|
Co-curricular Activities/Community
Involvement Programmes in NUS Admissions Process
The admissions process is the
key way for
NUS to create a diverse and vibrant learning community
1.
Admission to NUS has shifted towards a more holistic evaluation
process which, among other things, considers the applicants’
contributions, passion and achievement in activities outside of
formal academic work. This is in line with NUS’ commitment to
developing a more diverse student mix reflecting varied interests,
experiences and perspectives, which provide for a vibrant and rich
learning environment.
Current admissions criteria
2.
In the present system, Co-curricular activities (CCA) can
contribute to a maximum of 5 points to an applicant’s University
Admission Score, while the remaining 95 points are accounted for
by academic results.
Qualitative Assessment of CCA and
CIP
3.
From 2007, instead of assigning CCA a numerical weightage of up to
5% of points, NUS will consider CCA/CIP more holistically.
Students will be asked to include their CCA/CIP participation as
part of their application, and will have the opportunity to
elaborate in their write-up on their interest in the CCA/CIP, the
extent of their involvement and the impact of their
contributions. NUS feel that this would be a better way of making
a more holistic evaluation of the applicants’ interests and
achievements outside of academic work.
4.
We expect that the majority of applicants will have good academic
performance as well as meaningful CCA/CIP participation. Thus, as
with the current system, this group will very likely be admitted
to NUS without difficulty. There will however be another group of
applicants whose academic performance alone might not secure them
a place at NUS but who may have demonstrated passion and
achievement in non-academic areas of endeavour. NUS would invite
these applicants for interview, so as to obtain a better
assessment of these aspects of their performance. Such applicants
will be offered admission to NUS if they have
achieved an
acceptable level of academic competence and through their active
involvement in CCA/CIP and/or other activities, show strong
evidence in some of the following attributes:
5.
NUS Dean of Admissions, Assoc Prof
Tan Thiam Soon
says, “This is a
shift towards a more qualitative and holistic evaluation of the
applicants. CCA counts up to a maximum of 5 points now. The new
arrangement is more meaningful. It does not reduce the applicants’
non academic involvement to a single score and the university will
have the flexibility of giving CCA/CIP more weight if the student
deserves it.”
Conclusion
6.
NUS expects a wider spread of talent and diversity in its student
community as a result of its ongoing innovations in its admissions
process.
Co-curricular Activities and the Community Involvement Programmes
to come under NTU discretionary admissions for Academic
Year 2007
1.
Come
Academic Year (AY) 2007,
Co-Curricular
Activities (CCA) will no longer be included in the university
admission score. Instead, CCA and Community Involvement Programmes
(CIP)_will be considered qualitatively under the university’s
discretionary admissions where candidates are screened for
qualities such as leadership, creativity, passion and a sense of
the values in areas
such as
sports,
the arts
and
community
service.
Current admissions criteria
2.
Currently, CCA contributes up to 5% of the university admissions
score.
CCA are
also
taken into consideration
in
the
screening for
discretionary
criteria. The
discretionary intake is now capped at 10% but may be increased in
the future.
Qualitative Assessment of CCA and
CIP
3.
From
AY2007,
the university
will
scan all
applicants’
CCA/CIP
participation under its discretionary criteria. In evaluating CCA/CIP,
NTU will not only consider outstanding achievement and leadership
but will
also take into
account
the level
of participation
and
representation.
Applicants for
discretionary admission are short-listed and
interviewed by
admissions panels comprising university faculty, students and
alumni, a practice that is already adopted to select the 10%
discretionary intake.
4.
Applicants not given places under the discretionary criteria will
be processed based on their admissions score. Borderline cases
may be interviewed by the NTU Schools to which they have applied
for admission where CCA/CIP will be further reviewed and taken
into account for admission.
5.
NTU Dean of
admissions, Prof
Lun Kwok Chan,
says, “CCA and CIP will continue to be an
important
element in our holistic approach
to selecting
applicants for admission into NTU.
By evaluating
CCA and CIP qualitatively,
NTU
is placing a
higher premium
on
and recognition
of
CCA and CIP
beyond the current 5-point cap of CCA for admissions score.
“
|
Previous FrontPage Edition 10 Mar
2005
