Scholarships - University

[Fairy]

Hi,

There are many scholarships on offer for university students. I believe not all scholarship recipients have straight As and/or great CCA records. Would appreciate it if those who fall into the various categories below share about their profile (scholarship received, course, bond) /application experience.

1. Straight As, great CCA record
2. Straight As, ordinary CCA record
3. Not Straight As, great CCA record
4. Not Straight As, ordinary CCA record
5. Not Straight As, other outstanding achievements

Does all scholarship applicants need to take psychometric test?

Is there such a thing as Provisional scholarship? ie. awarded before A level results out? If so, details?

Would be grateful to hear from someone who are recipients or has family members who are recipients.

Thank you very much.

[micko07]

Hi,

There are many scholarships on offer for university students. I believe not all scholarship recipients have straight As and/or great CCA records. Would appreciate it if those who fall into the various categories below share about their profile (scholarship received, course, bond) /application experience.

1. Straight As, great CCA record
2. Straight As, ordinary CCA record
3. Not Straight As, great CCA record
4. Not Straight As, ordinary CCA record
5. Not Straight As, other outstanding achievements

Does all scholarship applicants need to take psychometric test?

Is there such a thing as Provisional scholarship? ie. awarded before A level results out? If so, details?

Would be grateful to hear from someone who are recipients or has family members who are recipients.

Thank you very much.

I would prefer not to identify the scholarship I'm on because a bit of digging would probably reveal my name (if you want details, PM me). I would say I was a middling between category 1 and 2. I had a decent CV, but I don't think it was extraordinary. I'm on an overseas scholarship doing law, bonded for 6 years.

Psychometric test: not sure. I know PSC has a centralized one, and some scholarship bodies might require applicants to take such tests at some point during the assessment.

Yes there are provisional scholarships before the A level results are out. These would typically be conditional on a decent showing at A levels. You typically apply in the "early cycle" (I forgot what the dates are, but I remember sitting for tests and interviews in the second half of J2). I know for certain that EDB, PSC, GIC and MAS offer this at least. Not sure about the other bodies.

I think the one thing worth bearing in mind at the end of it all is: does the child see himself/herself working in that organization in the long term and being happy with that? If the child has doubts, or feels that public service isn't for him/her, they really shouldn't be taking a bonded scholarship. 6 years is a very long time, and by taking a scholarship, they shut themselves off from other career paths that might actually be more suitable. There's always the mid-term/ Masters scholarships if he/she is uncertain at this stage.

[Fairy]

I would prefer not to identify the scholarship I'm on because a bit of digging would probably reveal my name (if you want details, PM me). I would say I was a middling between category 1 and 2. I had a decent CV, but I don't think it was extraordinary. I'm on an overseas scholarship doing law, bonded for 6 years.

Psychometric test: not sure. I know PSC has a centralized one, and some scholarship bodies might require applicants to take such tests at some point during the assessment.

Yes there are provisional scholarships before the A level results are out. These would typically be conditional on a decent showing at A levels. You typically apply in the "early cycle" (I forgot what the dates are, but I remember sitting for tests and interviews in the second half of J2). I know for certain that EDB, PSC, GIC and MAS offer this at least. Not sure about the other bodies.

I think the one thing worth bearing in mind at the end of it all is: does the child see himself/herself working in that organization in the long term and being happy with that? If the child has doubts, or feels that public service isn't for him/her, they really shouldn't be taking a bonded scholarship. 6 years is a very long time, and by taking a scholarship, they shut themselves off from other career paths that might actually be more suitable. There's always the mid-term/ Masters scholarships if he/she is uncertain at this stage.

micko07,

Thanks for your sharing.

[Imp75]

Do you want to know scholarships given out donkey years ago or recent ones?

[Fairy]

Do you want to know scholarships given out donkey years ago or recent ones?

Hi Imp75,

Any sharing will be appreciated. However, for it to benefit potential applicants, I feel those obtained within the last 8 years (?) should be more relevant.

[Fairy]

Hi,

If you have a choice, would you prefer a prestigious scholarship with a good mentorship programme but comes with a bond to a bond-free scholarship offered by the university?

Please share your views. Thanks.

[dagong99]

Hi, I would appreciate if anyone can share about scholarships for medicine/pharmacy. How many years is the bond ? I heard the housemanship is a year. Thanks.

[slmkhoo]

Hi,

If you have a choice, would you prefer a prestigious scholarship with a good mentorship programme but comes with a bond to a bond-free scholarship offered by the university?

Please share your views. Thanks.

What we have said to our daughter (who is only taking A levels in 2017) is to only commit to a bond if she is fairly sure that the job is in a sector that she is truly interested in. No matter how attractive the scholarship, mentorship and whatever else offered, it is not worth a bond that requires several years of doing something she isn't intrinsically interested in. Of course, she is unlikely to be 100% certain that she will like the job itself, but the general content/sector and type of work should be attractive to her. That's my opinion.

[Fairy]

Hi,

If you have a choice, would you prefer a prestigious scholarship with a good mentorship programme but comes with a bond to a bond-free scholarship offered by the university?

Please share your views. Thanks.

What we have said to our daughter (who is only taking A levels in 2017) is to only commit to a bond if she is fairly sure that the job is in a sector that she is truly interested in. No matter how attractive the scholarship, mentorship and whatever else offered, it is not worth a bond that requires several years of doing something she isn't intrinsically interested in. Of course, she is unlikely to be 100% certain that she will like the job itself, but the general content/sector and type of work should be attractive to her. That's my opinion.

Hi,
of course I am refering to a scholarship with an organization that is in line with the student's area of intetest. Otherwise the mentorship is not an attraction.
With the bond free scholarship provided by the university, the student would be on his own but will have the benefit of flexibility of career choice should interest change along the course of study.

[slmkhoo]

Hi,

If you have a choice, would you prefer a prestigious scholarship with a good mentorship programme but comes with a bond to a bond-free scholarship offered by the university?

Please share your views. Thanks.

What we have said to our daughter (who is only taking A levels in 2017) is to only commit to a bond if she is fairly sure that the job is in a sector that she is truly interested in. No matter how attractive the scholarship, mentorship and whatever else offered, it is not worth a bond that requires several years of doing something she isn't intrinsically interested in. Of course, she is unlikely to be 100% certain that she will like the job itself, but the general content/sector and type of work should be attractive to her. That's my opinion.

Hi,
of course I am refering to a scholarship with an organization that is in line with the student's area of intetest. Otherwise the mentorship is not an attraction.
With the bond free scholarship provided by the university, the student would be on his own but will have the benefit of flexibility of career choice should interest change along the course of study.

Then I guess it really depends on the value placed on flexibility and the likelihood of wanting to change. In a weak job market, a bond might be preferable to flexibility, but then you have to forecast into the future. Also, bonds are not that long these days (it was 8 yrs bond for a 3 yr overseas undergrad course in my time), but I know that 6 yrs can seem a long time for a young person. And I know of students who take on a scholarship for the prestige or for the chance to go overseas, and not think very hard about whether they like the sector they are going to be bonded to!