re applying for your first degree. what’s happening?</p>
<p>really? my school didnt tell me that. lucky i have not submitted yet. yes, i have attended the PSC tea session and i dont mind the 6 year bond I have to serve. </p>
<p>which universities r u applying for?</p>
<p>did your school also tell you about the Oct 15 deadline for Oxbridge? =/</p>
<p>:O no! because most of them are applying after NS.</p>
<p>anymore comments/feedback appreciated 
Thanks for everything to everyone so far!</p>
<p>Hi oL2K,</p>
<p>im from singapore too! I’ve faithfully read your whole thread. im really amazed by your credentials. such awesome resume. And I guess you had a very good chance in getting into HYP or any other top schools. So just curious, which US college did you go eventually? (or did you go to the UK colleges which you were accepted ?)
Please reply ! as I am really curious! </p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Harvard is just crapshoot for anyone applying for Singapore - I have zero idea how they select who to admit from Singapore.</p>
<p>Yale, Princeton - Possibly. They are not easy to get in to though. The main “problem” I see with your CV is that you don’t have anything that stands out (ISEF winner, I*O medallist, and so on). That doesn’t mean you won’t get in, but it just makes Y and P somewhat harder for you.</p>
<p>haha frankchn you’re a few years late!
I’m curious too, what school are you attending OP? hope you answer!</p>
<p>You have a 3.58 GPA. You have VERY LITTLE chance at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, JHU, Columbia, or Georgetown.</p>