Hello! As this is the first time I'm writing for CollegeTalk, just a quick introduction - I'm Kylie, a Year 6 student at NUS High. The agenda of this post is up there^ in the title.
Firstly, please do revisit the previous post on Applying to Oxford, for some important edits regarding Oxford applications - namely that this year (may not be true for next year) there is no Oxford International Interview Application Form, and there is no other form to be filled up other than the UCAS form. Interviews will be done via Skype. However, if the department you are applying to requires additional documents to be sent, you will still have to send those. Cambridge applicants also have to pay more - 100 pounds as the interview fee, and 25 pounds for the processing of the COAF.
With that said, the complexity of the forms should in no way deter you from applying to a school that you are interested in. Neither should the additional fees for the COAF (although, unfortunately, if it is the case, do talk to someone about it!) We're mentioning it to give you a better picture of the application process. Do your own research, and find out which suits you best!
Secondly, Vio has posted on the talk by Tufts University's Assistant Director for Admissions. More information on Tufts - after the talk, I wrote to him for further elaboration on how Tufts encourages globalism, citizenship and interdisciplinary studies. Here's a brief summary of the information gained:
Three major themes were mentioned: globalism, citizenship, and interdisciplinary studies, and in each instance, there is an organization within Tufts tasked with promoting that ideal throughout the school. Globalism is the charge of the Institute for Global Leadership. Citizenship is the purview of the Tisch College of Citizenship. Interdisciplinary Studies is the work of the ExCollege (Experimental College). The ExCollege works to find the cracks between disciplines and fill those cracks. They bring in professional experts who teach full classes on subjects that don't fit into traditional academic majors, and also work to recognize where interdisciplinary opportunities already exist and build the bridges so that students and faculty can work together. Tufts' International Relations major began this way, as did Community Health, Environmental Science, Women's Studies and the majority of the other interdisciplinary programs. The ExCollege provides the space to experiment with possible programs, as well as acting as the advocate for these programs so that traditional departments and faculty buy in.
On to the last topic on the agenda - Subject Specialization. Firstly, let us clarify a common myth: your Graduation CAP is not the be-all and end-all of your education here at NUS High. Although your CAP is and will probably still be an important tool in gauging academic performance, and one's CAP should at least be at an acceptable level, it is also what you do beyond your CAP which defines you as a learned and intelligent individual.
Take for example, while US applications do have a baseline standard of academic performance, US admissions officers tend to focus more on who you are and what you do. Similarly, although the UK admissions process tends to emphasize grades more, the interviews for Oxbridge, and your resume are also essential to your application. At a certain point, grades don't matter so much, anymore.
Do not shy away from taking Honors in a subject that you are passionate about, merely because you want to preserve a high graduation CAP. A more valid question is whether you will be able to cope, or more precisely, how much you are willing to push yourself. Honors modules really do enable you to delve deeper into a subject you are interested in; if you're doing research, this knowledge can also help you in the future. Also, admissions officers also take into consideration your curriculum rigor - the standard of your education.
Don't just go with the crowd - if you're interested in Arts and the Humanities, don't discount that interest just because everyone around you is majoring is Maths and the Science.
I have a few opinions on the different Majors and Honours, and I will share them here - I took Majors with Honours in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. However, please note that I'm just speaking about my experience. Someone else may have a totally different opinion. I also regret that I can't share more about Majors in Arts and the Humanities. (Would anyone like to write about this topic?)
Firstly, Math Honours and Physics Honours are complimentary, in that, hey, Calculus-Based Mechanics/Electricity & Magnetism isn't called 'Calculus-Based' for nothing. Maths helps in Physics. Secondly, an option that some people in my year chose was to do Physics Honours up till Year 5 Sem 1, complete their AP Physics B, and thereafter drop to Physics Majors and avoid two semesters of Calculus-Based Physics. In Year 6 Sem 1, they did not do their AP Physics C, thereby avoiding two APs and allowing themselves more time to focus on other pursuits such as the other APs, research, volunteering, etc. However, this choice will also require you to take Practical Circuitry 1 and Practical Circuitry 2 (that's 2 modules) in Year 6 Sem 2. If you would like to keep your options open, this is possible as well.
Although the Maths specialization Tracks 1 to 4 have been changed to Majors/Majors with Honours, and so I don't know how much this will hold true in the coming years, I felt that Maths and Biology Honours were manageable, while Physics and Chemistry Honours were more challenging. Different people are talented in different areas, though, so what was true for me may not be the same for others! I'd just like to point out that the different between Biology Honours and Majors is only 2 modules, for people who are deliberating between the two.
In summary, Do not be afraid of hard work. The graduation CAP is not everything. Follow your passion. And all the best!
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