<p>^ I suspect A-level might be somewhat better, especially if you take H1 Economics and GP. I believe it won't be as demanding on your English skills as the TOK/EE components in IB.</p>
<p>Dont take IB diploma if you are planning to go to the US colleges, take APs. My GPA drops a lot from all those IB courses. It basically ruins your high school life. You ended up 3 in the morning finishing up your essay.</p>
<p>@alohaman
But her english is the key problem. AP programmes dont provide her with enough english practice and knowledge since they already deem you to be proficent in the language. She would just have to weight the different consequences.</p>
<p>@Sharyn-Goh
I suggest Overseas Family School. Since its intended for overseas families that are living in Singapore, the school focus somewhat a lot on the students' english' abilities. It should be a good choice for you. Furthermore, they have both A levels and IB. So you can consult the consuleor once you are in the school or something to see which programme suits you more. Surely she or he would have meet cases like yours when the school has so many students coming from different language backgrounds.</p>
<p>oh...btw, its not just ACS that has a shortage of girls...it seems to be especially prevalent in the science streams in JC's, physics and chem to be particular...im studying physics, chem now and the ratio of guys to girls is like 3:1? haha</p>
<p>
[quote]
Dont take IB diploma if you are planning to go to the US colleges, take APs. My GPA drops a lot from all those IB courses. It basically ruins your high school life. You ended up 3 in the morning finishing up your essay.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>APs will make it "easy" to apply to US colleges, but it's one of the weakest among the academic options available here. Unless you're going to go crazy with APs and do like 15 of them, IB/A Level will probably look better, and I have no doubt they would prepare you better for college. If you're handling yourself okay in a secondary school and are eyeing US colleges, my guess is you will be able to handle IB/A Levels.</p>
<p>Sharyn-Goh: MOE puts most students from the PRC and ROC back two years, I believe, so typically they're two years older than SG students in the same level. If this is a big concern for you then going to an international school is probably the only way to get back "on track" because MOE doesn't let anyone skip levels. By the sound of things you might be better off in IB in an international school because JC teachers probably won't be able to provide the specific language guidance you need.</p>
<p>ok schools that accept BOTH boys and girls In singapore , that do the IB COURSE.:</p>
<p>ACS Independent (most top scores)
ACS International
St. Joseph Institution international
Hwa Chong Independent college
Hwa Chong International.</p>
<p>( schools ABOVE are open to both Singaporeans and international students)</p>
<p>International schools that accept boys and girls but are ONLY FOR foreigners , that do the IB COURSE:</p>
<p>United world college (one of the better ones)
Overseas Family school
American school
Singapore international school</p>
<p>( feel free to add more to this list)</p>
<p>To make a summary of suggestions that you all have made for me,it seems like that majority of you advise me to go to international school.So i guess my decision will squint towards that.</p>
<p>To Wannadartmouth:
I actually have collected some information from internet about many international schools.I remember there was one said Overseas Family School was not that good,as it didnt even require a placement test to get in the school.Certainly it is just hearsay,but it still could be part of referrence.</p>
<p>To Phantompong:
THANK YOU for your suggestion,and I think you are right,students in JC will never be poor in English,they are so capable that can be there.</p>
<p>Whats everyone's opinion on ACS international school?Does anyone know anything about it?
I have been to International School Singapore(ISS) before,one of my friends is going to that school.The school is kind of like building on a hill.Maybe it is because it has been bulit for more than 15 years,it seemed somewhat old.Anyway,the appearance is not the key considered factor of choosing a school,the education and reputation are more important.</p>
<p>Guide to international schools in Singapore</p>
<p>Types of International schools:
There are basically 3 types of schools. </p>
<p>Foreigners ONLY schools: These schools are privately run and are open to foreigners only ( unless you fit the certain criteria mentioned below) School fees are highest. </p>
<p>Local IB schools: such as ACSI and HCI , these are still partly under the government and are open to all locals. This is the hardest of the 3 types to get into. School fees are the lowest . </p>
<p>Local International schools: HCIS, ACSIS , SJII , Private international schools open to all locals and not under the government. </p>
<p>ok schools that accept BOTH boys and girls In singapore , that do the IB COURSE.:</p>
<p>ACS International
St. Joseph Institution international
Hwa Chong International.</p>
<p>ACS Independent (most top scores)
Hwa Chong Independent college </p>
<p>( schools ABOVE are open to both Singaporeans and international students)</p>
<p>International schools that accept boys and girls but are ONLY FOR foreigners , that do the IB COURSE:</p>
<p>United world college (one of the better ones)
Overseas Family school
Singapore American school
international school singapore</p>
<p>( feel free to add more to this list)</p>
<p>To enter International school meant for foreigners , this is the criteria (you only have to satisfy one only): </p>
<ul>
<li>you have studied overseas
-You are NOT Singaporean
-one your your parents is NOT Singaporean</li>
</ul>
<p>How to apply to international schools(UWC,SAS,ISS):</p>
<p>Most "FOREIGNERS only" international schools start term in August. Apply directly with the schools
Overseas family school and international school singapore DO NOT require certain grades to get in. Hence are easier to apply to and gain acceptance.
The amercian school and United World College require certain scores to gain admission (however I do not know their requirements) Please contact them for details.</p>
<p>Applying to private "locals allowed" international schools (SJII, ACSIS , HCIS ):
Apply directly to the schools , an interview is usually conducted.
Grades will be looked at ( such as O level transcripts)
Their admission requirements are usually less than typical government schools.
If applying for the IB course:
L1R5 of less than 20 for o lvls ( however exceptions may be made)</p>
<p>ACSI , HCI :
apply to these using the JAE , like other JCs. </p>
<p>Fees:</p>
<p>SAS,UWC,OFS,ISS ( and other foreigners only schools) :
Looking at around $24,000 , without textbooks</p>
<p>SJII: $21, 000 per year without textbooks</p>
<p>ACSIS: $21, 000 per year without textbooks</p>
<p>HCIS: $18 , 000 per year without admin fee and text books </p>
<p>ACSI: About $ 600 per month</p>
<p>HCI: about $ 600 per month </p>
<p>Remember each school also requires application/admin fee which may cost about $800, only to be paid when accepted into the school. </p>
<p>Extra info as of February 2009 :
SJII has closed intake (try for next year)
ACS international is full (try for next year)
Hwa Chong international is full (try for next year)</p>
<p>I apologize if there are any errors. I wrote this myself. I hope this helps anyone in singapore understand the international school system better!</p>
<p>ISS has a bad reputation , i know someone teaching there. mainly the students slack off and dont study . Its not a good environment. </p>
<p>Plus many foreigners only international schools are filled with slackers and "party people" alot of them go drinking and partying. (i know for a fact)
Its not a good influence, and it WONT make you study more.</p>
<p>You will be better off going to ACS international or SJII .</p>
<p>hmm...i always thought that the better international schools with umm a reputation? was like UWC or SAS...</p>
<p>ACS independent is FAR better than SAS or UWC, they made up 1/4 of the entire world's perfect scores!!! </p>
<p>imagine that! and no perfect scores came from SAS or UWC</p>
<p>The only reason HCIS, ACSI, ACSIS, SJII, HCI are less talked about is because most of the have only been around for 4 years. They are new but they are already way better</p>
<p>ACSI only started doing IB like 4 years back. their first batch graduated like 2 years ago.
SJII and HCSI have not even graduated their first batch.</p>
<p>hmm...that i can agree with you, but UWC provides with you a experience that you may describe as 'priceless'? i know people who went there that told me quote 'best two years of my life'...haha...did your cousin say that the IB was difficult?</p>
<p>^ It is HCIS instead of HCSI =p.</p>
<p>:P been typing too much too fast HCIS!@@ LOL</p>
<p>he said the was challenging .. but LOL anyway he got a perfect score :P :(LOL</p>
<p>but i know a lot of "undesirable " people from UWC ,it depends on what kind of people you want to hang out with lol...</p>
<p>ACS International School has been full?Are you serious?
OMG,that really strikes me so badly.I was thinking of applying for that school!
Does that mean I dont have any chance to get in ACSIS anymore?
:'( :'(</p>
<p>ACSIS ... It is completely full, was there 3 weeks back, there is a waiting list of 5 people.
you can go there and talk to them though , try applying for next year. Their term starts in january .</p>
<p>so there is really no chance to apply for this year anymore .sorry</p>
<p>GOODNESS...
So what am i supposed to do after applying for next year?Staying in my present school?
The main reason why I want to transfer to International School is to shorten the time to go to University,well,now the school i prefer has been full.I am kind of LOST right now.</p>
<p>lol im also waiting for one year to go to ACSIS! lol wait with me :)</p>
<p>edit: OR why not go to UWC or overseas family ?
they start in august. but if i were you i would wait... till january. dont worry im turning 18 this year.. lol</p>
<p>You mean you are in the waitlist for next year?Are you a local?</p>
<p>Well,UWC is too great to get in I think.It is said there had been a wailist for following three years.As for Overseas Family,it is beyond me,not really sure if that is a good one.</p>
<p>united world and american school have better reputations. Try them. go visit the schools. Which schools have you visited?</p>
<p>you should decided on which school you like the most and work from there. </p>
<p>No ACSIS does not have a waiting list for the following years. They only have a waiting list for this year.
Why don't you contact them personally and ask, or better still , go down and visit the school. </p>
<p>Yes , I am local. There is no official ACSIS wait list for next year, registration for next year is not even open yet. But, i did have a talk with the principal, and it seems that its likely that I will be attending next year. </p>
<p>wish you the best of luck!</p>