NTU-USP interviews aren’t formal and scary. They’re chill. Relak, you know. We just want to get to know potential candidates, hear you speak, and enjoy the short time with have with you.

I’m not going to reveal the questions we ask candidates during the interviews. It’s about the questions you, the candidates ask us.

Most of you ask about our curriculum, student life, TOPS, Study Abroad, hall life. We often get asked what the life of our scholar is like in terms of challenges, joys, and such. I just tell them, I can’t speak for our scholars, but just take a look at their social media postings. Everything there is exactly what they are! The truth is in the images and stories.

I would like to share some questions that are not frequently asked, but I do get these questions every year since 2015, the year I joined NTU-USP.

Question: What are we looking for during the interview – what could you have prepared?

My Answer: Be yourself. If you’re an introvert, that’s fine. If you’re an extrovert, that’s fine too. If you’re somewhere in between – yes, that is of course fine. If you applied to be a Chemistry, Aerospace Engineering or Business major, it’s okay to tell us that you also loved dressing up for your Secondary school plays. If you applied for Art, Design, and Media (ADM), Sociology, or History, you can also tell us how you’re fascinated with wormholes and you’re also nuts about graphs and charts. There’s nothing like being your authentic self. This is why we have all kinds of personalities in our little NTU-USP family. And these include our office staff and faculty!

Question: What do we expect of our current scholars?

My Answer: Well, being Singaporean, my first unspoken expectation is that you keep doing well in your studies. I say ‘unspoken’ because this is not even something I would tell you to do – it is expected of you! Other expectations? Intellectual humility. You are already quite an achiever. Carrying yourselves with humility and serving others – these are noble things to do, yes? And of course – again, I repeat – I want you to continue being your authentic selves. It’s even alright to be angry and talk through your feelings. However, please don’t take your frustrations on others!

Finally, this is my favourite Question: What do we like about NTU-USP?

My Answer: It’ll take me hours to tell you! But I’ll try to be focused. First thing – it’s the students! They are such a joy to be around with. I don’t teach the core mods, and I seldom offer electives, so my infrequent interactions with them are so special. TOPS is special, not for the travel, but because I get to know the group members I mentor. USPresents – I love seeing how cast and crew bond with each other. The final presentation is also emotional for me, although I don’t do much for the production at all, other than to look at drafts and the final script. Then there’re my colleagues and our NTU-USP admin staff. How not to enjoy being part of the NTU-USP family?!

Now, the NTU-USP Application Essays – I’m tasked to read and grade every single NTU-USP application essay. Yes, about nearly 300 of them every year. This year the Question is different from the previous years. I really enjoyed this year’s essays and I want to share some of the people mentioned in the essays. These figures were mentioned many times – Lee Kuan Yew, Qin Shu Huang, Leonardo da Vinci, Steve Jobs, Joan of Arc. Adolf Hitler and Jesus Christ were mentioned twice each. It’s fascinating how the candidates reveal so much of themselves while writing the essays.

I learn so much from bright young minds through these interviews and essays. I also see so much hope in our youth – including those whom I met, read their essays, and eventually rejected us for another university. Of course, those who stayed – you’re so precious and special, every single one of you!

Submission by:

Dr Geraldine Song

Associate Chair (Students)

Senior Lecturer, English

School of Humanities