NTU year 1 but gonna tell you guys some of my experiences in application.
I have a poly GPA of 3.64 and applied for NTU econs in 2014, IGP was 3.63 the year before. I didnt get in and got offered into sports sci instead which was around 3.4x/3.5x at that time. If your GPA is around last year's 10th percentile, it is still highly unlikely you get in. Apply for courses which you have a solid chance of getting in,say at least 30th percentile.
I tried for NUS FASS too and previous year IGP was 3.68. 0.4 higher than mine. Needless to say, I didnt get in despite other achievements.
I applied for NTU Linguistics and the 10th percentile at that point of time was 3.5x with 3.7x as the 90th percentile. I got in pretty easily despite an interview.
A piece of advice from me, if you are just an above average poly student but not top tier e.g GPA3.5-3-7.5 go for NTU. higher chance of getting in.
if you are between 3.7-3.8 for SMU.
NUS is the hardest to geti n as a poly grad, you need a solid 3.8 and above to get in.
For guys, please do not delay your application thinking that you can afford to choose during NS. The poly grade inflation is probably going to continue. now it may be 3.5 for a course but 2/3 years later it might become 3.7 for 10th percentile to get in.That was what happened to NUS during my time