Advice? RJC / NYJC / VJC

For context,

  • L1R5 raw 6 nett 4
  • I hv a strong passion for physics and will probably take PCME
  • Didn't take HMTL so will be taking mtl at A levels
  • I am quite shy and introverted
  • Master procrastinator and I find it hard to bring myself to study, easily distracted as well (basically very little self control but i probably have to change this attitude in Jc)

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Quick disclaimer: most of these are probably surface level assumptions and are not completely accurate, I'm sorry if I've insulted a jc in any way but that was not my intention, I just want to get a clearer view on this as I am quite undecided

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RJC

(I understand that there's a slim chance of me entering with my score just meeting the COP)

Pros

  1. Top tier resources and A LOT of them
  2. Alumni network and good connections in the future?
  3. More diverse (I have only ever had 1 non-chinese close friend so it would be good if I can make more friends of other races)
  4. From what I heard from a student at the OH, it could be less stressful than those mugger jcs as its more free and independent

Cons

  1. Furthest away from me (about 1 hour commute, bus -> MRT) Never travelled that far for school before and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get used to this. Should I sacrifice travelling time to be able to get the incredible and life-changing resources and opportunities?
  2. Since it's a top tier jc, literally everyone around me would be incredibly smart. While this could act as source of motivation, I am not particularly drawn to people who are absolute geniuses that can answer every question the teacher asks.. Rather I feel like I can better relate to, and connect with those who still struggle a bit (Basically, in terms of academics I think I thrive when I'm helping people instead of people helping me). maybe this mindset isn't the best though. Advice?
  3. Because of IP-JAE cohort, I was told that I need to be able to be to put myself out there and approach the IP people first as they will already be in their own cliques. (I don't know if any of my sec school friends going there yet) I'm not sure if I'll have the courage to do that as I'm a pretty shy person 😕 don't really want to end up as a sad loner
  4. Heard that the teachers are not very helpful and may be kind of unapproachable? Probably because they students are so smart that they don't really have to do their job (probably untrue but...)
  5. I'm just thinking about how many people will be taking MTL.. Since it's a top JC I think the vast majority would have taken HMTL

Edit: 6. Also, since there would probably be a higher proportion of richer people, a lot of them would have tuition or extra classes. Do a lot of people have these? My parents said that they would be pretty pissed if I asked for tuition just because of peer pressure

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NYJC

Pros

  1. I visited the open house and I felt quite comfortable in the school and I like the campus
  2. Apparently strong math and chem department. What about the physics department?

Cons

  1. Quite far as well, maybe 45min commute (bus -> MRT)
  2. Literally everyone talks about this and the mugger culture is probably crazy. Tbvh, much of my O level studying was very last minute and inconsistent. Maybe this mugger culture will help me out with that but I'm scared I'll be too stressed out..like every time I see people studying in school I'll just be thinking why can't they enjoy their lives more 🙄 so I don't really think I will fit in with this constant-studying competitive culture
  3. Heard that the GP, PW and econs department aren't great. Although I have a much greater passion for the sciences, these subjects are very important as well and this may be concerning
  4. Doesn't have houses so cohort is not as bonded? However this isn't too big an issue for me
  5. Constant tests and quizzes like 3x per week apparently? This sounds super stressful
  6. Papers are insanely hard and promo criteria is one of the strictest

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VJC

Pros

  1. So near, literally a stone's throw away (5-10min walk)
  2. Many friends there (sec sch is very near)

Cons

  1. Everywhere I've read about this, and according to my seniors I've asked, they all say that the physics dept is terrible 😵‍💫 physics is my favourite sub and I'm rlly passionate about it so this was very disappointing to hear. I would like to hear more opinions on this?
  2. Many pple know the crazy hype culture of VJC and while that can be gd, I've seen some people say that it can be way too much (calling it "fake enthusiasm). Some of my friends also told me that the environment is not really welcoming to introverts (up to the point that ppl get bullied for being to quiet and not hype enough) I'm not a complete loner that can't make friends for shit but this sounds pretty intimidating

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Additional things:

  • I don't know if any others have pointed it out but it seems like no JC has a stand out physics department, almost all I've seen is really good bio, chem and math etc. Any reason for this? Should I opt to just take bio and go to VJC because of the short distance? (quite reluctant on this though)
  • Should CCA's be part of my criteria? Don't really have a specific CCA I'm gunning for but maybe I should look into each Jc's ones

It would be great if I could receive any sort of advice or suggestions from anyone! Thanks for reading