* Raffles Institution (RI) - Year 5-6

[micko07]

Edureach:

Hi micko07!


Prospective jc student is inquring about dsa criteria to RI so let us stick closely to this premier institution instead of giving HCI as an example. Just don't want to be out of pt.

Personally i feel your opinion of building one's porfolio centered on physics in this instance is a rather risky one even for a high ability student just for the sake of entry to RI. Both of us knw that for entrance to local unis, an applicant is assessed base on the score of 4 content subjects + GP +PW. How on the earth is he/she going to be admitted to their course of choice even if one has scored a distinction for the H3 module? This student will likely be pawned by many students vying for the same course. Moreover, no one really knows exactly how much weightage RI will be giving to the portfolio. There are approximately 300 places available in RI via the jae and succesful applicants are expected to hve nett of 2 pts, meaning only those with HMT n distinction in cca will be admitted the rest hve to appeal even it is 9 straight A!s!

The word 'research' is loosely use by many nowadays. Personally what u hve outlined earlier are strictly speaking junior internship programmes. As for the science programme in NJC n Anderson jc, i consider they are pretty gd at least more than adequate in preperation for A-level exam. U just hve to take a look at their 2010 A-level exam results, both are value added schs. Base on value added, they compare favourably to all the others u had mentioned. In this instance, we are also addressing the issue of proximity whereby both NJC n Anderson jc are closer to RI than all the others u had mentioned.

In conclusion, much as to the young student expires to be admitted to RI, there are many other considerations which are just or even more critical.

Like I've already said, I've tried to look for RI(JC's) information but it's not available online. Hence, I've looked at HCI's for comparison purposes because I figured that they would probably employ a similar criteria for selection. It is not for lack of due diligence that I didn't use RI's criteria in making suggestions.

I fail to understand how admission to local unis plays any role in OP's portfolio building for admission via DSA to RJC. They are wholly separate matters and are not mutually exclusive - building one's portfolio does not mean sacrificing one's grades. OP is also not obliged (or in fact entitled) to take up a H3 module in JC - I hardly think they will make him sign a binding contract to take one up! H3s are only allowed to students who demonstrate sufficient academic ability in the first place precisely because there is an assumption that they'll be able to cope, having demonstrated sufficient aptitude for their studies. Most people who take H3s typically end up doing very well in A levels overall - and if they find that they're struggling, people will focus on the subjects that count towards UAS first (unless you need the H3 for admission to overseas universities, for example Warwick/ Imperial Maths, Cambridge Medicine). One can also strategize by picking H3s (usually Uni modules) that finish much earlier than A levels (I did Game Theory, and by end April I was done). In fact, building a portfoilo might give OP an alternate entrance route into the local unis by using the Exceptional Individuals Scheme (or variants thereof). If OP wishes to consider the option of undergrad abroad (especially the US), the portfolio is an absolute must.

I also don't understand why such research programmes are called \"junior internship programmes\". I did both SMP and an attachment to A*Star IMCB back in upper sec (now THIS would be an internship programme). For SMP, one had to write a proposal, conduct your own experiments (with guidance where necessary), write your research paper and then present it. In contrast, at my attachment, we went for seminars and did a couple of experiments that were already pre-planned. The nature of activities are inherently different. Of course, no one expects a 15 year old to write a research paper that will rival that of an undergrad student (unless said teenager is an exceptional genius) but it's still research nonetheless.

That OP is considering RI is not necessarily an indicator that he actually lives near RI itself - that is an assumption. My friends used to commute from Changi/ West Coast to HCI everyday. I've not been tracking statistics but I'll concede that value-addedness suggests that the schools are doing a fine job of preparing its students for A levels (not that the other schools don't have stellar academic track records either).

However, I caution against picking a school solely on value-addedness and over-valuing the importance of good teaching. My personal experience taking A levels suggests that the most important factor is how hard one works (and this is able to overcome even having a bad teacher). The finest teachers can only guide a student and make one's life easier. The work ultimately has to be done by the individual.

ITA that admission into RI (and more generally, the JCs which have IP feeder schools) is going to be extremely hard though.

[twilight]

bandmate:

So, from what i've seen above so far, is my current strategy useful into gaining a higher chance into RI?

This is my strat:

All A1s for my subject combination of Triple science +double maths +combhum+ CL+EL

And also a strong personal portfolio + good performance in olympiads.

Query: Does presentations or representations of school count in personal portfolio? Does it help to let the RJC know that i've participated in lots of presentation and this shows that i've quite some skill in it? What does good performance in olympiads stands for? Is it a necessity to get gold for these olympiads to be known as having good performance in science/math olympiad? thanks.

They do look at your results as well, but overall they're more interested in how you can help them gain more achievements, so yes, I would say that gold in olympiads could be their baseline in selecting DSA pupils. They don't explicitly say they're looking for gold though. When I asked, they just told me to send my portfolio and they'll look at it.

[Edureach]

bandmate


Unlike junior high, the most conventional route for top O-level students aspiring to enter RI is thru jae. Few attempt to dsa. As to how many places are allocated for non HMT students, it depends largely on the yearly intake of each cohort ie no of students with nett 2 pts choosing RI as their top choice. Generally, those with 8-9 A1s are successful in their appeals. That answers yr first question.


Yr strategy is pretty sound though u are still reminded that yr A1s must include english and combine humanities ie 6-2 and appeal base on academic achievement at O-level.

For dsa, it depends on yr merits. Best is to submit yr portfolio for them to consider. Difficult to assess yr chance in this instance. As mentioned earlier, this route is rarely taken.


Once u are in RI, yr aspiration to take a H3 module will be easily attainable as they are rather relax in granting approval.

[bandmate]

Thanks a lot to all of you for your help! Whether I enter RJC or not I’ll still be eternally grateful to all of you for your help and these informations are really valuable to me!

[bandmate]

Hi everyone, does anyone know in specific what are the criteria for RJC band’s DSA? I would like to try my luck next year and I have also heard that there is an audition piece that students have to prepare for the DSA. I would like to confirm this, any information is welcomed!

[twilight]

Words from RI:

"You should be able to demonstrate interest and talent in one of the performing arts beyond the abilities of your peers. You must have a history of accomplished performance in this area at the national or international level."

[twilight]

Words from RI:

"You should be able to demonstrate interest and talent in the Science or Mathematical Olympiads or in science research beyond the abilities of your peers. Have a history of accomplished performance in Science/Maths Olympiad or Science Research at the national or international arena."

So yes, they do not specify the criteria of selection, ie having gold or whatever achievement.

[bandmate]

twilight:

Words from RI:

\"You should be able to demonstrate interest and talent in one of the performing arts beyond the abilities of your peers. You must have a history of accomplished performance in this area at the national or international level.\"

Hi twilight, thanks again for your reply! I've read that up earlier but i remember there were more details to it shown by the RI web during the DSA period this year, but still, thanks a lot for your help! Anyone that knows more about this please help too, thanks

[violin_lover]

Bandmate, did u receive my pm?

[bandmate]

violin_lover:

Bandmate, did u receive my pm?

Yes I did, I think I've sent you a reply if I'm not wrong, thanks a lot for your help!