<![CDATA[From Normal stream to PhD course]]>Getting a PhD is commendable, whether a student came from the Normal stream or IP. What I think is truly commendable is the child’s determination to pursue his or her dream, whether it’s a PhD, a new language or any other skill.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/87395/from-normal-stream-to-phd-courseRSS for NodeMon, 19 Oct 2026 13:08:21 GMTSat, 25 Mar 2017 08:20:47 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 05:06:28 GMT]]>

jetsetter:
ammonite:

[quote=\"slmkhoo\"]Agree with you. I just wish that the ST would also feature more of those who \"succeeded\" by simply doing a job they find fulfilling and do well, even without higher education. So far, they tend to feature those who get a degree by the \"longer route\" or after working several years. It still sends the message that a degree (eventually) is \"necessary\".


The local flute-maker?

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sin ... 58274.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sin ... 91400.html

This ex-SCO suona player didn't go to university for his PhD, did he? He is a craftsman, now in China helping their SCO make customised flutes :)[/quote]I don't think so. Slmkhoo said someone who succeeded through passion without higher education, and he came to my mind. He started making flutes as a hobby and taught himself about acoustics.

They do feature people who have succeeded without a degree in the media. But perhaps these don't get as much attention in this forum.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706402https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706402Tue, 02 Aug 2016 05:06:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 04:43:19 GMT]]>

jetsetter:
mathtuition88:

Quite motivating story.


http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/e ... phd-course

Mr Ernest Tan, 28, a PhD student, never thought he would get this far.

The former EM3 and Normal (Technical) student did not bother studying much as he had no interest in the subjects he was doing.

But it all changed in his two years at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) as a student in Communications Technology.

He said: \"I played a lot of computer games then so I didn't mind learning more about computers.\"

His interest pushed him to believe that he could continue into polytechnic, where he eventually earned a Diploma in Computer Engineering at Singapore Polytechnic (SP).

... continued


I notice computer science/engineering is one of the few degree courses that have low entry barrier, and that allows NT/NA/ITE/Poly students to progress to uni. No wonder they are encouraging students in govt pri schools to take up coding, programming and robotics engineering (c.f. DSA list for govt sec schools with this niche domain).

Getting a PhD is very easy actually. After your Masters, if the same mentor likes your proposed thesis and field of research, he will accept you as his mentee. Even if he doesn't take you in, you can always write in to other professors who are researching the same stuffs as you. You can apply for uni bursary or scholarships too, if your parents have run out of dough to fund you.

Getting admitted to PhD still requires a second upper honours, which is true that it is not hard, but not easy either. Given the two students' poor start, it is already a tremendous achievement. Even students with JC background will need to put in some considerable effort to earn a second upper honours.

Also, NUS/NTU PhD admissions have gotten more selective after their rankings rose rapidly, since the top rankings will attract more student applications. I have friends who have first class honours but were rejected from the PhD admissions from NUS/NTU.

Overall, the most commendable thing about the two students is their passion and determination.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706393https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706393Tue, 02 Aug 2016 04:43:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 04:25:08 GMT]]>

slmkhoo:
I truly admire the grit and determination of these young people and congratulate them heartily. I just hope that this isn't taken to be the \"norm\" and parents will think that all NT kids can eventually get PhDs!

Very true. This certainly isn't the \"norm\", it is more of the exception in fact.

The two young people got there because of their intense passion and determination in their subject fields, which not everybody has.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706387https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706387Tue, 02 Aug 2016 04:25:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 03:59:08 GMT]]>

mathtuition88:
Quite motivating story.


http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/e ... phd-course

Mr Ernest Tan, 28, a PhD student, never thought he would get this far.

The former EM3 and Normal (Technical) student did not bother studying much as he had no interest in the subjects he was doing.

But it all changed in his two years at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) as a student in Communications Technology.

He said: \"I played a lot of computer games then so I didn't mind learning more about computers.\"

His interest pushed him to believe that he could continue into polytechnic, where he eventually earned a Diploma in Computer Engineering at Singapore Polytechnic (SP).

... continued

I notice computer science/engineering is one of the few degree courses that have low entry barrier, and that allows NT/NA/ITE/Poly students to progress to uni. No wonder they are encouraging students in govt pri schools to take up coding, programming and robotics engineering (c.f. DSA list for govt sec schools with this niche domain).

Getting a PhD is very easy actually. After your Masters, if the same mentor likes your proposed thesis and field of research, he will accept you as his mentee. Even if he doesn't take you in, you can always write in to other professors who are researching the same stuffs as you. You can apply for uni bursary or scholarships too, if your parents have run out of dough to fund you.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706370https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706370Tue, 02 Aug 2016 03:59:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 03:53:50 GMT]]>

ammonite:
slmkhoo:

Agree with you. I just wish that the ST would also feature more of those who \"succeeded\" by simply doing a job they find fulfilling and do well, even without higher education. So far, they tend to feature those who get a degree by the \"longer route\" or after working several years. It still sends the message that a degree (eventually) is \"necessary\".


The local flute-maker?

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sin ... 58274.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sin ... 91400.html

This ex-SCO suona player didn't go to university for his PhD, did he? He is a craftsman, now in China helping their SCO make customised flutes 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706369https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706369Tue, 02 Aug 2016 03:53:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 03:52:16 GMT]]>

Funz:
I doubt parents will think that. Don't even think many MS or gifted stream kids go on to get PhDs.


The takeaway though is that there is still a possibility and it does not mean NT is no good and ITE is the end of the road. It simply means the student need to find his/her niche and pace. It also tells us all not to write them off and support from the people around them can spur them on to go further.
PhD is only for those who want to pursue a full time career in academia and research. An extra 3 years won't help one earn higher wages in many sectors.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706367https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706367Tue, 02 Aug 2016 03:52:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 03:23:06 GMT]]>It goes to show that the conventional PSLE -> O levels -> A levels -> Degree isn’t for everyone. You have to find the passion that drives you. I know of a girl who wasn’t doing too well in secondary school and decided to take the poly path to pursue the course she was interested in. She is thriving there now. She intends to go to university when she graduates from poly. I know of another girl who was from NA, went on to ITE and is now in university. Her mum told me it took her a longer time but with determination she made it. Thank goodness for supportive parents who didn’t push their kids to take routes that weren’t suitable for them.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706348https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706348Tue, 02 Aug 2016 03:23:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 03:04:33 GMT]]>Perhaps the takeaway is that these students were not assessed holistically in their school days and were assigned to the wrong stream in the first place. When Nigel Tan, for instance, took the PSLE his family were in dire straits - no wonder he couldn’t focus at that time.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706333https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706333Tue, 02 Aug 2016 03:04:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 02:43:18 GMT]]>

slmkhoo:
Agree with you. I just wish that the ST would also feature more of those who \"succeeded\" by simply doing a job they find fulfilling and do well, even without higher education. So far, they tend to feature those who get a degree by the \"longer route\" or after working several years. It still sends the message that a degree (eventually) is \"necessary\".

The local flute-maker?

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sin ... 58274.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sin ... 91400.html

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706322https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706322Tue, 02 Aug 2016 02:43:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 02:42:28 GMT]]>http://blog.flyingcape.com.sg/2016/07/2 ... ants-know/

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706320https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706320Tue, 02 Aug 2016 02:42:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 02:29:38 GMT]]>I think they did. But positioned more as an entrepreneur piece. They feature people who had it tough when young, some could even be delinquents or ex-convicts. But the common thread is these people made it good and made it big. Living in big houses, driving big cars and now living the good life.


I would prefer to see down to earth pieces of the average joe, making it in our city with an average job, living in our average hdb and taking our average transport but still able to live life relatively comfortably with occasional indulgences.

But that will not be newsworthy I guess. Maybe there was but again it is positioned differently, maybe as the life of a person in certain occupations, instead of life of an average Joe.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706314https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706314Tue, 02 Aug 2016 02:29:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 00:25:30 GMT]]>Agree with you. I just wish that the ST would also feature more of those who "succeeded" by simply doing a job they find fulfilling and do well, even without higher education. So far, they tend to feature those who get a degree by the "longer route" or after working several years. It still sends the message that a degree (eventually) is "necessary".

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706229https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706229Tue, 02 Aug 2016 00:25:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Tue, 02 Aug 2016 00:20:04 GMT]]>I doubt parents will think that. Don’t even think many MS or gifted stream kids go on to get PhDs.


The takeaway though is that there is still a possibility and it does not mean NT is no good and ITE is the end of the road. It simply means the student need to find his/her niche and pace. It also tells us all not to write them off and support from the people around them can spur them on to go further.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706226https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706226Tue, 02 Aug 2016 00:20:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to From Normal stream to PhD course on Mon, 01 Aug 2016 23:41:38 GMT]]>I truly admire the grit and determination of these young people and congratulate them heartily. I just hope that this isn’t taken to be the "norm" and parents will think that all NT kids can eventually get PhDs!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706217https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1706217Mon, 01 Aug 2016 23:41:38 GMT