The Class of 2025 has worked hard at getting into the university of their choice, and Aarin is no different. In fact, he obtained a perfect score of 45 in his IB exams! Here's his Tanglin story.    

What is your Tanglin story?  
I joined Tanglin as a Year 10 student in 2021. Before that, I was at the British School of Paris in France. Although I arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was fortunate to be surrounded by supportive peers and outstanding teachers who guided and mentored me throughout my journey.   

Which university are you attending? What did you think scored you the opportunity at this institution? 
I'll be studying Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London starting this September. Honestly, I believe Tanglin had the biggest influence in helping me secure a place at Imperial. The supportive yet competitive environment constantly pushed me to aim higher, and the exceptional teachers gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone and strive for my best. 

Is this your first choice? What were your other choices and why?  
Absolutely! I've always been passionate about STEM, and Imperial consistently ranks among the top universities in the field. I’m excited about the research opportunities at Imperial and hope to work on solving real-world problems particularly in the field of sustainability. 

Is there anything you wish you could have done differently? 
A word of advice to all incoming IB students: start early and manage your time wisely! Deadlines creep up faster than you expect as the terms progress, so staying ahead is crucial. I wish I had pushed myself to complete a few activities, like CAS or my Extended Essay, earlier, which would have given me more time to focus on university applications and upcoming IAs.   

How did you stay motivated over the two years of the IB, especially during tough periods? 
The IB cohort is an incredibly supportive and engaging community. Stay connected with it as much as possible because those two years fly by. No matter your interests or passions, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a friendly and inclusive group of students, whether it’s through Group 4 Day, CAS projects, or even your Geography classes! And of course, I couldn’t have done it without the support of an amazing group of inspirational teachers (Mr Hulbert, Ms Affleck, and Mr Loader, to name a few) who guided me through the challenges of the IB and kept me motivated throughout.