Embers

Hi Fuzzy, I am probably one of those people who can't stop feeling regret about the past. My parents gave me money, so I just listen to whatever they say. I thought they always know better than me. I still don't think I'm an adult although my age is. So now I am going to work after I graduate. And study lots of things I think I will be interested in and see if I am good in that. But really, I don't care about my career. I won't die with regrets if I manage to study masters. #There'salwaysmacdonalds. Money is only a problem now because I need to pay back student loan and cancer treatment, but after that? I don't care if I don't ever owe a house or car, since I'm not getting married. Think of it as rebellion. I just want do get something in this life so it won't be a waste. Yeah that sounds screwed up. I am confident I can get ready for grad school, as I am sure I will be able to find a field I am good at and do the legwork. Thank you.

Hi Fuzzy, I was probably more interested in Archaeo like dinosaurs or paleozoology. Yes, I am aware that there is Physics department in NUS. However, how our system works is that students cannot take cross-faculty modules. I am preallocated 4 business modules every semester, and there are other compulsory boring modules like "Singapore Studies". There might be some lower-level physics modules I can apply, but limited to "bid points", which are virtual currencies. Every semester you can get a 300, so freshmen are poorer as seniors can accumulate more points. The modules subjected to demand and supply. Thus, the one and only astronomy module GEK1520 which is only available once a year has a high bid point (http://www.cors.nus.edu.sg/Archive/201213_Sem1/avgbidinfo__1915_20122013s1.html). I was unable to take it as my points are used for those "compulsory" modules. That's another thing I am deeply frustrated about. We are unable to study anything we like, our curriculum is planned and rigid. I will think and use those online sites. I want to apply to grad school next year because I'm worried that once I start working I'm worried that I won't have any time to study anyway. It's true as during my internships, I was so tired that I just want to SLEEP everytime I get home. Singapore is renowned for our longest working hours. http://statestimesreview.com/2015/06/16/singapore-maintains-its-no-1-ranking-in-longest-working-hours-in-the-world/. I want to grow as a wholistic individual like well, American students. Who have hobbies, go to church, have extracurriculars. Now it seems I will either falling asleep due to exhaustion or working.

Hi gughok, As long as I can move away from business, all is fine (: You guys are so lucky in America. Most things Singaporeans have never even heard of. Even wacky courses like "Viking studies". So you mean I can self-study astronomy, and write it in my personal statement, and the admissions team will consider it? Also, I understand that certain courses like Asian Studies mighhhht be easier (given my background), except that I am not interested in it, because that's the whole point. Why study something in America that can be found in Singapore? Thank you for your encouraging reply. Lastly, do you mean that I should find a job (even if it's a finance job), study Astronomy on the side, then few years later I can apply? It's not like these courses have certifications like music or languages.

Hi Fuzzy, Your words are harsh but I know what you mean. Why I want to go to America... well, Singapore doesn't have any courses on Astronomy, film (like Hollywood), anything interesting really. The country is too small and there is no demand for such things. What if I told you that I "think" I have a flair for directing as my videos always get the highest marks in class and my youtube videos actually gets shown among schools? My friends told me their teachers even showed some of my videos. Does that mean that I should study film? Or I like to write. I don't ever get writer's block. Should I study literature? I know I am good at these things, but until I actually try out Astronomy/Archaeology, I wouldn't know what I want to do. Making videos and writing is just a part of me but these are quite subjective too, I might not think I'm good but others think I'm good, or I could think I'm brilliant when the consensus is I suck. That is why although I know what my hobbies are, I still choose something "mysterious" like astronomy that I would want to study. Maybe the only way is to actually "cold-email" astronomy students in America and find out how it's taught in America. Then ask for their study materials and see if I'm good at it.

Hi gughok, Thank you for your very long reply, I can see you really want to help me so I feel very grateful. I thought in America things are different, you can study a masters in a different field from bachelor's. Lots of people I know studied engineering bachelor's then MBA. Then you are telling me that I am stuck at Business forever? I can never apply to other programs? I would rather kill myself then touch another subject in Business. Isn't there a subject that don't require too in-depth knowledge from the start that a fast-learner can study? I didn't know that all Masters must be so technical--isn't astronomy more art (talking about formation theories) than science (calculating gravity and distance)? I thought a masters degree is just 2 years anyway, so if their requirements are so high, why would they accept liberal arts people and not me? How do I find the thing that I like/know I will do best? In Singapore, we don't get exposure to such things. We don't even have arts schools. We were just brainwashed to follow the norm and be a doctor or lawyer. I have NO IDEA if astronomy/archeology is what I really really want to do because how can I tell? All I know is it seems interesting, I won't regret studying it.

Hi Fuzzy, I already know what I want to apply to, unique niche fields like Astronomy and Archeology comes to mind. I want to study something interesting and fun, because MY PARENTS force me to study business for my bachelor's and now I'm finally getting a choice of my own. I think the career goals can be quite diverse, from museum, all the way to even media. I wouldn't know if I can do well in these fields since Singapore does not have any course on that AT ALL, but I went to all the museums in other countries whenever I am on holiday and I read articles on astronomy, if it counts.

I just want to know what is the best school I am able to get into so I don't waste money applying because I am a "poor" person. Actually, it is due to circumstances that my mother is very uptight about money. We earn enough but recently one of my family members have cancer so that's where all the money is going and I can't waste any money. Please advise me based on my stats where I can apply to. I'm not very optimistic. Apparently, the GRE scores posted online is "fake", and NUS school ranking is also fake. It is still viewed as worse than China universities despite the supposed high rankings.Stats:Female, 22, 4 internship experiences in Writing, marketing, research and private equity. From Singapore, studied Business but I am interested in courses like astronomy, archeology, quirky things that only America has. Definitely not applying to MBA or medicine those too prestigious ones.Point of a masters: hope to work in interesting companies like Disney, Mars.GRE of 331+5Clubs: not many prestigious clubs or leadership roles.Recommendation letters: average, just say I'm a good and hardworking person.GPA: terrible. 3.3/5, but only because 1. We have a strict bell curve system where only top 2.5% gets A+, top 2.5-7% gets A, top 7-15% gets A-, top 15-25% gets B+, top 25-50% gets B. B is average. 2. 35% of the marks come from class participation and I'm not even called out of 60 people raising hands. 3. I hated my course as it is really boring and difficult. Everybody just want to earn a lot of money and work in banks.I was actually from the top high school last time, my IQ is not bad either, so I am not a retard.Highlights: Language, music is my forte, if it counts. Thank you very much.