Nishka, Tanglin’s Lead Student for 2025/26, explains how her love of learning and deep interest in Mathematics shaped her decision to attend Yale University to study Mathematics and Philosophy. 

Did you take IB or A levels? 

I took the IB Diploma, with Maths AA, Physics, and Economics at HL and Computer Science, English Literature and Latin at SL. 

Why Yale? I understand you received a scholarship offer elsewhere but ultimately chose Yale. What factors influenced that decision? 

That decision was probably one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, but I think what kept drawing me to Yale was its motto, 'Embrace the Spirit of And', meaning that the pursuit of knowledge is an ongoing process, and learning in a variety of disciplines is not only encouraged but expected at Yale. 

That approach towards learning really aligns with my own values towards education, and that is what drove me to apply initially. More than that, the theoretical maths research which is being conducted at Yale right now fascinates me, and the idea of my major being offered as an integrated one further reinforces the type of interdisciplinary learning that I’m eager to pursue. 

Why did you choose to pursue Mathematics and Philosophy, and what interests you most about the combination of the two subjects? 

I have always found Maths deeply interesting with the power that mathematical structures have to govern daily phenomena. The certainty of the numbers and the way they influence our world is fascinating to me. That very influence is why I chose to pursue the dual degree of Maths and Philosophy, because the study of humanities alongside STEM encourages a deeper understanding of the impact that my mathematical research has on the world around me.

That rigorous thinking and understanding of the ethical dilemmas that come with exploration in the Natural Sciences is exactly what I hope to develop further at college, as my long-term aim is to get into academia and eventually become a professor to incite that same love of learning into my future students (hopefully!), as well as pursue meaningful research into optimisation and stochastic processes.

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? 

I think what surprised me most was the sheer variety of universities and pathways that are available out there. It’s important to remember that not every university will be the right fit for you, and not every country’s higher education system will align with what you’re looking for, so it’s important to choose institutions not simply for their reputation, but because they’re the best fit. 

If I could give one piece of advice to students now, it’d be to stick to your passions, because when you enjoy the books you’re reading, and the extracurriculars that you’re doing, wanting to give back to those communities and to learn more feels easier than doing things solely for how they look. I think a common misconception is that you need to do everything to get into a top university, when in reality you just need to highlight the qualities that make you unique, and the first step to that is exploring your interests, hobbies, and goals. When you’re excited about what you do, it becomes that much easier to put yourself out there and make changes in the communities you’d like to!  

I’d also say to not be scared of rejection. It can be incredibly debilitating receiving decisions about opportunities and universities, but putting yourself out there, even when you know it may be a long shot is always worth it, because you learn so much from experiences that push you out of your comfort zone. 

What are you most looking forward to about university life? 

I’m excited about a lot of things! One thing in particular is having the freedom to go further into areas of Maths that I’m interested in and being able to take a variety of classes. Yale’s curriculum allows for the exploration of a multitude of subjects, so I’m looking forward to taking subjects I haven’t explored before, like anthropology and film studies. I’m also really looking forward to living in the USA and meeting new people from different backgrounds and cultures and especially experiencing seasons for the first time! 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? 

Hopefully completing a PhD before pursuing a career in academia, where I can teach and publish research. I also hope to conduct further research into systems design and analysis, working with NGOs and governments to improve the efficiency of transport systems around the world.