From Poly to Ivy: Breaking the Stereotype

Think the Ivy Leagues are out of reach for polytechnic students in Singapore? Sedifly’s US Strategist Benson Yee proves it’s possible, even if you’re not valedictorian.

Meet Benson Yee, a graduate from Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Business & Accountancy, and currently a third-year economics student at Cornell University.

There was once a time when the average Singaporean polytechnic student struggled to gain admission into local universities. In 2012, only 20% of polytechnic students landed places in local universities. Today, polytechnic students make up 40% of the total local university intake, and some students have shattered stereotypes and gone beyond — earning places at Ivy League institutions and top universities worldwide. These recent trends signal a growing global recognition of Singapore’s polytechnic talent and elevates the reputation of its polytechnics.

One such trailblazer is Benson Yee, a graduate of Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of School of Business & Accountancy, who is now a third-year economics student at Cornell University.

“It was never the plan! I went to Ngee Ann Poly with just two goals in mind — have as much fun as I could and learn as much as I could,” Benson said, when asked if applying to an Ivy League school had always been part of the plan.

Despite having no initial intention to study overseas, Benson decided to take a leap of faith, and did so with bold optimism.

Benson began his college applications in 2020, driven more by optimism than certainty.

“In retrospect, I was naively optimistic about my chances,” he admitted. “But without that confidence, I probably wouldn’t have applied to US colleges and gained so much from studying here.”

Looking back, Benson sees how his time at Ngee Ann laid the foundation for success.“My openness to the unique range of experiences Ngee Ann offered is what led me here,” he explained. One of his biggest challenges, he added, was fitting all those experiences into the limited space allowed in his application.

However, the application process did not come without its fair share of challenges. As a polytechnic student, access to information and application strategies was limited due to the small number of successful Poly-to-Ivy applicants. 

Fortunately, Benson had mentors who believed in him and supported his applications.

When asked why he’d recommend studying in the US, he referenced the rich intellectual environment at Cornell and how it has made him much more curious about the world. “Beyond my major, I’ve taken classes in labor relations, computer science, astronomy and geology, and I’ve been involved in satellite-related research.”

Benson working on a satellite at Cornell Space Systems Design Studios.

Benson’s story is one of many that signals a new path forward for Singapore’s polytechnic students. Gone are the days when their next steps were confined to local universities or the immediate workforce. Today, many have dared to dream bigger.

“My polytechnic friends are very inspiring. Even though we’re all doing different things now, I’m always impressed by the different paths they take to find success,” Benson said. His story and those of his peers are a testament to the diverse and rising potential of polytechnic graduates today.

For many polytechnic students, the road to top overseas universities remains uncertain. But with the right guidance, strategies, and belief in their potential, that road is becoming increasingly possible. 

Benson’s journey shows that while the path may not be clear, it’s no longer closed.

“Anything is possible if you want it badly enough!”