How to Prepare for Medicine in Singapore: A Complete Guide for JC Students

For students aspiring to study Medicine at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS YLL) or NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (NTU LKC), preparation starts early. Medical school admissions in Singapore are highly competitive, and having a strategic plan during your Junior College (JC) years is crucial to standing out.

This guide will help students and parents navigate the best opportunities for exposure, skill-building, and portfolio development to strengthen their application to Singapore’s prestigious medical schools.

1. Key Medical-Related Opportunities for JC Students

Medical Competitions & Symposiums

Participating in competitions and symposiums demonstrates intellectual curiosity and passion for Medicine. Here are some top events:

• LKCMedicine Anatomy Challenge – Organised by NTU LKC, this challenge tests knowledge of human anatomy through individual and team rounds.

• NHMed National Healthcare-Medical Symposium – Conducted by Hwa Chong Institution and NUS YLL, this event offers lectures, facility tours, and panel discussions on healthcare.

• Healthcare Outreach Project (HOP) – A collaboration between NUS Medicine, NUS Nursing, and SIT Allied Health, featuring hands-on experiences and student-led workshops.

These competitions offer excellent opportunities to gain insights into medical studies and add credibility to your application.

2. Gaining Clinical Exposure: Medical Work Experience

Medical-related work experience is highly sought after, but opportunities are limited in Singapore. Here’s how you can secure clinical exposure:

Hospital Attachments & Internships

• National University Hospital (NUH) Job Shadowing (Paused due to COVID-19 but worth checking for updates)

• Patient Service Assistant (PSA) roles – Apply for entry-level jobs at Raffles Medical Group (RMG) or private clinics.

• Private GP Attachments – Approach your family GP or nearby clinics to inquire about short-term shadowing opportunities.

• Cold Emailing Hospitals & Clinics – Directly contacting hospitals can sometimes result in unexpected opportunities.

If direct clinical work experience is unavailable, alternative ways to gain exposure include attending medical symposiums and volunteering in healthcare-related settings.

3. Volunteering & Community Service (CIP)

Medical schools value students who demonstrate a commitment to serving the community. Long-term volunteering experience showcases empathy and dedication. Consider these options:

Hospital Volunteering

• KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital (KKH) – Play therapy with young patients.

• National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) – Assist patients during treatment sessions.

• National Kidney Foundation (NKF) – Befriender programme for dialysis patients.

Local Community Service

• Youth Corps Singapore (YCS) – Join initiatives supporting elderly care, disabilities, and mental health.

• Starting Your Own Service Learning (SL) Project – If passionate about a specific cause, consider initiating an outreach programme.

Sustained commitment to community service strengthens your portfolio and personal statement.

4. Academic Excellence & Subject Selection

Choosing the Right A-Level Subjects

Medical school applicants must meet specific subject prerequisites:

• H2 Chemistry (mandatory)

• H2 Biology or H2 Physics (either accepted)

• General Paper (GP) / Knowledge & Inquiry (KI) – Important for communication skills

H3 Subjects & Research Opportunities

• H3 subjects such as H3 Biology or H3 Chemistry can enhance your academic profile.

• MOE Research Programmes (e.g., A*STAR Research and NUS Science Research Programme) help build a strong portfolio.

5. Building a Strong Medical Portfolio

A well-organised portfolio should highlight achievements across these key areas:

• Academic Excellence – High scores, awards, and research experience

• Leadership – CCA executive positions, student council, peer mentorship

• Community Service – Long-term volunteering with a direct impact on people

• Clinical Exposure – Hospital attachments, internships, healthcare-related projects

Be sure to document all experiences with reflections to use for your personal statement and interviews.

6. Personal Statement & Medical Interviews

Writing a Compelling Personal Statement

Your personal statement should demonstrate:

• Motivation for Medicine – Personal experiences and defining moments

• Relevant Skills & Attributes – Leadership, teamwork, resilience, communication

• Medical Exposure & Community Service – How experiences shaped your perspective

💡 MCC Global Education provides expert coaching on crafting compelling personal statements that stand out in NUS & NTU applications.

Ace Your Medical School Interview

NUS YLL and NTU LKC use different interview formats:

• NUS Medicine – Focused Skills Assessment (FSA) & Situational Judgement Test (SJT)

• NTU Medicine – Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)

💡 MCC Global Education offers mock interviews and scenario-based coaching to prepare students for success in these assessments.

Final Thoughts: Plan Early, Stay Ahead

For students aspiring to secure a spot at NUS or NTU Medicine, preparation during JC is key. Building a strong portfolio, gaining medical exposure, and excelling academically are essential for a competitive application.

At MCC Global Education, we specialise in helping high-achieving students gain admission to Singapore’s top medical schools with expert guidance in:

✅ Personalised portfolio development

✅ Medical school application strategy

✅ UCAT, SJT & MMI interview coaching

✅ Personal statement & essay writing workshops

📌 Book a free consultation with us today! Let’s make your dream of becoming a doctor a reality.

📧 Email: admin@mccglobaleducation.com
📱 WhatsApp: +65 81812406
🌐 Visit: www.mccglobaleducation.com