While I do not buy the argument that concludes that Singapore is a winner-takes-all or a No-U-turn society, many of you may have met someone who experienced the following : a) Someone does not perform well enough to get into a local University. This person has to pay a lot more to attend a private university. Making matters worse,  this person runs a risk of studying for a degree from a shady degree supplier who may close shop and cannot use his parent's CPF money for assistance. The degree, when finally awarded, is also not accorded the same treatment as a local graduate degree so this person must work twice as hard to prove himself in the workplace. b) Someone does not perform well enough or refuses to join an MNC/Consulting firm/Bank. For the same pay, he works twice as hard for a SME or start-up which has a serious ......