1 of 45

Uni App Day 2024

Annual Event in July

by Higher Education & Careers

2 of 45

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM: Welcome Address�By Mrs. Tan Siew Hoon, Vice Principal, Senior Division

9:15 AM - 10:00 AM: Higher Education Sharing�By Ms. Junita Sockalingam, Head, Higher Education & Careers & Mr. Nicholas Chia, Higher Education & Careers Counsellor

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Tea Break�Location: Level 1

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Moderated Q&A Panel with Alumni�Panelists:

Joshua Yue, B. Business, Minor in Economics, Minerva University 21’
Henry Wang, B. Computing, National University of Singapore 24’
Clarisse Lim, B. Arts, Politics, Philosophy, Law, University of Warwick 25’
Selina Cheng, B. Commerce, University of British Columbia 26’
Sheryl Tan, MBBS, National University of Singapore 26’

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Breakout Session with Alumni �Join our panelists for an in-depth discussion in smaller groups.

3 of 45

Uni App Day 2024

Welcome Address by Mrs Tan Siew Hoon

Vice Principal, Senior Division

4 of 45

Introduction to our newly created Higher Education & Careers Google Site, featuring valuable resources and tools for both students and parents.

5 of 45

NEW: HIGHER ED GOOGLESITE 🎉🎊

https://sites.google.com/acsinternational.edu.sg/hec

https://tinyurl.com/hecacsintl

6 of 45

7 of 45

Advice on Course/University selection
Building a College List
Discuss Careers
Evaluate Personality Assessment Results
Essay/Personal Statement Feedback
Portfolio Discussion
Post Application Assistance
Teacher Recommendations Advising

Book a Higher Ed Consult if you haven’t done so

8 of 45

What’s Trending

Holistic Admissions (Local Universities)

Increased adoption of holistic admissions review in evaluating student applications.

Flexible Course Exploration (Local Universities)

Faculties like NUS College of Humanities and Science offering students more freedom to explore courses before specializing.

Strong Local and International Partnerships

Example: SIM GE to LSE transfer pathways, SMU x CMU, NUS x Science Po

Test-Optional Policies (US Universities)

Continued adoption of test-optional admissions policies.

AI and Admissions

Essay - for brainstorming only not for writing

Interdisciplinary Degrees

Growing popularity of degrees combining multiple fields. e.g. Design and AI SUTD, Computational Neuroscience University of Chicago, Health Economics SMU, Music + Physics Carnegie Mellon University,

9 of 45

Course Selection

Are you interested in the course?	This will motivate you to excel in your course and thrive. For example, a student initially interested in medicine might discover that their passion lies more in health policy, where they can impact healthcare systems and public health on a larger scale.

What are your Career Aspirations?	Aligning the course with long-term career goals is helpful. For example, while the student might have initially aimed to become a doctor, exploring health policy could open up opportunities to work in governmental health departments or international health organizations, shaping healthcare policies and improving community health.

Course Content	Understanding the specific modules and topics covered in the course. The student might find that the health policy course includes subjects like epidemiology, health economics, and public health law, which align more closely with their interests than the clinical modules in a traditional medicine course.

10 of 45

Industry Connections	Opportunities for internships and placements with industry. The student could find that the health policy program offers internships with health ministries, NGOs, and policy think tanks, providing valuable real-world experience that a traditional medical program might not offer.

Teaching Style and Methods	It's important to consider whether the teaching approach suits your preferred learning style. The health policy course might offer a mix of lectures, seminars, and practical policy analysis projects, which could be more engaging for the student than the rigorous clinical rotations and lab work in a medical program.

11 of 45

How Do You Define Success?

12 of 45

Log into your Bridge U account and try the Personality Assessments

13 of 45

14 of 45

Location
University Reputation
Program Reputation
Scholarship/Financial Aid Opportunities
Education Environment overall learning atmosphere, including teaching styles and the education quality.
Course and Curriculum
Internship and Career Opportunities
Personal Interests and Fit
Unique Programs
Extracurricular Opportunities e.g. overseas exchange programs, overseas work experiences, funding for passion projects etc
Diversity of Student Body
Work Pass Opportunities
Weather

Factors to Consider - University Selection

15 of 45

16 of 45

Sharing past application data to help guide your planning.

17 of 45

*based on 100 student responses from the 2023 Batch

18 of 45

1	Singapore Management University
2	National University of Singapore
3	Nanyang Technological University
4	University College London
5	King's College London
6	Monash University
7	University of Toronto
8	University of New South Wales
9	London School of Economics
10	University of Melbourne University of Cambridge University of Hong Kong University of Sydney

19 of 45

1	Business incl Fintech, Commerce
2	Engineering
3	Computer Science/Computer Engineering/AI
4	Law Psychology incl Psychology and Media Analytics Psychology, Sociology and Political Science
5	Biology/Biotechnology Pharmacy/Pharmacology Economics incl Economics & Psychology

20 of 45

Popular Unis

Our enrollment from 2021-2023

Country	University	No. of Students
SG	National University of Singapore	76
SG	Singapore Management University	44
SG	Nanyang Technological University	26
UK	King’s College London	12
UK	University of College London	12
AU	University of Melbourne	9
AU	University of New South Wales	9
HK	Hong Kong University	6
AU	Monash University	4
SG	Lasalle, University of Arts Singapore	3
CAN	University of Toronto	3
CAN	University of British Columbia	2
UK	University of Warwick	2
UK	London School of Economics	2
AU	University of Sydney	2
UK	University of Cambridge	2

21 of 45

Top 30 Unis

Our enrollment from 2021-2023

Rank	University	No. of Students
1	University of Oxford	1
3	University of Cambridge	2
8	Imperial College London	3
9	UC Berkeley	1
19	National University of Singapore	77
21	University of Toronto	3
22	University College London	12
25	University of Washington, Seattle	4
27	New York University	2
30	The University of Edinburgh	2

22 of 45

Navigating University Applications

Key information on applying to local and overseas universities.

23 of 45

All Year 6 students request for Two Letters of Recommendations

Academic Subject Teachers - quality of work, class participation, attitude towards learning, confidential letters
Complete ‘Google Form: Reference Request’ by 17 July
Complete and Send ‘Reference Request Form’ to referees by 1 Aug (Early Applicants) and 30 Aug (Regular Applicants)
Policies and guidance on who to ask can be found here

Letters of Recommendations

24 of 45

by 17 July

by

1 Aug Early Apps

30 Aug Regular Apps

25 of 45

https://sites.google.com/acsinternational.edu.sg/hec/applying-to-university?authuser=0

26 of 45

https://sites.google.com/acsinternational.edu.sg/hec/applying-to-university?authuser=0

27 of 45

UK

US

SG

Course Specific

Interest in the course
Ability for the course

Holistic Admissions

How the student spent their time both in and out of the classroom
Apart from grades and achievements, what makes them tick
what is their personal story
who are they as a person
This helps admissions build a diverse student body and evaluate for “fit”.

Varied

More universities are shifting towards aptitude based admissions →more applicants are gaining entry by showcasing their experiences in and out of the classroom.

Admission Factors

Grades
Personal Statement
Reference
Certain Courses/Uni - Written work, interviews, admissions tests

Admission Factors

Grades
Essays
References
ACT/SAT for some

Admission Factors

Grades
Portfolio
Certain courses/uni

Reference
Interviews,
Admissions tests
Additional personal statement

28 of 45

UK

US

SG

Max 4000 characters (including spaces) - 1 Page generally

The personal statement is student’s portfolio in words and the reader gets an idea of how the student spent his/her time related to the course he/she is applying for. Can also include relevant CAS, EE and TOK portfolios.

Common App Essay: 650 words maximum, 1 Essay, Select from 7 prompts

UC Personal Insight Questions

Supplemental Essay/s based on choice of university: 100-500 words E.g. U of Chicago, Tufts

May include personal experiences, stories, challenges, or reflections.

Varies, but usually around 500-1000 words

e.g NUS College , NUS , SMU

Often focused on academic achievements, personal experiences, how they have spent your time and career aspirations

Student’s Essay/Personal Statement

Students’ work during our Essay Workshop can be found at Tea Break Venue

29 of 45

US

Early Deadline -

1/15 Nov

Regular Deadline -

1/15 Jan

30 of 45

Login to your Bridge U Account and have a look around

31 of 45

Important dates to remember and steps to ensure a smooth application process.

32 of 45

	US	UK	SG	AU	HK	Canada	South Korea
Application Portal Opens	August	May, but can wait till July	Varies, Some in September	All year round	Varies, Some September	Varies, Some September	Varies, Some July
App Portal	Most on Common App or university’s portal (e.g. UC, MIT etc)	UCAS (max 5 choices)	Respective University Portals	Respective University Portals (unless Australian - tisc.edu, vtac.edu etc)	Respective University Portals	Respective University Portals	Respective University Portals
Deadlines	Early - 1/15 Nov Regular - 1/15 Jan	Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry - 15 Oct (1 Oct Internal Deadline) OR Other Courses 29 Jan (10 Jan Internal Deadline)	Dec 24’ - IB Result Release Submit App to Uni by March 24’	Sem 1 Feb/Mar Apply in Oct/Nov* using Pred Grades (separate deadlines for Medicine) Sem 2 Jul/Aug Apply in April/May 25’	HKU Early - Nov, Regular - Dec HKUST, CUHK Early - Nov, Regular - Jan CUHK, HKPU Early- Nov, Regular - Feb	Apply with IB results in Dec/Jan Unless U of Toronto recommended deadline	Spring - 1 Sept - 30 Nov Fall - 1 Apr - 31 June * These dates are for non-Koreans applying
University Replies	Early Mid Dec Reg Mar - May 25’	Mar-May 25’	March - July 24’	Rolling	Rolling	Rolling	Spring Dec-Jan Fall June-July
Start of Term	Aug 25’	Aug 25’	Aug 25’	Feb/Mar Sem 1 or Jul/Aug Sem 2	Spring - Mid Jan Fall - Early Sept	Sept Jan	Spring - March Fall - Sept

33 of 45

Admissions Tests

https://sites.google.com/acsinternational.edu.sg/hec/applying-to-university?authuser=0

34 of 45

Students who have to serve NS

35 of 45

	Singapore	All other countries
When to apply	Immediately after results are released	Admission cycle before year of entry e.g. 2026 for matriculation in 2027
Remarks	Keep the place for two years	Email admissions department of individual universities if you want to apply earlier Proceed only when you receive a reply from them

36 of 45

	Before 13 Dec 2024	After 13 Dec 2024
Number	Maximum 6 institutions worldwide no more than 3 from Canada and USA (1 request only for US university).	Unlimited
How	Info provided by Ms Carol Ling on briefing on 30 July 2024	Go to the following link: rrs.ibo.org
Cost	Free	USD17 per school

IBO request for release of results

37 of 45

Higher Ed is closed during first two weeks of Dec, book a consult prior
Refer to our UCAS and Common App guides released on 16 July if applying to US and UK
Fill in ‘Reference Request Google Form’ by 17 July
Fill in ‘Early App’ Google Form by 1-15 Aug
Complete and Send Reference Request Form for Referees by 1 Aug for Early and 31 Aug for Regular.
Think about year end internships starting after IB Exams

Upcoming Tasks

38 of 45

Upcoming Talks

16 July, 12-1240pm

Singapore Medical Society UK - Talk

23 July, 12-1240pm

Cambridge University M’sia and Singapore Association - Talk

26 July, 12-1240pm

Alumni AMA: UK Seniors - QnA

29 July, 12-1240pm

Imperial College London - Talk

31 July, 12-1240pm

UK Uni - Fair

1 & 2 Aug, 12-1240pm

Law Mock Admissions

39 of 45

Questions?

40 of 45

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Tea Break�Location: Level 1

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Moderated Q&A Panel with Alumni�Panelists:

Joshua Yue, B. Business, Minor in Economics, Minerva University 21’
Henry Wang, B. Computing, National University of Singapore 24’
Clarisse Lim, B. Arts, Politics, Philosophy, Law, University of Warwick 25’
Selina Cheng, B. Commerce, University of British Columbia 26’
Sheryl Tan, MBBS, National University of Singapore 26’

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Breakout Session with Alumni �Join our panelists for an in-depth discussion in smaller groups.

41 of 45

Event Feedback Form

https://tinyurl.com/uniappday

42 of 45

43 of 45

44 of 45

Event Feedback Form

https://tinyurl.com/uniappday

45 of 45

UIcons by <a href="https://www.flaticon.com/uicons">Flaticon</a>

Credits for Icons Used