Yeah to be honest, there aren't many design majors around, still I don't think that should be a deterrent as long as you aim for a good design school in US.

It works like how a community college works. You take subjects that can be transferred into the university of your choice, why it exist is because community colleges credits are cheaper, this way you save money as you would do less credits in university cause you've cleared some of the subjects in college.
Most ppl do the foundational subjects in college and transfer to university.
I'm not sure how US's architecture program works, can't help you with this, sorry.
But overseas, the fees are indeed high.


The American system is fantastic for people who wants a balance and a change from the rigid British system.

A balance, which is why they require you to take subjects from a broad spectrum because Americans view education not as a specialization that leads to jobs but they want the students to also learn how to appreciate the finer things in life, which is why there's subjects like music and theater.

Subjects like philosophy, sociology and anthropology opens a student's mind to do actual thinking instead of just swallowing hard cold facts and regurgitating them out for exams.
My sociology lecturer told the class today during our first lesson,
"If you're not into thinking or are too lazy to think, drop this subject!"
Because you will fail.

And who says economics is not useful in our lives, regardless whether one majors in Chemical Engineering or Psychology, some knowledge regarding accounting and economics are highly useful.

Regarding no. 3 that's why its important to pick a uni as soon as possible.

In my humble opinion, the British system prepares graduates for jobs while the American system prepare their graduates for life.
This is of course a very subjective issue because everyone has their own opinions and they all differ as how mine differs from kim0215 so no flaming please.

i was a scholarship holder for adp and insisted to drop the stupid philosophy.
finally end up with argue with the office in school
haha
i said economics is not related and useful for that career,doesnt mean that it's not a useful knowledge,just give an example.u don't like to comment about eco,we can take account as an example too
haha.
so fast pick the uni also no use,cos some uni will not tell which is accepted until u send them ur transcript

One man's meat is another man's poison.

But for me, America system is interesting. But British system also nice la..
Hahaha..
You can prepare yourself for life in British system, or prepare yourself for jobs in America also.

Well some might not think that way People nowadays need more challenges especially those who are already good in their majors such as multimedia and such. That's from my POV lah.

I agree. I have a sister in America, doing biotechnology and I was convinced by her daily routine. You can work, you can take other classes such as dance class, drama and perform in front of whites (especially) and spread some of our culture there. This might be a good or a bad thing, you choose.

Lol philosophy's one of my favorite subjects, had a great lecturer, really opened my mind to new ways of thought and introduced me to so many great philosophers. Probably cause I'm very interested in humanity and different ideals which you don't.
But econs and accounts are useful, in the future when you deal with business (whether you start one, or invest in one, or buy shares etc etc) its going to be very handy plus, when you start working, all that tax stuff, accounting knowledge is useful (otherwise your accountant con you, you also dunno, how?)

Choosing the uni, of course la choose a uni within your range, Americans applying to universities pick unis base
1. Safety schools (definitely can get in)
2. Reach schools (within reach but rejections are possible for whatever reason)
3. Dream schools (if you're lucky you get in)
When you apply, don't tell me you just send one application. By the 2nd semester at least have a rough idea of which uni you want to go (pick a few) and choose subjects that are transferable to those universities.

Well sort of, both education systems basically have good and bad points, and will suit different people depending on their preference.
I just find UK's system very specialize, rigid and not flexible, not suitable for me, I like a little leeway and more control over choosing my subjects.
I think education involving philosophy, politics, economics, psychology etc etc are important not for job prospects but for self development, my personal interests, hence the US system suits me better.
Its depends on the student on the direction they want to take regarding education.

Yeah! Challenges, and new stuff! Spice up your life a bit learning new things ^^

Yup. The strength of the American system is its liberal education, something I prefer over other systems. There are a lot of fun and useful classes to take and there are also a lot of pointless, totally ridiculous courses to be taken as well.

Best thing about liberal education in the US is that it enables you to take double majors or even an extra master degree within a typical 4 year degree program. I nearly ended up with a double major in engineering and economics but ended up with only an econ minor instead. Drats, should have just overloaded that last quarter.

i met a very bad lecturer
she was a part time lecturer(it's ok for me)
then she never tell us how to answer the philosophical question
she only said we did wrong for the previous question
then she never return our stuff.
then she didnt tell us our coursework mark after we finished the whole semester.
then everyday in class only ask our comment, at the end of class,my fren and i also didn't know what were the main point
haha

maybe i am unlucky to have this kind of lecturer in lousy school

in my opinion,US system study less for the major as we have to study everything

Well I love the thing about double majors too. You can expand the sprectum of your learning. If not, you can also take minor. My sister told me this yesterday, it made me even more excited and interested in studying overseas.

Hmm.. not exactly. Good lecturer or not, it still the interest that counts. ..and there are also possibilities of you getting good lecturers in other universities so you can't just criticize the whole US system based on what you alone experienced.

So far, my favorite subject is Engineering Graphic We talk and make joke with the lecturer and each other while we were drawing our homework.

My friend go for SAT after standard 6.
Just go for homeschooling. But the environment really swt.. cause those schoolmates are 20+ years old.

if u are interested but u couldn't know the technique to answer,so u wan a bad result and insist to take the exam?
i just said US system study everything,didnt mean that it's not good
and in my opinion,i not very like it because study less major for myself.
my fren who did ADP in taylor also didn't dare to take philosophy

Well exam results aren't everything, depends how kiasu you are la. Some people view studying as learning process, some people view studying as a "scoring process". They have no interest in what they're studying and just want to get it over with scoring the highest marks possible.

Didn't you use your consultation hours to speak with your lecturer about the marking system? Anyway my sympathies regarding your lousy Philosophy lecturer, you should lodge a complain with your college...

You got a scholarship for ADP right? If so, you surely would have sufficiently good results to apply for other pre-U like A levels, in my opinion, you would have fitted in, into A levels's style of learning perfectly. You didn't do your research about the difference in learning patterns between the UK and the US system prior to taking ADP.... aiya you shouldn't jump straight for the scholarship mah

This post has been edited by Jyou: May 6 2009, 04:59 PM

Sociology is getting scarier..
I think it's better for me to drop it ASAP