I wonder, is something wrong with the UK's postal service? Did their postmen all decide to go on strike (I notice employees in Europe have a knack of doing that, as compared to other continents).
I FINALLY received the letter from UCAS regarding my response from Manchester. It was dated 7 Dec and I got it now, some 12 days later. The news, I must say, is bad. It's a conditional offer (I saw that coming!). But they want me to get an A in biology, B in economics or math and A in chemistry. A IN CHEMISTRY?!?!?!? Hello, out of my 4 subjects, chemistry happens to be my weakest by a mile. That was the only subject in which I failed to manage an A for in my prelims. And they're asking for an A in chemistry?
And then there is the air-mailed postage from Newcastle. Dated 15 NOVEMBER. What on earth is it doing arriving HERE over a MONTH later. DId it decide to hitch a ride on a cargo ship? As I already know, Newcastle is asking for ABB. Before I chucked the entire file of documents away to read at my own time, I saw this.
Dear Phoebe,
International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship
Congratulations on being offered a place to study at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne to read for the degree of Genetics......(blah blah blah)....
My colleagues and I were most impressed by your UCAS application. I am delighted to inform you that the University's Scholarships Committee has decided to offer you an International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship (IUMS). ...(blah blah blah)....
-3 more paragraphs of words you really don't need to read-
Many congratulations on being offered one of our scholarships to study at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. We look forward to receiving your reply and to welcoming you to Newcastle at the beginning of the next academic year when we hold our annual reception for scholarship winners.
It's a partial scholarship, paying for some 1.5K in pounds only for the first year. In the words of my mum, "might as well not give!" Yes, I do think it is a rather small amount for a scholarship (as compared to Manchester's 5K, per year). Nonetheless, it makes me feel good to see the letter.
About local scholarships. I am annoyed and amused at the same time, that government boards have been loading my email inbox with their messages about their tea receptions and application invitations. The main problem happens to be... that the scholarship boards I am completely NOT interested in (like DSTA) keep emailing and calling (and mailing) me and the one I AM INTERESTED in doesn't really bother (A*STAR). Oh well.
Meanwhile, I signed up at some tuition agency a couple of days ago in a bid to earn some income (to supplement my falling savings account balance). And the website promptly shows me as a 17 year old. Now which sane parent would hire a 17 year old to coach their child? I'm almost 18 for goodness sake! Now who wants to give me a job that pays me at least $800(net) a month? Yes, I am greedy, I know it, but I'm willing to revise/lower my expectations by mid-January if my *ahem* frictional unemployment lasts till then. Ok, I'm still an economics junkie. Kill me if you can.
I'm a 3rd year student in what is probably the largest autonomous university in Singapore majoring in a Science-related subject (well it sorta IS SCIENCE). I'm known to be introverted, sarcastic (at times), funny when I rant (which isn't a good thing lol) and somewhat of a loner. I miss LA and would move there in a heartbeat :(
"I wonder, is something wrong with the UK's postal service?"
Sounds like business as usual for the Royal Mail.