Discussion: Official NUS Undergraduate admission 2012

[zane]

Originally Posted by johnconnor

Hey guys! Can we list our National Physics Competition (NPC) as an Olympiad participation in the application?

No harm putting it I guess....

[RationalAsh]

Originally Posted by fizzybear

Yeah I'am aware that we dont need SATs if we apply with GCE ALevels but the competition is just too great so more the qualifications better chance you will have .
See,I have a senior friend who got 4A* in GCE A Levels when A* was 1st introduced, but he didnt get into NUS.He was wait listed and my friends in NUS tells me that the number of international students coming to NUS has decreased by a huge margin due to some political change ..not sure about that
but basically number of international students in NUS has decreased by alot that Iam sure!
So NUS only take the best of the best,so do your best!!

Wow, I got 4 A* in CIE A-Levels and was thinking that I stood a good chance. Now I'm starting to get scared. Better submit my SAT scores as well even if it isn't necessary.

Just out of curiosity, do you think that taking Further Mathematics as a fourth subject gives you any advantage over taking say, economics or biology especially if I'm applying for engineering courses?

[fizzybear]

Originally Posted by RationalAsh

Wow, I got 4 A* in CIE A-Levels and was thinking that I stood a good chance. Now I'm starting to get scared. Better submit my SAT scores as well even if it isn't necessary.

Just out of curiosity, do you think that taking Further Mathematics as a fourth subject gives you any advantage over taking say, economics or biology especially if I'm applying for engineering courses?

Hey dont worry Just apply and see!! see my friend did Edexcel not CIE and I think CIE is more recognized than Edexcel.Yeah I guess so Even Im applying with further maths as my 5th subject and btw i was just reading through posts and saw that u didnt still receive CIE awrds .Well we received for Edexcel awards and I think it wld be an added advantage if u mention the awards!
btw how were your IGCSE results if you dont mind me asking! I myself got 11A* and A.

[Nicholasng925]

Originally Posted by RationalAsh

Wow, I got 4 A* in CIE A-Levels and was thinking that I stood a good chance. Now I'm starting to get scared. Better submit my SAT scores as well even if it isn't necessary.

Just out of curiosity, do you think that taking Further Mathematics as a fourth subject gives you any advantage over taking say, economics or biology especially if I'm applying for engineering courses?

Well, submit everything you can if you think you stand a better chance of getting admission. That said, your SAT scores should be high to boost your application, which I think you do. Just send it and hope for the best mate!

By the way, by taking Further Mathematics does give you an extra hand over economics and biology, if you were applying for engineering courses. But bear in mind that most of the engineering applicants (especially NUS) also have Further Mathematics as one of their subjects taken, so it might have been seen as a common subject, by the admission staffs.

[RationalAsh]

Originally Posted by fizzybear

Hey dont worry Just apply and see!! see my friend did Edexcel not CIE and I think CIE is more recognized than Edexcel.Yeah I guess so Even Im applying with further maths as my 5th subject and btw i was just reading through posts and saw that u didnt still receive CIE awrds .Well we received for Edexcel awards and I think it wld be an added advantage if u mention the awards!
btw how were your IGCSE results if you dont mind me asking! I myself got 11A* and A.

Well, CIE is somewhat irregular. I don't even know if I qualified for the awards.

I got 8A* (Phy, Chem, Math, Bio, Eng. 1st Lang, Econs, ICT, Add. Math) and 1C (For Malay beause I'm no good at it.)

Originally Posted by Nicholasng925

Well, submit everything you can if you think you stand a better chance of getting admission. That said, your SAT scores should be high to boost your application, which I think you do. Just send it and hope for the best mate!

By the way, by taking Further Mathematics does give you an extra hand over economics and biology, if you were applying for engineering courses. But bear in mind that most of the engineering applicants (especially NUS) also have Further Mathematics as one of their subjects taken, so it might have been seen as a common subject, by the admission staffs.

Now I'm just waiting for my SAT II results (I took the exam on the 28 of January) so I can apply.

[johnconnor]

Hey guys. I'm applying for NUS too. My top choice is definitely Chemical Engineering, but I'm undecided with the remaining 4 choices. I mean, you've gotta prepare yourself for the "what if I'm not selected for my choice" right?

May I know how much effort you put in to determine your remaining choices? Do you go through every single course modules, student composition, grade thresholds, accreditation, etc for your secondary choices?

Thank you!

[fizzybear]

Originally Posted by johnconnor

Hey guys. I'm applying for NUS too. My top choice is definitely Chemical Engineering, but I'm undecided with the remaining 4 choices. I mean, you've gotta prepare yourself for the "what if I'm not selected for my choice" right?

May I know how much effort you put in to determine your remaining choices? Do you go through every single course modules, student composition, grade thresholds, accreditation, etc for your secondary choices?

Thank you!

Hey Johnconnor,Welcome to the forum
If your first choice is chemical engineering, if u dont get Chemical Engineering (hopefully which u will get into)NUS will direct you to common Engineering as the 1st year.This is what happened to senior friend of mine.So after 1st year results u wld be then directed to chemical (if ur results are really good) or other Engineering specializations.
So if you are really into chemical engineering,best thing to do if u dont get chemical engineering in the 1st place is to go through the common engineering year!
Well I'm also hoping to get in to Chemical Engineering of NUS,but I made my secondary choices as Bioengineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering!!
Also do u mind sharing ur results? exam board etc.??

[czhong]

Hello guys, i see lot of things going on here.. ;) 1st of all, I've to say that do not feel discourage by whoever that thinks it's hard to get into SG uni. If you apply for it, you'll still stand a chance to get in. Of course, you've to be smart and good in choosing your course. Regarding financial assistance, YES they still provide loan, subsidy, scholarship, bursary and other. It'll be good if you get a scholarship as you will not worry whenever you spend. Still you've to understand that scholarships are limited and only those who perform well enough can get it. BUT, no worry, SG gov will provide almost 60%subsidy to everyone who got a place in NUS. *you can choose to take the subsidy or not to take it* In exchange of that, you have to serve in SG for 3years upon graduate. How bout the other 40% of tuition fee?? Again, no worry!! you'll be given Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) from DBS/OCBC/POSB if you need it. BUT bare in mind you've just settle your tuition fee ONLY!! This is where the tuition fee assistant loan, bursary and other loan/award come in to help you to cover accommodation fee and living expenses. Of course, it'll be good if you've some back up money arnd RM10k for a year since sometimes the loan disbursement will be a bit late. Hopefully this is helpful. No matter what just try to apply good luck to all of you and hope to see you soon.

[johnconnor]

Hey guys, I've a question on the essay for NUS application. The essay is parked under the "Exceptional talents and achievements" category, and we are to "discuss a special talent, a personal experience or an activity that you have been involved in that is relevant to the course you are applying for admission."

Do I have anyone here who wrote anything other than what's stated above? I've a friend who wrote about reasons for his choice rather than writing about anything related to the Olympiad achievements or any group projects.

I'm gonna write about the training I underwent for NPC but I doubt I can reach the 2000-word limit.

[czhong]

Hey Johnconnor,

Regarding the essay you've mentioned, please elaborate on your own achievements. Achievements are not necessarily to be international level.
You might also want to include School level achievements. As long as you show that the thing you are elaborating is relevant to your studies in SG then it'll be probably all right. (eg. Write about leadership that can contribute to the NUS community) Remember to at least write something and don't ever leave it blank. It'll at least help a little. Btw, bare in mind that do not write long-winded essay as they'll not like it.

Looking forward to meet you soon.

Regards,
Chong Zhi Hong
Malaysian Students’ League
National University of Singapore
hp: +65 86961062 email: cyn1181@hotmail.com
website (will be available in few days time *be patient*):
http://www.facebook.com/pages/NUS-MSL-Malaysian-Students-League/139491902838907