The obvious exception to this rule is Zhongming. I am not sure if the school has officially approved his fifth major (history). I believe he will post about his experience taking five majors himself. But basically what he did was take 4 honours and just select the history elective modules. Technically, if he finishes all the history modules, the school cannot deny awarding him the history major.
He could take the extra modules on the side because humanities/arts modules are always scheduled separately, so they don't clash with languages/math/science modules (this is because these modules may be taken by people from different classes, so they have to make sure everyone can attend).
Realistically, the school will only approve the fifth major if you have consistently done well in your acads, like Zhongming.
Just for your info, here is a screenshot of the subject combinations of the graduated batch:
As for SATs I think Yingzhen has mentioned strategies for taking the SAT before, and some measure of its importance.
SATs, whether you are taking SAT Reasoning (new name for SAT 1) or SAT Subject Tests (new name for SAT 2), are entirely, truly optional. The school just functions as one of the many SAT test centers around Singapore.
A student might take SAT because:
1. He wants to apply to a US university. Almost all US universities require SAT 1 and 2 SAT 2s. Alternatively, he can take the ACT, which is an equally-recognised standardised test, but there are fewer ACT test dates and only one test center (Singapore American School in Woodlands).
2. He wants to apply for a scholarship that requires SAT scores, e.g. A*STAR.
3. He wants to attend a university that requires standard proof of English. The Reading component of SAT 1 is usually accepted as a measure of English ability. You need to get above a certain score which varies from university to university. Usually, studying in a Singapore school exempts you from this requirement (as you have studied in an English-medium school for the past few years), but there are still a few universities that may ask for standard proof.
4. He wants to study undergraduate Law in NUS, or any courses in SMU. SAT 1 scores are not a requirement but a high score can be an advantage.
When you sign up for SATs, the online registration will ask you to choose your preferred test center. If there are still spaces you will get that center. Besides NUS High, there are other centers such as Hwa Chong, ACS(I), and Singapore American School.
Because the test center allocation is on a first-come-first-serve basis, you will see non-NUSH-students in the exam hall on the day of the SAT. Similarly, even if you are a student in this school, if you choose to sign up at the last minute, you may have to settle for a test center somewhere else.
I don't quite know how to answer your second question. The thing is, university admissions offices don't usually disclose exactly how they use our diploma to gauge us. However, I believe they have told a bit of what they expect to the college counselors. For example, UK colleges consider a 4.2 subject CAP to be roughly equivalent to an A for A-level in that subject. However they look at overall CAP too. So the best answer would be that they look at everything (at least math/science/english and maybe humanities. I don't think they really look at 2nd language.)
ReplyDeleteAs for your first question, it is very hard to say. Different universities look out for different attributes. Some are concerned with results in a specific subject, whereas others are concerned with how a student has managed to stretch himself intellectually. I really don't know how these two students will compare. Maybe the college counselors, having met with various university representatives, can give a clearer picture on this.
In any case, I feel the best solution would be to strike a balance between the two. Take as many honours as you can manage while still keeping grades up. Not only does this strategy work with most universities, but it increases the morale of a student too.
Hello parent...I will talk about the majors and all and implications of university admission in my next few posts from my pov if you want, haha. :)
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