NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (Diploma)

[bbbay]

lucid\" post_id=\"2127885\" time=\"1706068234\" user_id=\"14312:

Yes agree with you, with the caveat that the mainstream school’s DSA are not fully academic, for example there’s a art/music/sports /jock class too. Some do well exceedingly, others fall short as they may not hv entered otherwise. This is why even the Geppers try to enter dual track via Science/Math even though they are National level athletes ( to avoid being placed in the jock class).

Lesser class is precisely that, less resources, bigger class size…potentially more disruption from disengaged students. If there remains no equity there in the big mainstream schools , let’s just call it as it is. No offence to the ones with sensitivities - examine why one can be so triggered then. Once streamed out in R, it’s not easy to get back into the “top 10-20%” talent pool where they concentrate all academic and leadership opportunities. For nominal numbers you are looking at 50-100 (10-20%) at secondary level and around 120 (10%) at senior level.

Taking out the cream, R is still an elite school - made up of majority high achievers who will clear the minimum competency levels and thus, it is a great network to have as most will invariably rise to top of their respective fields. Many of us are alumni and benefited from this long tradition of picking up the phone and being able to get good advice/lobang/direction just because it’s fellow R. (Likewise the AC network).

In the case of @revils_ling we are discussing the environment of NUSH SUPRAcurruculars which ALL 170-180 talented and passionate students are given equal opportunities to be stretched in. It’s like discussing Harvard general course vs MIT/ Oxbridge specialised domains. I just find R environment is more rigid and unforgiving to someone who is not all rounder A , (to select into the top 10-20% talent pool).

Perhaps, the flip side is you can get imposter syndrome if you are too “all rounder normal” in NUSHigh. Small cohort is sometimes good while big cohort has its advantages too.
As someone shared - Compare Apples and orange .

What I agree is to make the best of it and find the FIT for the child. It requires extensive due diligence ( the good and bad) and also helping child develop resilience and a growth mindset. What’s important is landing in an environment where the child is EXCITED about school and enjoys the learning and social adventure over the next 6 years. In fact, I rem one of SJI’s open days very well when the principal said it was where the “boys become men”. It resonated so much with us , unfortunately the DSA interview clashed with NUSHigh camp so DS made the decision to forgo SJI. R was never in the cards as having been there, we were sure it was unsuitable for this particular child. That’s all.

Hmm… I don’t think even R’s DSA are all academic. Among the DSA academic, good in 1 subject does not alway translate to good in all subjects.

I believe a lot has changed in recent years, maybe it has become “more forgiving”. The principal just stepped down was principal of Crest secondary school before becoming R’s principal. It could be a sign of introducing some balance into R. During last year teacher parent session, my child’s teacher gave me an appalling look and reply, when she thought I wanted to force my child to take H3 when I was only wanted to chit chat on H3 subject.

[phtthp]

So much hype, about NUS High.

Certainly, no doubt about it, NUS High is indeed a good Sec school.


So many several batches of NUS High graduates, have passed by, have graduated. Some of them, already in their 30s, or aged late 20s.

NUS High contain the word "NUS", inside. This institute is affliated to NUS local University, after studying at the end of Year 6.


What I would like to know is …

what career path have all these NUS High graduates embarked upon, especially in the Maths & Science arena ? Those that are a bit …unusual ?

Pls don’t mention Engineering, because this is so common. Even IP students from the IPJCs, who did not do well in their A-level, are "dumped" into certain Engineering faculties, in our local universities. Because

that was happened, to some of my friends’ sons, after their A level in Top IP-JCs. Won’t want to name out these "dumped" Engineering faculties, so explicitly.

Also, no need to mention medical doctors, because this one we all know. NUS High, every year, got a few students who do enter local uni, for medicine. Say, out of per batch of around 170 graduates at Year 6, or more (because Sec 3 onwards, got overseas students joined NUS High), in terms of number(s) or in percentage, is … small.


Anyway, engineers and doctors, we all know.

But what I seldom hear of is, from NUS High, some scientist excel in Maths / Science field and … discover or invented something. Ah ! This is seldom heard of such stuff…

Or

am I ignorant, hence never hear of ?

Actually, the Dean (Principal) of NUS High ought to share info with parents : where do these NUS High graduates end up in career ? So many past several batches have already graduated. Surely, have sufficient info gathered.

See !

It is one thing, to know so many excited, starry eyed P6 students trying to DSAc into this school.
Entering, is only the beginning.

But, how u end up in … is even far more important, than how u have started out, at the starting line.

For those of us who had gone through life, have u heard of …

How or what u end up in, is more important than
how you started your journey ?
In history, there have been heros, in the beginning, very popular ! Hailed as so and so. Greatly been respected, basked in glory! But in the end, when they die, they led a sad, miserable life.

[lucid]

Interesting you asked. Not sure why all these parents are on NUSH thread when likely their kids are not there. Checking out competition ? Go look up LinkedIn then to get your answers.


Just fresh off school grapevine. Cambridge just sent out offers yesterday. Talk is that around 32 applied and so far it appears to be around 80/90% acceptance rate. Go figure how a school can get 18-20% of their cohort there. Also MIT and Ivy early acceptances have good success year after year. Including this .

Just different ball game. Yes, we talk up NUSHigh as we parents are grateful for the value add they have brought and also recognise there was a good fit. We share because we hope there are others who will benefit instead of listening to urban myths , and obviously not to soothe egos of people looking in to check out Clementi vibes . As mentioned, some of us share it as it is - as we have other kids elsewhere and are proud of our own alumni in Bishan and Bukit Timah too. Of course then go their threads to check out why they are a fit for many others too, not come here to challenge and blister .

phtthp\" post_id=\"2127928\" time=\"1706141287\" user_id=\"35251:

So much hype, about NUS High.
Certainly, no doubt about it, NUS High is indeed a good Sec school.


So many several batches of NUS High graduates, have passed by, have graduated. Some of them, already in their 30s, or aged late 20s.

NUS High contain the word \"NUS\", inside. This institute is affliated to NUS local University, after studying at the end of Year 6.


What I would like to know is ...

what career path have all these NUS High graduates embarked upon, especially in the Maths & Science arena ? Those that are a bit ...unusual ?

Pls don't mention Engineering, because this is so common. Even IP students from the IPJCs, who did not do well in their A-level, are \"dumped\" into certain Engineering faculties, in our local universities. Because

that was happened, to some of my friends' sons, after their A level in Top IP-JCs. Won't want to name out these \"dumped\" Engineering faculties, so explicitly.

Also, no need to mention medical doctors, because this one we all know. NUS High, every year, got a few students who do enter local uni, for medicine. Say, out of per batch of around 170 graduates at Year 6, or more (because Sec 3 onwards, got overseas students joined NUS High), in terms of number(s) or in percentage, is ... small.


Anyway, engineers and doctors, we all know.

But what I seldom hear of is, from NUS High, some scientist excel in Maths / Science field and ... discover or invented something. Ah ! This is seldom heard of such stuff...

Or

am I ignorant, hence never hear of ?

Actually, the Dean (Principal) of NUS High ought to share info with parents : where do these NUS High graduates end up in career ? So many past several batches have already graduated. Surely, have sufficient info gathered.

See !

It is one thing, to know so many excited, starry eyed P6 students trying to DSAc into this school.
Entering, is only the beginning.

But, how u end up in ... is even far more important, than how u have started out, at the starting line.

For those of us who had gone through life, have u heard of ....

How or what u end up in, is more important than
how you started your journey ?
In history, there have been heros, in the beginning, very popular ! Hailed as so and so. Greatly been respected, basked in glory! But in the end, when they die, they led a sad, miserable life.

[bbbay]

In case there are any misunderstandings: earlier a parent appeared to be deliberating on NUSH for the child on this thread. I recall the talked also included child’s inclination and R was brought up for cross reference. Some other parent also mentioned both NUSH and R in this thread for cross reference too. When I read about the description of R, it not exactly same as my recent experiences with it. Thus I was updating what may have changed now from my perspective, for the purpose of continue accurate cross reference. My update was a very small part what have been discussed on R by other parent. Most of other part I have no comment or I agree too.

[lucid]

bbbay\" post_id=\"2127944\" time=\"1706153961\" user_id=\"175278:

In case there are any misunderstandings: earlier a parent appeared to be deliberating on NUSH for the child on this thread. I recall the talked also included child’s inclination and R was brought up for cross reference. Some other parent also mentioned both NUSH and R in this thread for cross reference too. When I read about the description of R, it not exactly same as my recent experiences with it. Thus I was updating what may have changed now from my perspective, for the purpose of continue accurate cross reference. My update was a very small part what have been discussed on R by other parent. Most of other part I have no comment or I agree too.

Thank you for clarifying. I am with you. Yes, I also agree R has morphed a little - hopefully kinder. However, only time will tell if all that “competition” has moved underground instead.. so only the ones who know , know. For example, not all opportunities are mass mailed to inform the kids - by sheer size of school cohort- so what people don’t know, they dont. and may perceive it to be more placid.

Unlike NUSHigh, where it’s equal opportunity to respond and prove yourself - so there are many pathways to excel in Supras.
The issue I take is I don’t want the school to filter the opportunities on who they deem is suitable . I just feel every child should be given equal opportunity every step of the way. It cannot be that the school determines who they want to groom and limit opportunities to so there is stress to “qualify” for their prescribed criteria. Parents who say it’s not like that likely were not privy to the inner circle.

That said, I do hear positive things now in part due to incidents in last few years. Just for graduating 2021 cohort, believe there were more than 5 suicides. It’s regrettable and likely exacerbated by Covid so possible served R a wake up call to further a growth and more accepting mindset.

[benx]

manorway\" post_id=\"2127347\" time=\"1705543030\" user_id=\"9303:

Don't believe indeed. Anyone can type whatever figure they like, it's a forum after all. To be credible, the onus is on them to be ready to state sources, otherwise whatever they have to say is akin to aunties at market exchanging \"intel\". LOL.

I didnt force you to believe. If you want to find out things, its your own obligations and not others. So I wont spoon feed you. You ranting wont help, I still wont spoon feed you. Please dont demand on others to spoon feed you.

[benx]

lucid\" post_id=\"2127604\" time=\"1705864911\" user_id=\"14312:

You can choose to take Geography or Econs ( other than Math and all 3 sciences) at NUS undergrad level in later years. Computing acceleration will be taught at Digipen or NUS. The kids are not very welcomed by the undergrads as they usually obtain A pretty easily- wrecking their bell curve. Those who do not achieve A probably got hit by attendance component , and not because they couldn’t do the work. At final years, they have Olympiads or research projects so some do not attend the classes at NUS as regularly. Student feedback is that Science courses at undergrad first year are actually easier and less rigorous (no lab) than the Y5/6 honours level taught within NUSHigh (with lab) so, some of the students who really are out to learn prefer to do their Hons in-house in Y5/6 rather than bragging rights for going to Yr1 courses at NUS. All the teachers at hons level are PhDs anyhow.

Not all the teachers are phD. They are mostly Batchelors and 50% PhD or Master degree. On this 50% most are Master. phD prefer to teach uni because salary and others are so much higher.

[lucid]

benx\" post_id=\"2127986\" time=\"1706195484\" user_id=\"122909:

Not all the teachers are phD. They are mostly Batchelors and 50% PhD or Master degree. On this 50% most are Master. phD prefer to teach uni because salary and others are so much higher.

Go talk to the PhDs in the school then. It is unlikely you hv a kid there and just part of the urban myth tribe.

The PhDs are there because all teachers are part of NuS faculty ( emails are NUS email IDs) and still can teach passionate driven learners while mentoring them and conducting their own research. They then do not have to face the stress of “publish or perish” but still be involved in research independently at NuS facilities and/or with their students.
They also then can focus on imparting knowledge because they love to teach; and to a comfortable student: teacher ratio. Consultation time is built in to teachers’ schedule .. most other schools will expect the teachers to have consultations out of their already packed schedules. This is why the teachers have time and maintain motivation to nurture. Tuition is almost unheard of (unless it’s an alumni ) given the depth of material so the students request for consultations if they need further help or review.

One funny tidbit the boarders were sharing was how amazing the cars are at the basement carpark ( for a school) . Of course, it is not a direct gauge but it can be an indication the teachers there are not impoverished ( well unless they rack up insane debt on car loans lol 😂).

Look up their profiles and you will see they rarely leave (long serving ) while turning out Oxbridge and Ivy quality applicants or Intl and national medals year after year.

[benx]

phtthp\" post_id=\"2127928\" time=\"1706141287\" user_id=\"35251:

So much hype, about NUS High.
Certainly, no doubt about it, NUS High is indeed a good Sec school.


So many several batches of NUS High graduates, have passed by, have graduated. Some of them, already in their 30s, or aged late 20s.

NUS High contain the word \"NUS\", inside. This institute is affliated to NUS local University, after studying at the end of Year 6.


What I would like to know is ...

what career path have all these NUS High graduates embarked upon, especially in the Maths & Science arena ? Those that are a bit ...unusual ?

Pls don't mention Engineering, because this is so common. Even IP students from the IPJCs, who did not do well in their A-level, are \"dumped\" into certain Engineering faculties, in our local universities. Because

that was happened, to some of my friends' sons, after their A level in Top IP-JCs. Won't want to name out these \"dumped\" Engineering faculties, so explicitly.

Also, no need to mention medical doctors, because this one we all know. NUS High, every year, got a few students who do enter local uni, for medicine. Say, out of per batch of around 170 graduates at Year 6, or more (because Sec 3 onwards, got overseas students joined NUS High), in terms of number(s) or in percentage, is ... small.


Anyway, engineers and doctors, we all know.

But what I seldom hear of is, from NUS High, some scientist excel in Maths / Science field and ... discover or invented something. Ah ! This is seldom heard of such stuff...

Or

am I ignorant, hence never hear of ?

Actually, the Dean (Principal) of NUS High ought to share info with parents : where do these NUS High graduates end up in career ? So many past several batches have already graduated. Surely, have sufficient info gathered.

See !

It is one thing, to know so many excited, starry eyed P6 students trying to DSAc into this school.
Entering, is only the beginning.

But, how u end up in ... is even far more important, than how u have started out, at the starting line.

For those of us who had gone through life, have u heard of ....

How or what u end up in, is more important than
how you started your journey ?
In history, there have been heros, in the beginning, very popular ! Hailed as so and so. Greatly been respected, basked in glory! But in the end, when they die, they led a sad, miserable life.

I saw somewhere someone not in this forum, posted that only a few able to get into Med. If I didnt remember wrongly about 3-4 which about the same size as top schools escept R. I also saw in a forum that said most of the students appeared in the first days of reporting to Med auditorium are wearing R uniforms. As I know most of NUSH students ened up in Science and Maths related courses and very little who will take up unrelated to Science and Maths. The students will struggle in unrelated subjects so less students will take the risk.

[lucid]

benx\" post_id=\"2127988\" time=\"1706196803\" user_id=\"122909:

I saw somewhere someone not in this forum, posted that only a few able to get into Med. If I didnt remember wrongly about 3-4 which about the same size as top schools escept R. I also saw in a forum that said most of the students appeared in the first days of reporting to Med auditorium are wearing R uniforms. As I know most of NUSH students ened up in Science and Maths related courses and very little who will take up unrelated to Science and Maths. The students will struggle in unrelated subjects so less students will take the risk.

School stats are 70% end in STEMM ( last m for med). Remaining to business, law humanes etc. They do equally well in law , geography, music and Econs , if they choose to further their preferred domain. There are those who go on to Berkelee College of Music ( math talents seem to associate with music gifts) , Oxbridge Geography, Econs etc
It’s reasonable to expect that as the kids likely have COMPARATIVE advantage in STEMM over other domains. Comparative advantage does not mean they have competitive disadvantage .. meaning it is likely most can do as well as others but despite that, it’s just more natural with STEMM. Thus, they don’t have to “struggle” ( well maybe mother tongue) but it’s natural to gravitate to what you just are comparatively better at, even though your weaker domain may already be excellent competitively to others.

This is the biggest misconception/fallacy urban mythers have about this unique school. So tiring to hear “ In that - oh strong in X, therefore weak in Y “ => When it should be … strong in Y but stronger in X . Likewise, it’s not weak in humanes , just good in humanes but better in Sciences. And on CAP, it’s not disregard humanes /languages ; but weighted on humanes/ languages but even higher weightage on Science and Math.

Hope it clarifies.

It’s good R is turning out the doctors continuously - in my time , there were 12 doctors out of just 2 GEP classes of 40 pax. If entire school cohort is now 1200, expect remarkably more . Anyhow, the depiction of R uniforms is inconceivable - when they “report” for “welcome tea”, the girls and boys would have graduated the year before, and not have been in school last 5 months. It’s more likely the 19 yr old girls turn up in fashionable streetwear and the boys are botak in NS gear or the occasional old school T shirt!