All About Universities

[doodbug]

During my time (late 1990s, early 2000s), the EDB/Sembcorp and PSC, and later on, A*STAR push to the US over the UK or other countries, was very strong. For decades, PSC had direct connections with Oxbridge Colleges and could place selected scholars there - this practice has since stopped.

I would however, give credit to students (and their teachers) who even try to apply for US universities - the applications are so tedious! A lot of work for both the applicants and their teachers.

For most Singaporean students, I would say the cultural adjustment is more stark moving to the US than to the UK - there are many, many Singaporeans and other Southeast Asian students in the UK (some would argue, too many).

[slmkhoo]

I would however, give credit to students (and their teachers) who even try to apply for US universities - the applications are so tedious! A lot of work for both the applicants and their teachers.

For most Singaporean students, I would say the cultural adjustment is more stark moving to the US than to the UK - there are many, many Singaporeans and other Southeast Asian students in the UK (some would argue, too many).

Totally agree about the application process - every US university has it's own process, different essay/personal statement requirements, different deadlines, etc. In contrast, the UK universities have a common application process (although individual universities may have additional interviews or tests).

I'm not sure that the cultural adjustment to US is greater - media intake of young people is primarily from the US now. Some I've spoken to comment about how "old-fashioned" UK can be, and the vocabulary is quite different too. They might actually be more familiar with US vocab and lifestyle.

[SG_KP1]

The US Tier 1 universities will be overweight (relative to the population) Asian students (could be 25%+ of the cohort at some schools), so school life may not be so bad. It will also be easier to fit in if attending school in some of the larger coastal areas.

[floppy]

...
For most Singaporean students, I would say the cultural adjustment is more stark moving to the US than to the UK - there are many, many Singaporeans and other Southeast Asian students in the UK (some would argue, too many).

I think it's difficult to generalise.

There are over 5,000 universities and colleges in the US. If you are going to choose one of the ulu ones, chances are, you will be the minority of the minorities. However, bigger and more established universities are likely to see the same number of Singaporeans / Southeast Asian students compared to their counterparts in the UK.

[doodbug]

The US Tier 1 universities will be overweight (relative to the population) Asian students (could be 25%+ of the cohort at some schools), so school life may not be so bad. It will also be easier to fit in if attending school in some of the larger coastal areas.

They are American-born Asians.
If you look at the student profile statistics of Ivy League institutions - the proportion of international students is low.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/ ... statistics
For example, at Harvard, only 15.6% of the admitted undergrads this year are international.
The top UK universities will have a larger proportion of international students at the undergraduate level.

For US state universities, it varies more. Some state universities also cannot set a racial/ethnic quota for in-state students as they have to go by merit. Hence, the top state universities in say, California, will have a significant proportion of ethnic Asian students.

[doodbug]

I think it's difficult to generalise.

There are over 5,000 universities and colleges in the US. If you are going to choose one of the ulu ones, chances are, you will be the minority of the minorities. However, bigger and more established universities are likely to see the same number of Singaporeans / Southeast Asian students compared to their counterparts in the UK.

Due to diversity objectives, I don't think any of the US Ivy Leagues take in more than 10 Singaporeans a year. (Correct me if I am wrong.) There are years where Harvard and Princeton did not even admit one Singaporean unvergraduate. (Graduate studies is different altogether.)
The top ten UK universities have way more than 10 Singaporean freshmen each year (some more than 50 even).

[SG_KP1]

I think NCB was the first to send scholars to the US. LKY also pushed PSC to send scholars to the US. Currently, GovTech also sends scholars to US for technology-related areas (Comp Sc, AI, Big data).

Thinking aloud, looking at how toxic the cultural and political environment in US has become, it may be prudent for PSC to diversify the countries where the scholars are sent to. Time to revive scholarships to France, Germany or Japan and start new initiatives to India? If vast majority of grads here are from US, we may see culture wars erupting in our midst or more anon conspiracies circulating?

I remember seeing one President's Scholar from Dunman High that went to Beida (Peking/Beijing University), although she took both CSC (BSP class) and CLEP in JC. Seems like a rare occurrence though, both the subject combination and destination. Like the US, it may not be for everyone but the destination is the other economy on the planet that is hard to say "no" to...

[doodbug]

From my time, PSC has always sent a small number of scholars to Peking University - a senior of mine went and came back to work for MFA.
Unfortunately, having seen all the student dormitory videos on youtube and all, even the international student dorms, which are already better than those for local students, I don't think my kids (or I) can adjust to it. My American cousin spent a year at Beida on exchange programme about 3 years ago and had a Singaporean roommate (some govt scholar). One thing they really had to get used to was how meal times were arranged for in the canteens - I guess they had never seen such crowds/student numbers/ lines before and there is a rush as food runs out and the hours are narrowly prescribed.

[doodbug]

Oh yes one thing about Chinese dorms, you have to buy electricity cards and all for electricity and heating, and top them up. I like it in that it gives a sense of usage consciousness and promotes some environmental awareness. But as a result, many hallways seem to be very dimly lit as well. It's safe, I am sure. Just little things one has to get used to.

[SG_KP1]

They are American-born Asians.
If you look at the student profile statistics of Ivy League institutions - the proportion of international students is low.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/ ... statistics
For example, at Harvard, only 15.6% of the admitted undergrads this year are international.
The top UK universities will have a larger proportion of international students at the undergraduate level.

For US state universities, it varies more. Some state universities also cannot set a racial/ethnic quota for in-state students as they have to go by merit. Hence, the top state universities in say, California, will have a significant proportion of ethnic Asian students.

Fair enough on the place of birth...

Similar to Harvard, I think most like schools are around 20% int'l (+/-), although I don't know the specific splits by country. I was under the impression Cambridge and Oxford will both have more Singaporean students admitted/accepted each year compared to most of the Ivy / Ivy+, but I didn't think the numbers were as bleak as your other reply...