Applying to University

DATES AND DEADLINES 2025

Higher Ed Deadlines 2025

IMPORTANT POLICIES TO TAKE NOTE OF

REQUESTING FOR TEACHER REFERENCE

1) Each student will request for academic teacher references if your application requires it.

2) Request for references verbally first so check if they are willing to support your application.

3) If they agree, fill in the Reference Request Form and send it to your referees.

What to consider when deciding who to ask ?

University requirement if any. E.g MIT requires 1 Science, 1 Humanities
Relevance to the course you are applying for. E.g UK Medicine, Chem/Bio would be helpful.

2. TRANSCRIPT MATTERS, MAILING OF DOCUMENTS & IB RESULTS SERVICE

Transcript Matters

Please ensure you have your original IGCSE or equivalent certificate, academic transcript and testimonial on hand before you graduate/leave from ACS (International) as these are the required documents for your university application. Your original IGCSE certificate will be made available to you in Y5. If you did not collect your IGCSE certificate then, please email Mr Gregory Goh to retrieve your original IGCSE certificate

Regular Applicants - Your testimonial and academic transcripts will be given to you on Graduation Day.

ALL Early Applicants - You will require these documents for university/scholarship applications, submit a request to Ms Manwant Kaur from General Office to generate an original copy for your application. Request Form can be found here. Fill up the form and hand in the hard copy to her. Do give her sufficient time to this turn around for you, it takes generally no more than 10 days for Ms Manwant to prepare this excluding school holidays and public holidays.

Mailing (if needed)

Mailing of your application (hardcopy) / certificates is your own responsibility. You may use postal services like Speed Post, Registered Mail Singpost services etc. Higher Ed Dept or School is not responsible for mailing your certificates or applications.

You may make photocopies of your original certificates i.e. IGCSE certificate or equivalent certificate. Only send ‘Certified True Copies’ to Institutions. Higher Ed Dept can certify these for you.

Make sure you put in your request early with Higher Ed for getting extra copies of the School Transcript. The transcript should be sealed with an ACS (International) School envelope. Due to the mailing system, sometimes, the transcript may go missing in the process. Therefore, if the University requests for it again, please have a spare copy handy so that it can be sent out again.

IB Results Service

Refer to Ms Carol Ling's Exit Notes during Year 6 Briefing in July.

3. PREDICTED GRADES AND TEACHER REFERENCES CONFIDENTIALITY

It is our school policy that predicted grades and references are kept confidential and only provided to universities directly from our school. Some universities prefer that it is not revealed to students. Please be rest assured that everything provided by the school serves to maximise your potential.

Complete our 'Google Form: I am applying Early' so that we will know of your application and request for predicted grades. This is crucial for us to assist you with this.

Once your IB results have been released you will no longer use/require predicted grades.

4. ADDITIONAL TESTING

If any of your admissions tests like ISAT clashes with IB exam dates inform Ms Carol Ling (IB Coordinator) as soon as you get your dates.

Admission Test.pdf

5. FOR REAPPLICANTS OR DEFERRING ENTRY (esp students serving NS)

For reapplying Students with National Service (NS) obligations, taking a gap year, or transferring to another university

ACS (International) will support a student through the application process twice (support refers to sending of reference letters, e-transcripts and other necessary documents for application and matriculation purposes).

For deferring entry

Those who wish to defer their studies should check prior to application how many years of deferment the university allows, if any. Students should only defer if they are confident they will enrol in the institution.

6. SCHOOL PROFILE FOR UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS

Higher Education & Careers Dept will be uploading this profile on Bridge U for US applications.

School Profile 2025.pdf

IMPORTANT ADVICE BEFORE AND AFTER APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY

Need some resources to get started on your worldwide options ? Use this link

International Students

Transcript Matters

If you are no longer in Singapore after your graduation, please complete the following:

Make a few extra copies of your Academic Transcripts and have them certified.
Get some extra Envelopes (with school logo) if you have applied to the US universities for the mailing of your transcripts later on.
Provide a personal contactable email address to the University Advisor for future correspondence. In case there is something we need to follow up on for you.

Professional Recognition Boards in Singapore

Accredited qualifications to practice in Singapore

Professional degrees such as Architecture, Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Accountancy and Psychology should be those recognized by the respective professional bodies. For example, a person who intends to be a veterinarian in Singapore should check the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) website to find qualifications which are recognized before enrolment.

1. Singapore Institute of Legal Education: www.sile.edu.sg/qualified-person

2. Board of Architecture: www.boa.gov.sg/register/recognised-schools

3. Professional Engineers Board: www.peb.gov.sg

4. Singapore Accountancy Commission: https://www.sac.gov.sg/

5. Singapore Medical Council: www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/smc

6. Singapore Dental Council: www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/sdc

7. AlliedHealthProfessions Council: www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/ahpc

8. Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority: www.sfa.gov.sg/ava/

9. The British Psychological Society: www.bps.org.uk

10. Singapore Nutrition and Dietetics Association: www.snda.org.sg

Factors to consider when selecting universities to apply to

Academic Programs and Majors
- Ensure the university offers programs and majors that align with your interests and career goals.
- Look at the curriculum, flexibility in course selection, and opportunities for interdisciplinary studies.
Campus Culture and Environment
- Consider the size of the university, class sizes, and student-to-faculty ratio.
Location and Setting
- Think about whether you prefer an urban, suburban, or rural setting.
- Consider the climate and distance from home.
- Evaluate the surrounding community and its amenities.
Support Services
- Investigate the availability of academic advising, mental health services, and career counseling.
Cost and Financial Aid
- Compare tuition, fees, and overall cost of attendance.
- Research scholarships, grants, and financial aid options.
- Consider the cost of living in the area.
Internship and Job Placement
- Look into the university’s connections with industries and companies.
- Evaluate the availability and quality of internship programs.
- Check the university’s job placement rates and alumni network strength.
Research Opportunities
- For those interested in research, investigate the facilities, funding, and opportunities available.
- Consider the faculty’s expertise and ongoing research projects.
Global Opportunities
- Check for study abroad programs and international exchange opportunities.
- Evaluate the university’s global partnerships and networks.
Reputation and Accreditation
- While rankings shouldn’t be the only factor, consider the university’s reputation in your field of interest.
- Ensure the university is accredited and recognized by relevant education authorities.
Personal Fit
- Talk to current students and alumni about their experiences.
- Reflect on where you feel you would thrive both academically and personally.

University Interview Tips

General Advice

Learn everything about the university/course before you appear for the interview. The best thing to do is to go through the university’s website. If applying for Medicine in UK be sure to familiarise yourself with NHS and their new and important developments.

First impressions are important so make sure you are dressed appropriately.

Take advantage of ‘mock-interviews’ offered in school or practice with your friends. This is good practice as it would help build one’s confidence for the actual interview.

NEVER be late for your interview! Please call ahead if you are going to be late for your appointment - with a valid reason.

Make sure you go through your personal statement or essays before the interview as most interviewers maybe interested to find out more about what you have written.

During the interview, make eye contact, listen well and don’t interrupt the interviewer.

Switch off your mobile phone; do not take any phone calls.

Send a formal ‘Thank-You’ note after the interview if you have their contact details.

Some common interview questions :

Tell me about yourself?
Why are you interested in this college?
What do you want to major in, and why?
What will you contribute to our community in the college?
What do you do in your free time?
Why do you think you are a good fit for this university?
Can you recommend a good book to me?
Tell me about a challenge in your life and how you have overcome it?
What is your greatest achievement?
Whom do you admire and why?

A note on Applying to India

You will need to write to our IB coordinator Ms Carol Ling to request for a conversion transcript from IBO.

Useful School Email Addresses :

Ms Junita Devi Sockalingam (Head, Higher Education & Careers Dept) junita.lingam@acsinternational.edu.sg

Ms Manwant Kaur (Academic Transcripts Matters) manwant.kaur@acsinternational.edu.sg

Click here to view CAMPUS VISITS BY COUNSELLORS

A NOTE ON UNIVERSITY RANKING

Shifting the focus from rankings to a holistic approach helps students find universities that better match their personal needs, support services, and career goals, leading to greater satisfaction and long-term success. Every student has unique academic interests, career goals, and personal preferences. A university that is highly ranked overall might not be the best fit for every student. Students are more likely to thrive in an environment that suits their learning style, values, and personality, resulting in better academic performance and personal satisfaction. Encouraging students to consider various factors promotes critical thinking and decision-making skills, while engaging in diverse experiences builds resilience and adaptability, fostering informed and comprehensive choices. If you are viewing rankings as a starting point for your research on universities it would be wise to know how each ranking table is tabulated.

QS Ranking

The QS World University Rankings are designed to meet the needs of prospective students, with more weight given to student-centric metrics such as staff/student ratio, international recruitment and employer opinion. The rankings are balanced between qualitative and quantitative data, but give less weight to research than some other rankings

Times Higher Education Ranking

The Times Higher Education rankings are strong in academic focus and diverse teaching metrics, but do not include employer-specific metrics. Additionally, the rankings may not include all specialist institutions.

Shanghai Ranking Consultancy

The ARWU rankings reflect the presence of elite academics and the future academic success of graduates. However, they do not directly assess the quality of education at a university or take into account other aspects of university performance.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Once you have been offered a place at your chosen institution, you will need to apply for a student visa in order to study in that country. It is important to apply early as the process can take up to two months and you will not be able to enroll on your course without a valid student visa.

Please note that there are many steps involved in student visa applications for most countries since the Biometric System was introduced recently.

General Checklist for Visa Application

1. Start your visa application as soon as you have received your Confirmation of Enrolment from your Institution. You can apply for a visa up to 3 months in advance of your intended date of travel.

2. You are advised to read through the application steps carefully, so you are clear about the procedure and requirements.

3. You must provide original documents with a photocopy for each original document you are submitting.

4. You need to bring your current passport and any previous passport (if applicable).

5. You are required to attach photos to your application form (hard copy or online).

6. You need a bank draft for the visa processing fee (read country specific requirement).

7. You need to attach your Letter of Acceptance/Confirmation of Enrolment from your Institution.

8. You need to submit documents on proof of funds. The following is a list of the standard requirements and conditions for Proof of Funds (check country specific requirements).

All financial support documents must be dated within 6 months of the intended program start date
All financial documents must be in English
All bank statements/letters must be on bank letterhead and include the name of the account holder, account number on the bank statement or bank letter
All funds must be readily accessible and liquid, such as savings and checking account

9. International students will need to provide a good character and penal clearance certificate. These certificates are also known as police certificates in some countries. (Please check the individual country websites for information) – Only for certain courses.

10. The Student Visa Regulations for some countries require some students to provide the results of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.

Each country requirements may differ so do check this information specific to the country you are going to study in.