Sunday, February 20, 2005
The unhelpful Uni guide for dummies

I went for the NTU talk at Hotel Intercontinental today. I must say I feel pretty much enlightened after it because I got to know a couple of things that made me go, "Oh wow/really."

For the NS-going guys, although you guys aren't going in to the U till two years time, it is advisable to apply for it as soon as the A level results are released. By doing so, you are securing yourself a place in the U of your choice once its approved. Another plus point is that should the fees increase by 2007, your year of admission, you pay the un-increased fees of 2005. That's because you've applied earlier and secured a place in that U.

(( this is where I go, "Oh really?" ))

Anyways, as most of you already would have known, NTU has opened a few new schools, namely its HSS and School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS). I went for the talk on SPMS and realised that they "koped" quite a few NUS professors. The dean of SPMS was from NUS, so were a few of the HODs. Hmm. I thought that was quite a clever move.

So anyways, with all this competition going on, NTU has to ensure that its faculty of science is comparable to that of NUS. Of course its a big leap, since NUS has been around since.. urh..I don't really know when. I was a bit hesitant, apprehensive, doubtful about being part of this pioneer batch because all along my aim was to get into NUS. (( no one knows Science like NUS )) However, what i learnt is that as an incentive, (( a REALLY ATTRACTIVE one at that )) should I end up taking, say, a basic degree in Chemistry at NTU's SPMS, I would be in a 4 year program with Honours.

And this is where i almost exclaimed out really loudly, "Oh really?!"

This 4 yr program is something like the IP my sister's in. And its friggin attractive! But this would mean me giving up my dream of being in NUS. GAHHHHHHh. See, cause in NUS if I'm doing Chemistry, it'll be a basic 3 year course and I would not be ensured honours unless my results are good. However, NTU's taken it up one notch. I've never heard of any uni offering honours courses till today. Haha. Maybe I'm suaku lah, but seriously! Its really attractive. If I enter NUS and don't get honours, that's it. I only have a basic bachelor. hmm. On the other hand, if I take up NTU's course, I'll be guaranteed with honours ((and lots of hardwork)) and I can choose to further my studies.

GAHHHH. I'm in a serious dilemma. Serious serious. I still want to be part of NUS. This is the dilemma after O Levels once again. Before the Os, I was bent on going to NJC. I was too lazy to appeal, hence stayed in SA. No regrets, but I gave up my dream school. Yikes. Its happening all over again.

But then again, it all depends on my results. If my results turn out like absolute crap then I'd be happy to be in a uni.

And when I told my sister about NTU, the first thing she said was "eee. NTU so pok kak." // translated: eee. NTU so lousy. (( without even hearing about their new incentives and their imported deans and HODs from NUS. )) Its the mindset, I guess.

Hmm. Thanks man.