JC or Poly?

[mezier]

I am finishing my O levels soon this week but I have no idea whether to go poly or JC. I want to study radiography and not sure which path I should go. If I go poly, I can study radiography in a private university but it’s very costly. If I go JC, then after A levels can get a diploma in radiography from NYP and then go overseas upgrade to a degree in 1 year. But it’s also expensive to study overseas but I guess it’s still cheaper than the one in Singapore.


I’ve always wanted to go poly but after knowing that the course for radiography in university is about $75k, I’m not sure if I should go JC or not. I know very well that my parents can’t afford so much… But I’m worried if I don’t score well for A levels, I’ll have nothing to fall back upon…

Can anyone give me some suggestions?

[mummy so kiasu]

Can you go to poly to do a diploma & get scholarship from the hospital for your degree?

[mezier]

mummy so kiasu:

Can you go to poly to do a diploma & get scholarship from the hospital for your degree?

I've checked. The scholarships hospitals like SGH are only for certain Diploma courses. And those diploma courses requires A levels.

[jen.03343895]

In my opinion, you should take A level then go to NYP as what you already know.

[pnze]

I gt Eng: B3 CHS: B3 e Maths: B3 a Maths: B3 chem: B3 phy: B3 Poa:A1 B3 and Chinese: B3 I got CCA bonus 2 pts. Net score is 14 and 11. I dunno whether shud I go poly or jc. Becuz poly I dunno what to do and for jc: shud I try to get into srjc(13) or go into tampines jc(14) or any jc that accept my aggregate score? Please advise. Ty. I live toa payoh

[Valerie Teoh]

If your answer to this question is yes, you should go into JC. If not, Poly.

"How desperate do you want to go into a University?"

SRJC is not a bad choice also, from TPY maybe 20 mins?

[pnze]

Very desperate

[meinteel]

JC is a pre-university course while Poly prepares you for the workplace. Therefore, the choice is quite obvious.


Despite it being easier and easier for poly students to get into uni, you should know that the overall percentage is still very small as compared to jc students (well over 90%).

Do note that JC education isn’t going to be like secondary school. It will be much tougher and requires you to consistently revise AFTER finishing all your homework and class practices. Being desperate to go university is not enough, you need to be willing to put in the time and effort for the next 2 years while your friends are partying away in poly.

GCE A Levels is a worthless certification if you are not going for a degree, its WORST than a diploma. Therefore, if you think you would very likely not work hard and study for the next 2 years, I STRONGLY suggest you to enter poly instead. I’m not saying that poly is all fun and games, but its definitely easier to pass.

[insider]

I riding on this thread coz of the title for the below sharing though content is not relevant to the TS’ queries.


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It is like a ‘harvest’ period for me for my two elder kids.

My eldest daughter sent me a note few days back with the below extract:

"I love you and thank you for recommending Ngee Ann and steering me onto this path. Also for providing me with the chance to come to the UK, where I am able to meet all these people and be exposed to the endless opportunities that would not have been apparent to me had I stayed in Singapore. "

It seems like it’s only yesterday that I saw how she was trying to make up her mind on which JC to go to with her 7As and 2Bs results, asking classmates about their choices etc. She couldn’t make up her mind coz she was reluctant to put herself through another two years of ‘theories’. I then just threw her an option to look at polys’ courses which can be very interesting.

That window was opened for her (which at the beginning it never actually crossed her mind that she has that option).

She chosen Ngee Ann and had her meaningful 3 years in there, spending much time in labs doing something that she likes.

Time flies and she will be applying for her PhD next year. Something must have hit on her to write me a Thank You note few days back. (she told me poly training gives her an edge over her JC classmates in her uni as her hands-on lab experiences are much stronger than them.)

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Last night, my elder son came to my room and told me today will be his last filming day and after today, his poly life will be ‘unofficially’ over (officially will be Apr next year).

He spoke with much gratitude that I had helped him to make one of the best decisions in his life to take up the Filming course, that he spent his almost 3 years in poly with minimum ‘dull’ moments, and that throughout the 3 years he has been on the move, learning, having fun, and growing in many areas. He concluded he will miss his poly life which is one of the best 3-years in his life (meeting creative, talented, and fun classmates). Speaking with so much passion and enthusiasm about his course, he only short of saying that he hopes that his poly life can last longer.

We spoke briefly about his future, etc, but at the end we decided not to explore further first until he about to finish his NS (entering NS next Aug/Sep).

Before he left my room, he moved over to give me a hug and a peck on my cheek, saying, "Mum, thanks for allowing me to be what I want to be."

That was really a moving moment for me coz my ‘gambles’ seem to have paid off for my two elder kids.

This week seems like a ‘Harvest Week’ for me…

[GKeller]

Valerie Teoh:

HELLO!


I'm currently an Sec 5 N(A), O level student. As DSA and DPA and going on now (DPA starting real soon!). I was thinking should I go to a JC or Poly?

The below is my result. (PRELIM 1)
English- C5
Chinese - A1
E. Maths - A1
A. Maths - A1
Science (Physics & Chemistry) - A1
Combined Humanities (Geog) - A1
L1R5 - 10 / L1R4 - 9
CCA - A1 (So is 2 bonus points)

My CCA is St. John Ambulance Brigade, but not very strong in it. But I have public speaking talent (competitions).

I have high CIP (or VIA) hours. (about 200++) as I volunteered outside. Is it a better chance for me to DPA/DSA using this CIP as one of my applying criteria?

So, should I go into a JC or Poly? (If Poly, I might consider DPA. I've already applied DSA to several JCs). If poly, I would consider my choices as: Business & Social Enterprise (NP), Chinese Studies (NP) and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (NYP). If JC, I would choose the middle range ones I suppose. But I'm seriously wanting to get into HCI because of the hostel facilities and also the programme in the school!

Thanks!

It seems like you do not have a clear idea of your future career path given the diversified choices that you are looking into for poly courses. Here's a few things that you should take note before you make your final decision:

Science subjects in JC are of a greater depth. I have known of friends and some students who struggled with their science subjects in JC because they took combined sciences and therefore lacking in exposure to contextual knowledge. Unless you possess a great interest for sciences, these subjects may come across as obstacles.

JC could be too short to provide you with the exposure that you seek. Looking at your portfolio, it is clear that you are rather ambitious and adventurous. JC may not provide you with the time (and exposure as compared to poly) to take up much extra-curriculum programmes. JC has an intensive academic curriculum (many schools have 'mugging culture') and many opportunities to improve your portfolio is coupled with academic requirements. If you're motivated in what you do and strive to achieve more, Poly won't pale in comparison.

You're a girl. That means no NS to serve. You won't lose out in time gaps between NS and uni or Poly and NS. If you pursue a degree related to your diploma, it is likely that you'll be accelerated to year 2 in Uni.

Competition with scholars and IP student. Not just on academics, but CCA exco positions, scholarships etc etc.

If you're really into a hostel life, wait till uni. You'll have more time and money by then. I hope that these info can aid you in making a more informed decision.