Hi,


I'm currently looking for tuition lessons for my DD who will be in Yr4 IP in 2017. Can be either private tutor or small group tuition at reasonable rate.

We are staying in the East and she's a Cedarian.

Greatly appreciate any recommendations available please

TIA !! :rahrah:

slmkhoo:

MommyDearest:

Coming back to my initial question of whether to take double / triple pure sciences, my concern is on whether a student has added advantage over other applicants when applying for medicine course in LOCAL university if Biology is one of the subjects used in the application (in place of Physics), apart from Chemistry which is A MUST in the application. Can anyone advise ?

Note: My DD prefers Physics and Chemistry but doesn't mind taking up Biology if necessary.

If your daughter hasn't targeted Medicine as her course of choice, does it really matter? I don't think it can realistically be considered a 2nd choice! Of course, there is the concern that she may change her mind.

I haven't heard, though I haven't really asked around much as my daughter isn't interested in Medicine, that not taking Bio is a definite negative for applying to Medicine. However, if I were interviewing, I would be interested to hear the student's explanation as to why Bio is not one of the subjects. If the student shows a disinterest in Bio, then that may be a negative factor. Maybe others can shed light?

My DD has been working hard to realise her dream to be in the medicine course at a local uni since her primary school days. She knows clearly what she wants in life and always works hard to achieve her goals. And since medicine is her targeted course in uni, so YES it does matter to choose her subject combination carefully at this stage as it will affect her subject combination in JC/ A levels. Hence, I would greatly appreciate if there are parents of any medical students here or even medical students who are reading this thread to offer your comments from your own experience

By the way, the interview for applicants of the medical course in uni is not so into academics but more on evaluating a student's worth in terms of life experience via exposure to needy people around and etc. Hence, good grades and volunteer work in the healthcare sector is a necessity and they work hand-in-hand to determine the student in such an application. This is not my assumption but based on facts.

Thank you slmkhoo, starlight1968sg, sieg and zbear for your sharings. Very helpful indeed !


@slmkhoo: My DD is in IP track, taking year 3 in 2016. Hence, only pure sciences are offered to her. She already has a targeted course to take at the uni and it seems like taking double sciences (without Biology) is the way to go for her because it’s her preference. In addition, this will lead her to taking the JC subject combination of PCME (Physics, Chemistry, Math & Econs) which is the most versatile combination, leading to any courses in the local universities, including Medicine, Law, Engineering and Accountancy. This is a safe route, just in case she does not get into her targeted course in uni, at least she has a generic subject combination to land her in the next best course.

I agree with starlight196sg that science subjects do require foundation from Secondary level before one can elect them at JC level. My DS is currently in JC2 Science, sitting for A levels this year, so I know. In my DS’s school, to qualify for H2 Sciences, student hv to offer a passing grade at O levels/IP Yr4. Those who took combined Sciences at O-Level, they must have obtained A1 or A2. In addition, those who wish to take up H2 Biology at JC level should preferably obtain a min. grade of B3 in English Language at O-Level or a D for Language Art for IP students.

Almost similar criterias applies to electing H2 Math at JC level. Arts students without A Math background will only be offered H1 Math. Bridging program will be offered to science students with no A Math background so as to be able to cope with the rigour of the subject.

However, Biology (as I realised recently) may be necessary if student wishes to pursue Medicine overseas as some universities abroad still insist on it.

Coming back to my initial question of whether to take double / triple pure sciences, my concern is on whether a student has added advantage over other applicants when applying for medicine course in LOCAL university if Biology is one of the subjects used in the application (in place of Physics), apart from Chemistry which is A MUST in the application. Can anyone advise ?
Note: My DD prefers Physics and Chemistry but doesn’t mind taking up Biology if necessary.

What is the implication of taking double sciences compared to triple sciences in IP Yr 3-4 (other than the difference in the number of subjects)? I asked the HOD of science fm my DD’s school and she simply explained that it’s just the students’ interest if they go for triple sciences. I’m not convinced. Does anyone has any comments to add for this?

I’m currently looking for a private tutor (preferably male) to coach my DS in H2 Chemistry. He will be taking his ‘A’ Levels this year. We are staying in the East.

Appreciate any referral to a responsible & experienced tutor. TIA!!

I’m currently looking for a private tutor (preferably male) to coach my DS in H2 Chemistry. He will be taking his ‘A’ Levels this year. We are staying in the East.

Appreciate any referral to a responsible & experienced tutor. TIA!!

Wow! Thank you folks for your generous sharing. Learned a lot from your discussions too.


Maybe I should clarify that the reason why I posed my question to check with both parents and ex/current jc students about the need for tuition is because my DS seems very relaxed in JC. CCA & PW have not started yet. He stays back after school to mingle with friends or attend talks (accdg to him) then come home just in time dinner. Work less than 2hrs then bedtime. Weekends can go out with friends from lunch till dinner.

This sort of like is non-existent in his Sec3-4 when he worked so hard for his O levels.

So I don't believe JC is such a breeze (easier than upper sec) and the fact that from earlier parents' conversation here, the JC kids are already working hard with some having started on PW already. During my time, tuition would be an added advantage but not everyone can afford back then. I didn't have tuition via JC.

My hope is for DS to take up tution (Home tuition w/o travelling to lesson)for his weakest 1-2 subjects only in the weekend when he is fresh and not after a long day's school. But he only agrees to one (MT) - better than none I guess

The way I see it (and have also shared with him) is this:
Boys have advantage over girls in that they work hard over 2yrs in JC then take a break from studies (for NS) before continuing on to the U - which by that time, they are much more matured and therefore can have a better grasp of the studies concepts with clearer view of what they are working towards.

These are just my few cents worth of thoughts.

jtoh:

MommyDearest:

My DS says that in JC, the civisment tutors teaches adequately and that notes from lectures are sufficient to prepare one for exams provided that one does consistent daily readups after each day's lesson and completes daily homework. No need tuition. Civic tutors are readily willing to provide one-to-one coaching when approached. Is this true ?

If that's true, it sounds really good. Which JC is your ds in? Maybe the experienced JC mums can advise.

DS is in TJC.
He added that there's no need to practice with assessment bks too. School work will suffice.
I'm skeptical about this.
Can any current JC students or experienced parents please comment & share on yr experience?

My DS says that in JC, the civic tutors teaches adequately and that notes from lectures are sufficient to prepare one for exams provided that one does consistent daily readups after each day’s lesson and completes daily homework. No need tuition. Civic tutors are readily willing to provide one-to-one coaching when approached. Is this true ?

Wishace:

ServantOfGod:

Keep praying and have faith in God.

Amen and thanks !

Amen !!