Poly or JC easier route to US uni?

[soveryconfused]

Hi, I will be getting my O level results very soon and I'm very confused as to whether I should apply to a poly or jc, if my ultimate goal is to go to a US college.

I was doing research and I read that poly students might have to study an additional 2 1/2 to 3 years for a normal 4 year degree course due to not being able to transfer enough credits. I also have to take SATs. (Which I plan to.)

Now, I also understand that there's a difference between applying as a freshman student and as a transfer student. And I also understand that poly diploma holders are usually considered as transfer applicants. Would it be easier if I apply as a freshman, considering all the transfer credits thing?

The only reason I'm considering poly, is because I know exactly what I want to do and I think that the internships offered might give me an edge in my college application.

I don't know what to do. Please help.

[savethewow]

Which US colleges are you aiming for? Some do accept Olevels for entry.

JC route is better for US.
Poly route is better for Aus.

[patryn33]

Some uni don't matter freshman or transfer others do for dip holders.
I heard its easier for UT - Austin as freshman but one is still looking at GPA which qualify one to our local uni

Others may auto change your status to transfer when they see your credits transfer.

Very much depends on uni.

Better USA uni can be up to 3.5yrs. 2.5 yrs is rare or u have to take a load of class in summer and regular term

[soveryconfused]

Originally Posted by savethewow

Which US colleges are you aiming for? Some do accept Olevels for entry.

JC route is better for US.
Poly route is better for Aus.

I'm looking at colleges in New York, Los Angeles and maybe San Francisco because I have family there. Maybe then it wouldn't be so lonely during the holidays.

NYU? Perhaps.

Thanks for your reply though! I'll think it through.

[patryn33]

San Fran not many uni. If u are looking at Stanford or UC Berkeley go JC and aim straight As.

New York - nyu biz is hard to get in. Aim straight As too. Columbia same thing.

USC or UCLA hard for dip, a levels easier. But it's much easier for u to head to community college after O and transfer to finish the final 2 yrs. study A levels only get u 1 term off.

[soveryconfused]

Originally Posted by patryn33

San Fran not many uni. If u are looking at Stanford or UC Berkeley go JC and aim straight As.

New York - nyu biz is hard to get in. Aim straight As too. Columbia same thing.

USC or UCLA hard for dip, a levels easier. But it's much easier for u to head to community college after O and transfer to finish the final 2 yrs. study A levels only get u 1 term off.

Yes, I'm looking at USC too. The thing is, for the poly course i'm looking at, Columbia offers advanced standing to the students who graduated from the course. But Columbia doesn't have an undergraduate program for the major I want. UCLA doesn't either. So those two are out.

I might consider the community college route if my results are meh and I can't make it to a good JC. I guess I still need the two years to "grow up". :P

The poly course sounds really fun though. Exactly what I want to do.

[patryn33]

Columbia indicate one will get adv standing from the poly course? And URL from Columbia to show that?
U are interested in the poly course but not the degree program offered at Columbia that grant adv standing? How does that work?

Stereotyping here, a lot of students are rich. Indo called the USC as uni of spoilt child. Kids driving nice car like BMW pretty much a norm there, eat out daily.

[savethewow]

Originally Posted by soveryconfused

The poly course sounds really fun though. Exactly what I want to do.

Which? I always worry when students say XX course "sounds really fun" because 9 out of 10 times they have just fallen for marketing fluff.

[Collegify]

If you apply as a freshman, it does not really matter whether you are from JC or Poly. But if you Poly you would end up spending extra year in Uni - so its better to go the JC route.

However, do take consideration which JC/Poly you would be able to enter. That school should be able to give you ample opportunities for ECAs etc that will help you build your profile for a good application to the US!