TLDR: 21M Filipino, just got SG PR back, have to serve NS and drop out of 3rd-year CS, and apparently need 2 years of poly or jc before uni - is there any way to skip poly given my existing credits?
Hello! First off, not fully familiar with the educational track here in sg so pls correct any discrepancies in this post 😓. I'm a 21M Filipino who has been in and out of Singapore my entire life. Was a PR at around 16, but my family decided to revoke it, mainly to continue my studies in the Philippines (to finish SHS, which is like idk O/A-levels). It was also this time where COVID happened, so I couldnt go back to SG anyway to continue NS. After COVID, we decided to reapply for PR every year since 2022, and we got a successful result just this year (yay). This means I have to continue NS (will be doing my medical soon) and to stop college right now. Kinda unfortunate since I’m even on track to graduating Summa Cum Laude, 3rd year for BS in ComSci. Got a long list of orgs and projects I’ve even had under my belt.
To he honest, I don’t really mind quitting college in the PH as I’ve never really advanced anything academically, so I’d rather go to sg and restart my studies there. The only problem is that I still have to go to poly for 2 years, since the school i graduated from for SHS is only equivalent to o or a levels. This means I’ll be 23 heading into school again, which isnt even uni 😭. I’ll be 25 when I get into college, and then 29-30 when I graduate.
Given my situation, would it be possible for me to skip poly entirely? Feels like ill be wasting my years in NS, and now i have to waste two more in poly or jc. Or are there any other possible routes for me to consider? any answer here is much appreciated as im having a hard time contacting unis here on their websites 😓 ill also be visiting the unis there face to face soon to inquire, but any suggestions or advices from u guys will be greatly appreciated 🥹