Workshop on Getting Admitted to American Universities

February 26, 2004

Ambassador Frank Lavin

Over 4200 Singaporeans study in American colleges and universities every year, with a third of them pursuing some kind of graduate degree or enrolled in advanced training courses. While the United States is probably the preferred choice for Singaporeans to pursue their higher education, concerns and confusion over tuition costs, academic criteria, cultural adjustments, and visa issues keep many from giving it serious consideration. To correct some of these misperceptions, and to encourage more Singaporeans to study in the United States, the American Embassy organized a program February 26 that examined recent changes and trends in the admissions process to U.S. schools. Held in conjunction with a U.S. Education Fair at the Carlton Hotel, over 40 junior college student counselors, alumni of American schools, and university officials attended the session. Program speakers included the Director of the U.S. Education Information Center, an embassy Consular Officer, representatives from three alumni associations of American schools, and U.S. Ambassador Frank Lavin. Discussion topics included upcoming changes in the SAT, student visa requirements & procedures, the role Singapore’s alumni groups can play in their schools’ admissions process, and where to go for information, assistance, and counseling on getting into the right American university or college. As the embassy's Public Affairs Officer noted in opening the program, "In so many fields of study and areas of research, American schools are recognised as among the best in the world. Don't Singaporean students deserve the best? When they go overseas to study, shouldn't it be to the United States?"