NEED SOME advice about getting into a US university

<p>i am a dual Citizen (Singapore & US), am serving national service now
I am interested in getting into a US university.
Basically, I have fairly good O Level grades but pretty poor A level grades.
I have taken my SATs and SAT subject Tests and have obtain scores above 2000+ for both.
My CCA track record is fairly good as well.
I would seriously need a good advice/opinion on my chances in getting into a good university in the US, to name a few, University of Michigan, Berkley, New York University, University of Chicago and Stanford University.</p>

<p>I am aware of my academic background but really wish you seniors could offer a tip or two!</p>

<p>Furthermore, do you guys have any good advice in improving my current situation to better enhance my competitive edge in entering these university.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance! I would REALLY appreciate your comments and suggestions!! :)</p>

<p>With poor A level scores and a 2000 on the SAT, your list is unrealistic. Of these schools. depending on just how bad the A levels are, you might have a shot at Michigan.</p>

<p>If you can tell us the A level scores, what you want to study and how much you can spend, we can help with some realistic choices.</p>

<p>It also sounds like you have a good shot at NYU</p>

<p>Hey Sorry for the late reply</p>

<p>Well, i got the following results for my A-levels</p>

<p>H2 Math - B
H2 Chem - B
H2 Bio - B
H2 Econ - C
H1 Project Work - B
H1 Chinese - C
H1 GP - E</p>

<p>Yes, my results were devastatingly poor. Didnt really expected it </p>

<p>Anyway, I plan to study anyone of the following… Biomedical sciences, life sciences, economics or accountancy.</p>

<p>i am willing to pay any amount.</p>

<p>So US universities do take into account of your A level transcipts? </p>

<p>Haha, anyway thanks for all your advices! I really appreciate it.</p>

<p>I’m not familiar with the A level stuff, but Michigan isn’t a walk in the park. Its acceptance rate is high(42.1%), but that fools many people that apply. You only have a good chance of getting accepted to Michigan if you apply early. Out of state students have it hard. They are subject to stricter criteria when admitted. Acceptance rate for out of state students is roughly 25%.</p>

<p>Your test scores are good enough to be accepted to any of the schools you listed, but I don’t understand what your “GPA” would be. What determines acceptance other than numbers are extracurricular activities, recommendations, essays and personal qualities. You don’t give us enough information to give you advice on what you should do. Maybe other CC people can help you better than I can with that A level courses, etc.</p>

<p>Slight Reach: Michigan and NYU</p>

<p>Reach: Stanford, Berkeley and Chicago</p>

<p>I am wondering if your school gives grades in classes beyond your O and A level scores if you are required to submit your A level reults to American universities as long as you submit the requisite SAT I and II’s. If you can apply using your (A level free) high school transcript plus your SAT’s, would that look fishy for an applicant coming from Singapore? If not, you might be able to avoid the whole issue. </p>

<p>You might want to chat with admissions folks from American universities that don’t actually interest you to get their take on whether A level results need to be included in an application from a student from Singapore. (I realize that in Singapore, O and A level scores might be more important than the grades you receive in your classes from your teachers. But grades are important to American universities.)</p>

<p>Also, if you’ve only taken SAT’s once, have you considered studying and re-taking in the hope of getting a slight bump in your scores? Over 2000 is a very good score, but for some of the universities on your list, higher scores could be helpful.</p>

<p>Just as a sidenote: being willing to pay full tuition, at private universities, probably puts you about on par with American candidates’ chances. It’s when you’re an international that needs aid that your chances start going down incredibly, or when you apply to schools that do give significant aid to internationals (like Princeton, which is need-blind and meets full need for internationals… but is ridiculously hard for internationals to get into).</p>

<p>^ He is a US citizen as well - so it doesn’t matter. I think internationals (especially coming overrepresented East Asia/India) are going to have a harder time even if they are full-pay.</p>

<p>There are hundreds of U.S. universities that would be happy to have you. Add some safety/match schools to your list. New York City? In addition to NYU, apply to Fordham. Chicago? In addition to U Chicago, apply to DePaul. Want another USNews top 100 National University? Apply to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.</p>

<p>Hrm… just to summarise several questions that are still giving me a headache</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Realistically speaking, which colleges should i aim to get into given my poor results? In any chance, how do i enhance my portfolio or my application to give it the extra boost to increase my chances in entering these top universities. I am pretty interested in Berkley Chicago and Michigan though haha</p></li>
<li><p>After flipping through the application forms of several universities, i realized that it is possible NOT TO SHOW my A level transcript. Henceforth, is it wise NOT TO EVEN SHOW my A level transcript? I am willing to show my O level transcript though.</p></li>
<li><p>How many testimonials should i obtain? </p></li>
<li><p>How do i ensure that my school fees are fully covered by my 2nd year? Would it be ideal to aim for a scholarship that would cover my tuition fees?</p></li>
<li><p>What would be a good time to submit my application?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it necessary to take TOEFL? Because i heard that Singaporeans might not need to take TOEFL at all</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Anyway, sorry for all of my long and slightly irritating questions. Thanks for all you guys help anyway!! i would like to hear some of your successful stories though, that would greatly encourage me too! ^^</p>

<p>If your high school classes were taught in English, you shouldn’t need to take the TOEFL.</p>

<p>If you don’t want to report your A levels, don’t report your A levels. Sometimes students who have both ACT and SAT scores only report one or the other, which ever they did better on. (Top school admissions offices will notice your A levels are “missing.”)</p>

<p>Schools tell you how many letters of reference they want. Some will want none, some one, some two. Read the instructions on the application.</p>