Resist chasing prestige over fit when choosing the right university, scholarship, or course. Discover how identity-aware choices gives you long-term success.
Choosing your course of study and university can be one of the most daunting decisions in your life. These decisions will shape the next four years of your university life, social circle, and first job. All of which will set the tone for your adult life.
So, which camp do you fall into – “I know what and where I want to be!” versus “I am still figuring out?”
Whether you are in the former or latter category, it is important to resist the temptation of choosing prestigious scholarships/universities and majors that are “cool” without deeper reflection on personal identity and fit. Blindly chasing prestige may lead to challenges in adapting to university life, including grades, and, worst of all, mental well-being.
What Is Personal Identity and Why It Matters?
In a nutshell, personal identity is simply the core of who you are. Diving deeper, an individual’s identity comprises a complex blend of traits, values, beliefs, and experiences that shape how one thinks, feels, and interacts with the world. Just like our thumbprints, no two persons in the world (even identical twins) would have the same personal identity.
Having the self-awareness will shed light on your sense of purpose, strengths, and weaknesses. This knowledge will, in turn, impact your decision on the most suitable course (what motivates you) and the right university (where do I thrive) for yourself. The university experience is one of the most defining seasons in most people’s lives. A wrong decision can be detrimental to your state of happiness for the next four years. Not only that, but it can also be a costly mistake, as both time and resources will be wasted.
Prestige or Purpose?
The golden question is, how do you know if you have made the right choice? It is really all about your mindset during decision-making. Have a look at the following and decide which personality you are.
Individual A
1 I am applying for X scholarship/university because most of my friends are doing so, or because it is the easiest to get into.
2 I like the idea of being a [Career Choice] because it has the highest starting pay for a fresh graduate, or it is a glamourous career, or it is the “in” career choice.
3 I have to go to University Y because all the successful people attend that school.
4 I am just going to try for all the scholarships available and see which one lands.
Individual B
1 I am applying for X scholarship/university because it will hone my interest in Y and it offers the right opportunities that will help me gain more exposure in Z.
2 I know that I want to be a [Career Choice] because I can use my [strengths and interests] to impact the future of XYZ.
3 I am keen on University Y because it offers the best X programme in Asia and overseas exchange to Y institution, which is renowned for the Z research that I am passionate about.
4 After evaluating, scholarships A and B seem to be the best fit for my area of study and I will also get to intern with A/B to gain industry experience.
While Individual A may still successfully enroll in his university or programme of choice, he is likely to struggle with keeping up as it is misaligned to his true interest. This may lead to burnout, dwindling mental wellness, grades, and eventually, course switching mid-term.
Contrastingly, Individual B focuses on alignment with his identity/interest over prestige and the easy way out. Chances are, he will make the cut easily as he can demonstrate genuine passion and strengths at the application stage. He is also likely to adjust to university life quickly and excel in the coursework.
“Choose a subject based on interest rather than any perceived prestige. Study a subject that you are passionate about and that you think would align with where you envision your life to be in 10, 20 years.”
ASP Warren Liow
Singapore Police Scholar
The Secret Sauce to Long-Term Success
In essence, having a strong sense of self can help anchor better decisions and long-term success.
Picture this: when facing a setback, Individual B is likely to be more motivated in finding solutions and making things work since there is a clear end goal rooted in his personal identity. Through this process, this person will also develop additional soft skills such as tenacity and creative problem-solving, skills essential for workplace success in the near future.
Even if career choices were to evolve at a later stage, the real-life experiences gained, coupled with strong self-awareness and resilience, will likely help this individual navigate through challenges more nimbly.
Finding Yourself: A Reflection Exercise
The good news is that it is never too late to get to know yourself better. For students who are still exploring their identity, here are some thought-starters for consideration.
1 What values matter most to me?
2 What are my strengths and weaknesses?
3 What environments do I thrive in?
4 What kind of professional, leader, and citizen do I want to become?
5 How do I define success?
6 Does this scholarship/university/programme support me in becoming the kind of person I want to be?
Start Your Self-Discovery Journey Now
In the end, the choice of scholarship or university is less about prestige and more about alignment with who you are and who you want to become. Taking time to understand your personal identity, values, and strengths allows you to make decisions that lead to greater satisfaction, resilience, and growth. While it may feel tempting to follow the crowd or chase big names, the real marker of success is finding a path that supports your aspirations and well-being. The earlier you begin this journey, the better equipped you will be to make choices that are not only right for today but sustainable for the future.