SEP Mastery: NUS Exchange Unveiled

Navigating SEP Application and Course Mapping: A Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on a Student Exchange Program (SEP) is an exciting journey, and efficient planning is key to a successful application and course mapping. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the SEP application process (specfically for the School of Computing), highlight important considerations, and share tips for effective course mapping. Drawing from my personal experience, I chose the US for my exchange, with my top three preferences being in the US, followed by Korea and the Netherlands. I was fortunate to be accepted into Pennsylvania State University, where I spent my Year 3 Semester 1.

Based on my experience helping out my friends and juniors in computing with their SEP applications, I’m pretty confident about the advice and analysis I’m offering. Just keep in mind that this is a guide and things can change from year to year. Plus, there’s always a bit of luck involved!

Overview of Exchange Program Slots by Academic Year (For School of Computing)

Academic Year	Schools Available	Total Slots Available
24/25	144	354
23/24	134	335

Please be aware that the slots mentioned pertain to Round 1 availability. Subsequent rounds, such as Round 1.5 (designated for NUS scholars) and Round 2, typically offer much fewer slots.

Additionally, it seems there exists an informal Round 3, which is not publicly advertised. To inquire about slots remaining after Round 2, you may directly contact the faculty. These slots are often available due to being unclaimed in earlier rounds, increasing the likelihood of securing one upon request.

Selecting the Right University for Your Exchange Program

Applying in the Round 1 provide you with more options and flexibility. It allows you to choose between going in Semester 1 or 2, depending on your preferences and the opportunities available in each term. If you’re considering regions for your exchange, it’s important to research each one thoroughly to understand the academic offerings, cultural environment, and logistical considerations. I would be sharing the 3 most popular regions below.

North America (US & Canada)

• Cost of Living: North America generally has a higher cost of living compared to other regions. The cost of living in the United States tends to be higher than in Canada, primarily because of the strength of the US dollar.

• Transportation: It’s advisable to go if you or your companions can drive. The location of the university—city or college town—can greatly affect travel convenience. Major cities typically have large airports, facilitating easy travel to other states. Conversely, college towns may require additional travel to reach major airports, which can be time-consuming and less reliable, especially when relying on buses. Additionally, flights from regional airports can be costly and may require layovers. However, embarking on a road trip with friends can be an unforgettable experience and is something you may want to consider. It’s an added treat for car enthusiasts, as you have the option to rent high-end vehicles in the US for your journey.

• Campus Life: The campus life in the US is vibrant, with a strong emphasis on student engagement. Given that the legal drinking age is 21, if this aspect of social life holds significance for you, it may be advisable to opt for Semester 2, especially if you’re a girl who is not 21 yet. The quality of facilities in the US is generally much better than everywhere else due to their high tuition fees.

• Entertainment: Outside of major cities like NYC, LA, and Vegas, North American cities may lack excitement. Hence I would advise one to travel to iconic natural attractions such as Niagara Falls, Lake Louise, Yosemite National Park or the Grand Canyon.

• Safety in US: While there are areas with higher risks, common sense and prudent decision-making typically ensure safety. It’s rare to encounter extreme situations, as was my case when I unexpectedly came across a crime scene on my first day. However, I would say such experiences are not common for most travelers.

Europe

• Cost of Living: Europe’s COL ranges from moderate to high, with Scandinavian countries being notably more expensive. Your overall expenses will largely depend on your travel habits and the number of countries you plan to visit. Cooking at home can help reduce living costs, with most of your budget likely going towards travel and accommodation.

• Cultural Exploration and Transportation: Europe’s rich cultural tapestry is easily accessible thanks to its unparalleled network of affordable and convenient transportation options. Students on the SEP often take advantage of this by embarking on weekend trips, exploring a variety of countries, historical sites, and diverse cultures within close proximity. Unlike your friends in other regions, students in Europe can effortlessly transition between different languages and landscapes, enriching their SEP experience.

• Social Dynamics: Exchange students in Europe often find themselves socializing within their own circles, such as with fellow Singaporeans or exchange students. Making local friends can be more challenging compared to the diverse and populous settings of the US and Canada. If broadening your social horizons is a priority, North America might offer more opportunities to step out of your comfort zone.

East Asia

• Cost of Living: Asia is known for its affordability, with significantly lower costs for rent and food compared to Europe and North America.

• Transportation: Getting around is generally easy, with efficient travel options available across the continent.

• Entertainment: East Asia offers a vibrant nightlife that often extends well into the early hours, providing a lively atmosphere that is more akin to Singapore’s nocturnal scene than that of European or North American cities. Shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues typically remain open late, offering an array of nighttime activities.

• Language Skills: Bilingual students may often bridge the gap between European/American exchange students and locals in China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong. While not mandatory, possessing conversational skills in Korean or Japanese when studying in Korea or Japan is highly recommended. It can greatly enhance your travel experience and often leads to more favourable interactions.

SEP Application Pitfalls: Understanding the Ranking Process

If the number of applicants exceeds the available slots, which is often the case, priority is given to those who listed that school as their first choice.

A frequent oversight by students to list their dream universities as their top three preferences and then opt for some decent universities for their fourth and fifth choices. This strategy is flawed. Such students often face rejection for SEP because they are not considered for their subsequent choices at all if they get rejected from their first choice. This is due to the high likelihood that there are more applicants than available slots, and these slots are often the first choice for applicants from lower GPA tiers.

It’s crucial to understand that backup choices are not merely alternatives to your first choice; rather, they represent a second round of selection where you assume 70% of the slots have already been filled. At this stage, you’re essentially choosing from the remaining 30% of schools, which are less popular. The likelihood of securing a backup choice among the top 10 schools in US or the top 30 in Europe is nearly zero. Destinations like Canada, Sweden, UK, Korea and Australia are definitely out of reach as well. Remember, just because a university is your backup doesn’t mean it isn’t someone else’s first choice, and their preference will take precedence over your GPA.

Students with high GPA is especially vulnerable to this mindset, so a word of caution.

Strategising University Selection: A Realistic Approach Based on GPA

Ideally, individuals with a GPA of 4.5 should anticipate securing a placement in the SEP. However, if your GPA falls below 4.5, don’t be discouraged; it’s still worthwhile to apply for the SEP! However, manage your expectations and be strategic about the order of your choices and where to apply. Essentially, applying for SEP is like conducting a calculated risk analysis, which varies from year to year.

The application process is straightforward if you have a broad social network in computing and seek advice. Some juniors have reached out to me as well, but remember to be courteous when contacting seniors who have attended the university you’re interested in. A Google Sheet with Telegram contacts is created for exchange students to facilitate group planning and communication for those attending the same university. You can often find this list on Reddit for those who went on exchange in AY2023/24 and AY2022/23.

In the School of Computing, only your GPA is considered. Therefore, be extremely pragmatic, as your first choice can be a tie-breaker. Many people apply for schools beyond their grades simply because they really want to go, only to end up not being accepted at all.

The popularity of schools/regions also seems to differ depending on your GPA (post-S/U):

• Academic Weapons (GPA: 4.95 and above): The best among the best. You will definitely get accepted into all the universities, unless you are applying to the top 3 universities available (usually only 1 slot each).

• Top Achievers (GPA: 4.85 and above): Canada, UK and Sweden are the most popular choices and you will stand a decent chance. You pretty much beat 95% of the other potential applicants, and will probably get into the top university in any country (excluding US/UK/Canada and ETH Zurich).

• High Performers (GPA: 4.65 to 4.85): UK and US universities (excluding the top 3 universities in those countries), as well as the top 2 universities in European and East Asian countries, are highly sought after and represent excellent options.

• Competitive Candidates (GPA: 4.4 to 4.65): This is probably the toughest group to predict as competition is fierce. I believe most students (a good 50%) who apply for SEP fall into this GPA group. Many feel their GPA is high enough and apply to their dream school, hoping to secure the last slot. However, don’t underestimate the number of students with high GPAs at NUS; there are a lot of them, and you may not be aware of it. Contrary to popular belief, popular East Asian countries (such as Korea and Japan) are hard to get into even in this range, and if you really want to go, consider applying to universities other than the top 3 in those countries.

• Merit Achievers (GPA: 4.2 to 4.4) Apply for mid to low-tier universities in East Asia or the US. Europe is hit or miss, but you might get lucky, so it is viable to aim for mid-ranked universities in the region. I have seen more people securing placements in Europe compared to other regions.

• Aspiring Contenders (GPA: 4.0 to 4.2): Consider only the lowest-tier universities in any region. Universities with only one or two slots are not popular, so consider applying for those. People are often hesitant to apply for a single slot due to the fear of being alone, and it might backfire if someone else applies as well. Two slots usually offer a better chance, but you might face more competition. Honestly, it’s mostly up to luck, and there’s no way to accurately predict the outcome.

• Hopeful Applicants (GPA: below 4.0) It will be challenging, but you can apply for the least popular universities and hope for the best. Usually, no one applies to those schools, and you might be fortunate enough to get in. Having a GPA below 4.0 means that you are likely below average since B+ is the average grade in Computing. Plus, with the option to S/U in the first year, most people will be above 4.0, so it’s tough competition out there.

Pre-S/U vs Post-S/U GPA Considerations

From my perspective, it appears that the pre-S/U GPA might play a role in tie-breaking scenarios, which typically occur among applicants with the highest GPAs. Therefore, it’s generally not a major concern for most applicants, unless there’s a significant difference between their pre- and post-S/U GPAs. While I can’t confirm the use of pre-S/U GPA in tie-breakers, my assumption is that if it does factor into the decision-making process, it probably wouldn’t account for more than 20% of the overall assessment.

Summary

Overall, Canadian universities are the most challenging to gain entry into, as they are the preferred choice for most computing students. This preference stems not only from the lower costs compared to the US but also from Canada’s reputation for safety, convenient transportation, and the strong reputation of Canadian universities in their computer science courses.

On the other hand, U.S. schools tend to be more accessible, possibly because many students harbor concerns about gun violence. Ranking the list of available U.S. universities by their academic standing, the required GPA would likely range from 4.3 to 4.8. For Ivy League or equivalent institutions, which typically offer only one slot, a GPA of around 4.95 will be necessary. In recent years, within SoC, this slot has been for schools like Princeton or Carnegie Mellon.

In Europe, UK and Sweden has emerged as the top choice among students with high GPAs in my cohort. For those whose GPAs may not be optimal but who are keen on studying in the UK, targeting mid-tier UK universities could be a strategic move. Additionally, for those with GPAs ranging from 4.2 to 4.4 who are interested in experiencing Europe, I recommend exploring universities in Spain, France, or Germany.

In my view, the country you choose to study in is more significant than the specific university. The location is paramount. It’s advisable not to dwell too much on university rankings, as most computing students tend to do. After all, you’ll only be there for a semester; it’s not as if you’re obtaining your degree from that institution. Unless you’re attending a prestigious university like Stanford, Harvard, or MIT—and you make a concerted effort to network—school rankings shouldn’t be your primary concern for exchange.

Should I Choose to Go in Sem 1 or 2?

When deciding whether to go on exchange in Sem 1 or 2, consider the following factors:

Sem 1

• Social Opportunities: The start of the school year is prime time for making new friends, as everyone is open to meeting people and cliques have not yet formed.
• Climate Considerations: Typically, Sem 1 offers warmer weather, transitioning from fall to the beginning of winter, which may be more pleasant for some students.
• Festive Celebrations: It also presents a unique opportunity to experience Christmas or Thanksgiving abroad, while still allowing you to return to Singapore in time to celebrate Chinese New Year with family and friends.

Sem 2

• Internship Advantages: There are more opportunities to apply to top tech companies and bulge bracket firms, as their application period is during Sem 1 in Singapore. Being in Singapore allows for easier access to career fairs and attending in-person interviews, if required.
• Internship Requirement: For non-CS majors who have the option to do ATAP, most choose to intern in Y3S1 and go on exchange in Y3S2. This is often seen as the better decision since there are more opportunities and time to complete a 6-month internship in Sem 1 compared to Sem 2.

Course Mapping

Study Plan

When you first apply for SEP, the faculty requires you to submit a study plan which is basically preliminary course mapping. This submission is meant to be a draft so it is fairly straightforward as its purpose is to demonstrate to the faculty administration that you have a clear plan in place. Simply research the list of courses offered at the Partner University (PU) and include those you intend to take in your study plan.

General Advice

You will need to acquire the course outline for the semester you intend to enroll in or from a previous term. Begin your course mapping by conducting an online search, which should include the school’s official platform as well as community sites like Reddit or Discord. These resources may provide you with direct access to the course outlines or at least a general understanding of what the courses entail. If these avenues do not produce the desired results, you should consider reaching out to the professor or the faculty administration at the PU directly.

For drafting the course mapping, a useful tip is to utilize AI for assistance. Record the course title and description for the course you’re mapping at NUS and the corresponding course at the PU. Then, use the following prompt:

NUS Course: [NUS Course Title] - [NUS Course Description]
PU Course: [PU Course Title] - [PU Course Description]
I am attempting to map these two courses.
Please craft a detailed justification for why the two courses are suitable for mapping, as I need to submit a request to my faculty administration.
Make it convincing and highlight all similarities, particularly in content covered and learning outcomes.

Often, professors may not delve deeply into the course outline required to be attached to the mapping request and might just briefly review the course titles and your justification. They can generally gauge the content based on the course name alone.

Actual Mapping

Computer Science

When considering CS courses for mapping, level 2000 courses are often popular choices because they tend to be more standardized and are commonly offered across universities. For higher-level courses, the selection should align with your specific Focus Area and the offerings at the Partner University (PU). Typically, students map 2-3 CS courses. However, mapping can be challenging due to the limited availability of courses at the PU and the fact that the more easily mapped courses, such as those at the 2000 level, are often already completed before going on exchange. I would mainly focus on Networking, Cybersecurity, Database, and AI, as these subjects are among the most sought-after and ones I am more familiar with.

Here is the list of Computer Science courses that are frequently mapped due to their popularity and widespread availability:

Course Code	Course Title	Focus Area
CS3230*	Design and Analysis of Algorithms	Algorithms & Theory
CS2040/S*	Data Structures and Algorithms	Algorithms & Theory
CS2106*	Introduction to Operating Systems
CS2102	Database Systems	Database Systems
CS3223	Database Systems Implementation	Database Systems
CS2109S*	Introduction to AI and Machine Learning	Artificial Intelligence
CS3263	Foundations of Artificial Intelligence	Artificial Intelligence
CS3264	Foundations of Machine Learning	Artificial Intelligence
CS2105	Introduction to Computer Networks	Networking and Distributed Systems
CS3103	Computer Networks Practice	Networking and Distributed Systems
CS4222	Wireless Networking	Networking and Distributed Systems
CS2107	Introduction to Information Security	Computer Security
CS3235	Computer Security	Computer Security
CS3241	Computer Graphics	Computer Graphics and Games

The asterisks (*) next to certain course codes signify that they are core courses. Ideally, you should have completed the introductory courses in your chosen Focus Area(s) at NUS before embarking on an exchange. This ensures that you can map to more advanced courses while abroad. Mapping introductory courses is recommended only if you do not plan to take advanced courses within that same focus area.

Highly recommended to map CS3230 if possible.

General Education (GE) and Unrestricted Electives (UE)

Most people don’t know that GE courses can actually be mapped. While GE courses with a Singaporean context may be less likely to receive approval for mapping, other GE courses can be considered. For instance, CLC courses that are listed here are viable options to fulfill the GEN pillar and are generally more likely to be approved for mapping.

When it comes to UEs, popular choices for mapping include courses in history, anthropology, psychology, and statistics. These subjects are often available at your PU and can be mapped back to NUS with relative ease. Consult your friends in CHS on how to map courses to their faculty/department as CHS allows you to map to dummy codes, unlike SoC. However, most intro courses in CHS are not mappable, and the list can be found here.

Mapping business courses as a non-business student can be challenging due to stringent requirements. If you’re interested in mapping business courses, you’ll need to complete a form and obtain approval from the faculty before you can proceed with mapping on EduRec. It’s important to follow the specific procedures set by the NUS Business School for course mapping, which may involve checking pre-approved course lists and submitting detailed course outlines for review.

Conclusion

Approach the SEP application process with an open mind. It’s the perfect opportunity to step outside your comfort zone. While it’s comforting to have fellow Singaporeans around, I encourage you to also connect with other exchange students and local residents. Embrace the chance to immerse yourself in different cultures and build a diverse network. After all, an exchange program is a unique experience that comes once in a lifetime.