I am currently an engineering undergraduate in NUS, approaching Year 3, so I think I will be applying for the Duke-NUS in 2011.
I am currently doing my 2nd research attachment (each of period of 3 months) at Biopolis, but none of them are explicitly medical related. I am going to do a research project during my final year also. I plan to attach to an engineering company during my industrial attachment semester to diversify my experience. Erm, do you think it's necessary? or should I opt for more research attachment?
Hi Mugician... welcome to the group of Duke-NUS hopefuls. You are rather early for next year.
I'm sure others will give you advice as well, but IMO I would follow my interest and do what is best for my undergrad degree than to "tailor" my activities towards Duke. You might change your mind, after all. My research was in molecular biology and proteomics, which, like almost all basic research, can be relevant to medical research, but is not explicitly medical related. I know of other entrants (from engineering) who didn't do any bio research. In short, med research is not compulsory, and you should do what is best for your decipline. You seem to have a fair bit of research experience, and if it was up to me, I would do the industrial attachment to get a varied experience. IMO med schools tend to look for people with an encompassing view, rather than limiting themselves to a narrow field.
BlackTalon has mentioned hospital attachment does help in improving profile and I considering doing so during the December holidays. Do I need to apply early for it?
Haha, it's amusing to see that everyone quotes me on hospital attachments!
I think hospital attachments do improve your profile somewhat, although personally I feel their main purpose is to give you an idea of what you are going into. Medicine is a long road, and is definitely not for anyone. Hospital attachments help you decide if you really want to embark on this journey. Please please don't do it so that you can say you did it in the interview. I think a skilled interviewer would be able to ascertain your motives, and personally, I wouldn't be very impressed if you treat this a box to tick. (no malice intended, I'm juz being frank)
That said, with this H1N1 pandemic, it's difficult to get a hospital attachment. During my attachment at SGH, the whole thing was managed by one person, who was quite flexible with things such as departments and duration, but now, attachments are managed by a department and is much more rigid. You could try any major hospital, but I recommend trying out a few departments if you can to get a holistic experience. 1 or 2 weeks is about right for each. Do apply early. PM me if you have further questions.
Besides all these, is there a need for excellent non-academic achievements? I think I'm lacking in this area.
I do not have an excellent GPA/CAP score, but I am very motivated to make it more decent for GMS application!
From what I know, academic achievements are important, but not as much as your character, CCAs, research, leadership, etc. GPA + MCAT simply assures the ADCOM that you can handle the fast-paced curriculum, but your non-academic achievements give them an idea of your motives and how you will be like as a clinician, which is arguably more important.
Thus, the usuals apply... you need to demonstrate aptitude in research, leadership, varied (but passionate) interests, and strong motives for wanting to do medicine. I'm sure you can think of more. No two applications are alike, and you have to figure out how to best showcase your strengths and relate them to how they make you a better clinician.
Good luck!
