AL6 IP - Top Choice RGS or MGS ?

[orangepops]

Hello Parents,

My dd scored AL6 (EN-1, MA-1, SC-1, CN-3). She was minimally stressed and only does Chinese tuition throughout her primary studies but still consistently scores top marks except for Chinese Orals. Her father wants her to place RGS (COP 4-6) as her top choice, knowing she will be balloted for the spot. But my daughter would rather put MGS IP (COP 4-6).

To my understanding, there’s no point putting either school as a second choice as she wil definitely go into a tie breaker and lose out due to the selection order.

My dd is a responsible, self-driven, but low-key type of personality, and feels RGS will be full of driven, competitive, extroverted kids. We also live 10 mins away from MGS and 50 mins away from RGS, which makes MGS easier to reach. She has classmates and dance team friends in MGS as well.

But I’m wondering isn’t MGS known for being too conservative and narrow-minded? RGS is known for encouraging discussion and debates? How do these qualities carry over into university, work, and at home? Appreciate if someone can give some perspective as my husband and I never studied in Singapore.

Thanks!

[bbbay]

@orangepops

Take a look at this forum and see if you can find anything helpful

https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/16682/mgs-vs-rgs-wholistic-view?_=1732424873008

And I presume you are looking at MGS IP program
and not O level. Do take note MGS IP program leads to IB whereas RGS IP program leads to A level. They are very different curriculums. Do consider which suite your child better too.

[zac's mum]

@orangepops I think you have raised many points why MGS is more suitable for your child. I am looking at her CL grade of AL3 in particular. In MGS she will not be forced to take Higher Chinese (in fact in IP/IB track it is not necessary IMO). However at RGS she will be forced to take Higher Chinese by default even though it is not a SAP school.

[phtthp]

go for MGS, not RGS.

Overall, MGS is a better Secondary school

[phtthp]

@orangepops said in AL6 IP - Top Choice RGS or MGS ?:

MA-1
go for MGS, not RGS

[snorlax]

heard from daughter’s experience, not many AL6 in RGS, and also know several AL6s girls who put RGS as their first choice all got balloted out.

so AL6 won’t guarantee you to RGS, in fact the chances are quite low, but no harm to put as first choice, as AL6 can get you anywhere else except MGS(also need balloting).

what you really need think about is what is your next choice, NYGH SNGS, SCGS or NJC …??? in case get balloting out from these two schools(RGS MGS), the next school you will be 100% in. All are very good schools, but don’t choose the school your daughter don’t like.

[ceeelle]

just to rebut,

Higher Chinese is not the default for all RGS girls.
They can choose to do CL instead of HCL.

RGS vs MGS
no affiliated pri sch vs has affiliated pri
IP (into RI) vs IB
50min vs 10min

Not all RG girls are competitive and extroverted. There is a “girl power” culture which may make them seem extroverted when it is them merely standing up for their beliefs.

AL6 quite likely to get balloted for either school. The second choice should be a failsafe that she is happy with.

[iRabbit]

@orangepops

The delta between the 2 sch, perceived or otherwise, is definitely not worth the extra 1+ hr travelling time daily. Free time is premium at sec sch level.

I feel that the complication is deciding which system (A level or IB) is more suitable for your child.

You made some curious pt there; first time hear pple describe MGS gals as conservative and narrow-minded. I think these are just generalizations and a lot of sch are labelled unfairly in that sense.

[blackyv]

@phtthp said in AL6 IP - Top Choice RGS or MGS ?:

go for MGS, not RGS.

Overall, MGS is a better Secondary school

agree… btw these 2, i will pick MGS for sure…

[blackyv]

@snorlax

yes, my gal AL6 last year and balloted out… luckily… it was not my 1st choice anyway but my gal was swayed to try it because of many kaypoh influencers around (keep saying to her, aiyoh such good result why not rgs, etc…)