<p>those entering fall 06 are class of 2010. graduating in 3 years is cool, but doesn't have to be done - you could always take more classes, double-major etc. quite a few people here in the US get advanced standing through APs and by challenging courses as well, but over here there seems to be a greater emphasis on exploration than just zipping through the system. just a thought. </p>
<p>I'm not a fan of the Singapore education system myself, especially after leaving it, but you have to admit that the Singapore education system is far more rigorous and gives us a much better grounding than for instance the US high school education system. While the US system is superior for people who are extremely self-motivated, the Singapore system does have its merits in that it provides everyone with the solid fundamentals. </p>
<p>also I would recommend talking about yourself for your college app essays. they should be pretty personal in nature...</p>
<p>I personally wouldn't favour the use of statistics, this is after all an application essay as opposed to a GP one. Another point which I probably didn't mention earlier was that the essay lacks balance; it doesn't address the first part of the question as much as the second. I still think the personal voice could be stronger - perhaps you could relate your qualities and education to how you can make a difference as opposed to merely critiquing the system. </p>
<p>Going a bit off topic here, but the reason why we tend to do well in Math is because it's supposed to test basic math - math that many students would have mostly covered in lower secondary. Add that to the fact that Singaporeans are comparatively weaker in American English (or logic for that matter), and that explains the divergence of scores between both components. It's not so much about the math-science emphasis in our schools as it is a reflection of our general linguistic proficiency, and yes Chinese is included. That said and done, I actually do agree with you that the level of math and science in Singapore is much higher than the humanities - that's mostly thanks to our pseudo "knowledge-based economy". American universities know that too so I won't be too hasty to immediately condemn it as a generalisation; a quick look at the admittance rates for engineering versus arts will prove that point.</p>
<p>Regarding your Bush point, it's pretty ironic that Tharman made a comment quite recently that in the US, the peaks are getting higher, but the valleys are getting deeper as well. There are very good reasons why I want to leave Singapore for my tertiary education, but it's not because of elitism. Stratification is inevitable in any system, and I rather we do it the Singapore way rather than the US way, which leaves individuals to flounder (and drown). America redefines the term free market in terms of education - and a free market equals market failure. I'll go out on a limb and say an average Singapore student is better educated (iffy but I'll define it loosely) than the American student. Why is it then that the American education system is seen as more successful? It's not because "no child is left behind" as Bush would like to fib, but because of social mobility. Anyone can drop out and have a chance of succeeding in America; but good luck to you if you attempt to carve out your own Rockefeller empire in Singapore.</p>
<p>Hi there fellow Singaporeans. Just wondering and for curiosity sake, given a chance between Local Uni (NUS, NTU, SMU) and Oversea Uni (UMich, UVa, UIUC, Mcgill, U of Toronto); which will you more likely to choose? I really inclining towards Mcgill, UMich, and SMU.</p>
<p>Jeremy pretty much covered much of how I feel towards the local system, especially regarding logic. However, I'm not quite sure to which system you're refering to when you mentioned leaving individuals behind drown. I also noticed a bias for the second part of the question over the first. Working on that, but I haven't had got much to work on. </p>
<p>We are probably better prepared on the comparative level for most topics, but they enjoy a broader based education as a whole. Systems are geared differently. </p>
<p>Well, the education system isn't solely to blame for the lower rate of success in carving out your own way, Society and mindset contributes to. </p>
<p>Naff, I would probably pick UMich UoT UVa. No idea why.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the comments. Most of my other essays are the more conventional autobiographical sort. I just felt too strongly about this topic to change it I guess.</p>
<p>Incidentally, I sent a copy to my secondary school English teacher to solicit his comments. He said he made some minor changes, but as far as I can tell, nothing's been changed.</p>
<p>naff.. i would go overseas. US. canada unis are big, and from what i sense, more concerned about their endowment than anything else. you get admitted purely based on grades (majority of the schools anyway). coming from a large jc myself, im rather sick of the lack of individual attention.... so if i were u i would be inclined towards US... thou not so much UMich and Uva cus they are big big schs as well.. but thats just me.</p>
<p>Just want to know really whether NUS and NTU is really that good. Some friends of mine(those not from JC) really do think that local Uni is THE only University. I'm quite surprise at their ignorance about the rest of the world. One particular guy actually pulled out this old newpaper which boldly ranks NUS above certain premier Universities. </p>
<p>Well, besides the UofT in canada, is McGill equally reputable or better?</p>
<p>naff: Everything else being constant (that is if school fees are not a concern), I would go overseas. UMich and UVa have good reputations, and generally Canadian education is good and affordable (comparatively). But if you want individual attention, don't go to a state college, where you have to be a go-getter and very motivated to take advantage of all the opportunities available. If you don't mind the prestige, choosing less well known but still excellent liberal arts colleges will get you very good financial aid/merit scholarships if you are a good student (and also for diversity reasons). My parents mind though, and being middle-class ie. no man's land, I don't qualify for financial aid yet am not rich enough to take the first plane overseas - so that's a consideration.</p>
<p>Were you aware that NUS is ranked above Princeton and Columbia in arts and social sciences in the THES? Do recruiters care? I don't think so. I agree that the "NUS is THE venerable institution" mentality is very prevalent, but these people aren't going to be your bosses. Don't bother.</p>
<p>McGill is termed the Harvard of Canada; pretty hard to get in.</p>
<p>scandal-less: I actually loved the individual attention I got at RJC, but perhaps that was because I was in an arts class. It wasn't like secondary school where the teachers didn't even know my name; my teachers were always available for individual consultations. Or alternatively, the reason why RJC seemed like a godsend to me was because of my horrible experience in secondary school. I swear never to step foot into RGS again for as long as I live. =p</p>
<p>RGS?! Oh ok! :p I have thought that you are a guy. Sorry about that though. But I would say that McGill is much easier to get admitted compare to universities of similar calibre. Acceptance rate is 56% and compare that to Harvard's. :)</p>
<p>Apparently, I had the same idea as kenyon. My apologies. Wouldn't the choice of LACs be rather limiting? If you intend to work locally, an LAC might not be the best choice? They aren't exactly well-known.</p>
<p>Naff: non-JC students usually don't have the kind exposure to overseas options that JC students enjoy. And if they did, it's usually to Austrailian unis, which are largely seen as a dumping ground for students who "can't make it" locally. Hence the remarks coming from your friends. Admittedly, he wasn't wrong though. NUS does rank higher on certain rankings, but it definitely depends on the ranking system itself. </p>
<p>Jeremymjr: Where are you at now? The name's rather misleading though! Your teacher's didn't know your name? That's awful. </p>
<p>Hey, what horror stories have you guys endured at school? i'm rather curious.</p>
<p>dtwn: It is a misleading name - got my brother to sign up for me so that explains it. =p</p>
<p>I'm a J3, just got back my A Level Results and waiting for university replies. I'm not very positive though - so if the results aren't favourable, I'll be heading to the UK.</p>
<p>You're right, it's easier to get into McGill, but the prestige factor is there within Canada itself. As for the general Singaporean perception, anything below Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT (some haven't even heard of it actually) is basically third tier ie. below NUS. Which is why I said liberal arts is good if you don't mind the lack of prestige (and would like some cash). Heck how many people know SM Goh graduated with a masters from Williams?</p>
<p>Well the irony was that I was the physics rep and my physics teacher didn't know my name. Can't blame her though, she (not a typo) was always falling asleep/dreaming in class. =p</p>
<p>jeremy: Heh, a female physics teacher? That's like the first I've ever heard. That's not ironic, that's plain depressing. </p>
<p>I can see the name now.</p>
<p>Well, apparently, I'm one of those people who didn't know SM Goh was an LAC graduate. Bad bad me.</p>
<p>Let's see.. horror stories.
In primary 5, my teacher ordered me to take my desk/chair out of the classroom and sit outside during her lessons. She said I was talking too much and being disruptive. Sadly, I wasn't even talking. Since she taught me every subject except chinese I spent the next 2 days largely sitting outside the class staring into space. I couldn't see the board due to the angle. All I could see in the class was the teacher's table and feet of my classmates. Amazingly, she again accused me of talking, apparently to the air or something. At this point, she ordered me into those huge black plastic dustbins we use and stand in there for the rest of the day. Fortunately, the principal came by in the next hour and 'graciously' allowed me to move my stuff back into the class.</p>
<p>Singaporeans are over-represented everywhere; it's not so much as being unkind as it is seeking diversity. I would probably take a Kenyan student over a Singapore one ceteris paribus. =p Check out Harvard. Now that's harsh.</p>
<p>If you are talking of average SAT scores, I don't have data for the whole of Singapore, but RJC's average is Verbal 664, Math 768, Writing 691 for 2003-2004. Not exactly sure what it is for match.</p>
<p>PS. Saw your posts elsewhere; always nice to see someone taking Geog/S paper at A Level. It's an extremely unpopular choice to say the least =(. So what JC are you from?</p>
<p>Geog S? How did you know? =<br>
I'm taking it cuz it's a free distinction. I sleep through all my Geog lectures and I am topping the class. Arts people are stupid. </p>
<p>My JC is secret! Tell me about your psychic powers first! ;)</p>
<p>Hmm...I'm still interested to know what JC you are from - always wanted to bump into a direct junior here. =p </p>
<p>Well I'm an Arts student too; and I say hell no Geog S isn't a free Distinction! I'm not kidding you, our top Geog student last last year didn't get a Distinction (Although we redeemed ourselves with 10/16 Distinctions last year). I had to read university level books to get my Distinction. I feel like killing you now hehe. =p</p>
<p>Oh really? I'm from ACJC. But I'm a fake TJCian. And I would like to go RJ just for their university support. And I like SA's ties. </p>
<p>Geog S isn't a free distinction? =O Omg. I've been reading the sample questions. Seems to me that I could get by with smoking. My Geog teacher spent one entire lesson praising my writing style. =P</p>
<p>It's very possible to get into a top US university with ACJC anyway - they have a nice history with Yale according to my US counsellor. All that support RJC gives apparently won't help me get into one. =X Good luck though; you are part of the dragon batch, which never fails to scare me with their stellar mugging skills. I swear the school library was populated by more J1s than J2s last year in the stretch leading up to the A Levels. </p>
<p>Well it depends entirely on how much beer your marker has been drinking. My friend gets by through her style, but she has plenty of substance as well. That said, smoking will get you a merit at least. I thought so too when I first saw the questions eg. "Are maps useful? Discuss." Apparently those questions are the hardest to score for. I always went for the direct ones where I could substantiate (and give fake examples, I remember quoting a Chinese village with a very high birth rate using my friend's name as the name of the village). It's just that S Paper grades are very volatile; not that it's mad difficult to get. </p>
<p>That said, your batch will be the last one taking the A Levels, so be prepared for some weird questions. My year was really bad already because it was the first time the SEAB set the questions, but fortunately the curve saved me.</p>
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I remember quoting a Chinese village with a very high birth rate using my friend's name as the name of the village
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<p>***? Hahahhahahahahhahaaha......<br>
Yeah, I'm a Dragon. Think I'm going apply Yale EA next year. Oh well. I have a few months to kick up my CCAs real good. And my weeks/year thing will suffer. Ho hum. I'm going to bed. logs offs.</p>