<![CDATA[Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA]]>

Ler:
I am a bit of confused to chose which school for my dd as she has given confirmed offer from methodist and sota under music. Any expectise who daughter has been through this two school, can highlight the difference which school i should for my daughter. Advise needed.


SOTA is for those 'die-hard' to do career in music & arts etc

MGS is still mainstream school with music elective, where you can do A level or IB (after merging with ACSI).....and you are not tied down to music forever

Also understand that if want to transfer from SOTA to mainstream school, has to retain one year, as SOTA main focus is not academic, even though they do 'normal subjects'....but curriculum is geared towards performance etc

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/13641/compare-methodist-girls-vs-sotaRSS for NodeWed, 09 Sep 2026 02:27:07 GMTMon, 06 Sep 2010 02:57:22 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Sun, 28 May 2017 14:21:43 GMT]]>

dasalo:
verykiasu2010:



SOTA is for those 'die-hard' to do career in music & arts etc

MGS is still mainstream school with music elective, where you can do A level or IB (after merging with ACSI).....and you are not tied down to music forever

Also understand that if want to transfer from SOTA to mainstream school, has to retain one year, as SOTA main focus is not academic, even though they do 'normal subjects'....but curriculum is geared towards performance etc

Sorry...I want to clear some misunderstanding here.

SOTA is for those with passion for the arts without compromising good academic qualifications. All is incorporated in the curriculum, you do not need to send your child for extra art lessions and thus saves your child time and money.

MEP cannot be compared to the music curriculum in SOTA as the latter covers more in depth. My dd1 did MEP before at a mainstream school before SOTA and she could compare (at least for the 1st yr).

SOTA's focus is both academics and arts from Y1 to Y4, Y5 and Y6 are IB years and you can chose to drop your art subject if you want to major in others eg. medicine, law etc..My dd1 classmates, some are opting for double sciences preparing to do medicine and some wants to read law depending on how good your grades are for those subjects.

I had just confirmed that those who had to retain a year after leaving SOTA is because they had very very poor results ie. they might have fail all subjects. If they do not retain, they cannot catch up, so it is not the case of different syllabus. For Y1/2, the subjects are the same but just taught in a different way but, if you join SOTA in Y3/4, unless you are super duper, otherwise you probably have to retain in order to prepare for Y5/6 . For those who have lost interest or did not do well in their art form but academics are good are advised to transfer out at Y2, usually do not need to retain. So in any case, you have to be good at both in order to survive to Y6.

What is most important is the student himself/herself, how passionate is he/she to their art form?


edited


Just asking. Any idea what is the dropout rate like for SOTA? I heard of few transfering to NAFA Dance after Yr4 so is it a high norm for such transfer rates. Thanks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1776580https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1776580Sun, 28 May 2017 14:21:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Sun, 28 May 2017 14:21:20 GMT]]>

dasalo:
verykiasu2010:



SOTA is for those 'die-hard' to do career in music & arts etc

MGS is still mainstream school with music elective, where you can do A level or IB (after merging with ACSI).....and you are not tied down to music forever

Also understand that if want to transfer from SOTA to mainstream school, has to retain one year, as SOTA main focus is not academic, even though they do 'normal subjects'....but curriculum is geared towards performance etc

Sorry...I want to clear some misunderstanding here.

SOTA is for those with passion for the arts without compromising good academic qualifications. All is incorporated in the curriculum, you do not need to send your child for extra art lessions and thus saves your child time and money.

MEP cannot be compared to the music curriculum in SOTA as the latter covers more in depth. My dd1 did MEP before at a mainstream school before SOTA and she could compare (at least for the 1st yr).

SOTA's focus is both academics and arts from Y1 to Y4, Y5 and Y6 are IB years and you can chose to drop your art subject if you want to major in others eg. medicine, law etc..My dd1 classmates, some are opting for double sciences preparing to do medicine and some wants to read law depending on how good your grades are for those subjects.

I had just confirmed that those who had to retain a year after leaving SOTA is because they had very very poor results ie. they might have fail all subjects. If they do not retain, they cannot catch up, so it is not the case of different syllabus. For Y1/2, the subjects are the same but just taught in a different way but, if you join SOTA in Y3/4, unless you are super duper, otherwise you probably have to retain in order to prepare for Y5/6 . For those who have lost interest or did not do well in their art form but academics are good are advised to transfer out at Y2, usually do not need to retain. So in any case, you have to be good at both in order to survive to Y6.

What is most important is the student himself/herself, how passionate is he/she to their art form?


edited


Just asking. Any idea what is the dropout rate like for SOTA? I heard of few transfering to NAFA Dance after Yr4 so is it a high norm for such transfer rates. Thanks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1776579https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1776579Sun, 28 May 2017 14:21:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:07:57 GMT]]>[

The last girl was academically stronger and it was felt it would have been a pity for her to choose SOTA over a mainstream education, where in Sec 3, she could still have the option to choose a Science-based education and possibly medicine as a career. In the end, she chose to go to MGS with the option of trying out for SOTA again at the end of Sec 2.

I am not saying that SOTA is not for the academically-talented as well. Indeed there are students at SOTA who did very well at PSLE, scoring >250. In the end, if the child is very passionate about her art form, is unlikely to have her interest in the art form wane, is certain that she wants to pursue an education that’s more art-based, then SOTA offers the best opportunity in the Singapore education landscape. But if there’s even a question of the child getting bored with dance/music etc as she gets older, or if she is considering medicine as a career, then I would think twice about SOTA.[/quote]

hi i wld like to say that sota offers science as an option for the ibdp after year 4 which is sec 4. you can also choose to drop your art form to take up another science.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/971109https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/971109Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:07:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:12:32 GMT]]>

twilight:

Is this true? That means those Y5/6 students will be like students of any other jcs right? However SOTA doesn't have cca, so what happens to their cca if they drop their art subject? Or do they just drop the group 6 subjects but continue with art training?
Yup..Aiyoh..sorry, quite forgotten exactly what I heard during the meet in Jan but based on the website, you can drop your group 6 and choose another subject from group 2 to 5. At least 3 or not more than 4 at HL and the rest at SL and not forgetting another 3 core components.

Here -->

A guide to the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme for universities and colleges.

What are the requirements for the IB diploma and certificate?

The Diploma Programme is a two-year, full-time programme. Students must choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social studies, the experimental sciences and mathematics. The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from group 6, or the student may choose another subject from groups 2 to 5. At least three and not more than four are taken at higher level (HL), the others at standard level (SL). HL courses represent a recommended 240 teaching hours; SL courses cover 150 teaching hours.

In each examination, the student is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The award of the diploma requires students to meet defined standards and conditions. These include a minimum total of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of three compulsory core components: 1) theory of knowledge (TOK); 2) extended essay; and 3) creativity, action, service (CAS).

Approximately 80% of students are awarded the diploma. A student who does not satisfy the requirements of the full Diploma Programme, or who has elected to take fewer than six subjects, is awarded a certificate for the examinations completed. Students who complete more than six subjects receive an extra certificate for the additional subject(s

Source:
http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/guide/slided.cfm

Here's a video presentation and interviews of students around the world why they chose the IB prog. best told by them.
http://www.ibo.org/diploma/

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/259234https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/259234Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:12:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:52:19 GMT]]>

dasalo:
Y5 and Y6 are IB years and you can chose to drop your art subject if you want to major in others eg. medicine, law etc..My dd1 classmates, some are opting for double sciences preparing to do medicine and some wants to read law depending on how good your grades are for those subjects.
Is this true? That means those Y5/6 students will be like students of any other jcs right? However SOTA doesn't have cca, so what happens to their cca if they drop their art subject? Or do they just drop the group 6 subjects but continue with art training?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/259206https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/259206Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:52:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:58:18 GMT]]>

verykiasu2010:


SOTA is for those 'die-hard' to do career in music & arts etc

MGS is still mainstream school with music elective, where you can do A level or IB (after merging with ACSI).....and you are not tied down to music forever

Also understand that if want to transfer from SOTA to mainstream school, has to retain one year, as SOTA main focus is not academic, even though they do 'normal subjects'....but curriculum is geared towards performance etc
Sorry...I want to clear some misunderstanding here.

SOTA is for those with passion for the arts without compromising good academic qualifications. All is incorporated in the curriculum, you do not need to send your child for extra art lessions and thus saves your child time and money.

MEP cannot be compared to the music curriculum in SOTA as the latter covers more in depth. My dd1 did MEP before at a mainstream school before SOTA and she could compare (at least for the 1st yr).

SOTA's focus is both academics and arts from Y1 to Y4, Y5 and Y6 are IB years and you can chose to drop your art subject if you want to major in others eg. medicine, law etc..My dd1 classmates, some are opting for double sciences preparing to do medicine and some wants to read law depending on how good your grades are for those subjects.

I had just confirmed that those who had to retain a year after leaving SOTA is because they had very very poor results ie. they might have fail all subjects. If they do not retain, they cannot catch up, so it is not the case of different syllabus. For Y1/2, the subjects are the same but just taught in a different way but, if you join SOTA in Y3/4, unless you are super duper, otherwise you probably have to retain in order to prepare for Y5/6 . For those who have lost interest or did not do well in their art form but academics are good are advised to transfer out at Y2, usually do not need to retain. So in any case, you have to be good at both in order to survive to Y6.

What is most important is the student himself/herself, how passionate is he/she to their art form?


edited

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/258455https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/258455Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:58:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:20:23 GMT]]>It is called "School Of The Arts" not for nothing, ditto for Singapore Sports School, where the like Feng Tian Wei are there …

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256545https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256545Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:20:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:42:28 GMT]]>

jtoh:
Ler:

[quote=\"jtoh\"]I've heard from a couple of parents of SOTA kids that they would need to repeat the year if they were to transfer to mainstream schools. When I asked why, they said it was because the syllabus was too different from that of the mainstream. That makes sense because if they decide to leave SOTA in Se 2 or 3, they would not be prepared to handle the O level syllabus and may perform less than ideally.



Really appreciate . Do you hv one of the parent contact which i want to personal talk to them? What will you do if you are under the same situation ?

Hi Ler,

One key thing that sets SOTA apart from MGS is that students there get to experience different art forms and even their regular academic subjects are taught with art/music/dance/theatre in mind so it makes them even more relevant and interesting to the students. I think that makes learning very enjoyable for the students.

I am not familiar with the difference between SOTA's music programme and MEP. The students I know who were considering between SOTA and MGS went in through dance. All three are very passionate about dance. Two of them I believe made the right choice to go to SOTA because academically, they were average and were more interested in what an art education at SOTA would hold for them. They were not interested in the Sciences and had they opted for MGS, they would in all likelihood have chosen a more humanities subject combination in Sec 3 anyway. And with SOTA, they were in a 6 year programme leading to an IB. Given their academic ability, their entry into a good JC was also a worrying one for the parents.

The last girl was academically stronger and it was felt it would have been a pity for her to choose SOTA over a mainstream education, where in Sec 3, she could still have the option to choose a Science-based education and possibly medicine as a career. In the end, she chose to go to MGS with the option of trying out for SOTA again at the end of Sec 2.

I am not saying that SOTA is not for the academically-talented as well. Indeed there are students at SOTA who did very well at PSLE, scoring >250. In the end, if the child is very passionate about her art form, is unlikely to have her interest in the art form wane, is certain that she wants to pursue an education that's more art-based, then SOTA offers the best opportunity in the Singapore education landscape. But if there's even a question of the child getting bored with dance/music etc as she gets older, or if she is considering medicine as a career, then I would think twice about SOTA.[/quote]Many thanks for analysing the whole situation. I will think about it and discuss with my daughter.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256543https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256543Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:42:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:04:38 GMT]]>

Ler:
jtoh:

I've heard from a couple of parents of SOTA kids that they would need to repeat the year if they were to transfer to mainstream schools. When I asked why, they said it was because the syllabus was too different from that of the mainstream. That makes sense because if they decide to leave SOTA in Se 2 or 3, they would not be prepared to handle the O level syllabus and may perform less than ideally.



Really appreciate . Do you hv one of the parent contact which i want to personal talk to them? What will you do if you are under the same situation ?

Hi Ler,

One key thing that sets SOTA apart from MGS is that students there get to experience different art forms and even their regular academic subjects are taught with art/music/dance/theatre in mind so it makes them even more relevant and interesting to the students. I think that makes learning very enjoyable for the students.

I am not familiar with the difference between SOTA's music programme and MEP. The students I know who were considering between SOTA and MGS went in through dance. All three are very passionate about dance. Two of them I believe made the right choice to go to SOTA because academically, they were average and were more interested in what an art education at SOTA would hold for them. They were not interested in the Sciences and had they opted for MGS, they would in all likelihood have chosen a more humanities subject combination in Sec 3 anyway. And with SOTA, they were in a 6 year programme leading to an IB. Given their academic ability, their entry into a good JC was also a worrying one for the parents.

The last girl was academically stronger and it was felt it would have been a pity for her to choose SOTA over a mainstream education, where in Sec 3, she could still have the option to choose a Science-based education and possibly medicine as a career. In the end, she chose to go to MGS with the option of trying out for SOTA again at the end of Sec 2.

I am not saying that SOTA is not for the academically-talented as well. Indeed there are students at SOTA who did very well at PSLE, scoring >250. In the end, if the child is very passionate about her art form, is unlikely to have her interest in the art form wane, is certain that she wants to pursue an education that's more art-based, then SOTA offers the best opportunity in the Singapore education landscape. But if there's even a question of the child getting bored with dance/music etc as she gets older, or if she is considering medicine as a career, then I would think twice about SOTA.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256538https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256538Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:04:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:07:28 GMT]]>

Lock:
verykiasu2010:

[quote=\"Brenda10\"]HI verykiasu2010



Thank you for your highlight otherwise we are not aware of such scenario when choosing the Secondary School next year.

last time my DD also blurr blurr (actually we were the blurrrr one) also went for SOTA DSA, kena \"sotapiah\"

:rotflmao:[/quote]
Hi All.


Thank you very much for sharing with me. :?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256498https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256498Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:07:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:38:25 GMT]]>

verykiasu2010:
Brenda10:

HI verykiasu2010



Thank you for your highlight otherwise we are not aware of such scenario when choosing the Secondary School next year.

last time my DD also blurr blurr (actually we were the blurrrr one) also went for SOTA DSA, kena \"sotapiah\"

:rotflmao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256466https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256466Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:38:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:11:28 GMT]]>

Brenda10:
HI verykiasu2010



Thank you for your highlight otherwise we are not aware of such scenario when choosing the Secondary School next year.
last time my DD also blurr blurr (actually we were the blurrrr one) also went for SOTA DSA, kena \"sotapiah\"

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256454https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256454Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:11:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:21:32 GMT]]>HI verykiasu2010



Thank you for your highlight otherwise we are not aware of such scenario when choosing the Secondary School next year.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256422https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256422Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:21:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:49:17 GMT]]>Hi ler, my opinion is, unless your dd is very very outstanding in music, those top top gifted talent type OR very very confirm very very passionate in music, then choose SOTA. Is your dd so sure to build a career in music?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256389https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256389Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:49:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:39:23 GMT]]>

Ler:
jtoh:

I've heard from a couple of parents of SOTA kids that they would need to repeat the year if they were to transfer to mainstream schools. When I asked why, they said it was because the syllabus was too different from that of the mainstream. That makes sense because if they decide to leave SOTA in Se 2 or 3, they would not be prepared to handle the O level syllabus and may perform less than ideally.



Really appreciate . Do you hv one of the parent contact which i want to personal talk to them? What will you do if you are under the same situation ?

If there is a choice between MGS and SOTA, close both eyes also take MGS.

It will never be too late to specialise in Music if she has the talent

However, if blindly go into SOTA and regret later will be painful. In anyway, MGS under MEP also get to specialise in Music

Bottom line million $$ question you need to answer yourself : Do you expect your daughter to be a performing musician without any solid academic foundation as a fall back ? (not that SOTA does not let the kids learn anything else, but that does lead to a music career only)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256310https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256310Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:39:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:01:54 GMT]]>

jtoh:
I've heard from a couple of parents of SOTA kids that they would need to repeat the year if they were to transfer to mainstream schools. When I asked why, they said it was because the syllabus was too different from that of the mainstream. That makes sense because if they decide to leave SOTA in Se 2 or 3, they would not be prepared to handle the O level syllabus and may perform less than ideally.


Really appreciate . Do you hv one of the parent contact which i want to personal talk to them? What will you do if you are under the same situation ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256288https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256288Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:01:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:22:34 GMT]]>I’ve heard from a couple of parents of SOTA kids that they would need to repeat the year if they were to transfer to mainstream schools. When I asked why, they said it was because the syllabus was too different from that of the mainstream. That makes sense because if they decide to leave SOTA in Se 2 or 3, they would not be prepared to handle the O level syllabus and may perform less than ideally.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256214https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256214Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:22:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:02:32 GMT]]>

Ler:
verykiasu2010:

[quote=\"Ler\"]I am a bit of confused to chose which school for my dd as she has given confirmed offer from methodist and sota under music. Any expectise who daughter has been through this two school, can highlight the difference which school i should for my daughter. Advise needed.



SOTA is for those 'die-hard' to do career in music & arts etc

MGS is still mainstream school with music elective, where you can do A level or IB (after merging with ACSI).....and you are not tied down to music forever

Also understand that if want to transfer from SOTA to mainstream school, has to retain one year, as SOTA main focus is not academic, even though they do 'normal subjects'....but curriculum is geared towards performance etc

Tks. How did you get the information that from sota to main stream have to repeat 1 year. Did any of your friend come across such situation?[/quote]read somewhere within KSP

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256021https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/256021Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:02:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Compare Methodist Girls vs SOTA on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:15:48 GMT]]>

verykiasu2010:
Ler:

I am a bit of confused to chose which school for my dd as she has given confirmed offer from methodist and sota under music. Any expectise who daughter has been through this two school, can highlight the difference which school i should for my daughter. Advise needed.



SOTA is for those 'die-hard' to do career in music & arts etc

MGS is still mainstream school with music elective, where you can do A level or IB (after merging with ACSI).....and you are not tied down to music forever

Also understand that if want to transfer from SOTA to mainstream school, has to retain one year, as SOTA main focus is not academic, even though they do 'normal subjects'....but curriculum is geared towards performance etc

Tks. How did you get the information that from sota to main stream have to repeat 1 year. Did any of your friend come across such situation?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/255982https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/255982Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:15:48 GMT