Not Just A Numbers' Game
I'm so happy with the realisation that things might not be what it seems. I choose to think that I'm overreacting.
Today's CNY eve. Usually one would expect that the office people to be in a festive mood. But ironically, the half-day was predominantly occupied by a meeting on the deliberation on the JPSAE/DAE students who came for the trials, interviews and auditions during the past week. We were all vying for the limited number of spaces from the various academic courses. The arts, sports, leadership.
So many talents, but very limited spaces. Even so, if only it were that simple an equation to derive at the final list to be presented to the schools for acceptance, we could all just key in the numbers and let the system run on its own. Obviously, how well the candidates performed on the spot and their past records were significant, but not the only, factors for consideration.
Whatever the outcome, I think whoever gets in should be grateful for the gruesome number of hours and efforts put in to increase their chances in pursuing a tertiary education. For some, it's to get into the course of their preference, while for others, it's a chance just to get in. A chance that they might not even have by their academic merit alone.
There are, of course, some who felt that it's better to repeat the 'Os' to strive for a better standing - a feasible alternative if one has the luxury of time, money and family support to do so. It would take considerable mental and psychological strength steer in this direction, definitely (e.g. peer factors). Nevertheless, it might be wiser to try again than to get into a course that the applicant might not be able to cope. The learning process might prove to be discouraging, taking greater effort to complete well, sabotaging the individual's real potential.
Having said that, one might wonder if the cut-off points necessarily give a good gauge of a person's competency for a tertiary course that they are applying. This is probably a question more asked by those who don't make the mark. I mean, the learning process and methodology between the 2 stages are so different. It is not impossible to find even the 5-pointers struggling to make the grades in such a different and independent academic environment. Who is to say those numbers are not more of a demand and supply equation?
Well, that's just a speculation, or not. Then again, I'm probably not that smart in this area to figure out something like that, am I? Afterall, I was one of those who didn't make it...yet, by the grace of God, it didn't spell the end of me.
Dong, dong, dong qiang! Dong, dong, dong qiang! Have a Blessed Lunar New Year, ya'll! :D
Today's CNY eve. Usually one would expect that the office people to be in a festive mood. But ironically, the half-day was predominantly occupied by a meeting on the deliberation on the JPSAE/DAE students who came for the trials, interviews and auditions during the past week. We were all vying for the limited number of spaces from the various academic courses. The arts, sports, leadership.
So many talents, but very limited spaces. Even so, if only it were that simple an equation to derive at the final list to be presented to the schools for acceptance, we could all just key in the numbers and let the system run on its own. Obviously, how well the candidates performed on the spot and their past records were significant, but not the only, factors for consideration.
Whatever the outcome, I think whoever gets in should be grateful for the gruesome number of hours and efforts put in to increase their chances in pursuing a tertiary education. For some, it's to get into the course of their preference, while for others, it's a chance just to get in. A chance that they might not even have by their academic merit alone.
There are, of course, some who felt that it's better to repeat the 'Os' to strive for a better standing - a feasible alternative if one has the luxury of time, money and family support to do so. It would take considerable mental and psychological strength steer in this direction, definitely (e.g. peer factors). Nevertheless, it might be wiser to try again than to get into a course that the applicant might not be able to cope. The learning process might prove to be discouraging, taking greater effort to complete well, sabotaging the individual's real potential.
Having said that, one might wonder if the cut-off points necessarily give a good gauge of a person's competency for a tertiary course that they are applying. This is probably a question more asked by those who don't make the mark. I mean, the learning process and methodology between the 2 stages are so different. It is not impossible to find even the 5-pointers struggling to make the grades in such a different and independent academic environment. Who is to say those numbers are not more of a demand and supply equation?
Well, that's just a speculation, or not. Then again, I'm probably not that smart in this area to figure out something like that, am I? Afterall, I was one of those who didn't make it...yet, by the grace of God, it didn't spell the end of me.
Dong, dong, dong qiang! Dong, dong, dong qiang! Have a Blessed Lunar New Year, ya'll! :D
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