No Scholarship, Should Still Sign On?

Be Extraordinary SG

Hi all

I has always been extremely eager to be part of SPF, in particular a Senior Police Officer. I think i wont mention about my passion and all; just know im "ON" for a job in SPF.

Initially i was aiming for MHA's Uniformed Services Scholarship - the Local Merit Award (Police). My CCA was rather good as i was vice-capt for Track Team & a vice president for a particular large-scale school event.

I had much confidence that i might get the scholarship at first.. UNTIL i took the A levels this year. I have sat for most of my papers and i doubt i can get many distinctions. I think i can really "kiss-gdbye" to my scholarship dream.

One of my seniors got awarded LMS(Police) got he scored Distinctions for almost all his A level and AO level subs. And to be frank, i wont get such grades... so i doubt i'll get the scholarship.

Many people mentioned about NEVER NEVER SIGN ON unless you're a scholar, or really no education and need money for the family.

So, here i am now, dejected about the Alevels experience as I could not start my career earlier. I'm really yearning to join SPF asap, but unfortunately, SPO have to be graduates after university.. which is so long to go!

But Im wondering if its still advisible to sign on after i grad from Uni w/o scholarship?

Will prospects really be that bad?!

Many thanks and Appreciation!

skythewood SG

when you compare to your senior, it will seem bad. compare to normal sign on senior officer, should be ok. just keep in mind you will never be commissioner of police(the highest post) if you are not a scholar.

but some of the scholar break bond and leave, others serve finish the bond and go to a job that pays better, so you will still have your chance to climb the ranks if you perform well.

Be Extraordinary SG

Yes, i dont mind not being high up in the management level like CP or what.

But the problem i hear nowaways is SPF is recruiting very little Senior Officers nowadays. I might not even be selected even i graduate from Uni.

This is a so annoying. SAF offers much more scholarships and have less stringent intake of Officers unlike SPF. They are like always welcoming more pple to sign as regular and doesnt seem to have problem of too much officers.

So i guess those who managed to become Senior Officers in SPF are extremely lucky!

skythewood SG

try joining npcc in uni, and vsc. might not mean much, but can better your chances

eagle SG

1) Why didn't you consider and work harder for your As earlier (although it is too late to say that now)?

2) You have not gotten your A level results yet. The bell curve might shift such that you might still get As. If your passion is really there, just apply for the scholarship, and if shortlisted, go for the interview. Let your passion shine through. Really.

skythewood SG

1) Why didn't you consider and work harder for your As earlier (although it is too late to say that now)?

somehow, after reading his post, i have the feelling that he wants to do just that.

and he is just considering contingency if he cannot get the scholarship.

Be Extraordinary SG

try joining npcc in uni, and vsc. might not mean much, but can better your chances

Yes, i was in NPCC in secondary school, and a Cadet Inspector in JC.

I Intend to join VSC in Uni too.

But i wonders how much it really matters to those who do the selection. hmm

Be Extraordinary SG

somehow, after reading his post, i have the feelling that he wants to do just that.

and he is just considering contingency if he cannot get the scholarship.

Yes, i have already prepared documents for the online scholarship application but i've yet to submit.

eagle : the rate for those awarded LMS is very low.. like 4 or 5 per year. so really have to be the top creme de la creme and they are usually HCI, RJ students. So its really very tough for me to get.

But if they compromise and let me go for the interview, i definitely believe that i will convince the panel. But then again, it wont happen.

So here i am, being realistic, seeking advice whether shld i still sign w/o scholarship after my uni.

Thanks for the replies tho!

viciouskitty74 SG

Dearie,

There isnt much difference about scholars and degree holding SO. There has been non scholar degree holders joining the SPF as a normal ASP.

Scholars may or may not stay due to other reasons.

And even if you are not a Scholar now. Who knows, a fews years with SPF, you go for a Sabbatical and return with a PHD? Its not necessary that you a scholar, you will be promoted fast. Its how well you work.

viciouskitty74 SG

Yes, i was in NPCC in secondary school, and a Cadet Inspector in JC.

I Intend to join VSC in Uni too.

But i wonders how much it really matters to those who do the selection. hmm

If you are male, then you need to finish your NS before you can join VSC.

If you are female, and 18 years old, then can join.

viciouskitty74 SG

BTW, recession coming.

Garantee a high influx of degree holders applying for SPF.

Like the last recession, a SPO position last time was 100 vacancies and 1 applicant, but recession time, its 1 SPO vacancies and 1000 applicants.

the same goes for the teaching profession. Nurses was harder to recruit all the while though.

skythewood SG

Dearie,

There isnt much difference about scholars and degree holding SO. There has been non scholar degree holders joining the SPF as a normal ASP.

Scholars may or may not stay due to other reasons.

or non-scholar getting only INSP.

Be Extraordinary SG

Dearie,

There isnt much difference about scholars and degree holding SO. There has been non scholar degree holders joining the SPF as a normal ASP.

Scholars may or may not stay due to other reasons.

Ah, this response of yours sort of consoled me.

But than again, if there isnt much difference btwn scholars and normal senior officers, then why the prestige and all. Then there're wouldn't be the saying of the "farmer" and a "scholar". So i reckon there is significant difference; probably in terms of rate of promotion, opportunities and recognisition - afterall it is a govt job.

But well, regardless of what, i think im still going to pursue this dream!

skythewood SG

go for scholarship.

if no scholarship, you have 4 years in uni, and maybe 2 years in army to think about what you want to do, more options.

Be Extraordinary SG

go for scholarship.

if no scholarship, you have 4 years in uni, and maybe 2 years in army to think about what you want to do, more options.

Yes, you have typed out what's on my mind.

Will take a step at a time. But i guess it will be a long long way to go before i become part of the Team.

How about urself?

skythewood SG

Student now. VSC. trying it out. consider to sign on after uni bah. see how VSC is like first.

Be Extraordinary SG

Student now. VSC. trying it out. consider to sign on after uni bah. see how VSC is like first.

Excellent!

Then you will be my mentor in time to come!

But then VSC jobscope will b very different from SO right. More of groundwork like junior officers.

skythewood SG

yup. it will be a view of the actual ground work. more interesting than pushing papers and doing admin.

viciouskitty74 SG

Excellent!

Then you will be my mentor in time to come!

But then VSC jobscope will b very different from SO right. More of groundwork like junior officers.

Well......actually....VSC officers can choose their job scopes. Most of course prefers the ground work rather then the administration. And so Administration is filled up with people that actually does admin and field work.

In VSC, there is no such thing as a officer doing admin, dont know anything about ground work.

And some of us, like me for instance, ends up doing more admin because I am older, injured, sick or simply indisposed for ground work.

viciouskitty74 SG

or non-scholar getting only INSP.

Non Scholars does get ASP rank.

Ask your 'A' boys about this VSC that turned regular at a ripe ole age of 30+. Your 'A' boys will know who.