Hi, I’m Maadhav, and I completed the IB Diploma Programme at Greenwood High. I’m currently pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering at NUS, enrolled in NUS College, which is the university’s honors college.

My IB Higher Level subjects were Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics AA, while at Standard Level I took Economics, German, and English Language & Literature. I graduated with a final IB score of 44.

Why I Chose NUS

NUS stood out to me for several reasons. It is highly ranked globally, offers a course structure comparable to top Western universities, and is located in one of the safest countries in the world.

Singapore’s economy also offers stronger growth opportunities than regions like Europe, and the cost of education is far lower than in the US, along with the prevalence of scholarship opportunities. Together, these factors made NUS the most attractive undergraduate option.

Cost and the MOE Tuition Grant

As an international student, my course would normally cost around 40,000 SGD per year. With the MOE Tuition Grant, this is reduced to approximately 20,000 SGD per year.

In exchange, I’m required to work in Singapore or for a Singapore-registered company for three years after graduation. These years are flexible and can be postponed if I choose to pursue further studies, such as a master’s degree. Overall, it’s a very reasonable and beneficial arrangement, and a trade-off that also provides job security post graduation, which is helpful in the current job market.

NUS Application Process

Unlike some other Singapore universities, NUS requires short essays as part of the application. Applicants typically write four to five essays of around 200 words each, covering interests, extracurricular activities, and future goals. These are very simple questions, and can be answered in a limited amount of time.

SAT scores are optional, but a strong score can make an application more competitive.

Extracurriculars in Admissions

While academics remain the most important factor, extracurriculars can help if grades are slightly below expectations. Applicants list four to five activities with short descriptions. My extracurriculars included:

• House Captain (Student Council)

• Volunteering at a temple

• Organizing activities in my apartment community

• SOF Olympiads (NUS particularly values Olympiads)

NUS College (Honors College)

I’m enrolled in NUS College, which has a more interdisciplinary and rigorous academic structure. Applying required two to three additional essays, focused on:

• Why I was drawn to NUS College

• My interest in interdisciplinary learning

• Specific aspects of the curriculum that appealed to me

Applicants are expected to research the curriculum thoroughly. Benefits of NUS College include guaranteed residency and a distinctive, rigorous academic experience.

Life at NUS

The academic environment at NUS is intense and competitive, especially in STEM courses. Many students who were toppers in school initially struggle with the shift, but the challenge fosters significant personal and academic growth. Which I think is a very important setup for future career growth, as it ensures that during these formative years, a certain level of discipline is ingrained within you.

Advice for Future Applicants

Consistency is key. A high IB score alone does not guarantee admission if earlier grades are weak or subject choices are unsuitable for NUS. For STEM courses, Mathematics AA HL is strongly recommended. Students who take Math AI often need to complete bridging courses, which can be avoided by choosing AA HL. This is because NUS emphasizes both achieved grades and the difficulty of the subjects you took relative to what was available to you in your specific school environment.