I am a current RJC student, who has been thinking about either going to oxbridge or the ivy league. In your opinion, which is better? Assuming that i would be returning to Singapore to work. I am thinking of majoring in economics. Which would have the better reputation? Given your expertise on education, I would love to see an article comparing the 2.
Hi there, allow me to speak as a gatekeeper (rather than an education expert) - so many students make the mistake of thinking that going to a "better" university means that you will be taught something better and thus the superior education will make you a better employee. That's hardly the case because a lot of what you study at university will be completely irrelevant to what you do at work - especially if you're going to study economics and then say working in the financial services industry (trust me, I work in corporate finance and my degree is irrelevant). What us gatekeepers wanna see on an application is some sign of intelligence and potential - believe you me, there are a lot of people who are perfectly good worker ants but they will never have what it takes to rise to the top of an organisation or have the balls to start their own business. So on top of a good degree, we are searching for that little X-factor, that little extra that sets you out from the crowd.
In any case, stupid people don't get into Oxbridge or Ivy leage - either would be fine because you've proven that one thing that you're good enough to get into the best of the UK/US, whilst competing with millions of applicants from around the world who all desire that place. It's not like one is better than the other - they're both excellent choices though they are extremely different. Either choice would be great - so you're asking the wrong question.
I think the question you need to ask yourself is where you would be happier: the cultural aspects of living in the UK vs the US, they are such different choices, you will have a totally different experience. Furthermore, teaching methods in the UK are v different from the US, they are both good but different. I don't know what you're like as a person, so I don't know which system / culture would suit you better and only you can answer that question.
Dear Limpeh,
ReplyDeleteI am a current RJC student, who has been thinking about either going to oxbridge or the ivy league. In your opinion, which is better? Assuming that i would be returning to Singapore to work. I am thinking of majoring in economics. Which would have the better reputation? Given your expertise on education, I would love to see an article comparing the 2.
Hi there, allow me to speak as a gatekeeper (rather than an education expert) - so many students make the mistake of thinking that going to a "better" university means that you will be taught something better and thus the superior education will make you a better employee. That's hardly the case because a lot of what you study at university will be completely irrelevant to what you do at work - especially if you're going to study economics and then say working in the financial services industry (trust me, I work in corporate finance and my degree is irrelevant). What us gatekeepers wanna see on an application is some sign of intelligence and potential - believe you me, there are a lot of people who are perfectly good worker ants but they will never have what it takes to rise to the top of an organisation or have the balls to start their own business. So on top of a good degree, we are searching for that little X-factor, that little extra that sets you out from the crowd.
DeleteIn any case, stupid people don't get into Oxbridge or Ivy leage - either would be fine because you've proven that one thing that you're good enough to get into the best of the UK/US, whilst competing with millions of applicants from around the world who all desire that place. It's not like one is better than the other - they're both excellent choices though they are extremely different. Either choice would be great - so you're asking the wrong question.
I think the question you need to ask yourself is where you would be happier: the cultural aspects of living in the UK vs the US, they are such different choices, you will have a totally different experience. Furthermore, teaching methods in the UK are v different from the US, they are both good but different. I don't know what you're like as a person, so I don't know which system / culture would suit you better and only you can answer that question.
Gonna miss snow for the remaining of the year.
ReplyDeleteI have experienced snow as late as mid-April in the UK.
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