Hi MisterLee, want to share my two cents about applying to US unis, hope you don't mind.

Background: Just finished my A-Levels this year, means I did my SATS and US applications last year.

1. Be close to your lecturers.
Assuming you will be applying through Common App, you will need 2 references. If you intend to enroll in Taylors for your A-Levels, they will have one already prepared for you by your class teacher. The other one can be outsourced via a high school teacher, tuition teacher or simply a lecturer for another sub.

First impressions are extremely important, hence make yourself as likeable as possible towards your lecturers, have casual talks with them, let them understand you more, it really helps them put more context into your reference.

2. Studies
If you intend to apply to some good unis, results are extremely important, and by results I mean your A-Levels AND SPM. You will have to submit high school transcripts, and if I am not mistaken its means your Form 4 year end results, SPM and A-Levels (for form 4, if your year end result slip includes results from your mid years, you have to submit the entire thing, not just just the year end results).

3. Co-co
As someone mentioned earlier, US unis take an extremely holistic approach when it comes to selecting their students, and college/pre-u is a good time to bolster your CV. Join clubs and societies that interests you, join activities and take up leadership roles, and if you garner enough support, you might be able to start your own society!

4. Unis
Be realistic with your choices. Don't have the perception of "oh since I am spending so much money to go there I must aim Ivys and tier ones or not apply at all." Don't. Be honest with yourself, it is fine to aim high, but have some "backup schools" as well.

5. Essays
You need to start writing them early,which means you need to decide on what unis you want, check the dates and prepare accordingly, whether you want to go for ED or RD etc. It is always nice to have a 3rd person perspective of your essay, so don't worry on showing it to your family and friends!

I wish you all the best in your applications, and may you gain entrance to the school you desire

Hi,

Yup, because I was expecting myself to go to uni right after my A-levels, unfortunately I did not get any offers.

I am not sure how the Chinese vernacular school culture is, but in my high school being friendly with teachers was pretty common. Just joke around while maintaining good grades, sounds weird but seems to work haha. My lecturers were very nice, some even came to college at night to tutor us during exam period.

Well, just try your best, I am sure you will do alright.

I went to TCSJ, so I can only speak for that. The co-co activities are pretty abundant, and have a wide variety as well, just pick wisely. Those stuff you said also help, a little goes a long way, just don't do them at the expense of your studies.

NYU is really good, but living costs might be a bit steep, so it is your call in the end, the others I am not so sure. I will be applying to UTAustin as well! I don't wish to see you there as I hope you get a spot in NYU.

There are no UK styled "personal statements" for US apps as far as I know, it is usually all essays. It is fine, you can source English tutors outside and have them give their opinion on it, albeit with a fee. Understand this, there is no shame or waste in paying someone experienced to spot-check/give feedback to you, that money spent could potentially secure you a spot at your desired uni. I don't think I am qualified to give you any advice on essays as I will be applying for the same intake as you, however application process wise I might be able to give you a hand whenever I can, just shoot me a PM.

No problem

Early decision opens in November for most unis. I am now interning at a think tank.

Hahaha, well, you know the problem, find ways to make things right in college then.

I have friends from Klang who leave home at 6+am to make it for 8am classes, if that gives you an idea of the traffic. I joined Model United Nations (MUN). It is basically a society where they send you to conferences, in which you will represent a country and discuss on world issues. Rotary/interact clubs are pretty good too, just have a look during co-co day, they might have newer societies.

Well, if you have their support, I have nothing more to comment on this apart from all the best.

Well, you might say it is bland and boring, but I see it as structured and organised. That means the context of the PS is extremely important as you are given less wiggle room to make achievements seem more impressive than they really are. As I said, this is a decision you have to make alone, I am just a stranger on the internet giving my 2 cents.

From my perspective, it is because we are a commonwealth country, our professional certifications are linked (ACCA, ICAA, Bar), it is easier to find a job here should you not find one at the country you studied at. Application processes for US unis can be tedious as well, the number of essays that need to be written are proportional to the unis you apply, whereas for the UK one personal statement is all you need. The UK and Aussie unis "pre-uni" programme are widely available as courses for you to take (A-Levels, SAM/AUSMAT) as well, whereas SATS can be difficult to prep for because it is an extra study. Then again, ADP is slowly gaining traction so I believe that might change in the coming years.

I chose the US because my dad thinks it is an extremely promising place to obtain a tertiary education, and he shared his sentiments with me which got me interested.
I did apply to Aussie, as TCSJ has "ties" with most Aussie unis, so all I needed to do was to meet the requirements for my desired course, fill in form and submit. No application fee whatsoever. In terms of the UK, unless I am applying to your LSE's or UCL's (which I am wayyyy underqualified), I don't see it worth going as I can apply to HK/Singapore, which is equal if not better than most UK unis. Mind you I am not planning to apply a science-based course, hence there is no need for good educational facilities (labs).

Cheers.

Nope, it is called GMMF, they promote moderation through activities and deal with social issues locally and internationally.

Great! You have the spirit! Try to convince some of your college friends to apply there as well, it is good to have people on the same boat as you. Well, I haven't heard anyone say that about the US, to each of our own I guess.

I am taking the November seating if that is what you meant.
Yeah, I never heard of it till I started college, but after a bit of digging it seems pretty popular as it is time and cost efficient.

It was more of an influence than a one-advice thing, so I don't think I can give you any insight on that.
Well, it depends. If I get my top choices it is a no-brainer, but if its UT Austin vs Uni of Melbourne, sigh, I don't know.

Hi,

Yes, I intend to come back here to work, but not right after I finish my tertiary education, I want to work there for a couple years.

Of course, even by world ranking UMelb higher than UTAustin, but there are other factors such as costs of living, tuition fees, job opportunities etc.

Thanks for the advice though, appreciate it

Maybe, but as of now I intend to support and repay my parents as soon as I can.

Yup, it isn't that popular, but I am happy there

Ahha, well, as long as you all see it through, I am sure you guys will all do well.

To be honest, I never felt confident about it, so I really can't help you here, sorry.

I plan to do accouting, which has that certification issue I mentioned earlier as I worry it might be a hassle to "port" it should I come back to work.

The SAT is like any other exam, there is no way to study "everything". For example, the earlier parts of CR section usually include some bizarre words you have not, and probably never, encountered before.

Yup, which is why I am extremely worried about it, I need to do further research and whatnot about it.

As I replied earlier to another poster, I want to take care of my parents as a minute form of repaying them for what they have done for me.

I don't think USA PR's are that easy to get, besides I don't think it is fair for me to ask them to leave all their friends and whatnot just to start over at a foreign land. Also, they would be pretty old by the time I can afford to do so, so yeah, not very feasible, thanks for the suggestion though!