Center for American Education

SHE'S only 18, but she's already a third-year university student.

Charlene Tay (main head picture) has completed an Associate of Arts programme, which lets her bypass the first two years of course work required by most American universities.

The programme, offered by Florida-based Broward Community College through the Center for American Education (CAE) in Singapore, gives O- and A-level holders a fast track to US universities.

It is also more affordable than a conventional four-year university programme.

The Singapore-based two-year programme costs about $22,000.

Credits earned through course work are transferable to most US universities and graduates of the programme have been accepted into top universities.

Applicants need at least four O-level passes with grades of C or better, while A-level students may qualify for certain exemptions.

Said Charlene, who scored 18 points in the O levels: "I get to choose from a broad range of courses, including business law, psychology and French." She enrolled in the programme in 2005, after her O levels.

She has been accepted as a third-year transfer student at Indiana University, where she will major in biology and psychology.

Charlene credits her biology teacher at CAE for inspiring her to pursue the subject further.

Dr Christopher Hamilton, CAE's dean of undergraduate studies, said its instructors are master's or PhD holders in their fields.

He said: "We have instructors from the US, the UK, France, India, Eastern Europe and Singapore, all of whom meet strict standards.

"They must be approved by Broward Community College."

CAE's 100 students include those from the US, France, Japan, Indonesia and China.

In-house academic advisers help students to choose the best colleges and plan their course schedules.

Charlene says she enjoys her time outside the classroom. As secretary of CAE's student government, she helps organise events, such as a Halloween party.

She said: "Our student community is small and close-knit. We hang out a lot outside classes as well."

Is this article useful to you?