All About A Levels

[micko07]

zbear:

I thot entry point for both RI n HCI is 3? Its best you attend their open houses n have a feel of the school culture n environment.


Both schools are equally good but I think most people would prefer RI compared to HCI (just like those who has to decide between RGS n NYGS). RI is THE SCHOOL n only the best can enter.

However, do note that you need to flow in with the school culture (HCI is definitely more Chinese oriented vs RI) in order to excel.

Good luck to your selection. What did your parents have to say?

I contest the bits I bolded. I do not think that RI is \"the school\" (although it is indeed an excellent school). You yourself correctly pointed out that the COP for both HCI and RI are 3, which would suggest that they are on par in terms of entry difficulty. I'm also somewhat doubtful as to whether it's a \"given\" that most people prefer RI over HCI (or RGS over NYGH for that matter). Neither do I think that HCI is very \"Chinese oriented\", at least not at JC level from my experience.

OP, congrats on your excellent results! I'd try to speak to current students/ alumni and go for the Open Houses to get a feel of the schools. Maybe have a look at the CCAs offered, and consider if you want to apply to special programmes (eg Regional Studies Programme, Bicultural Studies, Art Elective) as well. It might also be worth considering distance if one is significantly further than the other. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong with either school.

[love1001]

Both are excellent schools just that the highest number of prestigious (top) scholarships are awarded to RIJC students. HCI is next followed by NJC. It is obvious which school is higher rating.

Choose the one that is nearer to your home.

[zbear]

love1001:

Both are excellent schools just that the highest number of prestigious (top) scholarships are awarded to RIJC students. HCI is next followed by NJC. It is obvious which school is higher rating.

Choose the one that is nearer to your home.

You have just reinforced the message which I am trying to put across in my earlier post and as I expected, my post has raised unhappiness amongst some.

Thank you.

[Karen Wee]

I argee with Skyed idea of putting MJC as your first choice and SRJC as your second. However, there is really no cause for disappointment or worry as SRJC is not a bad choice either. Yes, the cut-off point does differ by 3 but the outcome of your A levels really does boil down to your hardwork. It may sound cliche but the level of desire to do well in you really matters more then the school u are in. Try to mix with the correct crowd (those that also have a desire to do well) during your two-years and with your own hardwork, i can almost guarantee that you would not do any worse then your friends in MJC.

Plus you can also find time to study with your friends in MJC and get all the MJC notes, teacher's feedback etc from them too.

Also, try not to let your parents' scolding get to your confidence or your will to work hard as getting a 12 for your L1R5 is not something that is bad. In fact, you are even better then my daughter who got a 14 for her L1R5. But I knew she worked hard so I don't feel that there is anything wrong with a 14 or even a 12 as long as the person has done his/her best! :rahrah:

On the side note, it is important to know that you are graduating from the \"O\" levels to face the harder \"A\" levels so there is no time to be lazy and stop working hard!

[Karen Wee]

FanFanX:

Fewo:

1. NYJC
-Impression: warm school that doesn't judge haha. Great school character and facilities apparently as reported from my friend.

2. VJC
-Impression: crazy enthu spirit that's higly contagious. However, is it me, or are Victorians more self-conscious? I'm seeing so many with branded stuff.

3. NJC
-Impression: from what I've gathered, it's a more introverted society there, but offers equal opportunities for leadership.

Your impressions of the 3 schools are quite accurate.

Yup... your impressions are similar to what I heard from the people that i spoke to.

Btw for those who are interested in an easy way to see all your eligible JCs or Poly courses do visit these two sites that i found.

http://www.cutoffpoint.sg/cut-off-points-for-JC
http://www.cutoffpoint.sg/polytechnic-courses-cut-off-point

Just key in your respective cut-off point for JC or Poly and the system would automatically give you all your available choices.

[adamtoh97]

Am a dummy about A levels too... Since the scores calculated are the same for the h1 subject and the worst h2 subject, my as well take H1 which is easier and might get better score for the subject. Can someone help please? Thanks

[adamtoh97]

And I heard H3 is useless and why are people still studying it?

[kiasudog]

I’ve asked before but I’ll ask again.


I obtained the following COPs for O Levels:

L1R5: 13 (raw), 11 (nett) [all thanks to my B4 combined humans!!]
L1R4: 7

Apparently, selecting a JC would be a more preferred choice here.

I have been told that if I were to select Meridian JC (9) as my first choice, with no appeal, no outstanding factors, based on a 11 score, the chance of getting in is super unlikely, which is near to zero, but there is no harm trying.

Indeed, there is still a risk involved isn’t it that the fact that if I place that as my first choice, will my second choice be compromised (in a way)?

And there comes the battle between Serangoon JC and Tampines JC, in which Serangoon has really improved over the years, but it’s not about the attitude the school has on the students or self-discipline (getting into such JCs surely require extra self discipline) but it’s a dilemma here.

I’m shifting to Sengkang in April, which means the distance could be quite nasty.

From here to TPJC: 30 mins or so
From SK to TPJC: 1 hour plus?

From here to SRJC: 35 mins or so
From SK to SRJC: 30 mins or so?

So apparently, SRJC wins lah… but then, it’s more of MJC (impossibleeee) v SRJC (possible but putting it as second choice will it get me LOWER chance of getting into the JC in which if I place it as first choice it would be near to a 100% guarantee?)

Please advise, thanks, need submit liao…

[micko07]

zbear:

love1001:

Both are excellent schools just that the highest number of prestigious (top) scholarships are awarded to RIJC students. HCI is next followed by NJC. It is obvious which school is higher rating.

Choose the one that is nearer to your home.

You have just reinforced the message which I am trying to put across in my earlier post and as I expected, my post has raised unhappiness amongst some.

Thank you.

So a school's barometer of success should be just on whether it gets more \"top scholarships\" (which fluctuates year on year)? I don't agree with that proposition for the reason that bonded scholarships should only be taken if someone genuinely wants a career in that organization. Whatever the schools say (and I hate how they push people to apply), it's not appropriate to think of scholarships as the sole barometer of student success, since not everyone wants or is suited to be a scholar (and I say that as a scholar myself, so it's not a case of sour grapes). There are plenty of capable people who don't take scholarships, and go on to very respectable universities and careers in the private sector. Nothing wrong with that.

Also, last I checked, I though HCI had more PSC scholars for 2013?(http://www.hci.edu.sg/news/hwa-chong-produces-the-highest-number-of-psc-scholars-this-year) Unless you mean President Scholars only? What about other highly regarded scholarships like Lee Foundation or Jardine?

That said, I suspect RI does a better job at A levels than HCI, although that's to some extent speculation on my part because there's very little statistics around. And also probably overseas university admissions (although it could simply be because they have more applicants).

I rest my case. If people want to use number of scholarships awarded as their barometer of school excellence, fine by me.

[love1001]

When it comes to choosing a school, isn’t results one of the most important factor that people consider? Apart from prestigious scholarship, RI also has the largest pool of students obtaining 12 & 13 academic unit distinctions in A -level. Anyway it is common to hear people who could not get a scholarship say they are not interested as they do not want to be tied down by the bond etc… The question is even if they are interested, are they able to get. Even if there are people who simply refuse to believe, it is just a fact which JC is most sought after and highly regarded. When there are 2 equally good school, there is definitely 1 that is "gooder" for some reasons. To conclude, I would be extremely happy if in future, my children could enter any of these 3 top JCs.