All About A Levels

[micko07]

Well I’m overseas so the only thing I have on my computer is my A levels result slip, which doesn’t state HCL at all. I’m fairly certain that the actual certificate is exactly the same as well.

[jtoh]

Thanks mick007. Didn’t realize you were overseas.

[underscores_]

thanks all for the valuable information!


after going for both open houses, I decided to put RI as first choice, followed by HCI then NJC.

I believe I have a very very low chance to get into either ri/hci but I'm prepared to try my chances in appeal.

From what I've gathered, many more people would choose RI over HCI (except for chinese schools like mine - which usually only have 2 from RI, among the 50+ that are in RI/HCI), therefore it is more competitive to get in.
I heard from a senior that only 10 3-pointers were accepted into raffles in the year 2012.
also, I believe that RI produces slightly better A level results as compared to HCI.
I've heard that RI's promotion criteria is less strict and I kinda feel like RI's atmosphere is slightly less competitive than HCI (?? this is just a feeling I got after going for both open houses)
but of course, RI is filled with 'the best' but I would have to say that HCI is definitely an excellent institution that is definitely comparable to RI.
statistics given by HCI were that 80+% of their students are able to get into top universities worldwide.
a senior from RI has told me that roughly half the school goes overseas for university.
in terms of scholars, RI has a significant number (of president scholars I think?) than HCI. however, do take note that RI has an extra 100 years of history as compared to HCI. therefore the numbers are definitely comparable

Besides, I've heard a few terrible stories from HCI due to it's elite system but haven't heard any from RI, but it might be because I'm more exposed to HCI, coming from a chinese school.

All in all, I don't think that both schools are that different in terms of results, therefore it doesn't really matter in that sense. I feel that if you don't work hard, it doesn't matter where you go because you will fail anyway.
I feel that what really matters is their difference in culture and atmosphere and environment.
Although it is true that HCI may not be as chinese-y as they seem, but when I went to RI, I didn't hear a single chinese word and you could not feel the chinese culture in RI AT ALL. on the other hand, in HCI, people speak 50-50 chinese and english, and events such as Mid Autumn Festival is a very big thing there. (RI doesn't celebrate MAF) so this is one point to take note of so you don't get a culture shock if you go into HCI/RI.
from their open houses, I feel like RI is more lively and has greater diversity and greater flexibility.
I could be wrong, but that was what I felt from their open house.

oh and one more thing to consider is that RI's facilities are FANTASTIC. RJC, combined with RI, is really really big and they have good facilities (mainly because they're new) like mini marts and etc. on the other hand, HCI wasn't as big as I thought it was and was a little lacking in terms of facilities as HCI is a very old school.

a number of my friends (do remember that I'm from a chinese school that is strongly immersed into the chinese culture) were impressed with RI (especially so by their facilities, which I would say are one of the best among all the JCs), but chose HCI over RI as they felt uncomfortable and felt like they wouldn't be able to fit into RI.

I'm sorry if anything I said was offensive to any of you! I just wanted to express my opinion on both schools
hope my opinion would be useful to future O level grads!

[iFirefly]

Hi underscores..


Thank you for sharing, and letting us know of your choices. It shows that you are a very mature & responsible boy. Many thread-starters would just 'disappear', once they have gotten the necessary advice/answers..

Follow your heart. It will take you to where you belong. Keep us posted once you receive your posting, ok ?

Happy CNY.. And may all your wishes come true in the new year !! :celebrate:

[zbear]

Yes, thank you so much underscores_ for your valuable inputs regarding both institutions.


Hope you can get into RI.

Good luck!

[Augmum]

jtoh:

Would you mind checking your A level cert to confirm if this is correct? Some are saying it will be reflected in the A level cert and some are saying it won't. Thanks.

i hear the same too...as some are saying that it is reflected or others say that it isit...
Wonder is the results slip n the A level cert are the same ?
or could it becos ... whether it depends at the same sitting or not?

[micko07]

Augmum:

or could it becos ... whether it depends at the same sitting or not?

I think so. My PW is on a completely different cert, probably because I took it a year before my other A level papers.

The bottom line is, I don't think it matters either way. In job/internship/ scholarship applications, they often ask you to declare all grades starting from O level equivalents and upwards; you will probably have to put down your HCL grade. For those that asked for A levels only, I didn't put down my HCL grade (since it technically counts only as an O level subject), and I haven't been lynched for it yet (although my applications were mostly UK centric - perhaps Singapore firms will treat this differently).

[Augmum]

micko07:

Augmum:

or could it becos ... whether it depends at the same sitting or not?

I think so. My PW is on a completely different cert, probably because I took it a year before my other A level papers.

The bottom line is, I don't think it matters either way. In job/internship/ scholarship applications, they often ask you to declare all grades starting from O level equivalents and upwards; you will probably have to put down your HCL grade. For those that asked for A levels only, I didn't put down my HCL grade (since it technically counts only as an O level subject), and I haven't been lynched for it yet (although my applications were mostly UK centric - perhaps Singapore firms will treat this differently).

Thanks micko07 for yr sharing of yr personal experience....

[AtoZ]

Hi, im looking for someone can teach my son chemistry (sec 3/ip school). Prefer male from top jc. East area. Interested pls send me pm. Thanks!

[starlight1968sg]

For a Science student (eg taking Phy, Chem, Maths), may I ask if 3rd lang be taken as a Contrasting subject?

Thanks.