2021 graduate and scholar Amanda Devairakkam talks about what she loves most about being a student at ICS
When it comes to prepping teens for college, ICS (Singapore) knows exactly what it’s doing. They’re more than familiar with the demands of being accepted into a good university, and how competitive it all is. Recent graduate Amanda Devaraikkam has experienced the process herself.
Not only has she been accepted at the prestigious school of architecture at University of Virginia, she was also awarded a Founder’s Scholarship from ICS for her academic achievements. We had a chat with Amanda to learn more about her experience at ICS and how it’s prepared her for university life and beyond.
1. Hi Amanda, you qualified for the Founder’s Scholarship. What was the application process like?
There was no application for the Founder’s Scholarship but it was based on several criteria: attain a GPA of 3.5 or higher, demonstrate Christian faith, and have a clear intent of attending an educational program after high school. The title of distinction and recognition that the Founder’s Scholarship holds was an honor to accept. Receiving the award made me appreciate all the hard work and effort that I put in for the past four years of high school.
2. What was the American curriculum at ICS like?
ICS offered classes such as APs, honors, and US-focused government and history classes as they do in the US. The American curriculum at ICS made my transition to a US university so much easier.
3. Were there any teachers in particular that made an impact in your educational journey?
My AP math and science teachers were always available to help during school and after school. My AP physics teacher organised study sessions on the weekends to help our class with any questions or doubts in preparation for the AP exam.
4. What did you love most about being a student at ICS?
I liked that ICS was a tight-knit community that was welcoming when I was a new student. There is a small teacher-to-student ratio which allows students to receive more help on their studies. Also, the smaller class sizes help students get to know each other more. It also helped me develop self-confidence!
5. What ICS experience was most important to you?
Week Without Walls is a servicing learning project at ICS that was most memorable and important. WWW is five days of serving people in a community. It helped us learn to serve others willingly and cooperate with others. Also, getting to know the younger students in my group, whom I do not typically speak to, was great too.
6. What personal achievement are you most proud of?
Soccer was a sport that I had been playing for almost my whole life and unfortunately, it wasn’t offered at ICS when I joined. But, my friend and I were able to convince the coaches to start a soccer team. This then led me to find players to join the team which was a tedious process as soccer was a new sport for almost all the girls.
Nevertheless, I was able to find enough to start a girl’s varsity soccer team, even if most girls had never played soccer before the first practice. I was glad that my actions made a difference to girls’ sports at ICS.
7. How do you think the American curriculum prepared you for university life?
I feel like I’m well prepared for university because of the American curriculum I followed throughout high school. This has helped me stay focused for college with an American context. Also, I was able to complete college credits by taking AP classes, which are only offered through the American curriculum.
8. Any future plans?
My plan for the future is to go to the University of Virginia and study architecture for the next four years. The American curriculum at ICS was rigorous and covered everything a typical American school would and more. The intensity of the work given at ICS is good training for higher education and will make my transition into college much easier.
Thank you, Amanda!
Want to learn more about ICS (Singapore)’s high school programs? Visit the school’s website or book a school tour!
This post is in partnership with ICS (Singapore)