<![CDATA[MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions]]>

superduper:


Yes, I agree that you can hardly see any issues with regards to negative results and side effects being stated in this forum... what you see is mostly about positive results. Why not create a thread whereby negative issues, which are the realistic issues that need to be addressed, so that parents with such issues can come in and discuss.

Take for example, a scenario where a kid, after getting poor results, and not being able to get into any local university course, decides to call it quits and does not want continue to study anymore... what can parents do about it?
You can simply start a thread to ask for opinions if you need advice on seemingly helpless situations.

As for your scenario, well, firstly, if a student has completed his diploma or A levels, he is probably no longer a 'kid' anymore and should be responsible for his/her own decisions.

If he decides to call it quits, well, maybe there are other options out there that may suit him better. If he is from poly, he can start working, see what he wants to do in life. Even if he is from A-levels, he can also start work. I had a few guy friends who also flunked A-levels. Some took the brave option of signing on to the Army/SCDF to take some time off studying. Two of them eventually qualified to NTU's part-time engineering degree and the rest are either waiting to enter Unisim part-time courses or are already enrolled.

Not wanting to study for awhile might not be a totally bad thing for a person. Sometimes, we just need to plan a little better.

1. Find out what you really want to do in life. A real passion. Getting rich and/or getting married is not a passion, it is a desire.

2. Plan it out: what are the different routes of getting there? Can you afford it?

3. Go and do it.

Not getting into local uni is not the end of the world. It is hard to get in, its meant to be hard, thats how we know that these institutions are of great quality. Just because you're not smart enough for it doesnt mean you are stupid. You might need to take a longer route. Maybe do your A-levels twice or even three times.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/80174/mdis-vs-kaplan-vs-tmc-private-institutionsRSS for NodeSat, 25 Apr 2026 08:59:05 GMTSat, 22 Nov 2014 17:02:49 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions on Sat, 22 Nov 2014 09:44:24 GMT]]>

dolphinsiah:
I noticed that in this forum nobody discuss about Private Institutions .


I am looking at MDIS/Kaplan and TMC ...was wondering are these good institutions for higher education after secondary school?

I forsee my younger child might continue her higher education in one of this Private Institutions.

So hope to receive more information about these Private Institutions.

:thankyou:
Yes, I agree that you can hardly see any issues with regards to negative results and side effects being stated in this forum... what you see is mostly about positive results. Why not create a thread whereby negative issues, which are the realistic issues that need to be addressed, so that parents with such issues can come in and discuss.

Take for example, a scenario where a kid, after getting poor results, and not being able to get into any local university course, decides to call it quits and does not want continue to study anymore... what can parents do about it?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1419356https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1419356Sat, 22 Nov 2014 09:44:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions on Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:44:49 GMT]]>There are many other private institutions out there other than MDIS Kaplan and TMC. Personally I would suggest taking up a part time degree as it will enable your child to study and work at the same time. Having a qualification in Singapore is important but having the experience and opportunity costs are equally important. The duration of the degree offered by the private institutions that you mentioned takes a at least 2-3 years to complete. This is a really long time especially for guys who have to go through NS. Since the cert you will eventually receive from all the distance learning programmes would be the same as the one you would get when you fly over to study, I would suggest you to look at part time degree that are shorter. Keep in mind the opportunity cost!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1402656https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1402656Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:44:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions on Sat, 18 Oct 2014 12:37:50 GMT]]>
And I honestly wouldnt recommend any of those 3, SIM seems to be the most reputable out of the pte institutes here in sg. So if you want, you should head for SIM. I’m not from SIM, so I’m not advertising or anything.



Agree with this. and don’t just stop at diploma level. continue all the way till degree.
I reckon the SIM-UOL course has the best reputation among all the private degrees here.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1401191https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1401191Sat, 18 Oct 2014 12:37:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions on Sat, 18 Oct 2014 04:30:10 GMT]]>

zbear:


I am not being judgemental but I think its very important that those who enter ITE have to be very selective of the type of company they mix with.

Each time I passed by ITE campus n see the students hanging outside, I don't have a good impression.

ITE is definitely not \"it's the end\" as they offer very good specialised courses. Its just the environment that I am concerned about.

JMHO.
I understand where you are coming from and it's a fair comment. Didn't think you are being judgemental.

For students who are less academically inclined, be it at NT, NA or very weak O students, then I would still advice these students to go ITE to continue with their studies (assuming they don't make the cut for poly ed). Even though the learning environment can be a worry, at least they are still in the education system and learning something, and hopefully can move on to poly diploma and who knows, tertiary education at some point.

Like what JJ and havok_ex have articulated above, certs and diplomas from private institutions are less recognised in the workforce. More importantly, ITE is under MOE purview, so you know the government will definitely take care and allocate resources for ITE education.

I believe that for students who can meet the JC and poly minimum criteria, it's unlikely they would consider ITE. It's for those who are less academically inclined that must think of life after N or O levels. It's a different route from those we are familiar with, but definitely not worse off as long as the family supports the child to further his/her studies.

Hopefully with the right family support in place and teachers' guidance, the better and more motivated students will be less influenced by undesirable behaviour.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1401007https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1401007Sat, 18 Oct 2014 04:30:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions on Sat, 18 Oct 2014 02:32:54 GMT]]>

schweppes:

Going to ITE is definitely NOT \"it's the end\". I know of one ITE student who went Poly and even got a scholarship to NUS. Working for a stat board now, Another ITE alum also took the longer route, got her degree and is some high-fligher in a US MNC firm.

I am not being judgemental but I think its very important that those who enter ITE have to be very selective of the type of company they mix with.

Each time I passed by ITE campus n see the students hanging outside, I don't have a good impression.

ITE is definitely not \"it's the end\" as they offer very good specialised courses. Its just the environment that I am concerned about.

JMHO.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400970https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400970Sat, 18 Oct 2014 02:32:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions on Fri, 17 Oct 2014 17:54:00 GMT]]>Honestly, I wont recommend it. You might end up wasting alot of money all for nothing. Firstly, diplomas from these institutes are not recognised at all. I’ve seen people enter, pay tons of money, got their diploma BUT could not continue on getting the degree because either their results were not good or they were just not interested. When they go out to try and find work, they either cant find a job or dont get paid much. A local poly diploma holder, only gets about 1.8k starting, for non-engineers. A pte diploma holder would be getting much less. Pte degree is still reasonably okay if it comes from a reputable institute. But pte diploma is more or less useless. Its merely a step to getting into the degree courses at the pte university.


And I honestly wouldnt recommend any of those 3, SIM seems to be the most reputable out of the pte institutes here in sg. So if you want, you should head for SIM. I’m not from SIM, so I’m not advertising or anything. I’ve had bad a bad experience with MDIS in the past, but I wont air that here. MDIS is not that bad for their engineering/bio courses from what I hear from my friends in those courses, but since your daughter doesnt like math, I dont think she will be doing anything science related.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400872https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400872Fri, 17 Oct 2014 17:54:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions on Fri, 17 Oct 2014 12:09:57 GMT]]>

schweppes:
dolphinsiah, u have pm 😉

:thankyou: schweppes

I fully agree with your thoughts. 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400709https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400709Fri, 17 Oct 2014 12:09:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions on Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:56:49 GMT]]>dolphinsiah, u have pm 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400672https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400672Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:56:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions on Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:43:07 GMT]]>Besides ITE, if the child meets the minimum requirements for selected courses, can also consider Poly education. They have quite a few non Tech courses. Visit the Poly/ITE Open Houses, likely to be scheduled in early Jan.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400668https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400668Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:43:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions on Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:39:12 GMT]]>

dolphinsiah:
JJ1111:

Why don't you let her go ITE? I personally feel, unless no choice, all this PTE certificate is not as good as \"government\" certificate.


I have quite a no. of colleagues who took Degree in MDIS and Kaplan, my Company (Private sector) \"recognise\" this certificate. Of course the cert cannot compared with those in NTU/NUS/SMU.

:thankyou: for your sharing.

Yes going ITE after Secondary is another option. But my child is very weak in Maths. We are looking on Non Technical Courses..... 😄

I agree with JJ1111. For some students, it is advisable to take the longer route. Go to ITE, work hard and then strive to enter poly. By then, the student is also more matured, disciplined and responsible. It may take a longer route to get there, but more importantly, at least the student will still get there eventually.

Going to ITE is definitely NOT \"it's the end\". I know of one ITE student who went Poly and even got a scholarship to NUS. Working for a stat board now, Another ITE alum also took the longer route, got her degree and is some high-fligher in a US MNC firm.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400664https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400664Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:39:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions on Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:23:54 GMT]]>

JJ1111:
Why don't you let her go ITE? I personally feel, unless no choice, all this PTE certificate is not as good as \"government\" certificate.


I have quite a no. of colleagues who took Degree in MDIS and Kaplan, my Company (Private sector) \"recognise\" this certificate. Of course the cert cannot compared with those in NTU/NUS/SMU.
:thankyou: for your sharing.

Yes going ITE after Secondary is another option. But my child is very weak in Maths. We are looking on Non Technical Courses..... 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400654https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400654Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:23:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MDIS VS Kaplan VS TMC - Private Institutions on Fri, 17 Oct 2014 07:18:07 GMT]]>Why don’t you let her go ITE? I personally feel, unless no choice, all this PTE certificate is not as good as "government" certificate.


I have quite a no. of colleagues who took Degree in MDIS and Kaplan, my Company (Private sector) "recognise" this certificate. Of course the cert cannot compared with those in NTU/NUS/SMU.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400553https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1400553Fri, 17 Oct 2014 07:18:07 GMT