DSA 2017
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Notabene:
For what its worth, I think it's important that you research the differences btw IB and A levels BEFORE accepting DSA. Personally, one major advantage is the fact that majority of the marks at the end of IB is through constant submissions and continual assessment and NOT through one pressurised exam like A levels. I think its only 30-40% of the final mark that is reliant on the final set of exams. Overseas universities much prefer IB students over A levels due to their university like training and independent thinking, and in fact, universities in the US and UK accept IB students even before the IB results are released based on their Pre IB results. In Australia, IB students receive converted ATAR marks that are much higher their equivalent HSC peers. Such is the quality, strength and reliability of the rigorous IB training. It is the more expensive system to implement in secondary schools due to the breadth of subjects offered (and depth), hence not majority of schools can afford to switch to the IB system, and it's also the reason why MOE mandates that any school that offers IB must therefore vet students academically. It is accepted world wide that IB is far more academically rigorous. Just my two cents worth
:goodpost: :thankyou: Thks to RIvervalekid and Notabene for clearing my hesitation over IB. Yup did my own research. At least for my dd IB is a go ahead since she has the offer. -
Rivervalekid:
3 parents just DM me ask me why must take up sota so I share here for future reference. like SOTA , MGS also has the IB programme and it is more holistic in learning. Train kids in university style so very good training ground now to instill discipline as well as consistent learning via modular units unlike A levels which is chiong like the last 3 mths b4 A levels exams. Dun flame me but this is wat I have gathered from friends k *peace peace* . You see if you go international schs must pay like $2000 plus per mth to do IB and govt schs offering the IB is like ACSI MGS (IB track) SJI (IB track) SOTA Sports School - u knw u are really getting value for $ by taking up the offer. Even if *choi* fail IB you still get the IB certs which has credits into foreign universities not like A levels (ok pls dun flame me again cos heard this from another SOTA parent applicant in the Whatapp Group Chat) so you see that is why if you can get into Sports School or SOTA both the cannot apply by PSLE JAE thing, you shld take it up as since it means your child is special to get in. SOTA was my first choice due to location for my kid near my workplace in Orchard but since she cant due to non admission to TA, we decided to go for MGS (IB) again for the IB syllabus as Mummy here dun have $2000 plus to spare for HCSI, SJII, ACSInt or other International schools which is very costly. Even my ah gal cannot DSA still trying to work for PSLE results to get in. So hopefully my personal sharing can enlighten those few parents who DM me and who are unsure whether a not to let their kids get in to SOTA after receiving the CO to ponder over the benefits beside worrying over whether the kid can get into local Uni a not. Local uni as long got 35/45 and above can get in. I personally check liao and another Mummy here also confirmed this but in her case she said 38/45 to be safer. My neighbour ACSI boy gotten 40/45 points last yr and got into NUS good course so actually nothing to worry rly.
i agree that IB is more holistic that A levels.
However I disagree with \"Local uni as long got 35/45 and above can get in\". It depends on the course you want in local uni. Don't expect to get into the popular courses with 35/45.
Perspective from a mum who has a DD that finished A levels, and a DS doing IB. IB is not for everyone. You need to have a flair for writing for IB. In A levels, you need to write for GP and largely humanities subjects. In IB, you need to write and do research for almost every subject. And if your kid hates writing, IB may not be suitable.
Please also look at the culture of each school. SOTA's students are a specialised lot. The school culture is inherently different too. Not all kids can fit SOTA culture.
Would i have put my DD into IB? No, cos she doesn't suit IB. A level was a good fit for her. -
what r the remaining schools that hasnt announced results?
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My elder DD is doing IP, year 3, she did mention that IB is tougher than IP, is it true? IP is also for independent learners and lots of projects, to me, it’s similar to IB. Anyone can share more information?
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Rivervalekid:
3 parents just DM me ask me why must take up sota so I share here for future reference. like SOTA , MGS also has the IB programme and it is more holistic in learning. Train kids in university style so very good training ground now to instill discipline as well as consistent learning via modular units unlike A levels which is chiong like the last 3 mths b4 A levels exams. Dun flame me but this is wat I have gathered from friends k *peace peace* . You see if you go international schs must pay like $2000 plus per mth to do IB and govt schs offering the IB is like ACSI MGS (IB track) SJI (IB track) SOTA Sports School - u knw u are really getting value for $ by taking up the offer. Even if *choi* fail IB you still get the IB certs which has credits into foreign universities not like A levels (ok pls dun flame me again cos heard this from another SOTA parent applicant in the Whatapp Group Chat) so you see that is why if you can get into Sports School or SOTA both the cannot apply by PSLE JAE thing, you shld take it up as since it means your child is special to get in. SOTA was my first choice due to location for my kid near my workplace in Orchard but since she cant due to non admission to TA, we decided to go for MGS (IB) again for the IB syllabus as Mummy here dun have $2000 plus to spare for HCSI, SJII, ACSInt or other International schools which is very costly. Even my ah gal cannot DSA still trying to work for PSLE results to get in. So hopefully my personal sharing can enlighten those few parents who DM me and who are unsure whether a not to let their kids get in to SOTA after receiving the CO to ponder over the benefits beside worrying over whether the kid can get into local Uni a not. Local uni as long got 35/45 and above can get in. I personally check liao and another Mummy here also confirmed this but in her case she said 38/45 to be safer. My neighbour ACSI boy gotten 40/45 points last yr and got into NUS good course so actually nothing to worry rly.
I disagree with your view, paying more $ doesn't equate to better education.
Whether or not to go for SOTA, should be based on whether SOTA is a good fit for the DC. DC who wants to pursue specialised arts talent will fit in SOTA better.
My personal friend's DD (at least 5 yrs back) accepted DSA thru Choir /Voice or Opera singing, disliked the school so much that she had to find a way out of SOTA eventually and transfer to a local girl school.
And I did heard of some rumors from my friends about the school's academic standard not so up to mark...Don't :torchme: (not referring to all IB schools and MGS) -
zeemimi:
Rivervalekid:
3 parents just DM me ask me why must take up sota so I share here for future reference. like SOTA , MGS also has the IB programme and it is more holistic in learning. Train kids in university style so very good training ground now to instill discipline as well as consistent learning via modular units unlike A levels which is chiong like the last 3 mths b4 A levels exams. Dun flame me but this is wat I have gathered from friends k *peace peace* . You see if you go international schs must pay like $2000 plus per mth to do IB and govt schs offering the IB is like ACSI MGS (IB track) SJI (IB track) SOTA Sports School - u knw u are really getting value for $ by taking up the offer. Even if *choi* fail IB you still get the IB certs which has credits into foreign universities not like A levels (ok pls dun flame me again cos heard this from another SOTA parent applicant in the Whatapp Group Chat) so you see that is why if you can get into Sports School or SOTA both the cannot apply by PSLE JAE thing, you shld take it up as since it means your child is special to get in. SOTA was my first choice due to location for my kid near my workplace in Orchard but since she cant due to non admission to TA, we decided to go for MGS (IB) again for the IB syllabus as Mummy here dun have $2000 plus to spare for HCSI, SJII, ACSInt or other International schools which is very costly. Even my ah gal cannot DSA still trying to work for PSLE results to get in. So hopefully my personal sharing can enlighten those few parents who DM me and who are unsure whether a not to let their kids get in to SOTA after receiving the CO to ponder over the benefits beside worrying over whether the kid can get into local Uni a not. Local uni as long got 35/45 and above can get in. I personally check liao and another Mummy here also confirmed this but in her case she said 38/45 to be safer. My neighbour ACSI boy gotten 40/45 points last yr and got into NUS good course so actually nothing to worry rly.
i agree that IB is more holistic that A levels.
However I disagree with \"Local uni as long got 35/45 and above can get in\". It depends on the course you want in local uni. Don't expect to get into the popular courses with 35/45.
Perspective from a mum who has a DD that finished A levels, and a DS doing IB. IB is not for everyone. You need to have a flair for writing for IB. In A levels, you need to write for GP and largely humanities subjects. In IB, you need to write and do research for almost every subject. And if your kid hates writing, IB may not be suitable.
Please also look at the culture of each school. SOTA's students are a specialised lot. The school culture is inherently different too. Not all kids can fit SOTA culture.
Would i have put my DD into IB? No, cos she doesn't suit IB. A level was a good fit for her.
Hey 35/45 can enter Uni but depend on which course that you want. For Meds is 43/45, Law >40/45, Engineering courses and some social sciences range >35 . Personally checked with the Uni staffs I know in NTU by my nephew who is an intern there. Cannot go wrong. Kept asking him to confirm validity. 35/45 of course cannot go all course. I said can go Uni not all courses. Nothing is absolute anyway. -
scotia:
Rivervalekid:
3 parents just DM me ask me why must take up sota so I share here for future reference. like SOTA , MGS also has the IB programme and it is more holistic in learning. Train kids in university style so very good training ground now to instill discipline as well as consistent learning via modular units unlike A levels which is chiong like the last 3 mths b4 A levels exams. Dun flame me but this is wat I have gathered from friends k *peace peace* . You see if you go international schs must pay like $2000 plus per mth to do IB and govt schs offering the IB is like ACSI MGS (IB track) SJI (IB track) SOTA Sports School - u knw u are really getting value for $ by taking up the offer. Even if *choi* fail IB you still get the IB certs which has credits into foreign universities not like A levels (ok pls dun flame me again cos heard this from another SOTA parent applicant in the Whatapp Group Chat) so you see that is why if you can get into Sports School or SOTA both the cannot apply by PSLE JAE thing, you shld take it up as since it means your child is special to get in. SOTA was my first choice due to location for my kid near my workplace in Orchard but since she cant due to non admission to TA, we decided to go for MGS (IB) again for the IB syllabus as Mummy here dun have $2000 plus to spare for HCSI, SJII, ACSInt or other International schools which is very costly. Even my ah gal cannot DSA still trying to work for PSLE results to get in. So hopefully my personal sharing can enlighten those few parents who DM me and who are unsure whether a not to let their kids get in to SOTA after receiving the CO to ponder over the benefits beside worrying over whether the kid can get into local Uni a not. Local uni as long got 35/45 and above can get in. I personally check liao and another Mummy here also confirmed this but in her case she said 38/45 to be safer. My neighbour ACSI boy gotten 40/45 points last yr and got into NUS good course so actually nothing to worry rly.
I disagree with your view, paying more $ doesn't equate to better education.
Whether or not to go for SOTA, should be based on whether SOTA is a good fit for the DC. DC who wants to pursue specialised arts talent will fit in SOTA better.
My personal friend's DD (at least 5 yrs back) accepted DSA thru Choir /Voice or Opera singing, disliked the school so much that she had to find a way out of SOTA eventually and transfer to a local girl school.
And I did heard of some rumors from my friends about the school's academic standard not so up to mark...Don't :torchme: (not referring to all IB schools and MGS)
I prefer to see facts than believe rumor. Sorry Ah. SOTA has a President Scholar tis yr so I believe academic standard should be there. Anyway, argue like my gal going SOTA. Haha. Sadly no chance as not talented enuff in her art form so those who can get in just remember a lot of those on the Wait List are praying so hard for the CO ones to give up theirs so they can get in. Somehow feel the rumours part is not very justified.
Having said tis, all platforms be it A levels or IB are good, jus gotta have a good school-student fit. Both either way IP or IB are rigorous. My older son in RI also study until books bury his head in the nite so all are rigorous. I am jus c things in a diff viewpoint over price worthiness, I never said IB is better. I was comparing tat since if you have alr applied for SOTA or in my case MGS IB track , one must have alr done the research and convince tat the IB track is for your child. So I said it is better to study in these govt schools at a fraction of the costs of EXpensive Intl schools which charge like 2000++++ mthly. Did I miss anything tat may have brought such a big uproar against SOTA which I feel is a internationally known local school for performing arts tat gel a good academic programme along with it.
I did not say Expensive is good. I said it is worth it comparing to the charges of international school.
Think twice thrice for those who gotten the COs and give it up. Tat's my take after Catz2222 and 2 other parents DM me over their worries of cannot enter Local Unis which is not true lah. Just sharing info. I alr said dun flame. :whut: -
Rivervalekid:
zeemimi:
[quote=\"Rivervalekid\"]3 parents just DM me ask me why must take up sota so I share here for future reference. like SOTA , MGS also has the IB programme and it is more holistic in learning. Train kids in university style so very good training ground now to instill discipline as well as consistent learning via modular units unlike A levels which is chiong like the last 3 mths b4 A levels exams. Dun flame me but this is wat I have gathered from friends k *peace peace* . You see if you go international schs must pay like $2000 plus per mth to do IB and govt schs offering the IB is like ACSI MGS (IB track) SJI (IB track) SOTA Sports School - u knw u are really getting value for $ by taking up the offer. Even if *choi* fail IB you still get the IB certs which has credits into foreign universities not like A levels (ok pls dun flame me again cos heard this from another SOTA parent applicant in the Whatapp Group Chat) so you see that is why if you can get into Sports School or SOTA both the cannot apply by PSLE JAE thing, you shld take it up as since it means your child is special to get in. SOTA was my first choice due to location for my kid near my workplace in Orchard but since she cant due to non admission to TA, we decided to go for MGS (IB) again for the IB syllabus as Mummy here dun have $2000 plus to spare for HCSI, SJII, ACSInt or other International schools which is very costly. Even my ah gal cannot DSA still trying to work for PSLE results to get in. So hopefully my personal sharing can enlighten those few parents who DM me and who are unsure whether a not to let their kids get in to SOTA after receiving the CO to ponder over the benefits beside worrying over whether the kid can get into local Uni a not. Local uni as long got 35/45 and above can get in. I personally check liao and another Mummy here also confirmed this but in her case she said 38/45 to be safer. My neighbour ACSI boy gotten 40/45 points last yr and got into NUS good course so actually nothing to worry rly.
i agree that IB is more holistic that A levels.
However I disagree with \"Local uni as long got 35/45 and above can get in\". It depends on the course you want in local uni. Don't expect to get into the popular courses with 35/45.
Perspective from a mum who has a DD that finished A levels, and a DS doing IB. IB is not for everyone. You need to have a flair for writing for IB. In A levels, you need to write for GP and largely humanities subjects. In IB, you need to write and do research for almost every subject. And if your kid hates writing, IB may not be suitable.
Please also look at the culture of each school. SOTA's students are a specialised lot. The school culture is inherently different too. Not all kids can fit SOTA culture.
Would i have put my DD into IB? No, cos she doesn't suit IB. A level was a good fit for her.
Hey 35/45 can enter Uni but depend on which course that you want. For Meds is 43/45, Law >40/45, Engineering courses and some social sciences range >35 . Personally checked with the Uni staffs I know in NTU by my nephew who is an intern there. Cannot go wrong. Kept asking him to confirm validity. 35/45 of course cannot go all course. I said can go Uni not all courses. Nothing is absolute anyway.[/quote]Forget to add also depend on subject combination just like for A levels. -
Rainbow sky:
what r the remaining schools that hasnt announced results?
MGS SCGS are two tat i know of that is the end of the mth. I am waiting for MGS myself -
Rivervalekid:
Rgs has also not announced the results.Rainbow sky:
what r the remaining schools that hasnt announced results?
MGS SCGS are two tat i know of that is the end of the mth. I am waiting for MGS myself
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