NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (Diploma)
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dagong99:
Just to share, DS1 attended a talk by the College Councillor yesterday and was told that local universities will look at the CAP first and priority will be given to the higher CAP students than those taking honours but with lower CAP. This means that if a student taking honours for same subject with CAP, say 4.5, will 'loose out' to a student doing major with CAP 5. :roll:[/quote]dagong99Artume:
[quote=\"relaxedmom\"]Would like to seek some advice here. My DS is in year 4 of NUSH this year and considering taking up honours for some subjects next year. He is interested to take up honours mainly because of his intense interest in these subjects. Of course, I understand that he has to pass the eligibility criteria for those subjects before he can be considered for honours. But I wonder what is the advantages of taking honours on the practical side? Is honours considered like a H3 type of subject if we equate it to A levels? And what are the advantages for an honours student when applying to universities? Would really appreciate some advice from some experienced parents or students here. Thanks!
I would say that the knowledge gained and training provided from honours modules is very \"practical\", allowing deeper insight into many processes in the world around us, as well as to cultivate an inquisitive mindset that can be useful in most jobs in the future.
But back to the other \"practical\" that some parents are more concerned about... Honour modules vs major modules are in a lot of ways similar to A level's H3 vs H2 subjects. When the students apply to university, the most important criteria is the CAP at the end, and subject combination is only secondary in importance. Taking honours module will perhaps give an advantage when applying to more \"academic\" scholarships, such as those from A*STAR, and will also help in application when competition is high and the CAP is good enough (e.g. some universities ask college counsellors to rate the rigour of student's chosen course as compared to the cohort).
This is not meant at you. But I must said this is a rather shocking thought and a typical kiasu and kiasi mentality.
Imagine those students who are capable of doing a subject CAP of 5.0 consistently in their respective modules chose to do a major rather than an honour where they will learn more and stretch their potential. Invariably their subject mentor will also question the wisdom of their choice.
Any NUSH student who harbor such thought will probably never make up the the cream in the cohort. Passion is lost when fear is utmost in deciding a major to guaranteed top grade where equally DC could have also secure a top grade in an honour module. The only acceptable factor is when DC is doing too many honours and cannot handle the work load and hence DC can choose to \"down grade\" to a major after year 5/6. Results have shown that those who graduating with honours in respective module normally excelled in that respective module.
Even in local university admission context, the graduation transcript of 2 NUSH students doing similar subject( one with and the other without honours) will be viewed differently. This is my humble opinion. -
matadorepy:
I agree that the highlighted part is quite unfortunate. No, it doesn't shock me that many parents equate education to the dollars and cents thereafter.
This is not meant at you. But I must said this is a rather shocking thought and a typical kiasu and kiasi mentality.
matadorepy:
I agree on this part about stretching, even at the risk or the expense of lower grades. We left it very much to our boy to decide coz he'll be the one who has to put in the hard work. Frankly, I was quite glad he decide to get out of his comfort zone and accept the challenge!Imagine those students who are capable of doing a subject CAP of 5.0 consistently in their respective modules chose to do a major rather than an honour where they will learn more and stretch their potential. Invariably their subject mentor will also question the wisdom of their choice.
matadorepy:
Even if we do not harbour the thought of being the cream, I believe in the importance of following one's passion. I think that's why my boy ended up in NUSH instead of the 'safer' A level or IB route.Any NUSH student who harbor such thought will probably never make up the cream in the cohort. Passion is lost when fear is utmost in deciding a major to guaranteed top grade where equally DC could have also secure a top grade in an honour module. The only acceptable factor is when DC is doing too many honours and cannot handle the work load and hence DC can choose to \"down grade\" to a major after year 5/6.
Results have shown that those who graduating with honours in respective module normally excelled in that respective module.
Falling short of our goals will be inevitable in life. But what is important is reflection and realignment thereafter, especially in this very dynamic era.
Juz my 2c -
Nebbermind:
I agree that the highlighted part is quite unfortunate. No, it doesn't shock me that many parents equate education to the dollars and cents thereafter.matadorepy:
This is not meant at you. But I must said this is a rather shocking thought and a typical kiasu and kiasi mentality.
matadorepy:
I agree on this part about stretching, even at the risk or the expense of lower grades. We left it very much to our boy to decide coz he'll be the one who has to put in the hard work. Frankly, I was quite glad he decide to get out of his comfort zone and accept the challenge!Imagine those students who are capable of doing a subject CAP of 5.0 consistently in their respective modules chose to do a major rather than an honour where they will learn more and stretch their potential. Invariably their subject mentor will also question the wisdom of their choice.
matadorepy:
Even if we do not harbour the thought of being the cream, I believe in the importance of following one's passion. I think that's why my boy ended up in NUSH instead of the 'safer' A level or IB route.Any NUSH student who harbor such thought will probably never make up the cream in the cohort. Passion is lost when fear is utmost in deciding a major to guaranteed top grade where equally DC could have also secure a top grade in an honour module. The only acceptable factor is when DC is doing too many honours and cannot handle the work load and hence DC can choose to \"down grade\" to a major after year 5/6.
Results have shown that those who graduating with honours in respective module normally excelled in that respective module.
Falling short of our goals will be inevitable in life. But what is important is reflection and realignment thereafter, especially in this very dynamic era.
Juz my 2c
Well said. Fully agreed. If DC always look for comfort zone, they will always miss the stars. Allowing DC to challenge their own self-belief and do re-alignment where necessary is the way forward positively. -
matadorepy:
I agree that the highlighted part is quite unfortunate. No, it doesn't shock me that many parents equate education to the dollars and cents thereafter.Nebbermind:
[quote=\"matadorepy\"]
This is not meant at you. But I must said this is a rather shocking thought and a typical kiasu and kiasi mentality.
matadorepy:
I agree on this part about stretching, even at the risk or the expense of lower grades. We left it very much to our boy to decide coz he'll be the one who has to put in the hard work. Frankly, I was quite glad he decide to get out of his comfort zone and accept the challenge!Imagine those students who are capable of doing a subject CAP of 5.0 consistently in their respective modules chose to do a major rather than an honour where they will learn more and stretch their potential. Invariably their subject mentor will also question the wisdom of their choice.
matadorepy:
Even if we do not harbour the thought of being the cream, I believe in the importance of following one's passion. I think that's why my boy ended up in NUSH instead of the 'safer' A level or IB route.Any NUSH student who harbor such thought will probably never make up the cream in the cohort. Passion is lost when fear is utmost in deciding a major to guaranteed top grade where equally DC could have also secure a top grade in an honour module. The only acceptable factor is when DC is doing too many honours and cannot handle the work load and hence DC can choose to \"down grade\" to a major after year 5/6.
Results have shown that those who graduating with honours in respective module normally excelled in that respective module.
Falling short of our goals will be inevitable in life. But what is important is reflection and realignment thereafter, especially in this very dynamic era.
Juz my 2c
Well said. Fully agreed. If DC always look for comfort zone, they will always miss the stars. Allowing DC to challenge their own self-belief and do re-alignment where necessary is the way forward positively.[/quote]I think those who chose NUSH instead of the more established schools with track records, especially during the earlier years (NUSHS is only 10 years old this year) are already those who are going out of the comfort zone and not neccesary \"obssessed\" with grades, including the parents. Just that we are curious about what's the rationale behind this ... shouldn't they be encouraged and motivated more by doing honours ? :scratchhead: -
matadorepy:
dagong99
Just to share, DS1 attended a talk by the College Councillor yesterday and was told that local universities will look at the CAP first and priority will be given to the higher CAP students than those taking honours but with lower CAP. This means that if a student taking honours for same subject with CAP, say 4.5, will 'loose out' to a student doing major with CAP 5. :roll:dagong99:
[quote=\"Artume\"]
I would say that the knowledge gained and training provided from honours modules is very \"practical\", allowing deeper insight into many processes in the world around us, as well as to cultivate an inquisitive mindset that can be useful in most jobs in the future.
But back to the other \"practical\" that some parents are more concerned about... Honour modules vs major modules are in a lot of ways similar to A level's H3 vs H2 subjects. When the students apply to university, the most important criteria is the CAP at the end, and subject combination is only secondary in importance. Taking honours module will perhaps give an advantage when applying to more \"academic\" scholarships, such as those from A*STAR, and will also help in application when competition is high and the CAP is good enough (e.g. some universities ask college counsellors to rate the rigour of student's chosen course as compared to the cohort).
This is not meant at you. But I must said this is a rather shocking thought and a typical kiasu and kiasi mentality.
Imagine those students who are capable of doing a subject CAP of 5.0 consistently in their respective modules chose to do a major rather than an honour where they will learn more and stretch their potential. Invariably their subject mentor will also question the wisdom of their choice.
Any NUSH student who harbor such thought will probably never make up the the cream in the cohort. Passion is lost when fear is utmost in deciding a major to guaranteed top grade where equally DC could have also secure a top grade in an honour module. The only acceptable factor is when DC is doing too many honours and cannot handle the work load and hence DC can choose to \"down grade\" to a major after year 5/6. Results have shown that those who graduating with honours in respective module normally excelled in that respective module.
Even in local university admission context, the graduation transcript of 2 NUSH students doing similar subject( one with and the other without honours) will be viewed differently. This is my humble opinion.[/quote]No, it is applied across the board. I believe the school will have stringent criteria and those who apply and are able to do honours will perform as well, if not, better.
Agreed, especially when it comes to scholarship applications. I believe preference will be given to one with honours vs one without, although other factors such as involvement in community services, CCA, leadership, etc do play a part. Nowsadays, people are looking at a more holistic development of the candidates rather than just grades.
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matadorepy:
That was my understanding too as I was told by one of the school Councillors that the CAP matters only to a range. So if one is in the range of CAP of 4.5, then the other achievements, awards, CCA/leadership/CIP, and honors play a more important role than whether the cap is a 4.6 or a 4.8.
Even in local university admission context, the graduation transcript of 2 NUSH students doing similar subject( one with and the other without honours) will be viewed differently. This is my humble opinion. -
dagong99:
Quite true...ie, choosing NUSH was the first step out of the comfort zone.
I think those who chose NUSH instead of the more established schools with track records, especially during the earlier years (NUSHS is only 10 years old this year) are already those who are going out of the comfort zone and not neccesary \"obssessed\" with grades, including the parents. Just that we are curious about what's the rationale behind this ... shouldn't they be encouraged and motivated more by doing honours ? :scratchhead:
Not sure about the rationale behind the CAP/local uni thing...for us, it was θΉε°ζ‘₯ι¨θͺηΆη΄γγγhoot first... -
Hi,
Iβve a couple of qns and wonder if someone can help.
a) What happens if a student graduates from NUSH with a diploma but results not good enough to enter local U? Then what?
b) For A level, itβs possible to retake as private candidate. What about for NUSH diploma?
I know the 2 qns are related. Thanks. -
iRabbit:
These questions didn't occur to me. Try first and worry later.Hi,
I've a couple of qns and wonder if someone can help.
a) What happens if a student graduates from NUSH with a diploma but results not good enough to enter local U? Then what?
b) For A level, it's possible to retake as private candidate. What about for NUSH diploma?
I know the 2 qns are related. Thanks.
Perhaps you can ask the question when you go for the open house today? -
Support us ! :rahrah: Come down to the BIG booth and CAtAlYZr booth today, the students have put in a lot of effort and preparation. :thankyou:
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