<p>I’m studying at the National University of Singapore and majoring in physics. For my studies here I signed up for a scholarship that pays for everything but in return, I’ve had to sign a bond that requires me to work in Singapore for three years. I want to get a PhD from an American university (no two ways about this) but these guys won’t let me leave Singapore unless I finish those three years of work. So here are my options:</p>
<p>A) Work for those three years and then leave for America. But I’m worried that three years away from physics will be too long and that I’ll have forgotten everthing I learnt. That would have me flunk out of any PhD program, wouldn’t it? Also, will the application committee care about what I did during those three years because I suspect it will be a completely unimpressive job? </p>
<p>B) Do a part-time masters and get a part time job (preferably within the university as a TA or RA). On paper it looks good. But the funding is definitely not as good since the real money goes to the PhD students here according to my profs. So will I end up harming my application to the PhD program with an iffy MSc degree? </p>
<p>I’m trying other options like appealing to the scholarship providers to let me go and paying the bond off, etc. but assuming none of them work, what can I do? By the way, I’m still a freshman so there’s time for me to solve this puzzle.</p>
<p>How about getting a job related to physics?</p>
<p>Otherwise, you could keep yourself busy by keeping up with any of the physcs journals and maybe reviewing your notes from time to time. Good luck.</p>
<p>Good thing you are still freshman, if you are so sure that you want to pursue PhD in the US, just forfeit the scholarship, most people go through college without that kind of restricted scholarships. Apply for other scholarships, take a loan, ask your parents for help, work a part-time job, be a TA, I’m sure there are solutions.</p>
<p>I haven’t heard of appealing the bond, if you already plan to appeal it, means this program is not meant for you.</p>
<p>I doubt CollegeConfidential is the best way for you to find out possible solutions for your funding problem in Singapore.
How about winning a lottery? lol…</p>
<p>Er I’ve thought about that but I can’t really find the money to go through college. Its either this scholarship or dropping out. If not, I’d have taken the other options. Singapore is a bit different from US colleges. I did apply to some US colleges last year but I was looking for a full ride and couldn’t get one. I’m not sure if a transfer would be a good idea since I’d be an international transfer and pretty unlikely to get any funding, let alone enough of it. </p>
<p>The appeal process exists for people who want to do PhDs abroad where they defer the bond but its just that chances of successful ones are low. Overall, I’m stuck with it so what should I do after I graduate?</p>
<p>First of all, check your degree type - American universities expect a 4-year undergraduate program, and if you are in a 3-year program then you should plan on a masters degree in Singapore before applying in the US.</p>
<p>Second… relax. Many people take a break between undergrad and PhD, and it is not too big a problem. In some areas, it is common or even expected. Your biggest issue with the time spent off will be maintaining connections with professors who can write letters of recommendation 3 years later.</p>
<p>So, if you can appeal the service later, great. If not, try and stay in academics if you can afford it - it will clear up any potential hassles with a 3-year degree (if you are getting one) and a research-based masters will give you a head start on your PhD. If neither of those work, try to get the best (as in most rigorous) physics job you can find.</p>
<p>I’m getting a four year undergrad degree. The fourth is the honours year so I think its not too different from a traditional American college. Its three years of employment anywhere in Singapore after graduation. </p>
<p>The part time masters is in the same university so I’ll be
a) In touch with the professors who taught me and
b) Staying in touch with physics in general </p>
<p>Can I then conclude that this is the better of the two options at the moment?</p>
<p>I agree with ccpsux. CollegeConfidential or other public forums are not the place for you to discuss funding problems and your future. You may get advice but from strangers who do not know much about your situation. </p>
<p>It also seems like you made the decision to get the scholarship, so you have to honor the terms and conditions. It’s like having the US Army pay for medical school/law school/graduate school. It seems ethical that you would need to pay back by service in the US Army for a few years. Other than that, part-time masters and/or part-time job at the university if you can swing it, seems like a good idea.</p>
<p>A lot of people in this country (US) work for a while, then go back to graduate school. So if you are afraid you would lose touch with Physics if you had to work, then get your GREs (including subject GREs) out of the way as soon as possible after graduation or even before. Also, get some research experience while you are an undergrad, plus some great contacts within the University with your professors while you are in college.</p>
<p>I would recommend the masters program if possible, but it is not catastophic if you get a full-time job - lots of people do it.</p>
<p>achat,</p>
<p>These forums a perfectly acceptable place for him to discuss his funding options for grad school - lots of people do it. Admittedly, not many here will be familiar with the peculiarities of Singapore’s higher education system, but it is his choice to post and ours to reply.</p>
<p>I would agree with you on the ethics of skipping the service commitment, except that phyz mentioned before that the appeal would be to defer it to later. Interestingly enough, the US military also allows people to defer their service obligation, allowing them to continue their education or even branch into other areas (ala “Admiral” David Robinson).</p>
<p>There’s no free lunch, or in this case, free tertiary education. </p>
<p>You can
a) Take the scholarship, finish your undergraduate, study for 3 years, then apply to US graduate schools.
b) Take the scholarship, finish your undergraduate, defer your bond, go to a US graduate school, finish it, and come back and work 3 years.
c) Take the scholarship, finish your undergraduate, defer your bond, go to a US graduate school, finish it, find a job that really pays, then opt to pay back the money (at a whopping 10% interest) instead of working at Singapore or Singapore-based companies.
d) Find a way to get out of the scholarship since you’re still a freshmen, apply for an American degree transfer program at other colleges that are usually 2+2 programs. You’ll still have to pay for the fees if you don’t get any scholarships, but it’ll be less and you can always take an education loan. Though I never really heard of colleges that offer such programs in Physics.</p>
<p>That’s assuming you really want to do a PhD by the time you finish your undergraduate, don’t count your chickens before they hatch.</p>
<p>@achat, Thanks for the advice mate. I agree about the ethics that you mentioned. I certainly don’t want to worm my way out of my commitment. Its only a question of when and how to fulfill it without hurting my grad school chances.</p>
<p>@cosmicfish, Thanks a million! Its a lot better knowing that a break before grad school is not uncommon.</p>
<p>If your employer is willing to defer your service, I think you have two great options (defer the service for the PhD, or work and then do your PhD).</p>
<p>Don’t worry about taking “time off” to work. Professors on adcomms I’ve spoken with often say that work experience is an advantage for two reasons:</p>
<p>First, lots of people crap out on their PhDs. We don’t discuss it here very often because we’re all flush with joy at starting these programs, but some adcomms really worry about retention. People that can evidence some commitment will seem less risky in terms of finishing, and after your work term you’ll have stuck with this commitment for seven years.</p>
<p>Second, while adcomms may not usually get excited about specific work experience, having some makes it more likely that you have a mature, balanced perspective. That will affect your approach to your work in positive ways and you’ll be a little more relatable to the people you’re working with.</p>