Turning dreams into reality

Five students who were part of the first batch of the polytechnics' early admission scheme share how graduating from their dream course helped to shape them and their careers

- Jane Ng

The polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) scheme that started in 2017 has provided an alternative admission pathway for students with strong aptitude and interest in an area.

Around 14,500 students from secondary schools and ITE applied for early admission in academic year 2025, and around 6,000 applicants received an offer, an increase from 5,500 the year before.

In January 2025, it was reported that around 20,800 students enrolled in full-time diploma courses in the polytechnics.

These include students who enrolled through the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) for O-level students, as well as non-JAE pathways such as EAE, Joint Polytechnic Admissions Exercise, Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) and independent applications.

Even though EAE students are admitted via portfolios, interviews or aptitude tests rather than O-level results, "a good number" at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) end up graduating at the top of their cohort, says Mr Mah Wee Beng, NP's deputy principal and registrar.

Valedictorian Vievienne Chua, 20, a 2025 mass communication graduate and recipient of the NP outstanding achievement award, may not have got a place if she had not applied via EAE as she scored 14 points for her O levels in 2021.

"She is a good example of how EAE is an important pathway that creates possibilities for students when they pursue their passions and interests," says Mr Mah.

Republic Polytechnic's acting registrar, Ms Teo Chin Pei, adds that many students who entered RP through EAE have gone on to thrive in their chosen courses, demonstrating that aptitude and passion can be strong indicators of future success.

"We have seen numerous examples of students who may not have performed as well academically initially, but flourished when given the opportunity to pursue what they care about," she says.