SAS

[yikes!]

We recently visited SAS and could not believe the arrogance. You would think we were doing them a favor by coming to the school

We are new to Singapore and I know all of these schools have wait lists, but some level of customer service would be nice!

Then they emphasized they are a non-profit....can't tell from the $15K non refundable registration fee

[$Pripps]

We recently visited SAS and could not believe the arrogance. You would think we were doing them a favor by coming to the school

We are new to Singapore and I know all of these schools have wait lists, but some level of customer service would be nice!

Then they emphasized they are a non-profit....can't tell from the $15K non refundable registration fee

You better get used to this arrogance, its not only in schools you can
come across it everywhere from restaurants to shops, its like you are bothering them.

[same here]

Got the same treatment from a female admissions specialist one year ago. It's better to talk to the man there.

[mumto2too]

Same can be said of UWC so we crossed both off our list

[My experience]

I think it really depends on the individual from the admissions office that happens to meet you. 

I have not had a bad experience at UWC, Tanglin Trust, OFS, ISS and the Canadian International School although the CIS lady seemed to be the least-infomed of them.

Anyhow, the bottom line is that UWC, TTS and SAS have long waiting list for cerain age groups and no amount of smiles will make that more palatable.

I have to say that the admission resluts are quite opaque.  I was surprised to be given an estimated 3 years to admission at one school and, six months after putting our child's name down, I was told that the estimate is now 3.5 years, i.e., after six months, we had not even stood still but been pushed back a further six months!!

[scoobydoo]

Can you be specific-what did they do that was arrogant and rude?

[yep.]

Got the same treatment from a female admissions specialist one year ago. It's better to talk to the man there.

There is one female in that dept who can come off as a bit abrasive, imo. I don't find the entire dept to be that way though.

[wow]

I thought the non refundable deposit was 12000 dollars.

[see past them]

I wouldn't be too put off by the admissions people - they're not the ones teaching the kids.  When we first moved here and put our kids in primary school we didn't like the admissions woman either but the school was fine and she left after another couple of years so it seems a bit silly to avoid a school just because the front office people are snooty.

[charity]

and they make you pay all the fees in advance! sounds very "charitable" to me....i thought schools could no longer collect deposits

[scarbowl]

Here's the explanation I have received:

It isn't a deposit.  It's a fee.  The "purpose" of this large fee to new families is "subsidize" or  reduce annual tuition fees for returning families who have paid annual tuition for one or more years.  It's like a joining fee at any of the country clubs in Singapore.    You pay more the first year and less afterwards - through lower annual charges.

The turnover in enrollment and resulting new student fees reduces costs for those who are long time parents at the school.

Seems fair enough.  Expensive but there is a payoff if you stay.  There are other schools to choose from if the total cost just seems too high.

Our friends who chose the other American school left for OFS after one semester.  Too few students to have as friends for their children, the expectation of more involvement/volunteer effort than they cared to offer, and the lack of athletic facilities. 

There's a wide range of programs (Christian to secular, IB and AP, local or international) available.  The schools vary widely in the quality of their facilities and their after-school offerings.  And the price varies widely accordingly.  There are enough choices (esp if you can be a bit patient or are willing to change schools) out there to suit most everyone.  I don't understand the whinging about fees.  If you want a "free" education you can return to the States or the UK where it is paid by everyone through taxes.  Here, we have plenty of choices for international schools and the fees are certainly one part of the basis for deciding.

[choice]

i guess the good news is there is at least some choice in Singapore for schools (SAS, ISS, SAIS, CIS, OFS, TTS....and some more 3 or 4 letter acronyms)

[scarbowl]

As an aside - we ended up first at ICS and then at UWC neither of which have the large joining fee.

[yikes!]

Thanks Scarbowl....can i ask why you left ICS

[scarbowl]

Well...we thought the "Bible-centered view of truth" thing wouldn't be a big deal but the school enrolls a large number of children of missionaries.  So the Christian component was just too much for our liking.  Otherwise, we thought the programs were of sufficient quality, the facilities were as good as we would have back home, and the price was okay.  In other words, it was "fine."