National Service Links /FAQ's 

• If possible the UAC strongly recommends that every National Serviceman make at least one application during their Grade 12.

• Each year US universities report record numbers of applications so it could be an advantage to apply to some schools in Grade 12, as entry standards may get harder in subsequent years. Your IBDP grades might secure you admission now at a particular university, but they might not be as competitive a couple of years later if the entry requirements at that university get tougher. However, note that you may not apply to other universities while holding onto a deferred place. You would have to withdraw and start over. So you should apply only to schools that you would definitely attend if you got in.

• Having a confirmed place at university gives you something to look forward to throughout your time in NS.

A lot.  The UAC recommends that all NS men complete the process at the same time as their peers, even if they  do not submit their application.  

You should participate in the university advising programme exactly as if you were going to university at the end of Grade 12. Meet with your Advisor at key times in grades 11 and 12, go to all the information sessions, attend the essay writing workshops, and take full advantage of university visits and interview opportunities while you are still here. Write preliminary drafts of application essays and get feedback on them. Attend our special sessions for prospective National Servicemen.

If you need to take ACTs or SATs, do so while you are still enrolled in school, or immediately after your IBDP exams. Scores are valid for five years, so take the test while your brain is still in top form and trained for academic thinking!

If you are planning US applications, you will need to get two subject teacher references while you are in school. Attend the subject reference talk in Grade 11 and complete the LORRF, indicating that you will be required to do NS. Your university advisor will ensure that your references are completed and uploaded before you graduate, so that if your teachers leave, you will still have letters of recommendation to send.

There may well be a gap. It depends on when you enlist and when the university term begins in the country you are considering.

• In the southern hemisphere academic calendar (eg Australia, New Zealand), the academic year typically begins in January or February and ends in November.  Note that in Australia, mid-year entry in July is possible for a few courses; check with your university advisor on the pros and cons.

• In the northern hemisphere academic calendar (eg UK, US, Canada, Europe), the academic year typically begins in mid August or September and ends in June. Note that in Canada and US state universities, January entry may sometimes be possible; check with your advisor on the pros and cons.

• In Singapore, the academic year begins in early August and ends in May or June.

If you enlist in NS within the first three months after you graduate from UWCSEA, i.e. any time between June and September, you will be free to enter a northern hemisphere university at the start of the academic year two years later.

Each year we process university applications for approximately 25 - 30  National Servicemen.

We support you fully while you are at school, and we continue to support you as far as we can while you are in NS. However, be aware that there are logistical challenges once your NS commitment begins. NS men on active duty often have unpredictable demands on their time, which can prevent them from coming into school to meet with their university advisor or attend university visits. They may be sent to remote locations where email communication is impossible. So you need to be realistic about the logistics and do as much preparation as possible while still enrolled at school. University advisors will not meet with students outside of working hours so meetings must be arranged during days off in the week or through virtual methods.

This varies greatly, depending on the country destination and the universities you are considering. Research is the key. It is also vital that you get deferral policies in writing.

 Here are examples at five of our most popular destinations:

UK

• applications open in August in the year preceding university entry

• many UK universities now defer for two years 

• there is also a way that students can indicate on UCAS entry into a university one year beyond their natural entry date and then defer for one year  

• you must email each university before applying to check deferral policies

US

• applications open in August in the year preceding university entry

• deferral policies vary greatly and must be checked on an individual basis with each university

• public universities rarely defer - but check. There may be individual exceptions

• private universities typically defer up to two years for NS

• once you have checked that the university will defer for the required length of time, go ahead and apply

• You are usually allowed to request the deferral after you have been offered a place and we recommend that you do it that way (note: this is different from the policy at UK universities).

Canada

• applications open in September in the year preceding university entry

• Canadian universities usually grant a two year deferral for NS 

• we recommend you apply to Canadian universities during Grade 12 and then defer your place

•  check their deferral policies first and time your application accordingly

Singapore

• application windows usually open in October and the applications are usually due in February and March

• if you get into a Singapore university, your place will be deferred for as long as necessary while you are completing NS

• at most Singapore universities you may apply to other countries while holding a deferred place - they do not mind

Australia

• application window typically opens in August/September

• many Australian universities now offer early entry.  

• check with specific universities before applying. 

• Take advantage of any information sessions or resources for students in your particular situation. We have special talks for a great variety of university application topics  in our springboard series including a special session for National Service students.

• Be realistic in your expectations once you have left. University Advising is often highly nuanced and personal, involving face-to-face discussion. It’s difficult to have a nuanced conversation like that via email and you may not have free time during NS to come to school. The onus is on you, therefore, to make sure that you attend all the information sessions with your peers while you are here, meet your advisor proactively, and go as far as you can with application procedures before you leave.  You will be able to access information on this website during NS. Your UWCSEA email and Maia Learning account will still be active and you should continue to stay in touch with your advisor. Please keep in mind that your google drive will cease to exist approximately two months after graduation. 

• You must adhere to the Internal Deadlines of the Class with which you are applying.   We usually need four weeks’ minimum processing time during school terms because we have a high volume of applications in our office and need this lead-time to ensure the accuracy and quality of your documents.

Universities are generally very impressed with the maturity that students bring to campus with them after a Gap Year or National Service, and you have an excellent chance of gaining more out of your university experience than if you had gone straight to college after completing your IB Diploma.

Best of luck, and please keep us informed about the outcome of your applications!