From PSLE to University

[clarabella]

ooptimizer:

Don't they just use the A levels any more?

Yes, they do require A levels*. Cannot run away from the academic record part, hee.
The BMAT/UKCAT is part of the whole application process, in addition to A levels, personal statements, etc. The tests are supposed to evaluate scientific aptitude and abilities relevant to medical studies.

*or equivalents.

[2ppaamm]

bbtaymummy:

Hi 2ppaamm,


Thanks so much for sharing your story with us.. u really have enlighten me..

it seems to me the success of such route is due to you reading widely to your children and thus they develop the passion in reading and learning. but how do you instill such passion in your kids? what do you read to them when they are young? my child is only 1 year old.. but i really hope i can start him young...i m ashamed to say that i dont read widely :oops: and thus i do not wish my kid to follow my footsteps.

Ha ha, I also don't like to read story books. I have hardly finished a novel in my entire life! However, I like to read journals, factual and more serious stuff... Strange hor?

This is how I read to my kids, see if it helps you. At 1, just take a book, not more than a sentence each page. Read through it very happily and quickly and interestingly with the child on your lap. Don't test his understanding or anything. Key is to make it very interesting. Before he can process the page, go on to the next. He must not be bored. I can go through 20+ books on one seating with my kids when they were at about 1 to 1.5 years old. They keep asking for more. Don't worry about them learning to read. Just keep doing this day in day out. One day, they will read and love books. Surprisingly, all my 4 kids read books (like Chronicles of Narnia) at 4 years old.

Don't be uptight about them learning. They will.

Now that they are in their teens, all of them read much more than me. My 2nd daughter and 4th boy read about 2-3 novels a DAY. Sometimes, I have to force them to stop reading because I'm worried about their eyesight.

O, I don't believe in all those reading classes, enrichment courses, expensive programs by profiteering groups. My method seems to work pretty well, all my kids love books, and my P3 boy has already finished reading all his P4 textbooks (they even like textbooks ). He also finished reading the 5 sets of encyclopedia in the house when he was 5. In addition, he also reads all the comic books I can buy off the shelf (Tintin, Archie, Batman, Spider - you name it, I have it)

I buy toys 6 times a year for the kids. But I buy or borrow books from the library liberally. Being surrounded by thousands of books in the house, they will naturally read. My 13 year old also reads all the business books and all the self-help adult books as well. She also read the university text I teach from, which most undergrads find so boring. I just wonder why these are interesting to her? We call #2 and #4 the reading machine of the house. Because of that, their knowledge is scary... they seem to know everything, from who invented what, to the history of everything we see in any country. My oldest also knows the origin of each dinosaur bone and the birthdays of every famous pop star.... (whatever for?):?

Funny? But these info can be useful when asking for autographs when you meet these stars on the road in HK. :lol:

Hope this helps!

[2ppaamm]

clarabella:

ooptimizer:

Don't they just use the A levels any more?

Yes, they do require A levels. Cannot run away from the academic record part, hee.
The BMAT/UKCAT is part of the whole application process, in addition to A levels, personal statements, etc. The tests are supposed to evaluate scientific aptitude and abilities relevant to medical studies.

Yep, the 'A' level in my case, will be replaced by the HSD/SAT for some of my kids.

[poohandtigger]

mummyjoyce:

No point tracking all these students at all (give a break!) - some will continue to blossom and some will not. It is the same the other side - poorer result students - some develop much later and they will blossom from there onwards. Please note that many successful people do not even have a good education or complete their education.

I fully agree.

[xxjustakidxx]

2ppaamm:

micko07:

Wow amazing!


I'm also curious about which diploma programme you used. Also, which university is your son studying in now?

Is it very difficult to manage with both secondary school and HS diploma? I'm on the IP track and just studying for SATs alone gives me a headache. And that's taking into account that my tutors rarely give us homework and the programme I'm in emphasizes on self-study.

P.S What scores did your son get in SAT?

No, just do the diploma during hols, since they are modular. Did you do any course to prepare for the SAT? There are some you can take on the net. Why are you taking the SAT if you are taking A or IB? Going to a American U? They also recognize both of these. Or are you super kiasu? :lol: Don't be lah.

SATs are needed for america U, or rather, they are more acceptable than As (HCI/NYGH IP offers A).

[Fairy]

2ppaamm:

Fairy:

[quote=\"2ppaamm\"]
If you are looking at Medicine, the criteria is pretty stiff and you will need to prepare very early to get a head start.

Hi 2ppaamm,

Can you elaborate more on that? If my child hopes to be a doctor one day and we cannot afford to send her for an overseas education in this discipline, is there other alternative for us? Thanks.

Hi Fairy,

Here's your page. http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply/international/admissionreq/BYA-admissionreq.html if you want to do medicine, bear in mind that the competition for admission is very stiff. Check the requirements, they are also not looking for straight As. To boost your chance for medicine school, I do sometimes suggest MCAT, too, though Yong Loo Lin does not ask for it. Many other medicine Us do. Your CCA is vitally important, and we are not talking about simply house practice, play play kind. Looking at state representatives etc. Too bookwormy may not be what they are looking for...

A bit early to plan hor? Just my 2 cents' worth. Hope this helps. Curious, how old is your kid?[/quote]Hi 2ppaamm,

Thanks for the info. My child is 12, joining RGS next week. Yours too? Well, I'm not planning anything yet. Just hoping to tap on your wisdom for some info/guidance.

[Fairy]

sleepy:

[Quote fairy]: I know someone whose children passes SAT at 9 yrs old & 10 yrs old and still managed to be at the 90th percentile of those taking the test. I understand they both went on to NUSH. Not sure if they are still there. Both also acquired their Degree in Mathematics via online studies with a renowned University for the gifted before they entered NUSH.



Hi Fairy

EPGY is a diploma course?

Any idea what's that online degree in Mathematics? from which renowned Uni? also EPGY (Standford)?

Degree course from EPGY, not diploma.

[Fairy]

sleepy:

2ppaamm:

[quote=\"sleepy\"]

Students who chose to go NUSH, would that improved their chances to be accepted into medicine faculty?

Hm... I don't know of any advantage. What did the admission folks from NUSH tell you guys? They are not supposed to give preferences, but maybe they do behind closed doors? We don't know yet because the first batch of NUSH grads are not out yet, right?

Ok, I rephrase Would NUSH provide them stronger foundation to medicine faculty?
For aspiring doctors, should they aim for NUSH to better prepare themselves?[/quote]To quote Ms. Lim Lai Cheng, principal of RI in her RI's Founder's Day Speech on 15Aug09:

\"The medical faculty at NUS takes in 260 freshmen a year – 114 places went to Rafflesians this year. The law faculty at NUS takes in 240 students each year. Rafflesians took up 133 places....\"

[sleepy]

Fairy:

To quote Ms. Lim Lai Cheng, principal of RI in her RI's Founder's Day Speech on 15Aug09:


\"The medical faculty at NUS takes in 260 freshmen a year – 114 places went to Rafflesians this year. The law faculty at NUS takes in 240 students each year. Rafflesians took up 133 places....\"

Thank for the info. Should aim for Raffles Girls then

[2ppaamm]

Fairy:

Hi 2ppaamm,


Thanks for the info. My child is 12, joining RGS next week. Yours too? Well, I'm not planning anything yet. Just hoping to tap on your wisdom for some info/guidance.

No, not going to RGS. That's my school, but my daughter is going to SCGS, my older girls' school. Raffles is not for everyone. Though I love the school, my son didn't enjoy every aspect of it. While I sometimes wonder if he would have been happier elsewhere, the school ultimately helped him get to the U. So, two different sides of the coin. At the end of the day, everything worked out fine. Things always work out fine, I believe that.