Polytechnics diploma from Sigapore and its equivalence to US grading system

Student Lounge International Students
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<p>Hello,
I attended Nanayng Polytechnic in Singapore , taking diploma in Electronics and computer engineerig. Unlike polytechnics in US, polytechnics here do not offer degree programs , instead provide 3-year diploma courses , such as engineering , business , hospitality management ,etc , which train students with a more practice-oriented education as an alternative to junior colleges for post-secondary studies before going to univerisities.
Courses offered follow a modular & credit-based academic system. Each course has a combination of different units of study called modules. These modules cover various subject areas relevant to the course and are broadly classified as Core Modules ,Prescribed Electives and Complementary Electives with a firm foundation in the central discipline of respective studies. Each module weighs differnet credits . For example , as an electronics and computer engineering student , I have taken most of the electronics and computer modules as Core Modules which give more credit than elective modules such as Prescribed and Complementary modules in which interdisciplinary courses such as communication skills , entrepreneurship etc are conducted with less weighted credits .
Highest GPA is 4 , evaluating with individual modules credit. I attached the link of the assessment system.
<a href="http://www.nyp.edu.sg/current-students/academic-matters/nyp-assessment-regulations#nypgs"&gt;http://www.nyp.edu.sg/current-students/academic-matters/nyp-assessment-regulations#nypgs&lt;/a>
The above is for semester based system. For Cumulative GPA , a three-year average GPA, I find the link from Sigapore Poly's grading system more clear .
<a href="http://www.sp.edu.sg/wps/portal/vp-spws/!ut/p/c0/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_hQD1NXIzdTEwN3PxcnA0_fIDNvSwsDYwNnM_2CbEdFAOmP6Lk!/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/Lib-SPWS/site-spwebsite/current+students/examinations/examination+grading+system+%28current+students+-+student+admin+-+examination+-+overview+-+exam+grading+system%29"&gt;http://www.sp.edu.sg/wps/portal/vp-spws/!ut/p/c0/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_hQD1NXIzdTEwN3PxcnA0_fIDNvSwsDYwNnM_2CbEdFAOmP6Lk!/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/Lib-SPWS/site-spwebsite/current+students/examinations/examination+grading+system+%28current+students+-+student+admin+-+examination+-+overview+-+exam+grading+system%29&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>MY QUESTION IS - in commonapps application form, how should I put my GPA weighting ; weighted or unweighted ?
Hope somebody find this post and answer to me.
Thanks.</p>

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<p>I would go with unweighted. Weighted GPA refers to extra credits gained from higher weightage of AP classes and such, explaining the tendency of one’s GPA going beyond 4. Sg polytechnics’ GPA system varies from that of the US HS system, and it’s impossible for an individual to attain above 4.0. Besides, our courses of study and way of conferring grades are completely different as well.</p>

<p>In addition, I have corresponded with ad coms at a few institutions, and they replied (and I quote) ‘We evaluate all applicants with a knowledge of their school environment, so we will certainly be aware of the GPA system in Singapore when reviewing your application.’ I hope this helps!</p>

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<p>Thank you for your information . I now have some serious dilemma though .
I emailed a few institutions about my brief school system. Some of the counselors demand me to apply as a transfer student since I believe that the name “Polytechnic” and its system is a little similar to that of the universities. However , in Singapore , polytechnics’ certificates are noted as diploma , not degree . What I mean is that polytechnics are not universities but an alternative pathway to junior college where JCs focus more on academic and polys on technical aspect.
I cannot open two accounts - one for freshman and one for transfer- for the colleges I intend to go. I am also afraid that they would reject me if I apply as a freshman.
Are the board members aware of the school system here or they have the same opinion with the counselors that I emailed ?
Kindly , suggest me how to proceed . thanks </p>

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You can only attend SG polys after graduating from high school with a diploma, correct? Then, from a US perspective, this should be equivalent to college coursework. In the US, community colleges, formerly known as junior colleges, had academic work leading to transfer to university resulting in BA/BS. You would get the corresponding AA/AS at junior college. However, they also offer the AAS (associate in applied science) for coursework in hotel management, engineering technology, graphic design and the like. You can transfer that work to a university with a “tech” college resulting in a Bachelor’s of Applied Science.

Here’s an example from the University of Houston, a Tier 1 research university: http://www.uh.edu/technology/