JC or Poly?

[deardear07]

thanks jtoh, ur argument makes sense too… right now just thinking what options there r to go…

[hercules]

I think the two boys in my girl’s class who made it to NUS Med/Dentistry/Pharmaceutical didnt really aim for such courses when they opted for poly more than 10 years ago. They probably decided coz of their preference of hand-on (like my girl). In these kids’ minds, they might think A levels is a ‘waste of time’ (at least that was my girl’s thinking when she decided on poly as she felt no point in cramming for GP, Maths etc any further though she was strong in them).


At least two of her coursemates went on to pursue Med in UK after rejected by local unis, with one of them specialises in pediatric cancer. What her coursemates told her was if got money, Med courses overseas are ‘much easier’ than in Singapore (in the sense, have more ‘study-life balance’ and could still afford some party time). Of course, a lot of $$$$ involved.

*A small add on: those who cant make it to IP dont need to feel so dismay. With PSLE at 260++, my girl qualified for IP but didnt join her friends into a popular IP school (her resistance against ‘peer pressure’ is very good in many cases). When she sought my opinion on whether O levels or IP, I told her if IP might shut her option to polys in the event that she preferred it four years later. True enough, the choice of O levels was a good one that she made when she finally decided on poly.

[doodbug]

hercules:

I think the two boys in my girl's class who made it to NUS Med/Dentistry/Pharmaceutical didnt really aim for such courses when they opted for poly more than 10 years ago. They probably decided coz of their preference of hand-on (like my girl). In these kids' minds, they might think A levels is a 'waste of time' (at least that was my girl's thinking when she decided on poly as she felt no point in cramming for GP, Maths etc any further though she was strong in them).


At least two of her coursemates went on to pursue Med in UK after rejected by local unis, with one of them specialises in pediatric cancer. What her coursemates told her was if got money, Med courses overseas are 'much easier' than in Singapore (in the sense, have more 'study-life balance' and could still afford some party time). Of course, a lot of $$$$ involved.

*A small add on: those who cant make it to IP dont need to feel so dismay. With PSLE at 260++, my girl qualified for IP but didnt join her friends into a popular IP school (her resistance against 'peer pressure' is very good in many cases). When she sought my opinion on whether O levels or IP, I told her if IP might shut her option to polys in the event that she preferred it four years later. True enough, the choice of O levels was a good one that she made when she finally decided on poly.

You are an extremely enlightened and supportive mom! Ahead of your times!

[Funz]

Think DD will be nodding and nodding her head if she were to read Hercules' post.


DS was saying he thinks those who are clear what they want to pursue as a career may decide to go Poly as they will be studying what is directly relevant to what they want to pursue. Like DD who is very sure about what is her 1st choice and possible fall backs if her results are not good enough. Those who are like him, still no idea what they want to pursue may go JC to buy themselves 2 more years to decide what to do.

[jtoh]

I understand that some poly students get credits for their diploma and get to skip some modules in university. Do A level students get any credit when they head for the local polytechnics after A levels?

[floppy]

jtoh:

I understand that some poly students get credits for their diploma and get to skip some modules in university. Do A level students get any credit when they head for the local polytechnics after A levels?

Credit? A pat on the back? :evil:

Nope. They start from Yr 1, together with the O Level cohort. No credits for any modules.

[zac's mum]

floppy:

jtoh:

I understand that some poly students get credits for their diploma and get to skip some modules in university. Do A level students get any credit when they head for the local polytechnics after A levels?

Credit? A pat on the back? :evil:

Nope. They start from Yr 1, together with the O Level cohort. No credits for any modules.

What pat on the back. More likely they get the evil eye if anyone knows they were from JC.

I never even knew about the “thing” Poly peeps have against JC peeps, until I started dating DH. Apparently people who have been thru JC give off an elitist vibe.

[Clar06]

slmkhoo:

Clar06:

Yes, already analyse everything for her. Told her final decision is still hers and she has to work towards it in whichever path choose. It’s her life anyway. We can only support..

Sometimes, they have to think it out and experience the ups and downs for themselves. For us, we advised our older girl the other way - to do A levels first, then poly. We knew she couldn't handle poly at 16, and hoped that the 3 years in MI would help her grow and mature a bit more. After that, she went to poly, and would probably have been ok. But she was also offered a university for a course she preferred. So you never know, if your daughter takes A levels, she might still do well enough to get a university place. At worst, take a longer route.

Thanks for the encouragement. Anyway, she has decided to apply for the JC course at CJC, DHS (COP est between 12 to 15 according to them when she attended the open hse) and Meridian. If she can’t get into any of these 3, she will settle for poly business course.

[floppy]

zac's mum:

...
I never even knew about the “thing” Poly peeps have against JC peeps, until I started dating DH. Apparently people who have been thru JC give off an elitist vibe.

I think it’s due to the difference in COP in the past. As per earlier comments, in the past, 6-10 pointers opting for JC would probably find themselves in the news and even a 15 pointer picking the poly route is likely to create a buzz.

Today, with poly courses COP going as low as 7, I don’t think many people can reasonably claim that JC people still has that elitist vibe.

[JJ1111]

floppy:

Today, with poly courses COP going as low as 7, I don’t think many people can reasonably claim that JC people still has that elitist vibe.

Poly COP is 5 subjects. JC is 6 subjects.

Alot of my friend's child result is able to get into JC but chosen to go poly.