Is it easier to go University via the Polytechnic Route?
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Poly route is certainly difficult as is not easy to maintain average A grades for so many test and exams. If uni is the destination, then JC route should be better.
But everyone is different. So no right or wrong path.
But harsh reality in Singapore is good grades are far too important.
If not there would not be so many parents sending their children for tuition. -
My former student whom I taught in Primary school and later, she came under me for tuition after I was asked for a transfer to a school nearer home before I outstationed with my husband overseas, took the Poly Route. She is currently accepted by both NUS and NTU for engineering course. She has accepted the offer by NTU due to her interest.
She was an average pupil but very hardworking to make up for her lacking in other areas. It was her hardwork that enable her to achieve what she has today. Her PSLE result was average and her “O” was average as she has been writing to me overseas. I always encourage her to follow her interest and I am rather proud of her achievement.
So it all depends on the child’s interest. -
It is not necessary easier to enter local university via the polytechnic route. However, to enter overseas uni like Monash, UNSW and such, it might be much more easier. I have a friend doing Banking and Finance in Monash Uni (Aust) with a GPA of around 2.9-3.0 (which is quite attainable). Futhermore, most overseas uni are quite generous in giving exemption to our local polytechnic diploma holders.
As for local university, it will be hard. No more than 15-20% of the people in each diploma are able to enter local uni(NUS,SMU,NTU), exclusing of those who applied under special talent. To enter hot and pristege courses like medicine, law and dentistry, only 1 or 2 is accepted each year currently. But, if one is able to enter uni using local polytechnic diploma, one can be expected to receive 0.5 to 1 year of handsome exemptions.
In recent years, with references to the IGP (aka cut-off-points) released by NUS,NTU and SMU, it is hard for both poly and jc student to enter local university. -
FrekiWang:
cut-off grades:Edureach:
[quote=\"meinteel\"]With all the crazy advertising from MOE, many A level holders are gunning for NIE. haha anyway, it is the same for poly grads.
Those with 3.4-3.5 GPA has few courses to choose from and the module exemption is only applicable for poly students studying the same course (i.e. Business grad studying business etc). I heard from my friend who is doing Biomedical engineer that to get into local uni he needs 3.79 GPA minimally to stand a chance. Business around 3.85.
No doubt however, it has been much easier for the polytechnic students to go to Universities compared to the past.
An informed posting.
Outside law, medicine and dentistry, next in line popular courses include: accountancy, business, pharmacy, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering. Indicative A-level grade profile AAA/B.
For NIE, many have passion for teaching while there are also others bo bian can't make it to other courses.
Ultimately, reality sinks in.
CCC/B NUS Industrial Design 34
CCC/B NTU Physics & Applied Physics 65
CCC/C NTU Civil Engineering 106
CCC/C NTU Chinese 106
CCC/C NTU English 100
CCC/C NIE Arts (Education) 205
CCC/C NIE Science (Education) 170
CCC/D NTU Engineering 137
CDD/C NUS Nursing 75
DDD/D NTU Art, Design & Media 152
.[/quote]digressing a lil-
Cant help thinking that if future teachers are being accepted with such (below) average grades, what kind of teaching standards can we expect in local schools?
It was thanks to my excellent teachers, who had very high level of language proficiency, that I had learnt to speak decently. But i know the old guard of teachers are an endangered breed ;(( -
I think it is harder getting good teachers. Anyway, we can’t just simply look at their grades for teachers. We have to see if they can actually teach. Some teachers may not have fantastic grades but they have the patience and can explain difficult concepts in simple terms.
I had this Indian MOE scholar who taught us Physics in secondary school as our teacher was on maternity leave. And we couldn’t really understand him at all. Although he tried to explain the concepts to us but I think he made it too complicated for us to digest. -
elderflowertea:
Agree that good grades do not always translate to good teachers (besides patience, building rapport and EQ are vital too)... Language proficiency matters a great deal, to me at least.I think it is harder getting good teachers. Anyway, we can't just simply look at their grades for teachers. We have to see if they can actually teach. Some teachers may not have fantastic grades but they have the patience and can explain difficult concepts in simple terms.
I had this Indian MOE scholar who taught us Physics in secondary school as our teacher was on maternity leave. And we couldn't really understand him at all. Although he tried to explain the concepts to us but I think he made it too complicated for us to digest. -
Edureach:
Take Chemical Engineering as a example, I don't think a student who cannot score a ABB/A in A-Level can get a GPA of 3.79/4 in poly. Similarly, AAB/B is also easier to obtain comparing to a GPA of 3.85/4 in poly. Even for the lower end, if a student wants to do mechanical engineering, it is also easier to score a BCC/C than to score a GPA of 3.5 in poly.FrekiWang:
[quote=\"meinteel\"]
No doubt however, it has been much easier for the polytechnic students to go to Universities compared to the past.
The average starting salary of local U graduates is 2900+ while the average starting salary of local Poly graduates is still below 2000. For an average student, when he has two alternatives after O
- JC, probably score a BBB/B in his A, choose a course in local U which may not be his favourite. However, for many cases, interest can be rebuild in 4 years, especially for young adults.
- Poly, probably score a GPA of 3.2 and start to work upon graduation.
Perhaps choosing the poly route makes the student feel happier in the 3 years of study, but the reality is, an approximate difference of 1000 dollar monthly is a lot as a starting pay. Poly graduates are doing lower-tier work comparing to degree holders in the same organisation. Qualification also plays a very important role in the development of one's career path. That is the trade-off of enjoying 3 years of poly life.
I am thankful for your view especially coming from a jc lecturer. Just to add, a wise student who did not fare as well in 0-level, the alternative choice is to report to RP instead of NP,SP,NYP or TP. Chances of entering uni thru this move is higher.
Think you know what i meant.[/quote]
If I may add on...
I just saw this thread... an interesting topic... something VERY close to my heart.
First thing I'd like to share is my path...
I was from Normal Stream Sec 1-2... today, I hold a PhD + MBA (Merit).
Easy to get into Uni?
Local U shunned me over a decade ago, even though I had As for a subject new to me... I went overseas.
Then returned to complete the last two postgrads - at the same time.
Grades mean nothing to me as I failed so many times, bordered even more... and ace-ed enough.
Polytechnic was the ONLY means I had to jump from Arts to Biological Sciences.
Now, you can tell why my friends know me as MadScientist... I lived up to the name.
My track record is not unique... I have know others throughout the years who have a similar record. Poly, then Uni, then amazing performance in work. Poly was our chance and we appreciated it. It allowed us to bloom where nowhere else allowed.
I have tutored seemingly weak students (when I first took them), who went through Polytechnic and then Uni and are doing great now. I teach attitude first.
Pay-wise, Poly holders do get paid a lot better than A level holders, or at least I hope it is so... (am out of touch)
Definitely Uni grads get paid better and ALL Poly grads should go to Uni where possible as these grads are really 1-UP due to technical expertise gained. (I got a story on this but its another story for another day).
Someone mentioned earlier that it depends on individuals, and yes, I agree to that very much.
IF your kids are at this cross-roads, worry not... today's world is so globalized, many will, and can, find their way to Uni - but only IF they want to... and do what they love.
I am all for instilling the right ATTITUDE in the kids... not about grades, not about school, all about attitude to do the personal best. No comparisons, nothing as long as they can look you in the eye and tell you, \"Daddy/Mummy, I really did my best.\" The kids must know that IF they can say this to you, you will believe them. They must know that answering to you is easy... they must answer to themselves, for which they cannot run nor hide.
That's my really heartflet 2 cents on this... Find the journey, not the destination, that is fulfilling.
God bless. -
MadScientist:
Thank you for sharing your inspiring, yet not so easy, journey. I just wish that our society will be less myopic and be more patient with not-so early bloomers.
If I may add on...
I just saw this thread... an interesting topic... something VERY close to my heart.
First thing I'd like to share is my path...
I was from Normal Stream Sec 1-2... today, I hold a PhD + MBA (Merit).
Easy to get into Uni?
Local U shunned me over a decade ago, even though I had As for a subject new to me... I went overseas.
Then returned to complete the last two postgrads - at the same time.
Grades mean nothing to me as I failed so many times, bordered even more... and ace-ed enough.
Polytechnic was the ONLY means I had to jump from Arts to Biological Sciences.
Now, you can tell why my friends know me as MadScientist... I lived up to the name.
My track record is not unique... I have know others throughout the years who have a similar record. Poly, then Uni, then amazing performance in work. Poly was our chance and we appreciated it. It allowed us to bloom where nowhere else allowed.
I have tutored seemingly weak students (when I first took them), who went through Polytechnic and then Uni and are doing great now. I teach attitude first.
Pay-wise, Poly holders do get paid a lot better than A level holders, or at least I hope it is so... (am out of touch)
Definitely Uni grads get paid better and ALL Poly grads should go to Uni where possible as these grads are really 1-UP due to technical expertise gained. (I got a story on this but its another story for another day).
Someone mentioned earlier that it depends on individuals, and yes, I agree to that very much.
IF your kids are at this cross-roads, worry not... today's world is so globalized, many will, and can, find their way to Uni - but only IF they want to... and do what they love.
I am all for instilling the right ATTITUDE in the kids... not about grades, not about school, all about attitude to do the personal best. No comparisons, nothing as long as they can look you in the eye and tell you, \"Daddy/Mummy, I really did my best.\" The kids must know that IF they can say this to you, you will believe them. They must know that answering to you is easy... they must answer to themselves, for which they cannot run nor hide.
That's my really heartflet 2 cents on this... Find the journey, not the destination, that is fulfilling.
God bless.
I tell my niece and other youngsters planning JC route- that certificate is useless if one does not make it to the Uni. There are ITE grads who enjoy higher starting pay than those with only 'A' levels. -
sssdarlings:
Of course, they still have to be able to speak proper English or any language that they teach in.
Agree that good grades do not always translate to good teachers (besides patience, building rapport and EQ are vital too)... Language proficiency matters a great deal, to me at least.elderflowertea:
I think it is harder getting good teachers. Anyway, we can't just simply look at their grades for teachers. We have to see if they can actually teach. Some teachers may not have fantastic grades but they have the patience and can explain difficult concepts in simple terms.
I had this Indian MOE scholar who taught us Physics in secondary school as our teacher was on maternity leave. And we couldn't really understand him at all. Although he tried to explain the concepts to us but I think he made it too complicated for us to digest. -
At 2023 January Nanyang Polytechnic Open house day, during the briefing seated inside the Auditorium,
Poly said that
30% of graduating cohort will end up in local uni.
That means,
for every 10 Poly final year graduating students,
only 3 will end up in local uni,
Immediately right after graduation.
The Officer in charge standing on the stage, who is giving the talk (briefing) said that
this is an improvement,
because
last time, years ago, only 20% make it to local uni, right after graduation. Now, is 30%