- Joined
- Oct 21, 2011
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 0
hahas suc, i think we had the same applicant day! i was quite interested to see if ncrassa was the only other person i rmb from app day... mm, it was this Chem eng girl from NTU...
That's a good point, Keepontrying..I didn't think of that until you mentioned it. I guess we have to hope to get girls..or get married to other non-Singaporean PRs so they won't get Singaporean citizenship when they're born? Otherwise we'd have to retake the board exams in whatever country we decide to go after our 5 years I guess.Hey for the international applicants, have you guys ever thought of the military service that your kids would have to do if you end up staying and raise a family in Singapore? This just came across my mind and I'm not too sure what to think of it. If I cannot do residency elsewhere and if the Singapore medical boards are not recognized elsewhere, I'll be stuck even after the 5 year bond. I'm fine with the 5 year bond, but I want some flexibility AFTER that. Anyone else have similar concerns?
Trust me, the military service is not as bad as it sounds I have personally gone through the whole of it and I'm glad I did, in retrospect of course, because I complained alot when I was in it lol. I would definitely want my kids to go through it too. It's not just serving the nation, but national service really broaden one's perspectives and matures him. And with the right attitude, one can take away many positives from it that will shape your life later. If you have encountered medical students from both our local undergraduate course (most guys will complete their medical degree first before serving national service) and Duke-NUS, you may notice a difference...
Hey for the international applicants, have you guys ever thought of the military service that your kids would have to do if you end up staying and raise a family in Singapore? This just came across my mind and I'm not too sure what to think of it. If I cannot do residency elsewhere and if the Singapore medical boards are not recognized elsewhere, I'll be stuck even after the 5 year bond. I'm fine with the 5 year bond, but I want some flexibility AFTER that. Anyone else have similar concerns?
Your children may or may not be required to serve National Service, depending on the laws at that time, which will be when they are 16 years old and above. They can decide for themselves if they want to serve at that age, and if not, you can always emigrate with your family.
I think that like what RunnersHigh said, it is not as bad as it sounds. Think about it, in about 20 years time, national service will not be like what it is now. It will be more advanced, hi-tech, professional, etc. Also, if your child grows up for 16+ years in Singapore, he would have assimilated into the local system and going to national service would come as a very natural thing that he does together with his schoolmates. In this case, there wouldn't be a problem at all.
No offence, but I feel that you are worrying too much about something very trivial (maybe it's because you don't understand the system well). This should be the least of your concerns right now
Furthermore...
Lastly - if you are worried about the bond and you are already thinking about leaving singapore even before doing your duke-nus degree, then it might not be for you. That is the advice i had when I applied the first time and the second time, and although I have received the offer, it's not even the bond that is the greatest issue - it's the fact that there are no guarantees. In other words
1) I might be bonded and without a 'residency'
2) I might be bonded and thrust into the 'house-officer' system along with NUS and MBBS grads (undergrad medicine)
3) I might be bonded with no residency and required to do research at biopolis
--> Remember - their main task is to create clinician scientists, and I doubt they are looking to create 'doctors' per se. Just my two cents.
Also, Duke-NUS can be pretty wishy washy about potentially pursuing a residency in the U.S. and deferring the bond. I understand that MOH is really tightening the noose on these deferrals. For instance, from last year's graduating class, only one person went to the U.S. [Duke] for residency, according to the presentation on interview day.
Don't you think that's because alot of students are from Singapore and want to stay for residency? If they are so unyielding, why would they state on their website that they are confident the Duke NUS program is well recognized by US residencies and students will be able to compete for the top US residency programs?
Well there are no guarantees for any medical school I think. Residency selection is competitive anywhere so if I don't do well in medical school, I'll get some crappy residency spots, even in Canada or US medical schools. I don't know about the chances of NOT getting a residency spot at all, which would be concerning. I read that there are enough residency spots for the first graduation class of Duke NUS and that Duke NUS students are actually preferred because the US style residency system is basically tailor-made for them. The next graduation batches, however, would have doubled class size and so I'm not sure how that will turn out. You sounded like we are NOT expected to practice medicine, but to do research mainly. In that case, they don't need to spend so much money on a MD program as we will essentially be pHDs instead lol. I see where you are coming from but I don't think that's true. They sorely lack doctors who will contribute to research, even minimally. It's the same problem in Hong Kong too where everyone flocks to the private sector to earn money instead of contributing academically.
Furthermore...
You can do your residency here but you don't have to get PR status or citizenship status - which are the only two determinants of whether or not your male children would do NS. Even still, when you take PR status, you can choose to have your child as someone on student visa (international kid) or a dependent (who will then take on the PR status, but can STILL decide if they want to forfeit the PR at age 18 so they can avoid NS)
In other words - national service is by no means a must. I have friends who have avoided NS and just don't come back to Singapore (they are black-listed) for all intents and purposes. They essentially forfeit the Singaporean citizenship - which although gives you great visa status when looking to travel, is more restrictive then access-providing in my perspective.
As far as what I know Re: residency programs - Canada and USA MD degrees are the only ones that are essentially recognized world wide. Doing the MD at duke-nus entitles you to TRY and enter the 'residency' program in Singapore (which right now is a house-man-ship program disguised as a residency program by the looks of things), but even that may only knock off a few years if you intend on re-doing training in the states so you can be accredited in the states or canada.
Lastly - if you are worried about the bond and you are already thinking about leaving singapore even before doing your duke-nus degree, then it might not be for you. That is the advice i had when I applied the first time and the second time, and although I have received the offer, it's not even the bond that is the greatest issue - it's the fact that there are no guarantees. In other words
1) I might be bonded and without a 'residency'
2) I might be bonded and thrust into the 'house-officer' system along with NUS and MBBS grads (undergrad medicine)
3) I might be bonded with no residency and required to do research at biopolis
--> Remember - their main task is to create clinician scientists, and I doubt they are looking to create 'doctors' per se. Just my two cents.
the deadline to accept/decline for those from the last wave of offers early this month is 24 April (tomorrow!). Once those who don't know how to appreciate a perfectly good offer when they have one decline, some of you excellent candidates on the waiting list will be hearing from Duke-NUS! rooting for you guys
Omg! I got in. Words cannot describe how grateful i am. Omggggggggg !
Omg! I got in. Words cannot describe how grateful i am. Omggggggggg !
Omg! I got in. Words cannot describe how grateful i am. Omggggggggg !
Omg! I got in. Words cannot describe how grateful i am. Omggggggggg !
Hi Everyone,
I am a re-applicant to Duke-NUS. Applied for 2011 entry in the 'early admissions' cycle with a 31S (12BS, 11PS, 8VR), and a 3.75GPA (Canadian University). Got wait listed and eventually rejected in July. Am an international applicant - was told my VR score was too low. Applied again for 2012 entry - this time in the regular admissions cycle with a 37R (11VR, 13BS, 13PS), interviewed on january 4, and accepted in the first week of february. Am currently teaching the MCAT in Singapore!
Some of my other stats for those of you who are applying (keep going, you will get there!)
One conference paper (Society of Anesthesia and Perinatology),
one paper in organometallics
research at Nanyang Technological Univeristy in anti-neoplastic drug development
Sick Kids Hospital (Toronto) - retrospective study on gabapentin's effects during pregnancy
Shadowed a sex-trade worker to evaluate effectiveness of harm reduction as it pertains to the sex-trade industry (cocaine use, opioid use)
Intramural and Varsity Soccer (Univeristy of Toronto)
President of Student Council (4th year of undergraduate studies)
BSc Hons Pharmacology with 3.75 GPA (Univeristy of Toronto)
Went to United World College of South East Asia (Grad 07)
Canadian Citizen
Have also interviewed at Dartmouth Medical School, Queen's University Medical School, and McMaster Univeristy medical school. Feel blessed to have been accepted in Singapore - this is where I grew up! Am rooting for everyone who has applied - I have seen the dedication and desire in students that I'm currently teaching the MCAT to (most of whom are in their early thirties/mid twenties)!
My advice: Duke-NUS is a fantastic option for students in this region, and I encourage all re-applicants to take a dedicated approach to the MCAT so they don't have to write it more than once. It really sucks! The interview can be an intimidating experience, but persevere! My MCAT score was a shocker and I have been teaching Singaporean students this year for the MCAT and they are all scoring in the early-mid 30's right now after diagnostic scores in the mid 20s. Happy to give tips - shoot me a PM
God bless
congrats!! was it by email???Omg! I got in. Words cannot describe how grateful i am. Omggggggggg !
Congrats fj90!!! are you accepting?
Most definitely I am! : D
Omg! I got in. Words cannot describe how grateful i am. Omggggggggg !
Omg! I got in. Words cannot describe how grateful i am. Omggggggggg !
Omg! I got in. Words cannot describe how grateful i am. Omggggggggg !
hey any of u heard news about financial aid, merit/needs-based scholarships? i need to make financial arrangements soon
OMG Congratulations!! so happy for you, fj90!!
Thanks all! The encouragement and support here on this forum warms my heart. = D !
Did financial aid (for those who applied / or know someone who applied) come with the offer package? I'm curious too.
I thought those who got an offer has to decide by April 24 to accept or decline it?
Yes, but the offer does not come with the FA package. You got to make a decision before your FA package comes in.
it seems to be about 31 from the introductions thread, but not everyone may have posted there so i'm not sure. the fb group has 32.how many people are now in the official online forum group?
fj90, congrats! I'm currently waitlisted too. If possible, could you share your stats? Thanks!Thanks all! The encouragement and support here on this forum warms my heart. = D !
Did financial aid (for those who applied / or know someone who applied) come with the offer package? I'm curious too.
fj90, congrats! I'm currently waitlisted too. If possible, could you share your stats? Thanks!
Thanks for the encouragement fj90. all the best to the end of your undergrad Your GPA is awesome! my school is on a 5 point scale, believe your's is on a 4 point scale? you almost hit the roof.I have 3.96 gpa, finishing up my undergrad right now and an mcat score of 32S.
Best of luck to you, class doesn't seem to be full yet. 32 people have posted in the "Introduce yourself" thread. There are 59 members in the group, but about 6 are MS 1/2, and a few student affairs administrative staffs. Still hope to all the waitlisters. If I can get off the wl, I know you guys can too. May 15 is the day, 19 more days! Keep yourself occupied till then! The wait is worth it, please don't lose hope!
Thanks for the encouragement fj90. all the best to the end of your undergrad Your GPA is awesome! my school is on a 5 point scale, believe your's is on a 4 point scale? you almost hit the roof.