Did you take A levels or IB? Why?
I took A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Coming from a school that only offered IB, I joined Tanglin in Year 12 with the conviction that I was going to take A levels. I wanted the agency that A levels provided to study what I wanted and only what I wanted. Looking back, I think that studying A levels gave me a more focused, in-depth view of subjects that let me engage with the subject outside the classroom while still keeping the doors open for a wide variety of career paths.

Why did you choose Imperial College? What factors influenced your decision to accept it, and what stood out about the university?
Imperial stood out to me because I wanted to explore my interest in the scientific aspect of medicine. I had heard about the community of students, researchers, and professors at Imperial who are at the cutting edge of medical research and innovation, and I wanted the opportunity to study in an environment that pushed me to be the best that I could be. Their interdisciplinary environment where medicine overlaps with engineering, technology, and natural sciences was also really appealing to me. Overall, Imperial offered me the right amount of academic challenge and opportunities to extend beyond the curriculum.

Why did you choose to pursue medicine, and what interests you most about the subject?
Ever since I was little, I had always been interested in the science of anatomy and human physiology, but I had never considered how this knowledge was actually applied in treating patients. This curiosity led to a hospital shadowing placement. As expected, I saw the scientific rigour and problem-solving in the doctors' process of figuring out diagnoses and providing treatment. However, what was most memorable and impactful for me was their compassion, empathy, and ability to communicate complex ideas in a way tailored to each patient. I could see directly how much of an impact the soft skills of a doctor had on the patient's treatment outcome and wellbeing. The doctors described this balance as the ‘Art and Science of Medicine’. Pursuing medicine meant that I could combine my passion for science with my desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, and I became convinced that this was the right path for me.

What surprised you most during the university application process? If you could give one piece of advice to students currently applying to universities, what would it be?
When I first started Year 12, I carried over the same mindset I had used to study for GCSEs: leave everything to the last minute and cram right before the exams. I quickly found out that preparing for applications, getting extracurriculars in order, and keeping up with schoolwork all at once was nothing like studying for the GCSEs, and I found it overwhelming. I really had to improve my organisation skills to catch up, and I wish I had done better from the start. My advice would be to be organised and try to figure out how to best plan out your time so that you can get things done while preventing burnout. Looking ahead and planning for what you have to do is really valuable, especially when deadlines start piling up and life starts getting difficult.

What are you most looking forward to about university life?
I really like the freedom to explore yourself that university life offers, especially in a city like London, where there seems to be a place for everyone to find their niche and people with shared interests. I’m also excited to meet the incredibly diverse community of students at Imperial and broaden my horizons through experiences with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
By that time, I hope to be working as a doctor in a field I’m passionate about. I’m not entirely sure what specialty I’ll pursue, but I’m excited to experience the huge variety of opportunities that medicine offers and see where my interests take me.