anyone applied to National University of Singapore?

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Me too.

I'm from Malaysia and just only submitted the online application to NUS.

The dateline for Malaysia Higher School Certificate (STPM) is 30 Mac 2007.

I don't think they'll select the students even before the dateline. If I'm not mistaken, they will notify the shortlisted candidates in early April.

However, do you mind to let me know where're you from, what qualification are you using to apply to NUS?

How is your preparation to the test and interview?

Regards,
:laugh:
 
Hi!

I also applied to NUS.

Normally, only by mid-april will you know if you're shortlisted. So most probably won't hear anything from them till then. If you're not shortlisted, they won't tell you (at least that's for Singaporeans).

Shortlisted candidates will have to go through the whole barage of interviews and the essay test.

Only after that will you know if you're accepted...

No early offers.

Hope it helps
 
Hi undecide,

Seems like you're from S'pore.

How is your preparation to the test and interview?

Regards.😀
 
The only thing i can say is that NUS medicine is such a competitive course to get into. You literally have, or at least had, to be the top of the top to even be considered for the course (and have plenty of extra curricular activities). Man, i wanted it badly before since 5 yrs would make you a doctor already (after Junior College) unlike in many other non-commonwealth countries where you spend a good 8-9 (4 yrs pre-med, 4-5 years med proper) years before receiving your MD.

Unfortunately, the course i got into (Biology, 3 years) was not equivalent to a Pre-Med course. And i excruciatingly waited until June to know about it. hehe. Oh well... that was 2002. 5 more years of proper to go for me 😉...

Anyway, just sharing... not meaning to dishearten anyone. Just thought how different things could be were i to already be a doctor now.

Good luck to you guys! God bless! 🙂
 
Eeks! you mean a degree in biology cannot be considered as a pre med course? i was contemplating doing a degree in life sciences (with emphasis on biomedical sciences) as a possible option.

wgy589, yupz, from Singapore. Eh preparation... well... just reading up on certain pathologies of illness... actually when i attended their open house, they said something like for the essay test, you can't really prepare for it. Think you need to be pretty self aware and reflective. Currently still sorting out my referral letters. So hahaha...pretty unprepared actually...what about yourself?
 
undecide said:
Eeks! you mean a degree in biology cannot be considered as a pre med course? i was contemplating doing a degree in life sciences (with emphasis on biomedical sciences) as a possible option.

wgy589, yupz, from Singapore. Eh preparation... well... just reading up on certain pathologies of illness... actually when i attended their open house, they said something like for the essay test, you can't really prepare for it. Think you need to be pretty self aware and reflective. Currently still sorting out my referral letters. So hahaha...pretty unprepared actually...what about yourself?
Click to expand...

Hi undecide,

As what I mentioned, I just only summitted the online application. So, eveyhthing is just only started, personnal statement, CCA records,recommendation letters. I'll try to read more in English to prepare for the test, and to speak more in English for the interview, since I'm Chinese educated.

Regarding your suggestion to read up on pathologies..., I thought the test/interview only tests your attitude, whether you're suitable for a career in medicine..., and it has nothing to do with your knowledge in medical studies? Please correct me if I'm wrong , and I'll change my preparation for the test/interview.

Are you going to write the referral letter on yourself, and ask the pricipal to sign it for you? In my case, I don't think my principal will write the letter for me.

How long is your referral letter? 1/2 the size of 1 page, or 2/3 , 3/4 or even 2 pages. I wonder there's so much to write.

What about the contents of the letter. My idea is: how brilliant is the student's academic results, how active the student is in CCA, how suitable the student is to be a doctor.

Any more idea?

Regards,:laugh:
 
Cos i wrote something in my personal statement about pathologies, so yea, will have to consolidate my information properly. For myself, i've got a personal friend to help me write my referral letter, my Junior College tutor to help me write, and my mentor to help me write. Mmmm...i'm not sure about for foreign students but since i'm applying locally and because my grades aren't too perfect, i'm intending to apply through the Exceptional Individual Scheme (EIS) so i've got to submit my applications + portfolio by 1 April. They accept up to 10% from this catergory. Yupz...

About the content, at least for the EIS, the question they posted was . Why, in your opinion, would this person make a good doctor? The letter should be less than 500 words.
 
undecide said:
Cos i wrote something in my personal statement about pathologies, so yea, will have to consolidate my information properly. For myself, i've got a personal friend to help me write my referral letter, my Junior College tutor to help me write, and my mentor to help me write. Mmmm...i'm not sure about for foreign students but since i'm applying locally and because my grades aren't too perfect, i'm intending to apply through the Exceptional Individual Scheme (EIS) so i've got to submit my applications + portfolio by 1 April. They accept up to 10% from this catergory. Yupz...

About the content, at least for the EIS, the question they posted was . Why, in your opinion, would this person make a good doctor? The letter should be less than 500 words.
Click to expand...

OMG, 500 words for referral letter? Some more 2 letters needed? Seems like I really have to start burning the night oil now.

undecide, you must be a super active student in CCA to apply under EIS.

However, mind to tell me your results?

I heard one must be a straight A's student to apply under the normal round, and having a very strong score in English test, eg IELTS, TOEFL, MUET, 1119 EL.

True?:luck:
 
Just wondering. How much is the tuition fee in NUS?
 
AAB... but just trying and see how things turn out... What about yourself?

Tuition fees for foreigners total sums up to around $97,000 i think, with a 6 year bond after that.
 
to be frank

i haven't prepard for the interview yet

call me stupid or what but i don't wanna be very very sad if i'm not even shortlisted for the interview..

so, when i've been shortlisted, i'll prepare for it..
 
guys

if i'm not mistaken, shorlisted candidates will have to submit a portfolio to NUS before 16th Apr or 19th Apr.

if we're only notified in mid apr, do we have enough time to submit the portfolio to them?
 
👍
undecide said:
AAB... but just trying and see how things turn out... What about yourself?

Tuition fees for foreigners total sums up to around $97,000 i think, with a 6 year bond after that.
Click to expand...

My STPM is AAAA and MUET Band 6. What I'm afraid now is my performance during the test and interview.

Honestly, I don't mind the tuition fees and the bond if I can get admitted.

Any advice on what to refer or go through to prepare for the portfolio and interview/test?👍
 
wgy

you must be rich..😉

anyway, what is a referal letter?

recommendation letter?
 
eggtart said:
wgy

you must be rich..😉

anyway, what is a referal letter?

recommendation letter?
Click to expand...

Haha, rich?
Honestly, I gonna apply for the study loan in S'pore bank for my studies and living expenses. What I mean "don't mind" is the fees I have to pay is actually worth the education I'll recieve there. Please, a world medical education with only around US$ 60K is certainly very attractive.

As far as I know, referal letter=recommendation letter.

Hey, any more advice on how to prepare for the portfolio and interview/test?:meanie:
 
wgy

sorry for the misunderstanding..my fault then

like i said, i'm not even sure of getting shortlisted

so, i'll prepare when i'm notified

i think we don't need a very long time for preparation

and yes, which part of malaysia are you in?
 
eggtart said:
wgy

sorry for the misunderstanding..my fault then

like i said, i'm not even sure of getting shortlisted

so, i'll prepare when i'm notified

i think we don't need a very long time for preparation

and yes, which part of malaysia are you in?
Click to expand...

Kuala Lumpur. All the best to you!:laugh:
 
eh...when i attended the open house, the students there told me that if i'm applying (not through the EIS) then it would be better to prepare the portfolio early. Because between the date of submission of the portfolio and the date you're alerted that you're shortlisted is quite short.

About preparing for the test i think there's really nothing much you can do... Perhaps consolidating your thoughts on why you want to be a doctor? I don't know haven't been for a medical selection interview before. But i've heard that sometimes they do ask strange questions...which you really cannot prepare for...

For the essay test if i remembered correctly the guy that presented at the open house also said there's nothing much you can prepare...because the subject of the question asked can be quite wide... from, "your greatest fear" to "professionalism in medicine"... yea... i guess it tests your self-awareness a little for the tests.
 
you went to their open house?

what else did the attendees asked?

and anymore tips?😀

thanks by the way
 
undecide said:
eh...when i attended the open house, the students there told me that if i'm applying (not through the EIS) then it would be better to prepare the portfolio early. Because between the date of submission of the portfolio and the date you're alerted that you're shortlisted is quite short.

About preparing for the test i think there's really nothing much you can do... Perhaps consolidating your thoughts on why you want to be a doctor? I don't know haven't been for a medical selection interview before. But i've heard that sometimes they do ask strange questions...which you really cannot prepare for...

For the essay test if i remembered correctly the guy that presented at the open house also said there's nothing much you can prepare...because the subject of the question asked can be quite wide... from, "your greatest fear" to "professionalism in medicine"... yea... i guess it tests your self-awareness a little for the tests.
Click to expand...

Nice written. Feel like want to read more. OK?
 
hi

I am an international studentsi have applied to sms. i am also waiting for the call for interview and the test. i have done my hsc in sydney. i have 99.55 UAI and heaps of extra curricular activities. and distinction awards in national competitions. my sat scores are 680V780M700W. subjects MIIC800 P780C760.
what are my chances of getting shortlisted
 
singapore medical school
 
i see

called it NUS or YLLSOM also can

i have very little knowledge about aussie examination

but from the way you desribe it, you seems to stand a high chance

anyway, i'm sure there're many people out there who can tell yuo what your chances are
 
guys

let me copy and paste from the NUS website

"All shortlisted candidates must submit a portfolio to the Dean's Office by Thursday, 19 April 2007. The portfolio must contain two letters of recommendation, a personal statement (one page), and a resume or list of extracurricular activities (one page)."

may i ask, what are you guys planning to fill in for the personal statement?

thanks
 
Hi there.

I've already been accepted at NUS med (I applied last year and chose to finish my NS before starting school), so I would be able to offer some help wrt admissions queries, essay tests et al.

Grades
Nothing new here. Preferbly all As for those who took alevels. GP + MT grade must not exceed 6. AAB, A2 would get you an interview. But I know people with AAAA, A1 GP, 2 S-ppr Dists who got rejected after interview. So its a crapshoot. Outstanding performance at the interviews and essay test is critical if you really want to snag a place (again, nthng new here). Not sure about the academic profile of int'l students who've gotten in, so I wont comment on that.

Interviews
Faculty interview: Questions would be centred on what's written on ur PS. In addition, there wld be the usual barrage of "why medicine', 'why not other service-centric professions' etc.

Medical questions, though uncommon, are not unheard of. On my interview day, I met about 5 others who were asked questions on etiology and treatments. It was HFMD (hand foot mouth disease) season during the interview period last yr, so the profs asked some applicants whether HFMD was caused by a bact or virus, what its name was etc. Its basically to weed out people. My qsn was on meningitis, so go figure. It wld be prudent to know some basic stuff, A-level bio wld help in this respect.

Staff/student interview: The second interview, personally, was far less nerve wrecking than the first. Whilst the latter focuses on your motivations for entering medicine, the staff interview serves to know you as a person. Your passions, what makes you laugh, cry, whether you do have a life besides just clamouring to get into med school.

Essay test
It is true that the questions asked will be erratic. When my batchmates applied in '05, the question was whether students possess the right motivation to go into medicine. Last yr, the qsn was on professionalism of medical students. The int'l students were told to write on plastic surgery. Whatever the case, the test is 45 mins long, GP style, with no pointers or background info (unlike the law essay test, but i digress).

Psychometric test
Nthng much. just complete it and pray you dont get profiled as a psycho. Qsns are like those frm the PSC scholarship test, for those who have taken it.

EIS scheme
Not a whole lot is known abt this scheme as it's still relatively new. But after asking around, the mean number of candidates shortlisted for interviews under EIS is a mere 30. Out of that, about 1-4 are admitted.

Other statistics and random things
Last year when i applied, the numbers were roughly as such: 5,000 applications (incl int'l student numbers I guess)......1,000 shortlisted....290 admitted. They opened up 40 more seats last yr (and will do the same in yrs to come) to expand the supply of doctors locally. This year will be particularly bad because of the record numbers of 4As and larger applicant pool.

Extracurriculars: Nthng much, other than the fact that you need it. ECs are one of the things which can differentiate you as a candidate. Council EXCO, college athlete, what have you.

Hons and awards: It *is* medicine after all, so the people admitting med hopefuls wld like to see academic prizes as a barometer of your intelligence. Trust me, there is no shortage of olympiad medal winners, academic prize recepients, local and regional sporting award winners etc who apply. That's your competition.

Work experience: Not an absolute must. But it *does* help. Have a variety of attachments listed in ur CV. Also provides smthng to talk about during interviews. Ultimately, its for your own good, because you wld have done the bare minimum to ensure ure not applying to the profession blindly.

Community work: Show sustained involvement in smthng ure passionate in. Quite a no. of pple who got in have done rather impressive things for their communities. (read: NOT the one off door-door newspaper collection or hospice visit you may have done in JC or elsewhere).

Research work: Many don't have this and still get in. Those who do, have an important advantage.

Erm, okay. That's all I can bring myself to type at the moment. I can try to answer any other questions which you guys may have.

Till then, good luck. toora!

PS: Im a sporean, graduated from JC in 2004. Entering this year.
 
👍
pidelta said:
Hi there.

I've already been accepted at NUS med (I applied last year and chose to finish my NS before starting school), so I would be able to offer some help wrt admissions queries, essay tests et al.

Grades
Nothing new here. Preferbly all As for those who took alevels. GP + MT grade must not exceed 6. AAB, A2 would get you an interview. But I know people with AAAA, A1 GP, 2 S-ppr Dists who got rejected after interview. So its a crapshoot. Outstanding performance at the interviews and essay test is critical if you really want to snag a place (again, nthng new here). Not sure about the academic profile of int'l students who've gotten in, so I wont comment on that.

Interviews
Faculty interview: Questions would be centred on what's written on ur PS. In addition, there wld be the usual barrage of "why medicine', 'why not other service-centric professions' etc.

Medical questions, though uncommon, are not unheard of. On my interview day, I met about 5 others who were asked questions on etiology and treatments. It was HFMD (hand foot mouth disease) season during the interview period last yr, so the profs asked some applicants whether HFMD was caused by a bact or virus, what its name was etc. Its basically to weed out people. My qsn was on meningitis, so go figure. It wld be prudent to know some basic stuff, A-level bio wld help in this respect.

Staff/student interview: The second interview, personally, was far less nerve wrecking than the first. Whilst the latter focuses on your motivations for entering medicine, the staff interview serves to know you as a person. Your passions, what makes you laugh, cry, whether you do have a life besides just clamouring to get into med school.

Essay test
It is true that the questions asked will be erratic. When my batchmates applied in '05, the question was whether students possess the right motivation to go into medicine. Last yr, the qsn was on professionalism of medical students. The int'l students were told to write on plastic surgery. Whatever the case, the test is 45 mins long, GP style, with no pointers or background info (unlike the law essay test, but i digress).

Psychometric test
Nthng much. just complete it and pray you dont get profiled as a psycho. Qsns are like those frm the PSC scholarship test, for those who have taken it.

EIS scheme
Not a whole lot is known abt this scheme as it's still relatively new. But after asking around, the mean number of candidates shortlisted for interviews under EIS is a mere 30. Out of that, about 1-4 are admitted.

Other statistics and random things
Last year when i applied, the numbers were roughly as such: 5,000 applications (incl int'l student numbers I guess)......1,000 shortlisted....290 admitted. They opened up 40 more seats last yr (and will do the same in yrs to come) to expand the supply of doctors locally. This year will be particularly bad because of the record numbers of 4As and larger applicant pool.

Extracurriculars: Nthng much, other than the fact that you need it. ECs are one of the things which can differentiate you as a candidate. Council EXCO, college athlete, what have you.

Hons and awards: It *is* medicine after all, so the people admitting med hopefuls wld like to see academic prizes as a barometer of your intelligence. Trust me, there is no shortage of olympiad medal winners, academic prize recepients, local and regional sporting award winners etc who apply. That's your competition.

Work experience: Not an absolute must. But it *does* help. Have a variety of attachments listed in ur CV. Also provides smthng to talk about during interviews. Ultimately, its for your own good, because you wld have done the bare minimum to ensure ure not applying to the profession blindly.

Community work: Show sustained involvement in smthng ure passionate in. Quite a no. of pple who got in have done rather impressive things for their communities. (read: NOT the one off door-door newspaper collection or hospice visit you may have done in JC or elsewhere).

Research work: Many don't have this and still get in. Those who do, have an important advantage.

Erm, okay. That's all I can bring myself to type at the moment. I can try to answer any other questions which you guys may have.

Till then, good luck. toora!

PS: Im a sporean, graduated from JC in 2004. Entering this year.
Click to expand...

Pidelta, thanks for the impressive advice.

Just 1 question, if we get shortlisted, should we actually submit our resume when most (for me it's all) of the information are available in our application form? Or Co-curricular records is enough?👍
 
I wld believe its no loss to you if you submitted the one page resume in your portfolio, over and above what's already written in your application form. It shldn't be a laundry list of CCAs only. Pick ur grandest CCA achievements and dedicate the rest of the space to things like academic honours, volunteer work done etc. you get the idea.

The portfolio's what the profs use during your interview (they won't know which school you came from or what your grades are, so as to reduce any bias). They may not have your application form with them. The admissions officer will make sufficient copies of your portfolio for those on the interview panel.

Make your resume read well (the NUS website states that there;s no pre-determined format and that in itself is smthng which you should note. hint.). And write a unique personal statement.

If you would like me to proofread your personal statement and such for grammar and what not, or to give you some feedback, I wldnt mind doing so. You may email me.
 
Thanx pidelta

u have given a lot of information about the admission process. It is very useful for me. I am just waiting for a call for the intervie. It seems very hard for international students to enter into singapore medical school.
 
Last year, the letter which informs you tt you've been shortlisted was sent on Apr 19th. Interviews and tests were held on the first week of May.
 
pidelta

would like to ask yo something

can i pm you?
 
pidelta,

pm sent

thanks..🙂
 
hi if any of u get a reply from nus to attend the interview, could u pls let me know? at least i'll have an idea whether i'm still being considered or totally rejected. thanks.
 
chill. it should be out next week.

good luck.
 
thanks. i thought it has been released already cos the portfolio is to be submitted by 19th apr, which is next week. 😕
 
That was why the recommended us, those at the open house, to do up the portfolio before the notification of the shortlisting cos there'll be only around 1 week to do up the portfolio.
 
I received the letter for med selection on 14th April. Portfolio must be in by 19 April.
 
Any international student received notification yet? Will there be enough time to post the portfolio by 19th?
 
did they notify u through snail mail or email? i'm from canada and by the time snail mail gets to me, the interviews would be over. haha.
 
i haven't

but i think i won't be gtting any

good luck to you guys

👍
 
Just received an email of the notification. Submission date of portfolio-April 27th. Interview-2nd May😀
 
yes shortlisted. portfolio has to be submitted on 27th
 
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