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Scholarships - PSC

Page history last edited by yL 14 years, 7 months ago


 

You will find a whole lot of information here which is useful, but when you step in the interview room all this should be at your fingertips.

http://www.pscscholarships.gov.sg/

 

PSC Interview 

by Joshua Chow (TJC, Graduated in 2006)

 

Just a little something about me: I was Yan Liang’s school mate and we did lots of stuff together, and just like him I just finished NS. I have a place to read Natural Sciences (Biological) at Fitzwilliam College Cambridge in 2009, so its a pity that the Oxbridge Interviews are long over so I won’t be able to help on that anymore.

I will however, be able to help whoever is out there to prepare for the PSC interview, which can be rather daunting.

 

The room (and the accompanying table) is going to be a big one, with at least 15 people, and most of them have probably interviewed more people than you have eaten salt, at least that was my experience. So it would be a good idea to arrive there at least 20 minutes early to calm yourself down review the points in your head mentally. Whats important is that you remain confident and calm, because I think all of you speak rationally and intelligently when calm, so you should focus on achieving that state of mind.

 

The questions asked will be rather global and will have relation to policy making. I was asked whether the study of the Chinese language should continue to be emphasised as a way to reach the Chinese market when many Chinese were beginning to pick up English. I was also asked what role Singapore could play as a country with both Chinese and Malay links in dealing with the fact that the Middle Eastern nations are rising very rapidly. These questions will be in addition to the standard fare of why you want to be a teacher/military officer/policy maker etc, so be ready for that too.

 

I remember one guy being rather abrasive in his questions which came fast and furious, giving little time to answer. Be ready for that, because I have come to understand that that it is a feature of everybody’s interview. Just remain calm(as always) and respond calmly. Don’t let it faze you. They just want to see if you can think under pressure.

When answering questions keep in mind to look at the person who is asking the questions, although be sure to look at the rest of them as well. There are a lot of them, and I believe that turning your head left and right acknowledges their presence as well as underscores the fact that you know that although one of them is asking the questions, they all want to hear your answer.

 

I believe that you should go in there with a smile, because you are trying(if you are not) to project yourself as confident. Confident about your abilities and yourself. If you are not confident about your abilities, then you cannot expect someone who doesnt know you at all to be confident about you.

 

Dress sensibly, a tie is a must. For the army guys please do your utmost to get released from Tekong early to go home and freshen up. I went for an MOE sit down session and this guy was there in his smart 4 and didnt smell very good. The hair was bad enough already.

 

For the army guys please read as much as you can while you are in BMT, they won’t cut you any slack. One of them asked me if I knew what Middle Eastern Cities had our leaders visited recently and I said I have not read the papers much lately. He didn’t care for that very much by his very quick reply which was: “just tell me what you know.”.   

 

If PSC decides not to award you a PSC scholarship, you will be referred to the ministry which you seem interested in. The ministry itself will conduct another interview/sit down session/funny thingamajig to assess you once more. If you applied to MOE they will do a group interview about 2 months later and then decide on the offer. I understand DSTA has a whole melange of tests and interviews and A*Star has several rounds too.

 

All the best for your future endeavours! 

 


 

PSC Psychometric Interview

By Gladia (TJC, Graduated in 2008)

 

Hi! I just went for the PSC psychometric interview yesterday. First they’ll ask you to fill up a questionnaire about a problem you recently faced, then they’ll score it like a personality test (but you don’t get to see the score). Afterward, a psychologist will spend 2-3 HOURS asking you lots of questions ranging from your family life to involvement at school, and the standard ‘why do you want to apply’. I think what they’re looking out for is how you dealt with problems you faced, mainly interpersonal ones. So make sure you have a few good examples ready! The psychologist’s report will be submitted to the interview committee, which may ask you more about it during your interview. It’s quite a free-and-easy session, and you don’t have to answer the questions straight away, so I guess if you just be yourself and be honest, it should go fine. All the best!

 


 

PSC Interview Round 2 (New)

By Jin Zhi (TJC, Graduated in 2008)

 

I had my second round of PSC interview. Surprisingly, mine was not very current-affairs based, it was more like a test of my flexibility and how I go about answering the "funny" questions they posed. They were like "you did quite alot of kindness projects, and so you actually think that singaporeans are very unkind?" .. also asked me on my view of us being a "nanny" state..and later some random questions on mainstream media and the internet.... not exactly current affairs but on my opinions and such. the trick is really to smile, stay calm, and answer them with your most honest and SINCERE opinions. There is no right or wrong answers, just take the opportunity to voice out!

And be prepared for funny scenes in the interview room. Dont expect them to be listening to you attentively or looking at you!

One last note, BE TRUTHFUL, if you really mind studying in China, answer them truthfully if they ever ask you. I have heard people who said they dont mind as a "politically correct" answer but actually they mind and end up not accepting the offer due to the conditions required.

Remember: Everyone is different and to be different is to be yourself=)


 

What makes you the right candidate for PSC?

By Yuan Zhi (TJC, Graduated in 2008)

 

Hi to all:) Some of you may have met me recently during one of the many sharing sessions we had in the Temasek Lounge, as for the others, maybe just a short introduction about myself. I just graduated last year in 2008 and was awarded the PSC OMS(O) Scholarship. I will soon be embarking on a journey less taken by others...heading to China, Peking University to study International Politics. I do not know how many of you already are interested in the PSC scholarship (from my interaction with some of you, not many are :p), but for those who have yet considered it as a possible scholarship/career choice, do keep your choices open. Many has the common notion that PSC scholarships are the most highly sought after scholarship and if you are not academically talented, you are out of the game. Is that true? Read on to find out:D

 

As Gladia and Jin Zhi has shared previously about the psychometric and Board interview respectively, I shall not reiterate whatever they've said, but perhaps just to draw your attention to some of the more salient points which have been recently emphasised by Chairman of PSC, Mr Eddie Teo: http://www.pscscholarships.gov.sg/An+Open+Letter+from+the+Chairman.htm

 

If you are too lazy to visit the link, let me summarise it a little...

  1. Does excellent academic results rank you on the top of PSC's list?

    1. Yes and No.
    2. Yes, academic results does matter since it is one of the key indicators of how well you can manage your duties as a student (I suppose all would agree that the main duty of a student is to study hard and study well?). But PSC does not expect all applicants to be the top students of their schools of course.
    3. No, since PSC do not merely look at your academic grades, they do not want "muggers" to join the government and not know how to help Singaporeans in the most pragmatic way.
  2. Is my CCA record important?

    1. Yes.
    2. Yes, like what I've mentioned, PSC is looking for all-rounders who not only excel in studies but is able to enrich his/her own study experience since many things cannot be learnt from books.
  3. Does community involvement makes me the right candidate?

    1. Yes, to a certain extent.
    2. Since taking up the PSC scholarship will mean to take up a commitment to serve fellow Singaporeans wholeheartedly and faithfully, being involved in community service activities does indicate your interest and passion in serving the community at large. Does that mean that I must join LEO right away??? Obviously not, you don't do community service for the sake of getting a scholarship or making your CV look good.
  4. Having excellent academic results and CCA records, does that mean that I will definitely get the scholarship?

    1. Haha, you wish.
    2. Like what Gladia and Jin Zhi mentioned in previous articles, there are the psychometric test and Board interview to clear, even if you have the best academic results and CCA records, not doing well for your psychometric test and Board interview will still mean you will not be selected!
    3. Furthermore, these two final stages of the selection process are not what you can prepare for like an exam:)
  5. So how exactly can I ace for both the psychometric test and Board interview?

    1. Psychometric test: It really is a test to find out what are the values and beliefs you hold strongly to and what kind of person you are. Be prepared to share alot about your personal experiences since these are testaments to the values you hold strongly to. Be truthful to yourself and your psychologist. You preach what you say!
    2. Board interview: You just need to be confident in youself (but not arrogant of course). All the pre-interview preparations should have already been done (like knowing your current affairs, PSC & Singapore well enough) so there isn't much you can do when you are already there. Know what you really want, you make your choices so you should be clear why you make such choices(your choice of study, scholarship etc). Don't be daunted if your interviewers challenge your responses! Stand firm on your decisions and point of view even if it is not the politically correct answer or if your interviewers challenge you about that. All you need to do is to calmly rationalise your stand:D
  6. If I choose non-traditional countries as my place of study, does that put me at an advantage?

    1. I would then pose another question, if that particular place of study is not your ideal choice, will you be happy about studying in that place even if you are going over with a scholarship? So like what Jin Zhi said, if you are really not keen on going to China for example, please be truthful.
  7. The X-factor.

    1. Very often, those who applies to PSC already possess the academic and non-academic qualities which most scholarship providers are looking for. So it is more of how you are able to show that you are better if not, different from the rest.
    2. PSC scholars are a diverse group with people who share different interests, strengths and weaknesses. What is common is the passion to serve the government, the community, the people, our fellow Singaporeans.

 

Of course, I do not sit on the PSC sholarship board so I cannot determine for sure if the random comments I made resonate with what the interviewers who may sit in for your PSC interview think. Nonetheless, I do hope that these principles which I abide by throughout my application of the scholarship, my interview, till my present stage of becoming a PSC scholar would help the rest consider the choice of a PSC scholarship more seriously. Afterall, it is not just a commitment to yourself or to the organisation, it's a commitment to all Singaporeans since you will be responsible for shaping Singapore's future once you finish your course of study. Any questions or comments, feel free to reflect them, will be more than glad to answer any of your queries. I do not provide model answers though :)

 

Comments (6)

Jin Zhi said

at 12:11 am on Feb 25, 2009

I had my second round of PSC interview. Surprisingly, mine was not very current-affairs based, it was more like a test of my flexibility and how I go about answering the "funny" questions they posed. They were like "you did quite alot of kindness projects, and so you actually think that singaporeans are very unkind?" .. also asked me on my view of us being a "nanny" state..and later some random questions on mainstream media and the internet.... not exactly current affairs but on my opinions and such. the trick is really to smile, stay calm, and answer them with your most honest and SINCERE opinions. There is no right or wrong answers, just take the opportunity to voice out!

And be prepared for funny scenes in the interview room. Dont expect them to be listening to you attentively or looking at you!

One last note, BE TRUTHFUL, if you really mind studying in China, answer them truthfully if they ever ask you. I have heard people who said they dont mind as a "politically correct" answer but actually they mind and end up not accepting the offer due to the conditions required.

Remember: Everyone is different and to be different is to be yourself=)

Joshua said

at 9:21 am on Feb 25, 2009

Thanks Jin Zhi and good luck for your scholarship! From what I know I believe the results of the interview will be out within the next 3 days or so. And yes, I have heard that they are actively pushing the PSC China Scholarship, which is a new thing, so we will all have to consider the options carefully.

Daryl Chia Rui Ming said

at 9:28 am on Feb 25, 2009

Hey Jin Zhi all the best!!

yL said

at 9:43 am on Feb 25, 2009

Thanks Jin Zhi, it seems you really took the right approach to the interview and it went well! Glad you could share such insights with others. Do keep us updated! :)

PS: Your entry deserves to be in the main section so I moved it there.

Jin Zhi said

at 12:39 pm on Feb 25, 2009

Hi, wow didnt know you guys are so active.
Anyway I think this is a very very good effort and we can all share and see more tjcians becoming schoalrs=)=)

on a side note i had my interview two weeks ago and I was offered SGS (open). From other sources, Gladia got OMS, and there are about 5 of us from tjc who have been given the provisional offer.

yL said

at 1:40 pm on Feb 25, 2009

Glad you did! Well now that you've got an offer you should consider if you really want it, or whether it meets what you want out of work or a career. It's probably too early to see the big picture, but try to make an informed decision based on information from friends, parents, people working in the industry and especially current scholars working in government. You'll then be able to get a feel of what the opportunities are like and how they compare to what you get outside.

As you can see the main people in tjchighed are always around...thing is there aren't many others who are :)

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