Hey! I am Tristan Voon, a (soon to be) DARE Graduate! So you are going to apply via EAE into Aero Eng.? Don’t worry, I was there, just like you, exactly 3 years ago.

I always liked the idea of flying since I was young. Perhaps I felt it was something liberating and exciting, to break free of the bonds that holds mankind to the earth. Both my parents used to work in the Aviation Sector, my dad as a Technical Services Manager, and my mom, a former air stewardess, meant that there was no shortage of insider information and cool stories about the industry. My interest didn’t stop there though, it also expanded into a general fascination with space exploration and satellites.

So it was only natural that when it came to move on from Secondary School, I decided to give EAE a shot! I chose Singapore Poly specifically for its reputation in Engineering as well as good track record and standing. Now that you are about to begin your journey, let me offer you some tips to increase your chance of getting in:

1. Show your passion and interest!

   EAE is fundamentally about a holistic way of assessing candidates for admission, taking into account both your aptitude and interest. If you have something that really showcases your interest/ability in Aeronautical Engineering, don’t be shy to bring it up! When I did my interview, I remember one of my friends prepared a Powerpoint Presentation on Concorde Crash accident. For me, I brought in a design for a high-speed projectile that I was working on as a side hobby.

   This is the one time where it’s perfectly acceptable to geek out!

    

2. Have the end in sight!

   Ultimately, you need to know where you see yourself at the end of your 3 years in poly, ideally beyond that as well. This does not necessarily mean that you need to come up with a concrete long-term plan that articulates when and where you will be. Instead you should at least have a rough idea where you want to be. The Aeronautical Engineering Diploma is best suited for a transition into an Aerospace Engineering or a Mechanical Engineering Degree in a university. Employment wise, the practical skills you learn make you well suited for a career as a Licensed Aircraft Engineer. You should at least have some degree of familiarity with the current affairs that might affect the Aerospace/Aviation sector (eg. COVID 19). Bonus points if you can tie that in to your future plans! 

   
   

3. Don’t be afraid to promote yourself!
   
   It might feel quite counterintuitive, awkward even, to go into a room with people you hardly know and talk about yourself and your interests. That being said, it is absolutely essential that you showcase what you can offer. Try to come in with something that stands out and really shows you off as an individual who loves aerospace. Even if you feel what you have is weird or insignificant, please don’t be shy to share and talk about it! It is a safe space where you won’t be judged.