Undecided on NUS

[dahnie]

Hi all, I would appreciate if anyone can give their opinion on this. First of all, I was accepted into NUS, however it was not the course I wanted. I landed in PFM, which I am not too sure what is it about. However, I've looked it up and it seems to fall in line with basic engineering and designing of buildings/blueprints. All along in school I have taken arts and humanities, and PFM, I heard from seniors, requires Math and Physics which I am bad at. I did not do too well in JC (rp fell slightly below 70) and took a few years of gap year. These are my concerns:
1. Not doing well in PFM (I scored E for H1 math, and C5 for A-Math)
2. Financial - 4 years in NUS about $40k (I'm bearing my own tuition fees and can't take a loan because no guarantor, so I need to juggle both work and study and can't afford to fail)
3. NUS is a good school and I may not have a chance like this again

I have another alternative, which is to enrol in Kaplan next year. Together with the diploma, it will take me a maximum of 2.5 years to finish the degree for Psychology with Murdoch. It will cost slightly above $35k. Reason for taking psychology is because I would like to work in social work/community in the future.

In comparison to a public degree, is it feasible and worth it to commit to a private degree? Or should I try to transfer in my first year at NUS?

 

[nyvrem]

FASS rejected u ?

y not consider SUSS's BSW program ?

btw, a psychology degree is not going to let u become a social worker. Only a social work degree enables you to become a social worker.

please do some research and career exploration. career/job demand wise, a licences social worker is always in demand.

 

[snoozex]

Hi all, I would appreciate if anyone can give their opinion on this. First of all, I was accepted into NUS, however it was not the course I wanted. I landed in PFM, which I am not too sure what is it about. However, I've looked it up and it seems to fall in line with basic engineering and designing of buildings/blueprints. All along in school I have taken arts and humanities, and PFM, I heard from seniors, requires Math and Physics which I am bad at. I did not do too well in JC (rp fell slightly below 70) and took a few years of gap year. These are my concerns:
1. Not doing well in PFM (I scored E for H1 math, and C5 for A-Math)
2. Financial - 4 years in NUS about $40k (I'm bearing my own tuition fees and can't take a loan because no guarantor, so I need to juggle both work and study and can't afford to fail)
3. NUS is a good school and I may not have a chance like this again

I have another alternative, which is to enrol in Kaplan next year. Together with the diploma, it will take me a maximum of 2.5 years to finish the degree for Psychology with Murdoch. It will cost slightly above $35k. Reason for taking psychology is because I would like to work in social work/community in the future.

In comparison to a public degree, is it feasible and worth it to commit to a private degree? Or should I try to transfer in my first year at NUS?

Hi,


You already know the value of NUS so I guess your concerns are the longer study period, interests and fear of failing. Your program is about building and its management. Probably a bit dry but the prospect is definitely better compared with a private psychology degree.



If you decided on NUS... First, you could probably seek out financial assistance from NUS regarding your situation so that you do not need to work so much. It could be bursary or any financial assistance. Second, this is the digital era where you can obtain information easily. Instead of worrying not doing well, make an effort to tackle your weaknesses. You could look up the courses and start preparing for it. Use online resources to help you understand technical stuffs if necessary...



IMHO, transfer is probably challenging... do not pin hope on it...



You probably have to think carefully....



1) NUS but the courses you might find it boring


2) Murdoch - the program might be shorter and more interesting but your final degree may give employment problems later

 

[snoozex]

Oh ya... forgot to add this...


You could always do a post graduate diploma/masters in social work at SUSS later.. this will help you to transit into a social work career...


Or you can also consider many other options related to social work:



- counseling
- eldercare (e.g. a WSQ dip from Tsao foundation, gerontology masters from NTU or SUSS)

- youth



Or you can also your PBM degree and work in e.g. hospital as a facility manager first then seek out opportunity from your hospital later




There are alot of options available...

 

[dahnie]

I was rejected by SUSS, maybe because of gap year and I did not do too well for A-levels. Yes, psych degree will not let me be a social worker, but it allows me to go into that field, I've looked up jobs that state either degree of psych or social work.

 

[dahnie]

Hi,


You already know the value of NUS so I guess your concerns are the longer study period, interests and fear of failing. Your program is about building and its management. Probably a bit dry but the prospect is definitely better compared with a private psychology degree.



If you decided on NUS... First, you could probably seek out financial assistance from NUS regarding your situation so that you do not need to work so much. It could be bursary or any financial assistance. Second, this is the digital era where you can obtain information easily. Instead of worrying not doing well, make an effort to tackle your weaknesses. You could look up the courses and start preparing for it. Use online resources to help you understand technical stuffs if necessary...



IMHO, transfer is probably challenging... do not pin hope on it...



You probably have to think carefully....



1) NUS but the courses you might find it boring


2) Murdoch - the program might be shorter and more interesting but your final degree may give employment problems later

Unfortunately, I can't apply for bursary/finance aid because my one parent alone exceeds the limit. That is the trouble for me. In secondary school and JC, no matter how hard i tried at math, I'm constantly failing/almost failing. In secondary school I had to drop sciences. However, i have always excelled in languages.

My friend is in PFM, and she seems to be just passing her subjects, which is troublesome considering she was in the science stream in JC. As i mentioned, I'll be working and studying, that is why I'm worried if i need to put a huge amount of time into math/physics aspect of the course.

Have you heard anything about an online degree though? I am also considering that