thanks all for the valuable information!


after going for both open houses, I decided to put RI as first choice, followed by HCI then NJC.

I believe I have a very very low chance to get into either ri/hci but I'm prepared to try my chances in appeal.

From what I've gathered, many more people would choose RI over HCI (except for chinese schools like mine - which usually only have 2 from RI, among the 50+ that are in RI/HCI), therefore it is more competitive to get in.
I heard from a senior that only 10 3-pointers were accepted into raffles in the year 2012.
also, I believe that RI produces slightly better A level results as compared to HCI.
I've heard that RI's promotion criteria is less strict and I kinda feel like RI's atmosphere is slightly less competitive than HCI (?? this is just a feeling I got after going for both open houses)
but of course, RI is filled with 'the best' but I would have to say that HCI is definitely an excellent institution that is definitely comparable to RI.
statistics given by HCI were that 80+% of their students are able to get into top universities worldwide.
a senior from RI has told me that roughly half the school goes overseas for university.
in terms of scholars, RI has a significant number (of president scholars I think?) than HCI. however, do take note that RI has an extra 100 years of history as compared to HCI. therefore the numbers are definitely comparable

Besides, I've heard a few terrible stories from HCI due to it's elite system but haven't heard any from RI, but it might be because I'm more exposed to HCI, coming from a chinese school.

All in all, I don't think that both schools are that different in terms of results, therefore it doesn't really matter in that sense. I feel that if you don't work hard, it doesn't matter where you go because you will fail anyway.
I feel that what really matters is their difference in culture and atmosphere and environment.
Although it is true that HCI may not be as chinese-y as they seem, but when I went to RI, I didn't hear a single chinese word and you could not feel the chinese culture in RI AT ALL. on the other hand, in HCI, people speak 50-50 chinese and english, and events such as Mid Autumn Festival is a very big thing there. (RI doesn't celebrate MAF) so this is one point to take note of so you don't get a culture shock if you go into HCI/RI.
from their open houses, I feel like RI is more lively and has greater diversity and greater flexibility.
I could be wrong, but that was what I felt from their open house.

oh and one more thing to consider is that RI's facilities are FANTASTIC. RJC, combined with RI, is really really big and they have good facilities (mainly because they're new) like mini marts and etc. on the other hand, HCI wasn't as big as I thought it was and was a little lacking in terms of facilities as HCI is a very old school.

a number of my friends (do remember that I'm from a chinese school that is strongly immersed into the chinese culture) were impressed with RI (especially so by their facilities, which I would say are one of the best among all the JCs), but chose HCI over RI as they felt uncomfortable and felt like they wouldn't be able to fit into RI.

I'm sorry if anything I said was offensive to any of you! I just wanted to express my opinion on both schools
hope my opinion would be useful to future O level grads!

I think you should just try for all of them! no harm trying


what every JC looks out for is different, you should check their website near dsa period where they'll start posting up stuff related to dsa or maybe go to the school and find out more
besides, given your experience, I think the lack of a leadership role shouldn't be that much of an impact because most of the time they're looking for the skills!
next year is SYF year, therefore JCs will reserve more slots for the performing arts. good luck!

I just got my results today and I got raw score 7 and 4 for bonus points so nett score is 3.


I am a little torn between hci and ri.
most of the people from my school (a chinese school) is telling me to choose hci but I would like to know more!
I am attending hci’s open house tmr but is most likely unable to attend ri’s on wed.

besides, does anyone know of the chances of me getting into either of these schools since my nett score is 3 instead of 2?
and what are the chances of appeal??

thanks ^^