Compare A-levels, IB, ADFP, AUSMAT

[jackjack]

If i have a choice, even if i know i'm flying to Australia, i will opt to do A-levels over AUSMAT/SAM. It's more recognised. One can keep his choice open. And one learns more from A-levels, it's more structured and of higher standards.

[FedEx]

Originally Posted by jackjack

If i have a choice, even if i know i'm flying to Australia, i will opt to do A-levels over AUSMAT/SAM. It's more recognised. One can keep his choice open. And one learns more from A-levels, it's more structured and of higher standards.

True, more recognized. But don't you all think that A levels is fully examination orientated? In SAM, there are projects, assignments, presentations that must be done throughout the course. Through these activities, we can develop the other side of us, which is to express and present our opinions and views in a structured way. Surely, these skills are needed when we get into universities.

Yet, I think that SAM is a bit taxing or harder in thats sense. A Levels is still certainly the no. 1 choice for most people. And you can learn more details about the subjects that we take.

[naoj]

Uh it really depends on which country u want to go to. i mean how can u compare ADFP (american deg foundation prog) with AUSMAT? makes no sense. u cant get into harvard with ausmat and u cant get into melbourne uni with adfp.

be logical.

[bush]

Originally Posted by naoj

Uh it really depends on which country u want to go to. i mean how can u compare ADFP (american deg foundation prog) with AUSMAT? makes no sense. u cant get into harvard with ausmat and u cant get into melbourne uni with adfp.

be logical.

actually, u can get into harvard with ausmat plus a few other stuff. U can also get into university of melbourne with ADP......

[jackjack]

Originally Posted by bush

actually, u can get into harvard with ausmat plus a few other stuff. U can also get into university of melbourne with ADP......

Is it true? This official list of universities which accept AUSMAT/SAM does not include Harvard, MIT, Stanford, or Yale. It's "highly accepted" by Princeton though.

http://www.ssabsa.sa.edu.au/sam/acceptance.htm

[bush]

Originally Posted by jackjack

Is it true? This official list of universities which accept AUSMAT/SAM does not include Harvard, MIT, Stanford, or Yale. It's "highly accepted" by Princeton though.

http://www.ssabsa.sa.edu.au/sam/acceptance.htm

It is just a list for reference. Nothing is absolote, Universities like harvard don't really care what pre-u qualiifcation u have, so long u can prove that u have 11 or 12 years of schooling, good SAT scores, good personal statements/achievements and testimonials,u may gain admission.

[naoj]

adfp and adp are two different things, seriously do ur reading. adfp is a specially tailored program for america bound jpa scholars - its not offered to anyone else in msia.

and basically u cant compare the pre-u types. a-levels is always the safest and most recognised bet if ure not on scholarship and are willing to study hard.

[bush]

Originally Posted by naoj

adfp and adp are two different things, seriously do ur reading. adfp is a specially tailored program for america bound jpa scholars - its not offered to anyone else in msia.

and basically u cant compare the pre-u types. a-levels is always the safest and most recognised bet if ure not on scholarship and are willing to study hard.

I said ADP......

[spirit87]

*abit out of topic here..sorry*
seriously i think STPM also not bad whut....
At least it covers a lot of lessons that A-Level doesn't
but i can't say that A-Level not good..bcoz there are some topics u couldn't find it in STPM also...but to me, STPM = A-Levels
i used to hate STPM bcoz i find A-Levels easier.
now, i don't really think so.
just my 2cents, cheers.

[bush]

Originally Posted by spirit87

*abit out of topic here..sorry*
seriously i think STPM also not bad whut....
At least it covers a lot of lessons that A-Level doesn't
but i can't say that A-Level not good..bcoz there are some topics u couldn't find it in STPM also...but to me, STPM = A-Levels
i used to hate STPM bcoz i find A-Levels easier.

now, i don't really think so.
just my 2cents, cheers.

Allow me to elaborate further, though STPM touches a lot of stuff that A-levels doesn't, one should know that it is not important to know everything as knowledge is just a click away.

Just a week ago, there was a talk on oxford university at taylor's college, Mr John Zinkins, an oxford graduate currently working at nottingham malaysia was invited to speak about studies at oxford.

In his session, he spoke on critical analysis and knowledge, where he drew a critical analysis versus knowledge graph. A competent student has a linear graph passing the origin. He pointed out that most asian students were at the extreme end of the x-axis, loaded with knowledge but fail drastically in critical analysis. He added that knowledge can be found in books, what universities like oxford are looking for are students who can think and speak for themselves and not a bunch of bookworms.

So, while STPM teaches u a lot of things, it may not necessarily mean that u are good enough to enter universities like oxford and the ivies.