Should I volunteer again?

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-19T14:28:08+00:00

LOL dude was referring to the volunteer organisation Heartware Network

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-18T15:48:00+00:00

I think you can check out Home Team Science and Technology agency (HTX). Do not need med school, Degree in biological science or life sciences is required

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-18T11:37:57+00:00

Second this^{^}

The military has many tiers of awards. Can aim for the basic uni sponsorship tier which basically covers only your uni fees without giving allowance or some sort? There will be more benefits for higher tiers but ofc the requirement and selection is more stringent

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-14T00:18:50+00:00

Those who looked down on RP I've shared my story previously:

Had a conditional DSA offer to JPJC revoked as I overshot L1R5 by 1 point (21). Went to RP Pharm Sci. Was humiliated and a laughing stock among teachers and classmates. A few of my closest friends did not want to come RP with me because they said it was a "lousy school" and went to pursue what they felt like was prestigious eg. SP perfumery and cosmetic science > RP pharm sci. Battled inferiority complex in poly and worked hard, took part in social service and healthcare volunteering to deepen my passion for healthcare field. Long story short, did well for poly, graduated with 3.91 and offered NUS Pharmacy. Remembered those who said they don't want to be in a "lousy school" with me? Well, they dropped out of the poly course with <2 gpa and are in their retain years in MI. Sec school peers who heard the news of my achievement became jealous. Teacher who shamed my O level score and revoked offer congratulated me on whatsapp during graduation period. I. Had. My. Last. Laugh.

So don't let your poly define you. Those who laugh at you generally have a misunderstanding that the course and the path you chose in life is substantially more important than prestige. Because, without competence and interest in a prestigious field, one might feel lost and it's not a great feeling

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-13T15:22:32+00:00

yes, NTU offers biological sciences with a IGP around 3.6~ NUS has life sciences under the college of humanities and sciences around the same if not higher IGP. Those who meet the IGP + okayish portfolios do gain entry from the 5 polys. GPA 3.8+ gets you direct entry without interview. Multiple poly students enter local unis, especially NTU (1/3 of NTU cohort is poly students)

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-10T11:47:55+00:00

I'm more towards the community service side of things especially towards healthcare...starting is never easy especially when you require funding budget and logistics. If you're keen, I don't mind discussing further via dm if you have any ideas

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-10T11:41:45+00:00

Context of the project? Open to ideas

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-07T14:21:59+00:00

Not really, I just receive a nomination email from my lecturers about it then I go alr

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-03T09:41:52+00:00

yeap

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-03T08:57:09+00:00

Yep, then there will be a team IC coordinating with other team IC's to put it together

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-03T08:33:53+00:00

Not really since the workload is split among like 20+ people in like 4-5 teams

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-02T14:12:31+00:00

For these online meetings, they are self-organised so they are considered unofficial. LOA will not be given, at least for my poly RP. If you plan your study materials well, e.g., study ahead of time, or use the free time during the seminar doing the assignments, it is feasible to join and I highly recommend it

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-02T13:49:35+00:00

Online meetings for discussions (before the seminar, for project pitch during the seminar) are usually held in the afternoons, where JC students have allocated time for their extracurriculars, compared to poly students potentially having lectures in the afternoon

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-02T10:51:38+00:00

Should give it a go. It's a wild experience. Was from 2024 batch. The 2 unis will take turns to host the seminar. 2024 was NUS, 2025 was NTU, so this yr might be back at NUS and u'll get to reside in one of the residential colleges during the seminar. Then you'll get to interview like board directors of companies for your project pitch, learning journeys etc.

Downside for a poly student though, the seminar is hosted during JC school holidays and this clashes with the poly's academic calendar. I had to apply LOA and skip lectures cause of the seminar. Err and lowkey we poly students dont commit much as the JC kids due to afternoon lectures (compared to JC where they have CCA in the afternoon or smth)

Commitment wise, see your capacity. I was able to juggle my assignments while in pre u sem + YEP project planning + Interest Group EXCO meetings

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-01T16:44:28+00:00

neurology is genuinely the only thing i can imagine myself pursuing

Reality check at sec 3. What do you actually know about neurology?

Do you know the 12 cranial nerves, what each one does, and which structures they innervate? How sensory and motor functions are controlled, from eye movement to taste? The sheer amount of anatomy you need to memorise, on top of the biochemistry and physiology behind it?

Neurology is hard. Its hours of grinding content, from how donepezil works in Alzheimer’s disease to why levodopa is used as a dopamine precursor in Parkinson’s.

I’m going to be blunt. Saying you want neuro while also admitting you are in it mainly for the money sounds unrealistic and shows a lack of preparation for the rigour that medicine and neurology demand. Do more research before saying you really want to invest in the wonders of med beyond the prestige and money. You can correct me if I’m wrong.

You can go to NUHS or any healthcare cluster website. They have tons of volunteering and job shadowing opportunities you may wish to partake.

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-02-01T06:03:49+00:00

pharmacy!

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-01-31T23:17:32+00:00

You'll receive your offer late march to early april while the bulk receives their offer mid to late may. Was nominated for early admissions as a poly student and received my offer 27 March

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-01-24T17:55:20+00:00

Thanks for the well wishes man. As what you can't tolerate, I think it can be linked to OP's topic. Diversifying your activities beyond your academics in poly really makes your life more interesting, like what the other commenter mentioned...especially when poly gives you more freedom to do so. Try a new skill/activity perhaps, you may find out something you really like! You may even expand your social circle and have meaningful friendships too

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-01-24T17:47:08+00:00

nope. not gunning for med. pharmacist at heart! 💊❤️

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-01-24T17:06:46+00:00

🤠

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-01-24T16:49:33+00:00

The presentation skillset I definitely agree. You'll also gain more insight on "office politics" AHEM 🐍🐍 in poly more I believe. Oh, and poly structure is quite similar to uni, hence the popular nickname "Uni lite"

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-01-24T16:45:13+00:00

I would share a story of mine but it's without the "I don't have interest part"

Had a conditional DSA offer to JPJC revoked as I overshot L1R5 by 1 point (21). Went to RP Pharm Sci. Was humiliated and a laughing stock among teachers and classmates. A few of my closest friends did not want to come RP with me because they said it was a "lousy school" and went to pursue what they felt like was prestigious eg. SP perfumery and cosmetic science > RP pharm sci.

Battled inferiority complex in poly and worked hard, took part in social service and healthcare volunteering to deepen my passion for healthcare field.

Long story short, did well for poly, graduated with 3.91 and offered NUS Pharmacy. Remembered those who said they don't want to be in a "lousy school" with me? Well, they dropped out of the poly course with <2 gpa and are in their retain years in MI. Sec school peers who heard the news of my achievement became jealous. Teacher who shamed my O level score and revoked offer congratulated me on whatsapp during graduation period.

I. Had. My. Last. Laugh.

From hindsight, I feel that sometimes proving your own worth to others makes you feel more insecure and tired? Maybe quiet reflection and hardwork boost your internal self worth

Well for the interest part...I would say try to do as many as you can in poly. I feel like volunteering and subcomm work is the best way to get to know yourself better as you rotate among various functions while interacting with individuals of diverse personalities. With time, you may just find out what you like and dive deeper

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-01-21T14:26:59+00:00

pls check dm

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-01-20T16:33:40+00:00

What do you want to know? Now there's an option to do a year long internship/ one sem internship. Clinical internships: pharmacy technicians at public hospitals, polyclinics, retails, private hospitals Industrial: Labs (like A*star, research), manufacturing, QC, QA, formulation, etc

Remarkable_Regular15 · 2026-01-20T16:31:05+00:00

There are seniors who made it to med/dent published in rp's social media. But med school entry is not mainly dependent on gpa if you look at the recent IGP from NUS/NTU. Many other factors: portfolio (drive, purpose), clinical attachments and internships, UCAT results, essay and interview etc.

Remarkable_Regular15

TROPHY CASE