National Junior College (Junior High)

[Shaansan]

Thanks for your reply mommyng. Will it be too stressful to do both CCA as well as AEP? How should i help my daughter prepare for the DSA?

[mommyNg]

Shaansan:

Thanks for your reply mommyng. Will it be too stressful to do both CCA as well as AEP? How should i help my daughter prepare for the DSA?

Not really, especially if your dd has passion in it. Mine is enjoying herself a lot But it does take a bit of time (extra 3 hours a week), so if your dd has a lot of other commitments, then she may have to juggle a bit.

I don't think your dd really need to prepare for the DSA. Just be herself and do her best!

All the best to her!

[Steadyberry]

Would like to ask for y1, kids go through all ccas then decide which one to choose at y2? Tia.

[Jennifer]

Steadyberry:

Would like to ask for y1, kids go through all ccas then decide which one to choose at y2? Tia.

Have you registered to attend this year Open House in May?

Better go ask at the Open House.

[ntnl]

mommyNg:

Shaansan:

1. Yes, AEP is not a CCA. It is an academic programme (just like accelerated Math, MEP, etc.), so students taking AEP are still required to participate in at least one CCA. By the way, NJC has an awesome AEP programme.

2. DSA in NJC is very straightforward. The child must first go through the first round of selection tests, which include Math and English. If he/she is shortlisted, then he/she will be invited for a second round, which could be an interview and/or a team-based activity (it may vary from year to year). Not sure about the actual acceptance/offer rate, should be pretty competitive, maybe 10-20% success rate?

Hi Shaansan, mommyNg,
AEP selection had no entry requirements (this year 2016). Interested students (regardless of Art background) gathered on 05 Jan morning for a selection test.

NJC DSA (2015, for 2016 entry) was via academic only. E online form asked for minimum information. All who registered (GEP/not GEP) needed to sit for Admission Test: (1) 1h15min Reading Comprehension test (2) 1.5h Math Reasoning test, both occurring on e same day.

10% from Round 1 were invited to Phase 2 (Essay Writing & Interview), scheduled on different days. Essay writing lasted an hour, topic was along e line of a Self-Introduction. Interview was 1 candidate versus a panel of teachers (Vice-Principal/Principal, plus about 3 ex-teachers). U needed to convince e panel tt u'd accept e offer if u were given e Confirmed status (notification came via snail mail). A third from Phase 2 were given a Confirmed status. Hearsay had it tt even though NJC did not used to offer Waitlist status, it offered last year, to Dc's classmate for 1.

U only needed to furnish papers (if you bring along e original copies, NJC Admin office can stamp e photocopies for you) when you were shortlisted for Phase 2.

Parents may worry about their children not being able to catch up in e IP system. Yes, it is rigorous, a good percentage find themselves failing class tests by e end of Term 1. But not to worry, teachers r known to take personal time (recess, breaks) out to tutor them in smaller groups. From Term 2 onwards, e school arranges for Consolidation (after class remedial for those who require extra assistance) classes across e level.

Hope this helps.

[Steadyberry]

Jennifer:

Steadyberry:

Would like to ask for y1, kids go through all ccas then decide which one to choose at y2? Tia.

Have you registered to attend this year Open House in May?

Better go ask at the Open House.

yes reg already. also curious why no ug. will ask at oh, thanks.

[ntnl]

Jennifer:

Steadyberry:

Would like to ask for y1, kids go through all ccas then decide which one to choose at y2?

Have you registered to attend this year Open House in May?

Hi Steadyberry, Jennifer,
This year, u get to rank your choices - 1 has to be music, another sports. Amongst ur choices, u'll be assigned a Music CCA to attend for a term; u'll also be assigned a Sports CCA to attend for another separate term. At e end of Cafe, u'll again get to exercise your choice (remainder of JH1 through to JH4).

[Steadyberry]

Thank you ntnl.

[Jennifer]

ntnl:

Jennifer:

[quote=\"Steadyberry\"]Would like to ask for y1, kids go through all ccas then decide which one to choose at y2?

Have you registered to attend this year Open House in May?

Hi Steadyberry, Jennifer,
This year, u get to rank your choices - 1 has to be music, another sports. Amongst ur choices, u'll be assigned a Music CCA to attend for a term; u'll also be assigned a Sports CCA to attend for another separate term. At e end of Cafe, u'll again get to exercise your choice (remainder of JH1 through to JH4).[/quote]Seems like there is always something different in the way CAFE is administered.

In the past, it was one choice must be from a performing arts, not limited to music, and another choice from any others, if I remember correctly.

Better clarify at the Open House for next year cohort.

NJC was a JC, then participated in IP. Small cohort, difficult to have uniformed groups- unable to meet numbers of participants to make it a meaningful cca.

[Shaansan]

Thanks a lot for all the generous and kind parents and students who have replied to my queries. The information is very useful.


I would like some more information about the essay writing please. Is it usually a personal statement. ALso what do they usually ask during the interview session.