What are your choices and what suits you best?

There is a whole slew of sholarship choices out there today, ranging from those in the public sector - PSC and its ministries, and the FIREfly scholarships - to those in the private sector - SIA, KPMG, Keppel to name a few - and finally the bond-free scholarships - NUS/NTU/SMU Scholarships and others like the Loke Cheng Kim Foundation (Overseas study in Cambridge) and Jardine Foundation etc.

I think all these scholarships serve a purpose. Firstly, they would like to bring on board people who can contribute well to their organisation, That means that the individual should have a good fit - share the organisation's ideals and have the skills to work with others and excel there. Most scholarships are merit based (i.e. given out based on academic grades as well as a holistic consideration of your experiences and skills) and in this regard prospective applicants need to be realistic in their chances and more importantly, focus on something that really fits you, the way you work, your passions and where you see yourself beginning your career.

Passions, for they are what drive you to do the things you do. To state it simply, a passion is something that has become a part of you, almost something you cannot live without. It could be playing the piano for hours everyday, surfing the internet for information on the 200 airplane models you have in your collection or playing Warcraft at the World Cyber Games, it could be anything. But it would need a considerable investment of time and effort on your part - which wouldn't be difficult if it really is a passion of yours.

I think that people with real passions tend to be fascinating for so many reasons and it is but ONE reason universities and scholarship boards look for this trait. If you know where your passions lie, you would most likely know which organisation you want to be with.

Some examples: 

You read the Financial Times religiously and know everything there is to know about bonds, stocks and hedge funds. You've been investing under your parent's accounts since you were 16. It's pretty clear where this person will be happy working in - GIC, Temasek Holdings or the MFA (or any bank). 

You live and breathe science, having taken part and received Gold at the International Olympiads and started conducting research with a professor at NUS since JC1.  This points to a fulfilling life in research - A*Star or DSTA would be good choices.

Tennis is your life - you've been playing since you were a kid and though you weren't good initially, you've come a long way with daily practice and now you've made a name for yourself in the tennis circles. In your free time you coach children and mentor them. The Sports Council Scholarship would allow you to continue to pursue your passions.

Well what if your passion isn't as distinct as these people? A passion is still a passion, whether you have had great performances to show for it. If you did not have the time and opportunity to pursue a new passion of yours, then a scholarship in that field could be a springboard. It could be a deep interest in business or helping others understand concepts. In these cases you should find out as much as you can about these organisations, what work is like, what growth opportunities there are and what the working culture is. I mention such examples because they are real. And these are the people who will be vying for the same spots you are. Competition for scholarships has always been fierce and still is. Be realistic about your chances but do not give up hope if you think it's something you really love - your intense passion will more than make up some shortfalls in academic results.

Lastly and perhaps most importantly, a scholarship should not be an end in itself. A scholarship should be a means to an end (an overseas experience, an entry point to an industry you are interested in etc) and I think that agencies know that. After seeing so many applicants I can only guess that the whole "I have a passion in xyz" can get a little dry and cliched. That is why its important to be honest, and that is why drive and purpose are as valid points to raise in an interview.   

Meet five extraordinary Stanford scholarship recipients

Passion, Purpose, Drive 

Having a purpose in life is great, but more than just great, it is essential. Having the drive to sustain your journey towards that purpose shows a lot about character and agencies look for that too. Be sure to show examples of purpose and drive in the things that you do. It really just boils down to having a clear direction in life, knowing what you want and going all out to get it.

Highlight your purposes and plans. Anyone with a clear passion or direction and the necessary motivation to get there will be an asset to any organisation. At the end of the day, grades only show a very small aspect of one's character; one should not fret over seemingly mediocre grades nor get complacent over stellar results.

Here's another good article that gives some new perspectives and will help you cover more bases when you need to come to a decision.