Poly to Uni

ditzy SG

During my time, it was the top 5 percentile, then it went up, they even threw mother tongue language out the window for jc grads. By next year that percentile should be about 25-30%. Laughing It's the singapore's governent way of reducing $$$ from slipping out its shores.

Rock^Star SG

Originally posted by iSpeak:
From what I have heard so far, entering Junior College is really extending your secondary school life. Four years of being in an incredibly strict secondary school with a staff desperate to chase autonomous status at all costs has turned it into a living nightmare for me.

I am not someone who can stand the lack of freedom. I hate constrictions placed on me. I am so used to doing whatever I want, that I find it hard to adjust to a school environment where they still treat you like a child only because they are anally result-oriented. I am not a spoilt child, my parents let me lead my own life because they know I have grown-up quite abit. I fear that Junior College will be a repeat of my secondary school life, only that the pressure to do well for A levels will be even greater. I have been to Polytechnic open-houses, and from what I observed, it is a much more relaxed atmosphere.

Of course, I'm not saying that poly isn't academically tough. I'm just talking about study environment. There is a lot less rigidity and more freedom. Independence is emphasized. You don't wanna turn up for a lecture? Fine. Your problem. I just send you a letter warning you. Choose the life you wish to lead and flunk or pass your modules on your own merits and personal drive, not because you are under the whips of teachers.

It's 7.26AM and it's kind of hard to express about the suffocation I feel at secondary school.

So yeah, in conclusion, here are three main points of why I want to pick poly.

[b]- A desire to study Mass Comm
(Eventually want to work in print media/journalism/writer someday. Or maybe a PR post in a company.)

- The Poly environment

- My strength in language[/b]

Dear little brudder, the above are 95% of what I felt when I was in sec sch. It's only when u look back in perspective that u may regret. If u wanna get a degree eventually, why go poly? It's 3 years compared to JC's 2 years. And a JC's chance of entering Uni are way higher.

You don't sound to me like you wholly wana go NP because of mass comm. It's also sounds like u wana escape from regimental life and find freedom. That is very very unhealthy as you will sow what u reap later on.

My reasons for going poly in 1996 are

1)Sch is too restrictive! Wearing uniform and all that regimental stuff. I would rather wear clothes that I like and it's an expression of my freedom

2) JC sux! Studying science, F Maths and Chinese some more. Argh!! Business studies are more interesting

3) I have to report to JC everyday at 730am?!? Poly has more flexibility!

4) If I don't get good JC grades can can't enter Uni, will be stuck with a useless A'Levels but in poly, even if i don't do too well, I still get the Diploma

Oh well, to cut it short, in S'pore, majority of poly grads with only a diploma are doing jobs lower paid than that of grads.

I come from a not too bad sec sch, my peers are now doctors, army officers, lawyers, investment bankers, teachers....what do they have in common? A Uni degree. So my thoughts are....if u still wana go poly, make sure u get the best grades and upgrade to a Uni. But what if u don't make it?

charlize SG

After your poly, go overseas U for your degree.

Makes you more valuable to employers than if you go local.

Really. Laughing

dar-lingz SG

I feel nowadays it is really easy for poly students to enter uni. For my secondary batch of friends, those who went to JC only about 60% able to enter a local uni, some of them end up in SIM. Whereas for those who went to poly, most of them (90%) are in NUS or NTU.

But poly life is very relaxing, in order to do well you really need to discipline yourself.

Ito_^ SG

no money lar! Crying or Very sad

pokkagreentea SG

If I were you, I would certainly choose to the poly route.

You already have a desire to study mass comm at np. Why not you make your desire come true? With strong interest in mass comm, I'm sure you will be able to succeed. Your result is excellent as well so you have a high chance of entering your desired course.

What matters now is your present, don't think too far ahead of entering uni even if that is a great ambition. Concentrate on your priority now.
Very Happy

nanren4ever SG

Originally posted by iSpeak:
Hi all, I have a burning question to ask.

How do I move up from poly to university?

As in, what's the percentile I have to be in to stand a chance? Top 15%?

I am currently an O-level student. Exams are in November, and I have decided to aim for a specific course in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. However, I plan to continue with tertiary education after graduation from NP. My long-term goal is to study journalism and eventually be tied to a career in journalism, or public relations when I go out to the real world. That's the life plan I have in mind eight or ten years down the road for now.

I wish to study [b]Mass Communications in Ngee Ann Poly, and yes, I have heard of how it is a massively tough course to get into and competition for degree places will be cut-throat. I realize that I will be competing with the cream de la creme of the poly cohorts when I enter that course. However, my dreams to become a journalist, print or otherwise, will always keep me on the right track.

My targeted L1R4 is 9 points. I am strong in English (one teacher says that my A1 for this subject is a mere formality but I can never be too sure) and my Combined Humanities, History Elective (I am a history and social studies freak, my favourite subject!). Principles of Accounts is a breeze. My concerns now are Mathematics and Mother Tounge. I have scored a B3 for June Mother Tounge 'O's with a higher distinction for Oral, so I have a fair chance of hitting A2 this time around. I am piss weak in my Maths, but I guess I can drag it up to B3 too come November as I have been steadily making ground in this damn subject.

L1R4 Target Breakdown :
English - A1
C.Humanities - A1
Mathematics - B3
Principles of Accounts - A1
Mother Tounge - B3/A2

So yeah, 9 points.

Additionaly, I have scored an A1 for CCA and have no conduct troubles (teacher never catch me smoking and groping girls' butts while in school before, haha I win) and can be confident that I will have a fairly decent testimonial written for me as I am a student councillor, blablabla.

So are my goals good enough? Would be great if I can get feedback from Mass Comm students here! Smile

Why have I chosen the Poly route to Uni? Chiefly because I really desire to study Mass Comm as it will play on my greatest (actually ONLY) talent I possess : my command of the English language. Hand in hand is the thought of going through A-levels. I am bordering on the edge of suicide and mental breakdown just for going through O-levels, of which most of the subjects I really don't give a flying f*** about with the exception of Humanities.

O level cannot tahan how to stand Air level. Go JC confirm si liao lor.

Any pointers for a mass comm hopeful?

Regards,
iSpeak[/b]

I am in the same situation as you many years ago(6 years ago). I loved Mass Comms, and especially wished to be a journalist or specialise in the field of PR. I could have gotten into Mass Comm at Ngee Ann, but not wanting 2 disappoint my mum, I decided 2 try for JC. I was a flop, to say the least. My A-level results allowed me 2 get into NTU, but it wasn't the course I want, so I chose MDIS, a private school that offered a degree in Mass Comms, awarded by the Okalahoma City University(ocu). It is recognised in the Mass Comms industry, and people like Carrie Chong came frm this course.

Basically, if u choose 2 come to MDIS after your O-level, it will take u ard 3 years to go from a Diploma to a Degree Course. Now, the course is shorter than the usual route because it is an intensive course, where u have lessons pratically almost every day, and also, holidays are few and far in between, until u reach the degree stage. Also, u take 1 module at a time, rather than study several modules at 1 go, which to me, is good because at least u just concentrate on 1 module, take the exam, and go on to the next one.

If u choose 2 take ur diploma at a local poly(need not necessary be Mass Comms) or A-levels, then u will simply move on to the Advanced Diploma stage, where it takes about 2 to 2 1/2 years 2 complete ur whole course. U skip the diploma stage at MDIS. I would recommend u to join this course, although i know the stigma of a private school is still there,especially since u are a 9 pointer. Because during the last few months before u finish ur degree course, u can fly to the US, and go to OCU campus to study 3 modules in 3weeks. Things like TV producation and script-writing will be taught. I will be going next year, but already my classmates and me can't wait.

So think about it carefully. Of course going to NTU to study Mass Comms will be the better one, but MDIS does have its advantages too.

tt3 SG

confirm can graduate frm poly ah Question so confident

exustar SG

You and 2000 other people every year vying for 200 places offered by NP's Mass Communications course.

And if you managed to meet the COP for that particular year, you can just get in through the JAE, the aptitude test is for those who did not meet the COP requirement and therefore applied through the SAE.

From your 'targeted L1R4 result', I would say it's almost a guarantee for you to enter the course as the COP for the previous years were, 2005-10pts, 2006-14pts, so I would say your 9 pts fit in very nicely indeed.

Regardless of which route is the more time-saving, future-savvy one, I would advise you to follow where your heart. There are many pros and cons for being in a polytechnic. The same can be said for a JC too.

And by the way, it's 'tongue', not 'tounge'. Laughing

davidche SG

where did you get those statistics? Rolling Eyes

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