Career guidance & help with university applications

Career guidance and help with university applications for students is so important. Support in this area can include university fairs and providing advice on choosing university courses. There’s also careers counselling, and work experience opportunities and internships. Here, we learn how high school students can benefit from the offerings at six Singapore international schools and a university admissions consultancy.

# Tanglin Trust School

Tanglin Trust School believes that the university application process, like all experiences at the school, is an opportunity for learning and growth. Zoë Williams has headed up Tanglin’s University and Careers Counselling Department for over 10 years. She has extensive experience in international university applications, and oversees a team of four counsellors who support students in navigating their chosen IB or A Level pathways.

The department offers students bespoke careers counselling including meetings and group workshops along with tutor times, assemblies and events. This comprehensive range of services supports students in finding a personalised pathway that best suits their unique strengths, needs and goals. A range of practical skills are embedded in conjunction with the Life Skills curriculum to help students prepare for interviews, write personal statements or prepare a portfolio of work depending on the entry requirements of their chosen universities.

In 2024, Tanglin students received offers from 177 institutions across 23 countries, with the top three destinations being the UK, North America and Australia. That same year, Tanglin was awarded Best UK Pathway for an International School by Which School Advisor and 2024 Gold Standard Internship Host from the University of Oxford. Notable 2024 matriculation highlights include seven Oxbridge offers, three Ivy League offers, 19 scholarships and 14 students pursuing medicine.

Tips for parents

Zoë Williams, Head of University and Careers Counselling Department at Tanglin Trust School

• “The opportunity to explore work environments and gain hands-on experience is vital in providing insights and giving students ideas about potential future careers. Career guidance enriches a student’s understanding of the variety of potential pathways they can pursue and can also help shape their decisions when choosing their IB or A-level subjects.”
• “Getting involved in a CCA will develop a student’s confidence, self-esteem and collaboration skills. These are all vital life skills, which will also help your child to develop their CVs and college applications. Rather than pick a wide variety with little substance, they should pick activities that they’re genuinely interested in and will dedicate quality time to.”
• “Encourage your child to take ownership of their research and be vigilant in terms of entry requirements for future courses in the Sixth form or beyond at degree level. There are many opportunities for them to speak directly with institutions or employers. University fairs and college visitors are invaluable – they empower students with information, guidance and inspiration to make well-informed decisions about their future academic paths and firmly place the student at the centre of this journey.”

Hear from a student

“Applying to university can be daunting, but I felt consistently supported by the school. I gained meaningful insights working with Oxford interns. Dedicated interview preparation with specialist teachers proved invaluable in helping me secure my Oxford offer. The University and Careers team not only provided thoughtful, personalised guidance, they also approached the process with warmth, encouragement and a genuine belief in their students.” – Adam K, Year 13

95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg

# IvyPrep Pte Ltd

IvyPrep is a university admissions consultancy that guides exceptional students into the Ivy League, Oxbridge and other world-renowned institutions. Understanding that top-tier university admissions demand more than just academic excellence, IvyPrep goes beyond traditional consulting. It provides holistic mentorship, strategic positioning and tailored application guidance that highlights each student’s distinct strengths and aspirations. The consultancy says that it’s committed to every student’s unique story. Its concierge-style approach offers support to families navigating the highly competitive admissions landscape.

The team comprises Ivy League and Oxbridge graduates who offer expertise in crafting compelling personal statements, refining interview techniques, securing leadership opportunities and building standout extracurricular portfolios. They have supported global citizens and ambitious students secure places at the world’s most elite universities while giving them the confidence to thrive in them.

Tips for parents

Petra Phang, Head of Consulting at IvyPrep

• “Encourage your child to start building a strong and compelling profile as early as possible. Besides developing academic depth by engaging in advanced coursework and Olympiads, students should pursue passion projects and build leadership credentials. Universities value students who make an impact beyond the classroom.”
• “Preparing for the SAT/ACT should ideally begin in Year 10 or 11 through targeted test prep. Students benefit from having time to familiarise themselves with the unique format of the admissions test.”
• “Work with your child to determine which universities align best with their strengths and ambitions. Not every Ivy League university or Oxbridge college is the right fit – students should consider faculty strengths, research opportunities and academic culture.”

Hear from a student

“I remember starting my university applications journey feeling quite uncertain about my chances. My journey with IvyPrep significantly boosted my self-confidence in terms of my university application. I now also know how to present myself as a competitive applicant in future opportunities, whether for internships or future career paths. I greatly appreciate how structured the entire programme is. Starting my application early not only helped me submit everything on time but also freed up time closer to my school examinations.” – 2024 student

#03-308 Justco@Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard
9749 6242 | ivyprep.com.sg

# Global Indian International School

Secondary students at GIIS receive tailored careers guidance from the school’s Career Counselling team through the different stages of their university applications process.

Starting in Grade 9, students use a career assessment tool to evaluate their strengths and aptitudes. This helps them assess higher education options that align with their future career opportunities – they can then use the insights to make informed subject choices for their IBDP, ensuring they’re on the right path toward their career goals. They also receive guidance on profile-building tailored to their career aspirations, recognising that many universities prioritise a holistic view of students during the selection process.

Additionally, Grade 11 and 12 students have one-to-one counselling support in their personal statements, resumes, essays, applications and interview preparation. The school conducts education fairs to help students and parents connect with administrative professionals and representatives from universities to learn more about the programmes. Webinars and information sessions are also held for both students and parents with experts from different fields, and GIIS alumni from top universities.

GIIS alumni also engage with school juniors, sharing insights on university life experience. For example, the 2024 graduates who were enroute to University of Oxford held sessions with current students. The school’s alumni thrive across a wide range of fields, from law and medicine to engineering, fashion and beyond. In the last five years, over 300 GIIS graduates have been placed in the world’s Top 20 universities, as per QS World University Rankings. These include Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UC Berkeley, NUS and NTU. The school continues to support its alumni who choose a Gap Year or National Service (NS), empowering them to pursue their personal goals.

Tips for parents

Seema Kaushik, Lead Career Counsellor & SAT Test Coordinator at GIIS SMART Campus

• “Start the discussions early. Grade 9 or 10 is a good time to start exploring career options with your child. Talk to them about what they enjoy, their strengths and their future goals. Listen to them without judgement so that they feel comfortable to share their thoughts and concerns.”
• “Help your child research various universities. Look into the programmes on offer, their campus life, location and financial aid options. If possible, visit campuses during vacations to get a sense of what feels right. Don’t just focus on rankings; rather, find the best fit for your child. Encourage them to take charge of the application process – from handling deadlines to making decisions. This experience will build their confidence and independence. Moreover, helping them develop life skills like cooking, laundry and time management to prepare them for living on their own.”
• “Have an open discussion about the finances. Discuss with them about the higher education cost, including tuition fee, housing and other expenses. Teach them about budgeting and managing money responsibly.”

Hear from a student

“After graduating from GIIS, I applied to university courses in the UK and US while serving National Service. I received support from Ms Seema, who answered all the queries I had regarding the application forms, and helped with the necessary documents and recommendation letters. My teachers were very helpful towards my requests for graded papers and letters of recommendations.” – Pratyush Bansal, IB Class of 2023 – National Service (NS)

• SMART campus: 27 Punggol Field Walk | 6914 7100
• East Coast campus: 82 Cheviot Hill | 6914 7000

globalindianschool.org/sg

# Dulwich College (Singapore)

Dulwich offers a holistic, student-centred approach to career guidance through the engagement that the University and Careers Counselling (UCC) has with students from Year 8 through to Year 13. The school’s UCC programme focuses on students’ strengths, interests, priorities and the world of work in Years 8 to 10. In Years 11 to 13, students are guided on understanding popular university systems throughout the world, the role of personal essays and the range of opportunities that exist in global markets for graduates of particular qualifications. Additionally, students are taught how to evaluate and research a university’s ethos, values and curriculum to inform their decisions and ensure best fit for them and their families.

The school’s dedicated careers counselling sessions and extensive enrichment and co-curricular activity opportunities support students on their journey of development and self-discovery. As students mature and develop a strong sense of self-identity, they work with the UCC team when setting personal goals and making sound decisions. The College supports and guides students on their personalised pathway as they progress through Senior School towards graduation. The school says that this ensures students are well-positioned to apply and be accepted into their best fit university. As a result, in the previous academic year, 94% of students were accepted into their first choice university, and 100% into their first or second choice.

Through regular one-to-one meetings with their dedicated UCC counsellor, every student receives targeted, bespoke and specific guidance and support. In this way, they are thoroughly prepared for each stage of the university applications process. For those applying for highly selective universities such as Ivy Leagues and Oxbridge, additional support is available in assisting them as they navigate the complexities of the process.

Tips for parents

Steve Martin, Head of University Guidance and Careers Counselling, Dulwich College (Singapore)

• “Students need agency and ownership of the process. Focus on being supportive and helpful during their research process. The students who succeed the most at university are the ones who feel they have found their best fit.”
• “Start researching, planning and preparing early as balancing strong university applications alongside academics can be stressful. Create a timeline and plan to spread tasks out to ensure their overall wellbeing during this period.”
• “Where possible, arrange university campus visits from Year 10 onwards so that students get a feel for the universities that they’re considering. Students and parents should also make use of the extensive programme of university representative visits and events that take place at our College.”

Hear from a student

“The Dulwich university counsellor team was consistently supportive throughout my entire application process. I felt reassured at every stage and confident that each decision I made was the right one for me. My counsellor took the time to thoughtfully address every concern I had, no matter how small some of them seemed. I’m extremely grateful for all their help over the past two years!” – Clarissa, Year 13

71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1000 | singapore.dulwich.org

# North London Collegiate School (Singapore)

The University and Careers Guidance (UCG) programme at NLCS (Singapore) offers students tailored advice and support throughout the crucial stages of their education. Their goal is to help students find the right fit for their future education, whether that means attending a local university or pursuing a degree anywhere else in the world. Students can access one-on-one consultations, career exploration workshops, university fairs, information sessions with university representatives, guest speakers and taster lectures. There are also parent engagement sessions and personalised feedback on personal statements and application essays.

A distinctive feature of the UCG programme is the dedicated preparation for students aiming to apply to Oxbridge and other prestigious institutions. It includes guidance on selecting the right courses, application materials, insights into what these universities look for in applications, preparing for entrance exams and interview preparation such as mock interviews with faculty members across NLCS’s family of schools.

Many of the school’s students have been accepted into leading universities, including:

• Cambridge, Imperial College, King’s College, University College London, London School of Economics in the UK
• UC Berkeley, UCLA, NYU, Purdue, Parsons, Boston University, UIUC, Harvey Mudd in the US
• University of Melbourne, UNSW in Australia
• McGill, University of Waterloo, University of Toronto and University of British Columbia in Canada
• University of Hong Kong, HKUST in Hong Kong
• KAIST in Korea

The team begins engaging with students and their families as early as Grade 9 or age 14. Students are introduced to the concept of career exploration, various university choices, different education systems around the world and academic goal-setting. According to the school, this helps students begin to shape their academic journey and plan their extracurricular activities. Early meetings give parents insight into how they can support their children in making these important decisions. By starting the process early, students reaching the final years of high school are well-equipped to make informed decisions about their futures. This approach reduces the stress of university applications and allows students to explore a wide range of academic and career options.

Tips for parents

Himani Swami, Head of University and Careers Guidance at NLCS (Singapore)

• “Begin the process early so that there’s adequate time to do the research and gather information. Families can also plan better as to what exams to take and prepare for, what to expect and the next steps. Starting early and staying organised will help reduce stress as well as create a timeline for all deadlines.”
• “Play an active role in helping your child identify their interests. Help them reflect on what they want from a college experience such as the size of school, location, majors offered, campus culture and extracurriculars. Suggest that they visit campuses to get a feel for the environment. Virtual tours are a good alternative if travel isn’t possible.”
• “Parents should encourage their children to take ownership of the process. Students will learn valuable lessons about independence and responsibility. Encourage ongoing communication with your child throughout the process to help manage expectations and reduce stress.”

Hear from a student

“The university guidance team at NLCS has supported me throughout my application journey with personalised guidance, in line with my abilities and future goals. With their assistance in managing deadlines and encouragement throughout the process, I was able to navigate this period with confidence. Their guidance has helped me in refining my supplemental essays and preparing for upcoming interviews.” – Maeji, Grade 12

130 Depot Road
6989 3000 | nlcssingapore.sg

# Nexus International School (Singapore)

The Nexus Careers and University Programme is for Years 9 to 13 and is delivered by the Careers and University Counsellor, IB Coordinator, Phase Leaders and Tutor Teachers. The school utilises Unifrog, a digital platform, across these year groups to enable learners to make informed decisions about life after Nexus. The school says that Unifrog offers a vast range of resources to help learners understand more about the world of work and their potential careers.

In Year 9, learners begin to focus on themselves as individuals, and on their skills and interests. This foundation is further developed in Year 10 with discussions around aspirations for the future. They also practise writing a CV and cover letter ahead of mock job interviews during the NexSteps Future Readiness Career Event.

Year 11 learners and their families are also supported by the IB Coordinator or a member of the Senior Leadership Team to finalise decisions about their IB subject choices. This ensures they have the required qualifications for their chosen university courses.

Year 12 learners have a tailored series of sessions exploring destinations and university application requirements. They also attend university fairs and weekly support sessions led by the university counsellor. Year 12s can also sign up for Careers and University Coaching Programme. A trained Nexus coach supports them as they work towards their goals. One-on-one sessions with the university counsellor begin in the final term of Year 12. This continues throughout Year 13 where learners are supported with all aspects of their university applications, from research to submission and responding to offers.

Tips for parents

Aine Massey, Career and University Guidance Counsellor, Nexus International School

• “Engage in casual conversations about your child’s favourite subjects, strengths and weaknesses and aspirations from a young age. Think dinner table chats or weekend walks to get the ball rolling.”
• “While it’s natural for parents to worry, allow your child autonomy to make their own decisions about their future. Encourage them to take every opportunity available to them to reflect on their academic strengths, and support independent decision making and planning for their future.”
• “Use the Unifrog platform to explore possible career pathways, university destinations and course options open to your child. There are also a whole range of seminars, workshops and Massive Online Open Courses to take advantage of.”

Hear from a learner

“The comprehensive IBDP curriculum, paired with the invaluable guidance from teachers like Ms Aine, has ensured that I feel prepared to embark on my university adventure. Ms Aine’s guidance throughout the university applications process was particularly crucial. Her commitment to student success shone through her mentorship.” – Eleanor Barton, Class of 2025

1 Aljunied Walk
6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg

# Dover Court International School

The aim of the Careers and University Guidance team of Dover Court International School is to equip students to thrive globally. The school works closely with families to help students advocate for themselves when exploring career and university opportunities around the world.

Personalised, one-to-one careers counselling is available to students. This way, each student receives tailored support based on their aspirations, challenges and strengths. This approach shapes academic advising, career planning and personal development to help every student succeed.

From Year 7, the school creates meaningful experiences and encourages curiosity. Before students enter Year 9, the CUG team provides guidance starting from IGCSE subject selection. Alongside the IBDP, Dover Court offers multiple innovative programmes such as Business BTEC, ASDAN awards, and a range of workshops and seminars. According to the school, these ensure comprehensive and inclusive support for every student.

Tips for parents

Careers and University Guidance team at Dover Court International School

• “Talk with your child about their interests and strengths. Encourage them to try different activities and subjects to discover what they enjoy and where they excel.”
• “While guidance is valuable, allowing children to make their own choices builds confidence. Support their decisions and help them learn from both successes and challenges.”
• “Offer access to career fairs, summer schools and online learning experiences. These can provide valuable insights into different professions and education pathways, helping them make informed choices. Attend open days and campus tours to experience the atmosphere firsthand. Seeing a university in person can help your child visualise themselves there and make a more confident decision.”

Hear from a student

“My relationship with my guidance counsellor Mr O’Reilly has been both vital and helpful. I plan to study Computer Science and am considering applying to many universities around the world. Mr O’Reilly has helped me navigate the different application systems, contact universities directly and ask difficult questions like their policies on offers. Our sessions are tailored to what I’ve been working on, so they always feel worthwhile. I know I can ask about personal statements and application priorities without judgment; he gives honest advice.” – Luka Pereira, Year 13

301 Dover Road
6775 7664 | dovercourt.edu.sg

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