MARCH 17: COLLEGE ADMISSIONS AROUND THE WORLD
Didi Hari Krishnan

What was covered?

  • Non-US options and their requirements 

  • Notes re: English proficiency

  • Recent Singapore American School data shows that approximately 50 percent of the Class of 2019 applied to at least one university outside of the US and 22 percent enrolled in non-US institution 

  • Visas - living in uncertain times

  • Upcoming College Admission Seminar: Saturday, April 
 

There are exceptions to everything:
- Example: Australia usually just SAT/ACT scores, but at least two universities look at GPA, and a few programs look at AP scores
- Don’t try to apply to too many systems
- Too much work
- Dilutes your strength as an applicant in some cases
- What looks good in the US does not necessarily look good in UK—what looks good in Canada is opposite of Australia
·      Biggest Bargains: Netherlands and Japan
- Intakes for other countries that are not in August/Sept:
o   Australia – February
o   Korea – March
o   Japan – April 

Hong Kong:
Key facts
- Over 30 universities—a blend of public and private
- Many programs in English 
- High cost of living 
- Comprehensive universities are highly competitive
- Most programs are four-year programs

Admissions considerations:
- High standardized test scores are important (and some may require SAT II subject tests)
- Holistic admissions
- Essays and recommendations usually required
- May need a second language in addition to English

Resources: 
Study in Hong Kong
iPASS (Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes)


Japan:
Key facts
- Small but growing number of programs in English
- Private and public options
- English-speaking programs are often very small and highly competitive
- Japanese-speaking programs require a centralized written exam
- April Intake (some English-speaking programs start in September)

Admissions considerations:
- Most important factors: SAT score and GPA
- Holistic admissions: essays and recommendations usually required
- No single admissions deadline or form
- Paper applications
- If you are Japanese, check each school to see if you are a “returnee”
- Follow directions on website for each school
- Pay super-close attention to deadlines

Resources:
Study in Japan 
Searching for Programs in English in Japan

Korea:
Key facts
- Limited programs for English speakers
- Most programs require fluency in Korean—reading and writing included!
- Mostly public universities 
- One “global campus” with private options
- March intake (some programs have September)

Admissions considerations:
Most important factors: GPA and test scores (SATs, Subject Tests, and APs)
Some schools are moving toward holistic admissions
Transcript, essays, recommendations all required
Some applications still on paper
They like SAT/ACT and AP (and Subject Test) scores

Admissions tracks:
- International or non-Korean
- Overseas Korean:
  - more than 12 Years out
  - less than 3 Years out

- Korean:
  - 12 Years out (easier and no quotas)
  -  3 Years out (maximum six choices)

Resources:
Study in Korea
Incheon Global Campus

The Netherlands:
Key facts
- 60 percent of courses taught in English
- Options:
   - Three-year research universities 
   - Four-year universities of applied sciences
- University colleges (honors programs at research universities)
- Need to know your intended course of study
- Lots of interactive learning

Admissions considerations:
- Most important factor: Three or four AP exam scores
- GPA not usually a factor
- Apply separately to each school
- Some programs—university colleges, business administration programs, and conservatories are highly selective
- Most programs are open admission if you have their AP scores
- Certain programs may require specific subjects (e.g., math or physics)
- Some programs ask for a recommendation letter

Resources:
Study in The Netherlands 
Finding Majors

Singapore:
Key facts
- Options:
  - Six highly competitive public universities with three-year degree programs
  - Five polytechnics
- Private, foreign public, and partnership university options 
- All courses taught in English
- Three-year diplomas at the polytechnics can lead to degrees
- Limited places for international students in public institutions
- Need a student pass
- Main intake in August. Some schools have January/February intakes

Admissions considerations:
- Test scores: SAT/ACT, APs, and/or subject tests
- Minimum grade requirements
- Need to know your specific area of study
- Apply to each school separately
- If you don’t meet basic test scores, don’t apply
- They like SAT/ACT and AP (and subject test) scores
- Be aware of start dates

Australia:
Key facts
- 40 universities
- Most programs are three years
- Nearly all courses will be in your intended field of study
- Limited on-campus housing
- February intake

Admissions considerations:
- Must apply to a course of study
- Most important: SATs or ACTs
- Transcript needed to show GPA for a few schools/programs  
- No recommendation letters (except for housing)
- No essays (except for housing)

Resources:
IDP 
Study in Australia

Canada:
Key facts
- 100 universities
- Most programs are four years
- Each province oversees its own universities
- Students usually choose based on size, location, and program
- Colleges are two-year, pre-professional
- Three-year work permits available afterward
- Can usually start in liberal arts and then pick your major after two years
- Medicine only after four-year program—almost impossible for international kids
- September intake

Admissions considerations:
- Most important factor: junior and senior year grades in core courses
- No recommendation letters
- Some Canadian universities do consider SATs
- Only a few require essays
- Need to know your general area of study
- Each university has its own application—only Ontario has a centralized app (OUAC)

Resources:

Directory of Canadian Universities

Universities Canada
University Study

United Kingdom
Key facts
- Over 100 public universities
- All courses are in one area of study (Scotland offers slightly more flexibility)
- Courses are three-years long (four years in Scotland)

Admissions considerations:
- Must choose your course of study
- Most important: AP exam scores (usually require three)
- A few courses or universities require additional external exams (e.g. BMAT, UKCAT, etc.) 
- Reference letter and personal statement focused on the course of study
- Generally apply through UCAS to a maximum of five universities
- Less than five programs require more than three AP scores 

Resources:
UCAS (Finding Courses & Applying)
British Council in Singapore

  • admissions
  • college admissions
  • college counseling
  • high school

 

 

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