* Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) - College

[jerrold]

Hi im not sure if you’re still looking for info because the DSA window might be over, but here’s what I know:


I graduated from HC some years ago. I didn’t apply DSA because I very luckily got into HC from sec 1, and getting there through IP is easier than DSA-ing at sec4.

This means I don’t know the application process very well, but I do know roughly what the school’s like and how it thinks. Or at least what it used to think 3 years ago.

Let’s start from the numbers. These are mostly estimates, but basically, out of about 1.5k places they have each year, 70-80% will already be taken up by IP students. Thats 1200 places gone.

Then there’s always some places reserved for top A level scorers which they won’t release until after exams. And also those reserved to bring in all-star sportsmen to win medals for the school and other discretionary admissions. Let’s just assume each category has 100 places.

This means there are like 100 or less places left for DSA . So the basic chance is the number of applicants divided by 100. Hence if 600 people apply, then you have 1/6 chance just looking at numbers alone and nothing else. I’m not sure how many people apply per year though, but I suspect HC gets quite a lot.

Now from this basic 1/6 chance, let’s consider your portfolio and determine if you’re above or below the average 1/6.

From my experience, schools dig councillors and HC is no exception. Councillors are great because they (a) help the school run events, (b) help the school by getting into good universities and winning scholarships, help the school because they usually are the alumnis who donate the most, and (d) love the school the most, and (e) keep other students in check. So from what you’ve listed ‘head prefect’ sounds pretty good. If I were you i’d emphasise that. And being class chairman (probably sec1-sec2?) and your good results does reinforce that image of the hardworking responsible councillor.

The next thing is i notice you’re good at math. Or at least it seems so. Not sure what "award for high distinction in A maths" is, but if it means you top your school level in maths, thats a good thing. A silver medal in commonwealth writing is also not bad, but HC is more of a science than an arts school. In the same light winning a Malay debate is rather unique and does set you apart, but i think it’s obvious that malay debate isnt a big thing in HC.

As for constant A1s, distinction in AMC and hon mention in SMO, these are fairly common. Not that they don’t mean anything, but those who apply DSA usually have very strong portfolios.

As for silver in olympiad, that really helps. HC likes winning international olympiads (the school calls them world championships) so if they think you can help them do that, you have a good chance. So much so that imo if you have a gold you are confirm in.

All in all I’d say you’re an above average applicant mostly because of that head prefect thing. If there’s an interview, be prepared to be asked about that. Since the base rate is 1/6, I’d say you have 1/4-1/5 chance.

Of course, this is assuming there are 600 people looking for 100 places, and all have similarly good portfolios. Any or even all of the assumptions I’ve made can be wrong, and things could have changed since I graduated. But I hope my analysis helps you. The best advice i can give is apply for DSA, try your best to get it, and if you do things will rock for you. If you don’t i think based on your results you have a decent chance of getting in too. Just that you will have to study harder to make sure. I think that’s not a problem for you.

[Annie1997]

Hi

I also applied HCI through academic n leadership

Do you get any good news?

[Peccavi]

It's the first time I post I'm a sec3 student. Next year I want to try dsa into hwa Chong through academics and sports. My CCA is \"science and tech\"(robotics). As you know it's not a popular CCA but i did won many competitions include Olympiads in my sec3(I'm a foreign student so only came last year). I would like to know the chances of success. Can any kind soul help me? I am new here but I saw a lot of experienced seniors and parents who are very helpful The followings are awards that I won:

- smo(math Olympiad senior) silver
- cross country school \"B\" girls 1st runner up
( I was supposed to represent our school in national cross country but it's clash with our level overseas via )
- sports day 800 2nd runner up
- student council member
- icas math high distinction
- icas science distinction
- sec3 overall top level (all A1 except English A2)

In sec 4, I still have these competitions:
- cross country( hope to rep school for national cross country!)
- NOI(national Olympiads in Informatics) I aim for at least silver. I will go for a workshop in nus in dec holidays. Does hwa Chong recognize this award?
- Youth innovation challenge by SMU( this one I'm not sure about its importance, anyone heard of it?)
- Tan Kia Kee young inventors' award( this one I also not very sure if hwa Chong will recognize or not)
- icas math
- icas science
- smo(open) I heard it's quite hard to get into round 2 in open cat. so I will not expect much from that...
- sjpo( physics Olympiads) it's at the end of July so cannot be used in dsa I guess)
- sjcho( chemistry Olympiads) round 2 also later than submission of dsa application. Is it useful if I say I get into round 2?

So, is my awards sufficient for dsa? For the next year competitions which I have listed above, how can I prioritize them? Which of them is hwa Chong looking for?
Btw, will my current CCA affect anything? Does hwa Chong filter applicants based on the schools they are from?

[gjooheng]

i think you stand a chance. just go for it.


criteria

http://www.hci.edu.sg/uploadfile/dsa/Direct%20School%20Admission%20info%20attachment%202014.pdf

for medal, whether for academic or sports, need to win at international or national level.

my student from bedok green sec DSA to Hwa Chong JC through canoeing. she won 2 medals at National Inter-school Canoeing Championship.

[Peccavi]

i think you stand a chance. just go for it.


criteria



for medal, whether for academic or sports, need to win at international or national level.

my student from bedok green sec DSA to Hwa Chong JC through canoeing. she won 2 medals at National Inter-school Canoeing Championship.

Thanks a lot for the link. That's super useful!! But if my cca is not cross country( like the example you give me), will my medal for that still be useful?

[gjooheng]

i think you have many qualities that hci likes: winning math olympiad, student council, math high distinction, strong in science, overall good results.


for cross country, if you can win a medal at national level, then you gain merit under sports.

good info here

http://www.domainofexperts.com/2014/07/advice-on-applying-to-hci-via.html

[zbear]

gjooheng:

i think you have many qualities that hci likes: winning math olympiad, student council, math high distinction, strong in science, overall good results.


for cross country, if you can win a medal at national level, then you gain merit under sports.

Hmmm, I think not only HCI will like your qualities, all schools will also like you.

So long as you are able to contribute n bring glory to any school, you will be welcomed.

[zbear]

Hi All


I like to start a new home thread for all JC students and parents so that it's easier to discuss n share topics for JC section.

Pls fall in n lets form a group to chitchat. Hope there will be a good response

I will start first -

zbear DS JC1
chandelier DS JC1
esme38 DD JC1
tsh0202 DS JC1
joe0599 DS JC1
Mum1113 DS JC1

[Chandelier]

Checking in :rahrah: :thankyou: Zbear for creating this thread for JC :snuggles: I will try my best to stay active in this thread coz I am flying and most of the time not in town


DS in JC 1

[zbear]

Chandelier:

Checking in :rahrah: :thankyou: Zbear for creating this thread for JC :snuggles: I will try my best to stay active in this thread coz I am flying and most of the time not in town


DS in JC 1

Welcome Chandelier to HC JC.

Hope you will have the time to read n talk about our dear boys who will be 'suffering' for the next two years.

DS told me they have been warned yesterday that they will go through 'hell' after orientation ends.

:rotflmao: