<p>To all College Confidential people, hi.</p>
<p>I am a Singaporean. I understand that there are two highly-ranked universities, with an MIT-affiliated college plus one Pennsylvania (Wharton)-linked boutique university specializing in commerce in my home country. </p>
<p>However, I have a dilemma here.</p>
<p>I do not feel like ‘fitting into’ any of the four universities above.</p>
<p>First of all, I have a really unique interest. I like urban studies, and it will help if I do a customized course with Geography, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Sociology and Political Science modules, that are all related to the understanding of the city and its beings. The National University of Singapore do offer these courses, but it’s hard to mix-and-match these modules in the context of self-exploration of me investigating ‘the being in the cities’. I just want to complete a customized BA on urban studies. It could come under ‘General Studies’ (University of Michigan) or some other inter-disciplinary urban studies-related program. I am not sure whether NUS has such a program — from what I asked, it’s possible — but hard.</p>
<p>Secondly, I only do ECs/CCAs related to my interests. I refuse to open up to be an all-rounder, like doing sports. But I still try. (I may consider do Arts-related stuff though, if they explore urbanity as a context in their work) </p>
<p>Then, there is the issue of living on campus. Dorm space in Singapore is limited. To live on our colleges’ dorms, particularly for both highly-ranked universities, one really needs to be an all-rounder while living very far away from school. I live roughly about five miles away or so from each of these two schools, which is ‘close’ in their definitions, so tough luck for me finding a space in the dorms. My own reluctance to participate in activities I don’t like also don’t help (though I am trying to change that, due to my extreme focus to do only what I like).</p>
<p>Now, I don’t know — should I just pursue my dreams and fund it myself through working first, then trying to get a chance to go to the States or somewhere with more flexible educational programs in my areas of interests? Or should I just work for a business (or insert any subject area that brings a lot of job opportunities) degree from almost anywhere, get a job and try to live with it? Hmm… what should I do if I can’t find the ‘perfect fit’ for me?</p>