NUS and NTU medicine are not looking for research doctors, they are looking for people doctor- one who is empathetic, speaks the language of the commoners and is relatable. They are also perhaps looking for people with resilience because in the early days, the hours are long and it is often a thankless job. The minimum eligibility criteria is there, probably in the range of 88.75 to 90 rp and 42-45 for IB.


I think what may break or seal it is the interview. If one comes across as aloof, standoffish or having prince/princess syndrome, they may have to be declined, not because they are not brilliant or outstanding. They just don’t fit the profile of a people doctor.

Having said that, I have to qualify that not all who were not offered, presented all the above traits. Being only 18/19 years old and under tremendous pressure and time constraint, anyone can fumble and gave the wrong answers.

Of course, Interviews are not foolproof, that is why we read in the news of doctors who run foul of the law. Some candidates may not have the personality of a doctor but they can give good smart answers and they are in. All these are purely my conjectures and we would never be able to confirm anything anyway.

Being a doctor may appear to be a guarantee of a good future and an endorsement of the success of the parents, however reality may sometimes be further from the truth. To me, the hallmark of a successful parent would be raising my child up to be upright, grounded and happy, whether that child is a doctor or not.

I hope my post does not offend anyone and all the best to all the children

I understand that if application is still processing by now, it may mean that he is on the waitlist. I may be wrong so it is best to email the admission office to clarify

Once you are called up for medicine interview, you are considered a good student. There are certain personality traits they look for in a doctor and we won’t know the matrix of that.


Getting into YLL or LKC does not make one better than the others. Likewise getting into medicine does not make one less deserving than the perfect all rounders who are ousted. Everyone is a champion in their own rights.