Class of 2025 – Offer Highlights
While many of her peers headed straight to university campuses, Pei Ying, a Class of 2025 graduate, made a different choice: she decided to wait.
She wanted to focus on her IB exams first, then take a full year to refine her portfolio before applying to universities.
One year later, she received offers from every university she applied to — top universities in the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Not a single rejection.
One of the offers was
Industrial Design at the National University of Singapore (NUS) — one of Asia’s most prestigious and competitive design programmes.
After careful consideration, Pei Ying has decided to attend NUS Industrial Design. Here is her story, during and after high school, that led to this achievement.
GRADUATE
During High School:
Top IB Score in Her Cohort & Solid Design Projects
Pei Ying graduated from UISG in May 2025. Before graduation, she had already built a strong foundation:
- Achieved a score of 40 in the IB Diploma, the highest in her cohort.
- Excelled in her HL subjects: Design Technology, Psychology, and Mathematics AA.
- Completed several high-quality design projects during school:A Handheld History (pop-up book, shortlisted for the Interactive Arts Awards)Bana-Lamp (bioplastic lamp made from banana peels)Sensory Garden (death education kit for children)*3D-Printed Modular Prostheses* (ongoing development, extended essay topic in Design Technology)
- Started freelancing on Fiverr from June 2023, working on logo design, branding, merchandise, and other real-client projects for school clubs and external clients.
At the same time, she held multiple leadership roles on campus: Student Council President, House Captain, Head of Marketing at UISG Development Bank, Organiser of TEDx@UISG Youth 2024, and participated in volleyball, basketball, Model United Nations, and more.
These experiences provided rich material for her portfolio, interview, and personal statements.
GRADUATE
After Graduation:
A Gap Year — Not a Break, but a Focused Journey
After graduating high school in May 2025, Pei Ying did not rush to submit her applications. Instead, she took a one-year gap year.
During this time, she focused on two main things:
First, dedicating herself fully to polishing her portfolio.
The projects she had completed during school gave her a solid start. The gap year allowed her the uninterrupted time to iterate, refine, and add new work — elevating her portfolio to a level competitive for top design schools.
Second, continuing to contribute to her school community.
She stayed connected with UISG throughout the year, assisting the Design, Psychology, and College Counselling departments, using her experience and unique position as an alumna to support teachers and younger students.
She also completed all her university applications during her gap year, and ultimately achieved a 100% acceptance rate.
GRADUATE
Why NUS Industrial Design?
NUS is consistently ranked the top university in Asia. Its Industrial Design programme is known for its interdisciplinary approach, cutting-edge technology, and strong industry connections. Admissions are highly selective, with a rigorous portfolio review. Pei Ying’s success reflects both her strong foundation from high school and the focused refinement she achieved during her gap year.
GRADUATE
A Takeaway for Younger Students
Many worry that a gap year means falling behind or losing momentum. Pei Ying’s experience offers a different perspective:
- She had a clear, phased plan: complete the IB first, then focus on the portfolio, then apply to universities.
- She had already built strong academic and project foundations during high school — the gap year was for further refinement, not starting from scratch.
- She stayed engaged with her school community rather than stepping away entirely.
A gap year, done well, is not a “lost year” — it can be a purposeful, productive, and strategic one. Sometimes, taking a slower start can lead to a steadier — and further — journey.
Congratulations to Pei Ying. May more students have the courage to plan their own rhythm.
GRADUATE
GRADUATE
GRADUATE
GRADUATE
/ END /
English 
Chinese 
Korean 
Japanese