posted on
Monday, April 26, 2010 at
10:57 PM
Notices – Grade 12
There will be very few university representatives visiting from now until June but visits will start again in August/September. However, this is the time you should be doing your own research and starting to make a list of universities you are interested in and programmes you are interested in pursuing. Once you come back in August your attention will need to be on your mock exams and final exams, not on doing this research. Unfortunately there are no shortcuts to this process and no one can give you a list of places to apply – you have to research this yourself. It does take time but keep in mind this is quite possibly the first major decision you are responsible for! And only you are qualified to identify what you are interested in, suited for and what is a “good fit” for you.
Essays/Personal Statements for US and UK applicants
If you are thinking of applying to the US or the UK you will need to start working on your essays and/or personal statement in the June/July holidays. In order to help you get started note the following meetings –
• US applicants – Tuesday, May 11
• UK applicants – Friday, May 14
Both meetings are at lunch time in Science Lab 6. These are not optional! If you cannot make them let me know as soon as possible.
Work Experience/Internships:
Any “real world” experience is helpful in your applications to universities. However, if you are thinking about pursuing studies in a professional field (medicine, dentistry, vet science, law, teaching, etc) it is increasingly important that you do an internship or get some work experience in your field. This shows that you have a real interest in the profession, not just a theoretical one, and that you are committed to it. It also helps you know if this is the right career for you. Your experience can also form an important part of your personal statement and interviews.
Part of the learning process is finding such placements yourself. This is also another way to demonstrate your commitment. Your parents may have contacts to suggest, but you should approach them and do the work to set something up yourself. However, avoid working with family members since part of the experience is being in an environment that is unfamiliar.
Most hospitals in Singapore have placement programs and many clinics and private practices will take interns. Law firms are also usually willing. The June/July holiday is a good time to do such an internship, but you must start organizing it now. Keep in mind that at this stage there will be limits to what you can actually do, but you are there to learn about the work environment and the skills necessary to be successful in that profession. Most such placements are for about a week but of course, the longer the better.
It is important that you keep records of what you did in your internship and that you reflect on your experience. The following are some guiding questions:
• What were the most positive/encouraging things you saw or experienced?
• Was there anything negative that you saw or experienced?
• Was there anything that you saw that challenged you? Surprised you? Made an emotional impact on you?
• Is there anyone in the organisation that really made an impact on you?
• What common qualities did you see in the doctors/lawyers/…? What qualities do you think a good doctor/lawyer/… should possess? Do you see these qualities in yourself?
• What challenges did you see doctors/lawyers/… face? How did they face these challenges?
• What was your image of a doctors/lawyers/… at the start of this week? Has that changed through your experiences and if so, how?
• What did you learn about yourself through this experience?
Student Information Forms:
Update your Student Information Form (or start it if you have not done so already!). Remember your Tutor will need this information when they write your references in a few months, and the more information you can give them about yourself the better.
Notices – Grade 11
• Make sure you have written the University Briefing and Challenge Week Evening into your diary for May 18 at 6pm and have told your parents about the change in date!
• Please see the notice about internships and work experience in the Grade 12 section above. You may also want to use part of your June/July holiday to get some work experience.
Events Off Campus
Hospitality Education Fair
Saturday, 8 May, Suntec Convention Centre, Level 3, MR308, 2pm – 6pm
Representatives from six institutions in Switzerland and Australia that specialize in hospitality management will be available to talk about the programs at their institutions. See the poster on the notice board for more information.
posted on
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at
1:20 AM
Notices – Grade 12
As you start one of your final CAS checks with your Tutor it is a good time to update your Student Information Form (or start it if you have not done so already!). Remember your Tutor will need this information when they write your references in a few months, and the more information you can give them about yourself the better.
Notices – Grade 11
A reminder to Grade 11 students that the University Briefing for Grade 11 students and parents has been moved from May 6 to May 18. This is to avoid a clash with Grade 11 Parent/Teacher Conferences. Please make a note of the date and remind your parents – we will start at 6 pm in the Glass Hall. All Grade 11 students should be there and all Grade 11 parents are invited. If you cannot make it you should see me well in advance. The briefing will be followed by an introduction to Challenge Week for your parents at 7pm.
Visits to school
Talk on Studying Psychology
Friday, 23rd April, 12.50, Science Lab 6
Dr Kristen Pammer from the School of Psychology at the Australian National University (ANU) will give an overview of the study of Psychology, in particular pointing out the difference between studying Arts Psychology and Science Psychology, and potential career pathways. This talk is appropriate for all students considering studying Psychology, whether or not they are planning on going to university in Australia. It will also be an opportunity for non-psychology students to find out more about ANU, which is Australia’s highest ranking university.
Menlo College, USA (www.menlo.edu)
Tuesday, April 27, 12.50, Science Lab 6
Menlo is a small, highly specialized college located in California in the middle of Silicon Valley. It has a very strong focus in undergraduate business courses with strong links to businesses in the area. It also offers a small number of liberal arts and mass communication majors. It calls itself “Silicon Valley’s Business School.” Menlo also offers financial aid and scholarships to foreign students.
Events Off Campus
University of Chicago, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Stanford University, Wellesley College and Yale University
Raffles Junior College, Friday 23 April 2010, 7.00 - 9.00pm.
All six universities are among the most selective US universities (you need a minimum of 39 points to apply and students who have been accepted to these universities are generally in the 42-45 point range.). Their presentation will focus on admission to highly selective US universities as well as the academic offerings and residential life at each of the institutions. All students and parents are welcome to attend. Registration is not required but this talk is very popular and fills up very fast – try to get their early if possible. See the poster on the Notice Board for the exact address of RJC.
Hospitality Education Fair
Saturday, 8 May, Suntec Convention Centre, Level 3, MR308, 2pm – 6pm
Representatives from six institutions in Switzerland and Australia that specialize in hospitality management will be available to talk about the programs at their institutions. See the poster on the notice board for more information.
posted on
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at
1:34 AM
Notices – Grade 12
• Make sure you have given Ms. Middleton copies of your Grade 9/10 records and exam results if you were not at SJII and have not already done so.
• As Mr. Christian reminded you in assembly yesterday, it is time to start researching your university options seriously if you have not already done so. Please email me (tannaz.daver@sji-international.com.sg) or see me to make an appointment so we can start discussing options and looking at resources.
• A number of Grade 12 have spoken to me about registering for the June 5 SAT Test. Remember that you need to register on line at www.collegeboard.com and that our school CEEB code is 687006. The deadline for registering is at the end of the month but test centres in Singapore fill up very fast (and the June test is usually a very popular one) so you should register as soon as possible.
• The University College London (UCL) prospectus for 2011 is now available on line at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prosp-students/prospectus/. UCL is offering new four year programmes in 2011 in Information Management for Business, Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Mathematical Computation, as well as additional programmes in Economics, Biological Sciences and History.
Visits to School
St. John’s University, USA (www.stjohns.edu)
Friday, April 16, 12.50pm, Science Lab 6
SJU is a Catholic university that “prepares students to be ethical leaders in today's global society”, encouraging students to use their knowledge and skills to make our world a better place. SJU offers a wide range of academic programs and strong and well developed local and global service programs. They also have financial aid and scholarships available for foreign students.
Events Off Campus
James Cook University Singapore, Open Day 2010
Saturday, April 17, 11am-4pm, 600 Upper Thomson Road
JCU Singapore is hosting its first ever open day and the schedule includes information about JCU, the campus facilities and courses. There will be displays, sample lectures and presentations by staff and students aimed at giving a better understanding of what the university offers, as well as opportunities to meet with professors, staff, students and alumni, tours of the campus and the operating Psychology Clinic, and a complimentary “Aussie BBQ”. JCU will also provide a free shuttle bus service at 15 minutes intervals from Ang Mo Kio MRT Station (Exit B) from 11am to 4pm. See the poster on the Notice Board or www.jcu.edu.sg/Open_day.htm for more information.
University of Chicago, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Stanford University, Wellesley College and Yale University
Raffles Junior College, Friday 23 April 2010, 7.00 - 9.00pm.
All six universities are among the most selective US universities (you need a minimum of 39 points to apply and students who have been accepted to these universities are generally in the 42-45 point range.). Their presentation will focus on admission to highly selective US universities as well as the academic offerings and residential life at each of the institutions. All students and parents are welcome to attend. Registration is not required but this talk is very popular and fills up very fast – try to get their early if possible. See the poster on the Notice Board for the exact address of RJC.