First if the Ronaldo dude really makes $15K at 28, that's really good salary, and significantly above what most other Singaporeans make at 28, although it isn't a gauge on his salary in the longer term until he's 60.

Second, there are SAFOS and OMS that are not AO, and lets say I know for a fact that they're not regarded as lesser scholars than SAFOS and OMS AOs by both organisation and co-workers. Also, scholars do not take the AO interview immediately upon return. Majority of them get in at some point of their careers.