Studying in the US

MercuryRyan SG

Hi, I was considering taking SATs and if all goes well, studying overseas next Jan, but since I'm a guy, I don't really know about NS. The total study time will be about 4 years and I would have to return in 2018 for NS. What I wanna know is if I do go for my studies, am I able to sort of pause it for the duration of NS?

Chemguide7 SG

Assuming you are around 16 or 17 this year, next year most probably you have to go for NS. It is not easy to get a disruption for NS nowadays.

Do ask your schoolmates too. If not, surf the MINDEF website for FAQs.

UltimaOnline SG

2 things :

Go MinDef website, get their phone no. (look for the relevant no. about deferment of NS for further studies), call them, explain to them your situation, then ask them for advice. Play safe, don't risk kena charged for defaulting from enlistment, due to some misunderstanding on your part.

Consider opting for early enlistment, complete your 2 years of NSF duty, then go for further studies. This has several advantages (the most impt of which is peace of mind to focus on your studies and freedom to pursue overseas options after ORD), and no real disadvantage even if you're aiming for OCS Command School (since you already have your A level cert).

MercuryRyan SG

Assuming you are around 16 or 17 this year, next year most probably you have to go for NS. It is not easy to get a disruption for NS nowadays.

Do ask your schoolmates too. If not, surf the MINDEF website for FAQs.

Actually what I was asking was if it were possible for me to say, study for about a year then pause my studies for the duration of NS then head back to continue my studies.

Chemguide7 SG

Ultimaonline is right. I think you better call MINDEF.

lmi_sg SG

The Code SG

6 Things to Consider When Shortlisting U.S. Colleges as an International Student : http://blog.testrocker.com/wwwtestrockercom/blog/bid/246728/6-Things-to-Consider-When-Shortlisting-U-S-Colleges-as-an-International-Student

Larry Hunt SG

They will probably allow you to defer if your last few NS months coincide with the start of the new academic year.

Wujj0818 SG

BonVivantSG SG

On Aug 19-20 2016, we are hosting a not-for-profit US Education Seminar in SG where we will feature a panel of young men/women who have recently completed their undergraduate studies at the top schools in the US and will be available to discuss the mistakes they made/how to avoid them, what they wish they knew before going to the US for university, etc. For your specific questions regarding deferring NS, you can ask the gentlement on the panel how they handled this, as well as voice any other concerns you may have about studying overseas.

In addition, we'll have a town hall-style discussion featuring former teachers / administrators / assistant director of admissions from Boston University and George Washington University to discuss topics relevant to continuing education overseas, such as:

- Is it Safe/Smart for Me/My Kid(s) to Go to US Schools?
- The International Student’s Path to Top US Universities
- What You Need to Know to Succeed on the SAT/ACT

If you feel this might be beneficial and informative, feel free to PM me for more info or register at http://bvl.com.sg/events/education/

Note: The seminar is 11:30AM-3PM and the same topics will be covered on both days, so you need only attend 1 day. Attendance is limited to the first 100 people (due to space constraints at the venue). There will be charge for attendance (~S$50-100/person) -- whatever the venue charges us for F&B, we will pass directly onto the attendees as this is a not for profit seminar.

Econsphdtutor SG

Actually what I was asking was if it were possible for me to say, study for about a year then pause my studies for the duration of NS then head back to continue my studies.

It depends on the college. But I'd say that most US colleges are pretty flexible about this. It's not unusual for students to take a year or more off, for whatever personal reasons.

South Koreans male in particular often do a year or two of university first, go back for conscription (though theirs is shorter), then come back again. Not so common for Singaporeans (indeed I'm not even sure if the Singapore authorities would let you do this).

I'd recommend though that if you eventually have to do NS, you should do it before you start your studies in the US.

If you've already spent a year or two at the college, then come back to Singapore for 2 years NS, then go back to the US again, there is a lack of continuity, be it in terms of your studies or your personal relationships.

BonVivantSG SG

Completely agree with Econsphdtutor. Continuity is critical during any study term.

When I completely my undergraduate studies at one of the top engineering universities in the US, I was accepted to the cooperative engineering program which enables students to study a semester, then take a semester off to work full-time, study again then work again, etc. Going through this program, it took me 4.5 years to graduate (vs. the standard 4 years) but I had 1.5 years of full time work experience and an undergrad degree as opposed to just a degree with no work experience.

From a continuity perspective, semesters off to work wasn't distracting but I imagine a year or 2 off at once would absolutely be.

Tvllpit SG

US education is recognized all over the world. 30 of the top 100 best world universities are located in the US.

The Code SG

Scholarships College : http://www.collegeweeklive.com/scholarships

Raven88 SG

(edited)