Insider Advice: What Admissions Officers Want in International Applicants to Top Singapore Universities

When international students think of Singapore’s top universities, the first thing that comes to mind is often academic rigor. It is true that institutions like the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore Management University (SMU) are globally recognized for their excellence. NUS is currently ranked 8th in the world by QS, while NTU is 15th. But what many students do not realize is that getting admitted is not just about grades and test scores.

Like leading universities in the U.S. and U.K., Singaporean institutions emphasize a holistic admissions process. Admissions officers are looking for more than raw academic ability. They want students who will bring diverse perspectives, contribute meaningfully to campus life, and thrive in an environment that blends intellectual challenge with leadership development.

As Chris, a former admissions officer, put it:

“In my years of reviewing applications, the students who stood out weren’t always those with the perfect test scores, but those who showed how they would add value to the community.”

Beyond Academics: The Holistic Admissions Lens

Grades matter, but they are not the full story. Universities build communities, not just classrooms. They are looking for curious minds, collaborators, and individuals with potential to make an impact both on campus and beyond.

NUS, NTU, and SMU use a variety of metrics when assessing applicants. While academic grades are still the main assessment criteria, applicants with strong non-academic qualities can still be considered even if their grades are not at the absolute top. For example, at NUS, all applicants to degree programs must now include up to four achievements, co-curricular activities, or non-academic experiences (such as volunteering or competitive sports) and provide short responses to accompanying questions.

Admissions Insider Tip: "Do not treat the personal essay as an afterthought. It is where universities see the person behind the transcript. A compelling story about leading a service project, overcoming a challenge, or showing how your previous causes and goals connect to what you hope to study and beyond speak more than repeating your exam results."

What Universities Look For in International Students

1. Leadership and Initiative

Admission teams often expect or share that leadership roles and evidence of initiative are part of their holistic review. This could be founding a club, spearheading a project, or demonstrating consistent responsibility in a team setting.

Admissions Insider Tip: "Frame your experiences in terms of impact, not just activity. Instead of writing “I was president of the debate club,” show how you grew membership, built community, or organized events that left a mark."

2. Community Engagement

More recently, universities seek students who are “committed to making a difference in society.” Volunteer work, cultural exchange projects, and contributions to your local or school community all strengthen an application.

Admissions Insider Tip: "Do not underestimate smaller, local contributions. Tutoring neighborhood children or organizing recycling efforts in your community can be just as powerful as international programs, as long as you show reflection and impact."

3. Adaptability and Global Perspective

Singapore’s universities are multicultural hubs. NUS students represent more than 100 nationalities, and SMU highlights global exposure as a core part of its curriculum. Admissions officers value applicants who are open to new perspectives and eager to engage in cross-cultural collaboration.

Admissions Insider Tip: "Use your essay or interview to highlight times you have thrived in diverse settings, whether that is working with a team mate who thinks differently from you, serving a new community with little context, or participating in learning programmes outside your country or comfort zone."

4. Authentic Motivation

Too many essays read like generic lists of achievements. What matters more is authenticity: What drives you? How have your experiences shaped your ambitions? Why do you want to study in Singapore specifically?

Admissions Insider Tip: "Your essay is your chance to show not just what you have done, but why it mattered and how you grew from it. Personal essays and short-response questions are meant to showcase you in a way grades cannot. Use these opportunities carefully to link how specific experiences and reflections make you stand out from other applications."

Busting Common Misconceptions

Myth 1: “I need to have perfect scores.”

Strong academics are important, but many successful applicants stand out because of their unique perspectives and contributions, not just flawless transcripts. Holistic admissions schemes reinforce this by admitting students who may not have perfect scores but demonstrate exceptional qualities in leadership, talent, or resilience.

Myth 2: “The application can be completed easily and doesn't require much time.”

While online application portals have streamlined the process, a lot of time is still required for you to complete all sections, which could include multiple essays, short-response questions, and asking your teacher to write a recommendation letter for you. You might also be applying to university while completing regular schoolwork or exams so planning your time well is key.

Myth 3: “International students are disadvantaged.”

On the contrary, Singapore’s universities actively seek international voices. Multiculturalism is a core strength of Singaporean campuses, and international perspectives are seen as enriching the student experience.

Myth 4: “The interview is just a formality.”

If required, interviews are usually a mandatory part of the application, and allows staff or faculty to assess how critically you can think about an issue, or present a contemporary problem even to someone who's not an expert. You might also have the opportunity to talk about your motivations, past leadership experiences, and how you intend to be involved in campus community so come prepared with relevant examples.

Admissions Insider Tip: “In interviews, we are not looking for the most polished speaker. We are looking for someone who is curious and can present an academic topic or issue, is able to share honestly about their reflections and takeaways, and shows how their motivations are aligned with the university's ideal student fit.”

The University Experience: Developing the Whole Student

Holistic admissions are matched by a holistic student experience. Once admitted, international students discover that Singaporean universities actively nurture growth beyond academics. Students can sign up for a variety of clubs and organisations on campus, attend talks and workshops, and pursue study abroad opportunities if they are keen on global exposure.

• Leadership Development: SMU requires all undergraduates to complete internships and at least 80 hours of community service, ensuring graduates are both career-ready and socially aware.

  
  

• Global Opportunities: At NUS, more than 80 percent of students participate in overseas study programs, internships, or exchanges, reinforcing the value placed on global adaptability.

  
  

• Entrepreneurship: NTU’s Nanyang Technopreneurship Center supports students in building startups, reflecting Singapore’s emphasis on innovation.

  
  

• Community Life: Campus residential colleges at NUS and NTU provide not just housing, but an ecosystem of learning, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.

  
  

Admissions Insider Tip: "When describing why you want to study in Singapore, speak about how some of your past experiences inside and outside the classroom connect to your personal and academic goals in university and beyond. Communicating how all these experiences connect from high school to university and beyond can offer a compelling narrative and fit."

Final Thoughts

For international students, the takeaway is clear: applying to Singapore’s top universities requires being ready to present the totality of your prior education experiences inside and outside the classroom. Strong grades are necessary, but not sufficient. Admissions officers want well-rounded individuals who will contribute to, and benefit from, the holistic environment on campus.

As Chris, a former admissions officer, summarized:

“We are building communities, not just classrooms. The students we admit are those we can see thriving here, not only excelling in their studies but shaping the university experience for others.”

Singapore’s universities are global leaders not just because of their rankings, but because of their ability to shape graduates who are adaptable, impactful, and globally minded. As an applicant, your challenge is to tell your story in a way that makes admissions officers say: This student would be a perfect fit on our campus.

Note:

This article was co-authored by Daryl Chew and Chris Tee, a former admissions officer at Yale-NUS College.

Chris worked in Yale-NUS College’s Office of Admissions & Financial Aid for almost 5 years leading physical and digital outreach for schools in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Western Europe, and the UK. He read over 1200 applications and conducted over 150 admissions interviews annually before assessing applicants through the committee process. During this time, he was part of the team that achieved a 4.2% admission rate for Yale-NUS College, a global and historic selectivity record for higher education institutions. He worked with students, parents, teachers, university admissions counsellors, and grassroots non-profits to best advise applicants on their university options, and led application workshops for schools in the US, and personal statement writing workshops for the US and UK.