HCI Direct School Admission (DSA) – JC Exercise 2010

For Admission to JC1 in 2011

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General Information on DSA- JC Exercise 2010

 

1.                 What is the DSA - JC Exercise?

The DSA - JC Exercise gives JCs greater flexibility in student admission.  This is to allow JCs to use a more diverse range of measures to assess the overall merit of applicants.  All JCs are given the flexibility to consider students with diverse abilities before the release of the preliminary examination results.

 

2.                 Does HCI conduct the DSA - JC Exercise in 2 phases?

No.  HCI only participates in Phase 1 of the DSA - JC Exercise.

 

3.                 How much Discretionary Places will the JCs have?

 

Type of JC

Discretionary Places

Independent JCs (HCI & RJC)

20%

All other JCs

10%

 

4.                 How much flexibility is given to JCs to select their students?

In general, JCs can decide on their admission criteria, so long as they are meritocratic and transparent.  However, students currently studying in secondary schools must achieve GCE O-Level results that meet the eligibility criteria for admission to JCs.  If not, these students will be withdrawn from the JCs for participation in the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) to gain admission to the polytechnics, Millennia Institute or ITEs.

 

5.                 How will the students be admitted into the participating schools?

Students who meet the JC’s school-based admission criteria will be made a confirmed offer by the JC during each of the admission phases.  Before the end of each phase, the student will be required to accept the offer before it expires.  Once the student has accepted the confirmed offer, he will be admitted as long as he has met the eligibility criteria for admission to JCs.

 

6.                 Who can the schools offer “Confirmed Offers” to?

As long as the student fulfils the age requirement for the level (i.e. 16 to 18+ for JC1 admission), the school will be free to offer “Confirmed Offers” to any student that is assessed to have fulfilled the school based admission criteria, and the eligibility criteria for admission into JCs.

 

7.                 Can a student accept multiple offers?

No.  If the student is found to have accepted multiple offers, he will be disqualified from the DSA - JC Exercise.  He will have to gain JC admission via JAE if he would still like to be admitted into a JC.

 

8.                 When will the student know the outcome of his choice?

Once the student has accepted a Confirmed Offer from the school, he will be deemed to be admitted into the school.  If he should fail to attain the eligibility criteria for JC admission, he will be withdrawn from the JC.

 

9.             Will the student still have to participate in JAE?

No, he may not participate in JAE as long as he is successfully admitted into the school of his choice via DSA.  If he is unable to meet the eligibility criteria for JC admission, he will have to participate in JAE if he still wishes to seek admission into Polytechnics or ITE.  He will know if he has met the eligibility criteria for JC admission upon receipt of his O-Level results.

 

10.             What happens when the student wants to indicate his preference for special programmes (e.g. Language Elective Programmes, Humanities Programme or Art Elective Programme)?

Students who wish to apply for the elective programmes (e.g. Language Elective Programmes, Humanities Programme, Art Eelctive Programme) should first check if the JC they wish to apply to offers the elective programmes.  In Hwa Chong, we offer the Humanities Programme, Language Elective Programme (Chinese), Arts Elective Programme and Bicultural Studies Programme (China).  You may indicate your interest in our elective programme when you make your Online Application. 

 

 

11.      Will there be enough places for students who wish to enrol in the HCI via JAE?

As there is a cap of 20% for enrolment under DSA-JC exercise for HCI, there will still be 80% of non- IP places available for enrolment under JAE.

 

 

FAQs for Students

 

1.                 Once I am admitted through scheme, why should I work hard for the O-Levels?

 

Your O-level results will serve as a record of your academic achievement: for example, Hwa Chong may use your O-Level results to determine your subject combination.  Preparing for the O-Levels also hones skills that are needed for your future academic career.  Finally, you still need 20 points and below for your L1R5 in order to retain your conditional position in HCI.

 

2.                 How should I prepare for the selection process?

 

You will need your school academic results, CCA records, personal portfolios (achievements/awards/scholarships/special talents), when you submit your application.  Teachers' recommendation is optional unless you find that it enhances your chance of admission.

 

3.                 Will I be required to go for an interview?

 

You may be required to do so, and you will be informed accordingly.

 

4.                 How would I know if I am successful in my application?

 

The school will make you an offer directly.  You should receive a Letter of Offer from the school latest by 27 July 2010.

 

5.                 I have received several DSA-JC Phase 1 Offers.  When must I decide?

 

You are allowed to confirm acceptance of only one DSA-JC Phase 1 Offer any time during the Acceptance Stage.  During the DSA-JC Phase 1 Exercise, all offers must be accepted by 30 July 2010, 3 pm.  Otherwise, the offer will lapse and you will be assumed to have rejected our offer. 

 

6.                 What must I do to confirm acceptance of the DSA-JC Phase 1 Offer?

 

You are required to complete and sign 2 copies of the DSA-JC Phase 1 Acceptance Form and return them to HCI’s College Reception for endorsement.  The school will retain a copy, while you retain another copy (duly endorsed by the school) for reference.

 

7.                 I have accepted one DSA-JC Phase 1 Offer during the Acceptance Stage.  Can I still change my mind during the Acceptance Stage to accept another Offer?

 

Yes, provided you have another valid offer and apply for a change before the end of the Acceptance Stage.  However, if you wish to take up a DSA-JC offer from another JC during DSA-JC Phase 1 Acceptance Stage, your Cancellation Form must be submitted before you confirm acceptance for another school.  This must be done personally at MOE Customer Service Centre before the end of Phase 1 Acceptance Stage.

 

8.                 Can I accept more than one DSA-JC Offer?

No.  Students who accept more than one DSA-JC offers will have all their offers invalidated.

 

9.              Why can’t I accept more than 1 Confirmed Offer?

You should exercise responsible choice and commit to one JC.  Any offers that are not taken up can then be offered to other deserving students.

 

10.             What happens if I accidentally accept 2 DSA-JC Phase 1 Offers?

Once you are found to have accepted more than one DSA-JC Phase 1 Offer at the end of Phase 1, all your offers will be rendered void, unless you cancel one of them before the end of the Acceptance Stage. 

 

11.             I forgot to accept the DSA-JC Phase 1 Offer by 30 Jul 2010.  Can I still take up the offer on 1 Aug 2010, only one day later?

 

No.  The terms of offer are clearly spelt out in the Letter of Offer. If you do not accept the offer by 30 Jul 2010, 3 pm, you will be assumed to have rejected the offer.

 

12.             I could not accept my DSA-JC Offer in time due to extenuating circumstances (accident/medical emergency/quarantine/terrorist act etc)?

 

If you are unable to accept an offer in time due to extenuating circumstances, you may submit a Letter of Authorization for another adult (age 21 and above) to submit the Acceptance Form on your behalf.

 

13.             Can I ask for an extension of deadline to consider the DSA-JC offer?

 

No.  We are unable to extend the deadline as we have to adhere to a tight schedule for the DSA-JC exercise.

 

14.             If I have not been offered a place through the DSA-JC scheme, does that mean that I no longer have the opportunity to join Hwa Chong Institution?

 

No.  You will be able to apply to Hwa Chong Institution through the JAE, using your O-Level results.

 

15.             Will I be charged independent school fees?  What happens if I can't afford these fees?

 

Yes, you will be charged independent school fees (refer to HCI website).  No student, however, will be denied a place in Hwa Chong because of financial reasons.  Financial support in the form of bursaries and scholarships will be provided for students who are unable to afford the school fees.  

 

16.             When do I join the college if I am successful?

 

Successful DSA-JC applicants will join Hwa Chong Institution at Week 4 of January 2011 if they meet the eligibility criteria of L1R5 less than or equal to 20 when O-Level results release at Week 2 January 2011.

 

17.             Are there any restrictions as to the subject combination I can choose?

 

Those who enter the college via the DSA-JC scheme can choose their preferred subject combination.  Students will be advised on the course of study based on their interest and career options.

 

18.             What kinds of cultural opportunities exist in Hwa Chong?

 

Hwa Chong counts as one of its strengths its strong ties to the Chinese community.  But ours is also a cosmopolitan environment.  We have students from a range of racial and socio-economic backgrounds.  We are also a popular choice amongst top scholars from China and the ASEAN countries.  Many of our 190-strong College staff either come from different parts of the world or have spent years studying or working abroad.  Because our staff and students bring varied experience into the classroom and beyond, ours is a vibrant culture that responds to different needs and interests.  Our renowned Chinese Language Elective Programme, Bicultural Studies Programme and Humanities Programme are good examples of “East meeting West”, contributing to the cosmopolitan culture at Hwa Chong.

 

CANCELLATIONS

 

19.             What do I do to cancel my DSA-JC acceptance?

 

To cancel your DSA-JC acceptance, you must obtain 2 copies of the DSA-JC Cancellation Forms from MOE Customer Service Centre.  Once the forms are completed and signed, you must submit them, in person, to MOE Customer Service Centre.  You may keep one copy for your record. 

 

20.             After I have cancelled my acceptance, what evidence/proof/verification must I produce to another school that I have withdrawn before I can accept their DSA-JC offer?

 

If you have cancelled an earlier DSA-JC acceptance, you would have retained one copy of the Cancellation Form, duly endorsed by MOE.  You must produce this and show it to the school before you accept their DSA-JC offer.

 

21.             How does the school know in the first place that I have accepted a DSA-JC Phase 1 Offer from another school and that I must withdraw from that offer before I can take up their DSA-JC Phase 2 Offer?

 

All schools will have access to information about students’ DSA-JC Phase 1 & 2 acceptances.

 

Information on JAE

 

22.             If I have accepted a DSA-JC Offer to HCI this year, must I still participate in PAE/JAE?

 

No, you do not have to participate in JAE if you have accepted a DSA-JC Offer to HCI.  You will know your eligibility for admission to JC upon receipt of your O-Level results.

 

23.             If I have accepted a DSA-JC Offer and want to withdraw so that I may participate in JAE, what must I do?

 

You must withdraw from your DSA-JC offer no later than 8 October 2010.  You must withdraw from DSA-JC by going personally to MOE, Podium Block Level 1, Customer Service Centre.