NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (Diploma)

[mathsparks]

I'm not uncomfortable, merlion, that's why I added the word aiya. you notice the smiley at the end? means cheers... no apologies needed. have a great long weekend!

[CuttleFish31]

holyaxile:

First off, to clarify the situation, I'm a Year 2 student in NUS High School. I joined this cos i was googling for nus high to see what i could find and thought some of you could use some info about the school.


For DSA, I'm not quite sure about the criteria but 2 years ago, the PSLE entry requirements was an A* in math and science and at least 250 aggregate score. In NUS High, we start biology, physics and chemistry from Year 1. The other subjects are mostly the same. It's pretty manageable, not much stress. Compared to my peers in other good schools like RI, my school life is very slack. Hope that helped. Willing to answer more questions.

EDIT: To provide some more general info, I got 272 for my PSLE. I was in the GEP in HPPS. And I didn't do much extra studying. Sorry if it makes you go :x but hey, it's the truth.

Firstly, i would like to thank you for sharing this information with us, but from many of your seniors, i've heard that in NUS High school, your life will only be slack if you choose a \"slack\" path (meaning you only take the bare minimum required for the graduation diploma, no electives, no honors; according to their principal, you can graduate with 4 honors, which requires 10-15 hrs more of lesson time per week for each extra honor subject). After you reached secondary 4, your commitments and module requirements increases. In their JC1 level, which is their year 5, they have certain compulsory external projects with established labs in Singapore (such as TLL, DSTA, A*STAR, NUS, NUH, NTU), combined with olympiad trainings (which can lasts till 5-10 hrs per day) i heard is not slack at all. Can i request a more clear image as what to expect for my child in the school?

[holyaxile]

As I'm in Year 2 only, I can't tell from my own experience about the upper years but a lot of my friends from years 5 and 6 tell me that even though they are majoring in 1 humanities and 2 sciences and math, they find the work load manageable and have time to relax. I see many Year 5s and 6s playing computer games/sports a lot. And I know for a fact that their CAP and GPA are consistently high, at least above 4.0. And 3.5 is the bare minimum CAP to be eligible for some scholarships. To graduate, a minimum GPA(meaning average CAP over 6 years) of 2.5 is to be achieved, which is VERY VERY simple. To get 2.5 CAP in a subject, a C+ is required, meaning about...55~60 marks i think?


Of course, there are some who keep whining about the work load and how the regret choosing NUS High at all but there seems to be no more of them in NUS High than there are in most other top schools from what I've noticed/heard.

And about the Diploma that NUS High students receive after completing Year 6, it can be used to enter a lot of top universities all around the world. I believe the list can be found on the school website. I'll try to post it later if i can find it.

Cheers,
Holyaxile

EDIT: I've found the link, here it is.

http://www.highsch.nus.edu.sg/content.php?id=aab3238922bcc25a6f606eb525ffdc56

And if you don't feel like referring, here's the relevant information, copied from the school website.

\" C) Graduation Qualification & Prospects for Students

1. What is the graduation qualification when a student graduates from NUS High School and is it recognized by universities worldwide?
The NUS High School Diploma will be the school's graduation qualification. Currently, the Diploma is recognised as an admissible qualification by National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Warwick, King’s College London, University College London, Yale University, Stanford University, Massachusett Institute of Technology, Cornell University , Dordt College, Lewis-Clark State College, Sweet Briar College, Virginia Military Institute, Washington University St Louis, Wilson College, Edith Cowan University, La Trobe University, Murdoch University, University at Buffalo (State University of New York), University of Georgia, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, University of Maryland. The list will continue as we seek recognition from the top-tier universities in the Australia. \"

It's part of the FAQs in the website. Hope this helped!

[turquoise]

I understand that during the high tea session NUSH did a very good job of convincing the successful DSA applicants to choose NUSH over other schools. Can someone share what was discussed? Thanks.

[justbehappy]

CuttleFish31:

Firstly, i would like to thank you for sharing this information with us, but from many of your seniors, i've heard that in NUS High school, your life will only be slack if you choose a \"slack\" path (meaning you only take the bare minimum required for the graduation diploma, no electives, no honors; according to their principal, you can graduate with 4 honors, which requires 10-15 hrs more of lesson time per week for each extra honor subject). After you reached secondary 4, your commitments and module requirements increases. In their JC1 level, which is their year 5, they have certain compulsory external projects with established labs in Singapore (such as TLL, DSTA, A*STAR, NUS, NUH, NTU), combined with olympiad trainings (which can lasts till 5-10 hrs per day) i heard is not slack at all.

I tend to agree. As NUS High has a modular system, it's up to the students to decide which Elective and Enrichment modules they want to take. Students who are more adventurous or have passion to take up more modules will have a heavier workload as compared to those who just take the Core modules only. And, those who take up 4 Honours (I think this is the max allowed) apparently will be less slack than those who take the bare minimum 3 Majors without Honours.

[holyaxile]

"Students who are more adventurous or have passion to take up more modules will have a heavier workload as compared to those who just take the Core modules only." -QFT


If a person WANTS to percieve NUS High as a high-stress school, nothing I say will alter that person’s perception. Like I’ve said, from what I’ve heard and noticed from the seniors, they don’t have too much to do. Of course, one could take every single module offered and get 4 majors with honours. I’ve said what I know, if you are less than convinced(which indeed I believe you are), you could ask other students for their opinions.

[Jennifer]

Holyaxile, is CCA compulsory in NUSH?

[justbehappy]

holyaxile:

If a person WANTS to percieve NUS High as a high-stress school, nothing I say will alter that person's perception. Like I've said, from what I've heard and noticed from the seniors, they don't have too much to do. Of course, one could take every single module offered and get 4 majors with honours. I've said what I know, if you are less than convinced(which indeed I believe you are), you could ask other students for their opinions.

While most students prefer a more relaxed environment, most parents would want a more balanced environment for their kids, not too slack and not too pressurised, a school where the kids can enjoy studying in and yet time is adequately spent. If students in NUS High are so slack and don't have much to do like you said, I think many potential parents of NUS High students will be scared away.

[turquoise]

I was told by someone in NUSH that the first two years are rather relaxed and the kids really enjoy the syllabus. The pressure kicks in in Year 3 and some of the weaker kids have problems coping.

[holyaxile]

turquoise:

I was told by someone in NUSH that the first two years are rather relaxed and the kids really enjoy the syllabus. The pressure kicks in in Year 3 and some of the weaker kids have problems coping.

Well, that depends on your definition of the term \"weaker kids\". If you refer to students who have been scoring pretty low in Years 1 and 2, then they can consult teachers or classmates or study by themselves. If, on the other hand, you refer to students who cannot understand basic concepts or theorems, I don't think they would have made it past Year 2.

However, as I am only in Year 2, I cannot speak from experience yet. The paragraph above was based on conclusions drawn from observation and questioning of fellow schoolmates. For personal experience, I can only provide it from next year. If you feel like this: :stupid: then sorry but there's nothing else I can do for now.

Cheers,
Holyaxile