Lemme see....Where do I start?

Let's start with the choice between UCL and NUS. I know what you mean by wanting to have a western education and the experience that you will get. NUS no matter how good will not bring that set of experience. The way one thinks will be different too. I know, I can see how myself has changed. I sometimes think if my experience would have been different if I went to HK or Singapore for my undergrad, I guess I wouldn't know.

UCL is a great school but nevertheless not the best, certainly not something that deserves an arm and a leg. If it was LSE, then you might be able to justify spending RM400k. UCL is not Stanford or UPenn or Chicago. Having a first degree from UCL will not guarantee you a job in the UK even if you come out tops in your program. Coupled with the fact that immigration is strictly enforced, you might just find yourself back in Asia. If you are lucky a job in HK or Singapore otherwise, Malaysia. Judging from that, this is not a wise investment decision.

NUS doesn't measure up to UCL in many aspects but it certainly is a catch when it comes to costs. A first degree is the same regardless of where you go barring Harvard, Princeton, Yale yadda yadda. Those schools are not the same in the sense that even if you are the best, you might not necessarily get in. They are in a different universe altogether. Because the differences between the BSc's from NUS and UCL are minimal, there is really no point in spending that sum of money.

At this juncture, you wouldn't know if economics is your cup of tea. You are drawn to it now but can you say with certainty that 3 years from now, you will have the exact same feelings about economics? Imagine you went to UCL and you realised that economics is not something that you like after your first year, instead finance is something that interests you. But you have already piled up RM100k of debt and to switch courses will only increase the debt but to continue in a program in which you have diminishing interest will only spell torture for the remaining 2 years. Why make yourself poor and miserable? If you went to NUS and the exact thing happens to you, you would probably incur a lower cost no matter what you do.

If it turns out that you are an economics beast, then even if you went to NUS, you will definitely get into say Chicago or LSE for your MSc and or PhD.

From a cost-benefit point of view, NUS is a better choice. Given the financial situation that you are in.

You can never be too sure. University is a different ball game.

Don't worry, you have not made a wrong decision. Look forward to it, go with an open mind. You will never know what might be heading your way. I certainly did not expect to pick up a language. You will be close to home, food is good ,weather is good.

Fair enough.

You don't go to the UK for snow. London doesn't have any snow in normal circumstances. If you want snow you have to go to Canada and Scandinavia. Those places really snow. Avoid Australia too. A friend of mine in Melbourne remarked, I don't know why I came to Australia, it doesn't feel like studying overseas, no snow and all asians........Swanston street is full of Asians........

That is true.

Coming out of UW with a quantitative degree makes it easier to get a job in Canada. Canada is not the UK, the rules are not strict. All paper work.

If you can save a big chunk of money by going to Melbourne, then go. After all, it gives you an opportunity to experience a different culture.......if and only if you seize the opportunity.

If you aunt agrees of housing you, then I'll estimate $700 would be enough for a month. However, you might want you privacy and living with a relative when you're at university doesn't work out most of the time. E.g bringing a girl home, coming back late etc.....

Jobs down there are as bad as the UK. Not that you are bad but the system prevents people like us from seeking jobs. So don't bank in on anything.

This post has been edited by feynman: Jun 2 2010, 10:38 PM