Eh hi guys! I just recently finished my SPM and whatnot, planning to take my SAT soon. I'm planning to apply as a freshman instead of a transfer student to a couple of American universities like UC Berkeley, UCLA and UC Irvine (definitely not Ivies, but still ridiculously competitive).

Just curious, are there any programs that I can do besides Taylor's 1+4 and A Levels to apply as a freshman? Taylor's fees seem to be quite exorbitant and I'm not very keen on taking A levels.

Thank you so much . So INTI does offer a 1+4 program that allows me to apply as a freshman? Sorry for all the questions. I tried asking at edufairs, but all of the spokespeople seemed very ... well, misinformed. And the INTI counselor hasn't been free for weeks

Haha, I was afraid of that. So in conclusion the universities will still take into account your GPA (and of course SAT score) but your credits will not be transferable? Hmm, how's INTI? Has anyone successfully gone to the higher-tiered aforementioned universities through their ADP program? I'm guessing it's virtually impossible to get into competitive unis through the 2+2 program?

Omg. That person must be a legend. I'll definitely drop by soon. Thanks sooo much for your help!

Ah, thank you for giving this little tidbit of information! I was just about to come back here and poke around about needblind universities. I'm currently quite financially stable at the moment but I'd liked to be prepared in advanced and do my research in case anything should happen.

Wasn't expecting to get this much much information from the forums. Pleasantly surprised, I must say. Thanks so much everyone!

What previous poster posted is true. If you're aiming for the Ivy Leagues, do not bother going through ADP. Actually, if you take the SATs straight after SPM you can apply immediately for the USA. You have to have an SAT score of at least 2100+/2400 as well really impressive curriculums to get accepted into the Ivies. I'm talking national-level competitions (preferably sports) or something equally impressive. Even if you take A levels, you will still have to take the SATs. The marginal benefit of taking A-levels is that you'll get to transfer some of it as extra credits to whichever institution you apply to.

Also, I have to disagree with MisterLee. The American education system gives you a whole lot of freedom in choosing your courses. You get the option of minoring in a field that is completely unrelated to your degree. There aren't a lot of 'American pre-u' programs because you don't need a foundation program to apply for an American university. You honestly just need the SATs and proof that you've graduated highschool. They take our Form 5 as a Grade 12 equivalent. Another option is to enroll into Taylor's 1+5 program, which acts as a sort of Grade 12 equivalent and allows you to apply for the Ivies.

Yes, ADP saves you a LOT of time and money, but it comes at the expense of missing out on the more elite American universities. You can still apply to good universities through ADP, just not the Ivies or the 'public' Ivies like UC Berkeley (or any of the UC schools for that matter).

Regardless, if you get into an Ivy, finance should not be a problem. Astro and Bank Negara both offer scholarships for students accepted at an Ivy school, although there are probably several other requirements.

*PS, I have to mention this. American universities take an extremely holistic approach in selecting their students. They don't just take into your grades, they truly look at you as a person. They want very well-rounded individuals who excel both in and out of the classroom. You can have extremely solid grades and still you might not make the cut if you don't have equally impressive curriculums, and this is especially true for the Ivies.

Oh wow, that's a bit shocking . Wisconsin-Madison and Penn State University Park both recognize SPM too. Upon inquiry, I was told by the admissions department that SPM and the SATs would be sufficient for Michigan Ann Arbor as well. SPM is even listed on their website. Ah, I have a friend aplpying to MIT next fall. If I'm not mistaken, MIT does require you to take SAT Subject Tests though, which I've heard are quite difficult.

However, generally all universities I've made inquiries to have told me that SPM would be considered as our final highschool transcript, and thus be equivalent to Grade 12.

I'm honestly not very sure about the UEC, I haven't seen it listed on any American universities.

This post has been edited by LesAffreux: Oct 2 2014, 01:31 AM

I'm actually from INTI's AUP. Applied to Penn State University Park, Wis-Mad and Minnesota Twin Cities. So far got accepted to Penn State and still awaiting replies from Minnesota and Wis-Mad. Depending on my SAT results in November, I might apply to some of the more difficult schools as a freshman (although honestly, I'm so tired with the whole application process).

YES. I feel you for the financial aid part. And honestly it is so ridiculously expensive to apply to the States. The online application fees, courier fees and TOEFL delivery fees all add up to a ridiculous amount. Common App alone is already a whooping $75 for UMich. But if I'm not mistaken, there's an Opportunity Fund from MACEE which will pay for all the costs of applying. I could be wrong though.

Pressure is good . It keeps you on edge and pushes you to achieve your dreams.

Which schools said they wouldn't accept SPM though? I've had so many bad experiences with the admissions counselors who reply emails. Sometimes you have to really push your case about SPM being your final highschool transcript. But it's all good since you're taking A levels.

All the best with the SATs and A levels! Feel free to PM me anytime if you have any questions about US universities and I'll try to answer to the best of my knowledge

I'm studying Economics . Surprise, surprise! Although I'm actually considering a double major or a minor in Math. I haven't sat for the SATs (heh, puns) yet, I'm sitting for it on November 8th. I'll definitely let you know how it goes! Right now I'm trying to juggle between SAT prep and my college courses . So honestly I don't think I'm going to do that well.

Don't worry, if you get into a very good school there will be scholarships. Work hard to make your NYU dreams come true!

Ah, no worries! But do your best for SPM because you'll still have to send your SPM results when you apply. Don't worry, A-levels is very safe, and you'll get some credits transferred from it too.

Nope, I'm in INTI's ADP/AUP program. I didn't take A levels, heh.

I'm using the blue book from collegeboard. Been studying for around half a month. I have a month left until my test date .


I think you will, don't worry about it too much! Just do your best

Technically you could still apply for a J.D Program with an undergraduate that isn't from the States. Most schools would ask you to submit your transcripts to the LSAC Credential Assembly Service to be evaluated. I'm not sure how it's gonna affect your application, but generally law schools really take into consideration your GPA and your scores on the LSAT.

Not to be a downer, but I would really recommend taking law somewhere other than the US. Just because (if I'm not mistaken) you can't practice law in Malaysia if you get your J.D in the States. I do not think Malaysia recognizes the J.D.

Also, as a previous poster said, it's incredibly hard to get residency in the States. Also, the amount of lawyers in the States is already staggering and finding employment (especially without residency) would be very, very, very difficult.