Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine › MBBS Admission FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Admission to the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

Click here if you are a current medical student seeking transfer to the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

1. How does the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine conduct its admissions process?
2. How will admission to Medicine work this year?
3. What subject prerequisites must I have?
4. Given my academic results, what are my chances of being shortlisted for Medicine?
5. What is the portfolio review?
6. Is there any special format for the letters, the personal statement, or the resume?
7. Will my portfolio be returned to me after the admissions process?
8. Who can write the letters of recommendation?
9. What should I write about in my personal statement?
10. Why must I re-type my CCA list into one page?
11. If my referees will be mailing their letters directly to the Dean's Office, will I receive confirmation that the letters have arrived?
12. What is the essay test?
13. What are the interviews like?
14. What if I can't appear for the essay or interview?
15. Are there any health requirements for admission into Medicine?
16. Can my extracurricular accomplishments be considered in the admission process?
17. I came for the interview last year but was not offered a place in Medicine. Can I re-apply?
18. Can I appeal if I am not offered a place after attending the interviews?
19. I am not offered a place in the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine but will like to study medicine in Singapore. What other options do I have?
20. Can I study medicine overseas for a few years and then transfer back to NUS?
21. Can I study medicine overseas and return to Singapore for my house officer or residency training?
22. Bonds for Medical students
23. Where can I get more information?

1. How does the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine conduct its admissions process?

In selecting students who will become the next generation of doctors for Singapore, it is necessary to look beyond academic measures. Some other attributes of a good doctor are prosocial behavior, communication skills, insight, integrity, teamwork, meticulous work habits and responsibility. Our careful examination of this issue has involved discussion with many segments of the medical community and research into best practices from top medical schools around the world. Admission to Medicine is extremely competitive. Each year, we make difficult decisions when selecting from among the many talented and accomplished students who apply for admission.

2. How will admission to Medicine work this year?

Admission to Medicine will be based on two scores: the University Score and the Faculty Score.

University Score - computed by the Office of Admissions
University Score – computed by the Office of Admissions: For applicants presenting Singapore–Cambridge 'A' levels: The best four content subjects (ie. 3 H2 and 1 H1 content subjects, with at least 1 content subject to be from a contrasting discipline) either GP or KI grade taken in the same sitting, as well as H1 Project Work, will be considered. The University Score for applicants presenting the IB diploma or the NUS High School Diploma will also be computed by the NUS Office of Admissions.	50% of total admissions score

Faculty Score - computed by the School of Medicine Two interviews, essay, and portfolio review	50% of total admissions score

Please refer to the Office of Admissions website at http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam for the detailed admission requirements and application procedures. Please note that different application deadlines apply to different applicant category and high school qualifications.

3. What subject prerequisites must I have?

The subject prerequisites are as follows:

'A' Level Prerequisites:
H2 pass in Chemistry and H2 pass in either Biology or Physics

Of the best four content subjects (i.e. 3 H2 and 1 H1 content subjects) used in the computation of the University Admission Score, at least one content subject (either H2 or H1) must be from a contrasting discipline
International Baccalaureate Prerequisites:
Pass in HL Chemistry and either HL Biology or Physics
National University of Singapore High School Diploma Prerequisites:
Major CAP of at least 2.0 in Chemistry and either Biology or Physics, and
CAP of at least 1.0 in one other major and in English Programme and Research Project

Other qualification Prerequisites:
Pass in Chemistry and either Biology or Physics in high school

4. Given my academic results, what are my chances of being shortlisted for Medicine?

The cut-off point depends on the competition of the pool of applicants each year. You may review last year's indicative grade profile for Medicine at http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/gradeprofile/sprogramme-igp.html.

5. What is the portfolio review?

All shortlisted candidates must submit a portfolio to the Dean's Office. The portfolio must include an official testimonial from your junior college or high school, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement (one page), and a resume or list of extracurricular activities (one page). This portfolio will be read by the interviewing team and evaluated by the Selection Committee.

6. Is there any special format for the letters, the personal statement, or the resume?

No, however you must include your name and candidate index number on each page, and use reader–friendly font, e.g. 12–point Arial.

7. Will my portfolio be returned to me after the admissions process?

No. You may use copies of important documents.

8. Who can write the letters of recommendation?

You must submit two letters in addition to your JC or high school testimonial. Letters can be written by a different individual from the person who wrote your testimonial – anyone, not related to you, who knows you well. The person who wrote your testimonial can be nominated as your referee; however the referee should provide additional information on top of the testimonial. For NSmen, a letter written by your Commanding Officer or any other officer is acceptable. Secondary school testimonials are also acceptable, although they may not be as effective as those written by people who have known you at a more mature stage of your life. Letters do not need to be addressed to anyone in particular. "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Admissions Committee" will do. Letters are to be dated and signed, and should use reader-friendly font size, e.g. 12–point Arial.

9. What should I write about in my personal statement?

We are interested in the experiences that have shaped your desire to study medicine. Please focus on telling your particular story. You can think of your personal statement as a letter of introduction to your interviewers, as they will read it before meeting you in person.

10. Why must I re-type my CCA list into one page?

Presenting your CCA accomplishments on one page will enable you to highlight those activities that have been most important to you. It will also allow you to include activities that were not captured by your school documentation. Also, our interviewers will need to read your portfolio quickly and will need the information presented in one page with reader-friendly font, e.g. 12-point Arial.

11. Can my referees mail their letters directly to the Dean’s Office?

No. If you are shortlisted, the portfolio which includes the recommendations must be uploaded online.

12. What is the essay test?

All students who have been shortlisted for Medicine must sit for an essay test. The topic will be announced at that time, and students will have 45 minutes to write an original essay on the spot.

13. What are the interviews like?

All shortlisted candidates go through two interviews. The first interview is conducted by faculty members. The second interview team has a more diverse representation and may include senior nursing staff, and medical alumni. All interviewers are carefully selected and trained before the interview exercise. Any interviewer who is personally acquainted with a candidate must excuse himself or herself from that interview.

14. What if I can't appear for the essay or interview?

Candidates must sit for the essay and both interviews in order to be considered for Medicine. If you have a legitimate conflict or are ill, contact the Dean's Office immediately. Male candidates currently serving National Service will be released by MINDEF for the test and interviews.

15. Can my extracurricular accomplishments be considered in the admission process?

The Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine offers admission to a small number of exceptional individuals, for up to 10% of the intake, through a route different from the process described above. Students who wish to be considered under the Exceptional Individual Scheme (EIS) have to submit two recommendation letters, one of which must be from their Junior College, a registered charity, or an agency such as the Singapore International Foundation, the National Arts Council, the Singapore Olympic Council, or the National Council of Social Service. The Selection Committee will identify students who have demonstrated, along with academic results, extraordinary achievement and sacrifice in their contributions to Singapore. These shortlisted students will be invited for the essay and interviews along with those students who have been shortlisted by the traditional route. Before applying under EIS, students must have already submitted an online application through the NUS Office of Admissions by the application closing date, and indicated Medicine as the first choice. EIS application has commenced in January 2012. You may apply now at https://itumed.nus.edu.sg/ram/eis/candidate/home.aspx. Application closes on 25 March 2012.

16. Are there any health requirements for admission into Medicine?

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

Admission to Medicine is subject to the condition that the candidate must be HBsAg negative in accordance with the Singapore Ministry of Health requirements. All prospective medical students must undergo screening for Hepatitis B ("HBV"). Those who are HBsAg positive (regardless of HBeAg status) will not be admitted to the course in Medicine. All candidates must undergo screening in the year of enrolment even if they have been screened and immunized at the point of offer earlier. Prospective medical students who are tested negative for HBsAg but are not immune (anti-HBs negative or < 10 mIU/mL) are required to be immunized so as to protect themselves and to prevent HBV transmission in the healthcare workplace. All immunizations must begin within one month from the date of screening. Post vaccination Hepatitis B antibody blood test to be done one month after immunisation.

Candidates who fail or decline to undergo HBV screening, furnish evidence of HBV immunization, and/or refuse to be immunized, if so required by the University, will be excluded from the Medical course. The University reserves the right to require any or all of its new medical students to undergo further tests for any or all markers of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and exclude any candidates who test positive for HBV from the Medical course. Students interested in Medicine are encouraged to ascertain their HBV status early.

Varicella Zoster Virus (Chickenpox)

In addition, prospective medical students must furnish documentary evidence of immunity to, or immunization for, Chickenpox. Students with a negative or equivocal titre as defined by the reference range of the testing laboratory will require immunisation. Certification of past infection/previous immunisation of chickenpox is not acceptable.

Students may begin classes without documentary evidence of immunization for Chickenpox if:

1) He/she has a letter from a physician stating that there is a reason why he/she cannot receive the vaccine;

2) He/she concerned has documented evidence of two administrations of the varicella vaccine (non-responders).

Rubella Virus

All candidates must undergo screening for immunity to Rubella (regardless of previous screening or immunization). Those who are tested negative for Rubella immunity will be required to be immunised within one month from the date of screening.

17. I came for the interview last year but was not offered a place in Medicine. Can I re-apply?

If you enrolled in NUS/NTU/SMU in 2011, you can consider applying in February 2012 under Category E. Your application will be considered on the basis of your university results in addition to your 'A' level/high school results. If you are enrolled in a local university, please note that your eligibility for the MOE Tuition Grant is equal to the number of years in your new course, minus the number of years you have already spent in a local university. Thus, if you enroll in Medicine after one year at NUS/NTU/SMU, you would be liable for full (non-subsidized) tuition fees for your last year in Medicine. This is a new policy, effective in 2008-09. For more information on fees and the MOE Tuition Grant, please see http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/edu/UG/fees.html.

If you are currently serving your National Service, you can consider to re-apply under Category A.

Please note that as you have already attended the medical school interviews, in addition to your online application through the NUS Office of Admissions, you must also submit an application to the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine under the Exceptional Individual Scheme (EIS), available at http://medicine.nus.edu.sg/corporate/youare_prospective.html – otherwise, you will not be granted an interview. This is because under the normal admission criteria, a candidate is not granted repeat interviews for Medicine. You will compete with that year’s cohort.

18. Can I appeal if I am not offered a place after attending the interviews?

In 2011, nearly 2,000 students applied for Medicine. About 840 were shortlisted for interviews, but Medicine only had 280 places. We regret that we must turn away many deserving candidates. Please understand that your candidacy has already been carefully considered, and the decisions of the Admissions Committee are final. If you decide to appeal, you should remain realistic about your chances.

At this time, all places have been filled. Should any students withdraw from the class before the beginning of term, we may be able to make a small number of offers to shortlisted students on our reserve list. In the meantime, if you were offered another place at NUS or another university, or a scholarship, we would encourage you to accept it. Accepting another place or a scholarship will not harm your chances of being offered a place in Medicine from the reserve list.

19. I am not offered a place in the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine but will like to study medicine in Singapore. What other options do I have?

You may wish to consider the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School (GMS), a partnership between NUS and the Duke University School of Medicine in the U.S. This four-year programme, culminating in the Medical Doctor (M.D.) degree, accepts students with bachelor's degrees and will enable graduates to practice medicine in Singapore. Information is available at www.duke-nus.edu.sg

20. Can I study medicine overseas for a few years and then transfer back to NUS?

Singaporeans and SPRs attending medical school overseas may apply to transfer to NUS. In the event that a vacancy is available in that particular year (which is not always the case), candidates will be considered based on the merits of their 'A' level/high school results and their medical school results. Please note that NUS has a residency requirement of 50%, so transfer students must spend at least three years in the medical school at NUS, no matter how many years they have already completed. For more information, please click here

21. Can I study medicine overseas and return to Singapore for my house officer or residency training?

International medical graduates from any of the medical schools listed on the Singapore Medical Council (SMC)'s Schedule of schools will be eligible to apply for medical registration with SMC to do housemanship or residency in Singapore upon their return.

If you are keen on returning to practise medicine in Singapore upon graduating from an overseas medical school, you are strongly encouraged to enrol in and complete your medical training at one of the schools on SMC's Schedule. Otherwise, you are advised to attain a postgraduate medical qualification recognised by SMC in order to be considered for medical registration. It will also be beneficial for you to familiarise yourself with the requirements and criteria for medical registration in Singapore. More information regarding SMC’s list of registrable basic and postgraduate medical qualifications as well as criteria for medical registration can be found on its website at www.smc.gov.sg.

22. Bonds for Medical students

Candidates admitted to the Medical course at the National University of Singapore, who are not in receipt of PSC scholarships or bursaries, are required to serve the Government of Singapore upon successful completion of the course according to the scheme in the following table:

Course	Singaporeans	Singapore PRs and International students
Medicine	5 years (excluding housemanship / first year residency training)	6 years (excluding housemanship / first year residency training)

Those awarded PSC scholarships or bursaries will be bonded according to the terms of their PSC awards. Each student is required to sign an agreement with the government to serve the specified bond period, failing which liquidated damages will be payable.

23. Where can I get more information?

The Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Website: http://medicine.nus.edu.sg/
Email: medadmissions@nuhs.edu.sg

NUS Office of Admissions (OAM)
Website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/
Email: http://www.askadmissions.nus.edu.sg/