*StarDust*

Applications for direct admission to JCs open on Jun 23, to polys Jul 9
By Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 20 May 2008 1745 hrs

SINGAPORE: Students can apply for direct admission to junior colleges from 23 June 2008 and to polytechnics from 9 July 2008.

Under the Direct Admission Exercise, successful applicants can confirm places in a junior college (JC) or polytechnic before taking their GCE O-Level examinations or equivalent assessments.

However, they must still meet the necessary academic requirements to keep their places.

Government and government-aided junior colleges can admit up to 10 per cent of their 2009 JC1 intake using school-based criteria, while the three independent institutions offering pre-university programmes can admit up to 20 per cent of the intake through the scheme.

The five polytechnics will each admit up to 2.5 per cent of their 2009 intake through the exercise.

Potential junior college students can gain a place based on personal qualities such as leadership, science, music and sports.

For the polytechnics, they will take into account students' abilities, talents and interests in the specific courses they are applying for.

For example, a student's passion and talents in film and video production would be considered when he/she applies for a polytechnic course in Media Studies.

The closing date for the exercise is on 3 October 2008.

Applicants who accept offers through the direct admission exercises and are successfully posted to the institution will not be able to take part in the Joint Admissions Exercise or Joint Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise. - CNA/vm

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...348931/1/.html