Sharing of IB vs NSS

ANChan59

My son and I sent emails to LSE separately about the language requirements. Amazingly the replies from two admission officer/administrator are totally different.

Then I sent another email to LSE for further clarification, I received the email last night and it's useful for parents and kids who will apply LSE with IBDP result.


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Dear ZZZ

Thanks for your reply, but your answer amazed me.

My son sent another post to the admission office last week separately. The reply was not the same as your reply, another admission officer clearly explained to him that he took IBDP English Language as mother language, he is no need to take other English proficiency test.

Pls review my original email and double confirm your reply is valid according to my detail description. My son's seniors received two different replies last year, I don't want him to face the same chaos next year.

Is it possible to list the IBDP language requirement clearly to prevent further confusion in your prospectus? Of course he will raise the same question to LSE's admission officer who will visit his school a week later.

Regards,

ANChan59

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Dear ANChan59

Thank you for your email and for bringing this matter to my attention.

Applicants who are studying for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and who offer English A1 or A2 at either Higher or Standard Level are exempt from the English language proficiency requirements.

Applicants who offer English B at Higher Level may be asked to achieve the maximum 7 points as part of their offer.

Applicants taking English B at Standard Level or English Ab-Initio will be required to supply scores from one of the English proficiency tests outlined in the previous email.

I have updated our database to reflect this information so it should be clear to future enquirers. I will also request that this information is made clear in future editions of the undergraduate prospectus. Please accept my apologies for any confusion caused in this matter, and my thanks again for bringing this matter to my attention.

Yours sincerely

DDD

Student Recruitment Office, LSE

**********************

I sent an email to LSE and appreciated their clarification and their follow-up actions in coming year.



28652

[ 本帖最後由 ANChan59 於 11-9-24 16:35 編輯 ]

mattsmum

Sensible reply.

ycl

AnChan59,

It is clear now. Thank you for your clarification.

YCL

ANChan59

My son attended the seminar about LSE last evening, he shared with us some updated info:

1. Language requirement - confirmed as above, the current prospectus not updated yet.

2. LSE's Economics is the highest competition program in UK.

3. IBDP students expected admission score 766 at HL, 7 must be Maths HL.

4. HKDSE students expected grade for Core Maths and M1 or M2 must be A* or above. No extended module, zero chance.

5. GCE AL, they only consider Further Maths at A. If your school provide Further maths and you don't take it, zero chance; no matter how good is your Maths grade.

ANChan59

Why Study the IB?

The IB diploma provides a better preparation for:

1. University
19% of IB entrants achieved a first-class honours degree, compared to 14.5% with A-Level or equivalent.*
IB students are almost twice as likely to study medicine and dentistry: 5.1% compared to 2.9% of A-Level.*

2. Life
With its explicit Learner Profile and core set of values, IB students tend to be more tolerant and open-minded, more compassionate and principled.
The diploma encourages risk-taking and reflection, so that students are more confident and creative, possessing the integrity and the skills to succeed in a global economy.

3. Living
Having studied both literature and at least one foreign language, IB students are articulate on paper and in person, making them great communicators.
The emphasis on Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) makes students appreciate the need for a healthy balance of physical and mental activity.

4. Learning
Intellectually curious, IB students are almost twice as likely as their A-Level and equivalent peers to pursue further full-time study.*
The 4,000 word Extended Essay composed as part of the diploma and the study of Theory of Knowledge promote independent and critical thinking.

5. Leadership
IB students are more likely to be employed in graduate level jobs, and enjoy higher salaries than their peers.*
Literate and numerate, linguistically and scientifically able, IB students are tremendously versatile. Ask any employer, and they will tell you that these are complementary rather than contradictory talents in today’s world.

* Research published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in 2011.

Further Research

by Dr Gerda Frank-Gemmill. Based on 823 IB students who left Sevenoaks School between 2000 and 2007 and graduated from a UK university.

The study showed that:
They were significantly more likely to attend top universities when compared with the overall undergraduate population (96% went to Russell/1994 Group vs. 36% of all students and 35% vs. 4 % for the top 5 universities in the Times ranking).
They were significantly more likely to obtain a ‘good honours degree’ (1st or 2.1) than other undergraduates (88% vs. 51% of all students and 72% of all Russell/1994 Group graduates).
At Oxford and Cambridge their degree results were markedly better when compared with those of the overall student population. At Cambridge, 94% of Sevenoaks students obtained a First or Upper Second compared to 85% of all students, while at Oxford the figures were 98% and 91%, respectively.

The study firmly supports the view that the IB is an excellent preparation for university.

[ 本帖最後由 ANChan59 於 11-9-28 23:28 編輯 ]

ANChan59

回復 69# khmama 的帖子

I also heard about that and they called it 'Magic Line"......but how to draw the line, they still consider that....

I guess they will announce the detail very soon......just for HKDSE this year and for IBDP next year....

IB admission score for BBA (Should be BBA, I mixed it up with GBus. For GBus 39-42 included bonus point per Daisy Chan's info) around 33-36 excluded bonus point. After transition to HKDSE, the IB admission score will be lowered as HKDSE standard will be below IBDP......

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2012 admission ofHKUST, IBDP can go for 3-yr program like HKALE, it's a good news for IB students. Their admission grades can be lower than before in 2013 onwards.

[ 本帖最後由 ANChan59 於 11-9-30 13:18 編輯 ]

ANChan59

ANChan59,

Just like you, I orginally planned to attend the HKUST admission talk on last Sunday(25 Sept) to collect some information for non-JUPAS applicants. Fortunately, I visited the HKUST website last Friday and noted that they re-named the 25 Sept admission talks as "JUPAS" admission talks. I called the admission office and they confirmed that the only one talk on "non-JUPAS admission with international qualifications" was the one held on last Saturday at 10a.m.

So, I rescheduled my committments and attended the talk last Saturday. Here are some salient points regarding the IB qualifications that I can share with you and other parents:

(1) Although the mininum IB score quoted in their website is 30, they have never admitted any applicant with an IB score less than 32.

(2) In 2010, a total of 66 applicants with IB qualication were admitted to the HKUST Year 1 programs.

(3) The average IB score is 36.7 for HKUST and 34.3 for all the local universities.

(4) It seems that, among all the international qualifications, HKUST prefers IB most (you must agree with this, and not just for HKUST!). They has even set up a scholarship especially for IB qualification, and not other international qualifications.

ANChan59

Daisy

Thanks so much for your updated info of HKUST. You always provide some useful info about HKUST. Some quick remarks of your info

(1) Although the mininum IB score quoted in their website is 30, they have never admitted any applicant with an IB score less than 32. (Not in Buiness School, but yes in other Schools. Initially, Schools even accepted some students' IB score less than 30 and they struggled, then kicked out from the university - Info from Science and Engineering professors.)

(4) It seems that, among all the international qualifications, HKUST prefers IB most (you must agree with this, and not just for HKUST!). They has even set up a scholarship especially for IB qualification, and not other international qualifications. (From my limited info after discussing with professors from local universities, they preferred IB among international qualifications. For some traditional hot programs, they still prefer local curricullum. HKUST sets up scholarships for international qualifications, not just IB alone. For IB, they listed out the min req and schedule. Other qualifications, they just quote outstanding academic results. A professor told me that in HKUST, IB score 35 definitely will have a scholarship.)

If you don't mind, we should moved/copied our discussions to "NSS vs IB", as this post more focus on HKDSE.

ANChan59

[ 本帖最後由 ANChan59 於 11-9-30 13:23 編輯 ]

poonseelai

During the presentation in the university fair at my daughters' school. HKUST's representative mentioned that the average IB intake is 36.7 points.  It offers special one-off scholarship for IB students with 38 points and above, e.g. 38 point: 15% of 1st year school fee.  The max scholarship is 100% of 1st year school fee plus about HK$40,000 living allowance for 45 points.

ANChan59

IB Diploma candidates/ holders who complete the IB Diploma requirements before September 2012 are considered for the Scholarship. Students with a final IB Total Points (including Bonus Points) of 38 or above will be awarded with the scholarship. Details are as follows:

IB Total Points - Scholarship

45 - Full tuition plus living allowance of HK$40,000; tenable for normal duration of study

42-44 - Full tuition; tenable for the first year of study

40-41 - Half tuition; tenable for the first year of study

38-39 - HK$15,000; tenable for the first year of study

Note:
2012/13 Tuition fee for local undergraduate students = HK$42,100 per academic year (subject to change)
2012/13 Tuition fee for non-local undergraduate students = HK$100,000 per academic year

Students do not have to apply for the Scholarship. All IB Diploma candidates/ holders are automatically considered for the awards. The University will select qualified students and inform the students selected for scholarship awards in due course.

In addition to the above scheme, scholarships may be offered by School/ Department. The maximum amount for 2012 entrants is HK$140,000 per annum.

http://join.ust.hk/apply/non-local/fees-and-support/scholarships

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Better check the prospectus every year. Also in HK universities, sometimes they used included bonus, sometimes they don't. be careful.

[ 本帖最後由 ANChan59 於 11-10-1 00:47 編輯 ]

WYmom

Hi, ANChan59,
Do you know if most top students choose HL or SL English A in IB if they want to choose Business faculty in universities?

Thanks for your advice.

ANChan59

原帖由 WYmom 於 11-10-4 11:19 發表
Hi, ANChan59,
Do you know if most top students choose HL or SL English A in IB if they want to choose Business faculty in universities?

WYmom

If really top students, they don't care English A, HL or SL, they will score 6-7.

I attended some admission talks in CUHK, HKU and hKUST, I have the feeling the min language requirement of English (A1/A2) HL is 4, SL is 5. As no data for English A yet, I guess they prefer HL in some Schools, like Law and not Business (Other parents correct me if i am wrong). In general, they consider the IB score first, like 38, 40..... my son's analysis (replaced original strategy) aim for highest score in languages and not taking syllabus B, so English A - SL may be a good choice for him.

We chatted with an admission officer of B School in HKUST, they are comfortable of the students from IS/ESF with good IB scores, and not specify the HL or SL for languages, but they specify the Maths must be HL for QF.

That's what i know right now. My son & wife will attend seminars in CUHK this weekend. I will remind them to ask this question.

ANChan59

[ 本帖最後由 ANChan59 於 11-10-6 10:43 編輯 ]

WYmom

ANChan59,

Thanks a lot for your reply.  May I ask if your son is taking HL in Maths?  We are told that it is very challenging and not easy to get high scores...

And, is your son also taking HL Physics?  Is it very difficult as well?
Some people said that it is more difficult than HL Chem.

Thanks.

ANChan59

May I ask if your son is taking HL in Maths?  
[Yes, he will.]

We are told that it is very challenging and not easy to get high scores...
[His standard is very top in his school, he scored ~90 and top 10 in the grade, so 7 is not a problem to him. His comment on Maths HL is challenging, a few of his classmates struggle at HL, may change to SL later. They aim at either QF in HK or Economics in LSE or Oxbridge, 7 in Maths HL is the min requirement.]

And, is your son also taking HL Physics?  Is it very difficult as well? Some people said that it is more difficult than HL Chem.
[Physics HL is easier than Chemistry HL to score 6-7 by % (18+11%=29% vs 17+8%=25% for 2010). Now, he is taking both Physics and Economics HL, so 4 HL. Both have high chance for 7, he tends to take Economics as HL in the future. Economics HL is 26+12%=38% for 2010]

My son study in a DSS elite school, his Maths and Science subjects is better than most IS/ESF students. English may be another story, still much better than other local schools.

[ 本帖最後由 ANChan59 於 11-10-4 16:13 編輯 ]

ksenia

My daughter is now studying in LPC. She said English A HL is very difficult to get a 7. In one of her 2nd years' English A2 class, only one girl got a predicted 7. However, many of the students are already outstanding. So I would suggest you to choose SL as many subjects in university don't necessarily require HL English. My daughter chose SL at first but switched to HL. She is thinking of changing it to SL now, but might not be successful though.

ANChan59

Choose HL & SL not necessary just to demonstrate ability, more on strategically get better predicted scores.

ksenia

but it's about your ability at first. those who are from dgs, dbs, spcc only got a 6 for their PG.

ksenia

and please explain more on the "strategy" part

ANChan59

I suggest you check different university's language requirements, you may see very rare to specify HL in English.

If a student more Arts-focus, Group 4 and 5 may not their strength, they may pick SL, so taking HL in English due to constraints of 3HL, 3SL, of course, ability is another consideration.

For your daughter's seniors from named schools are the second best from those schools, because the best students are in Big 3 through EAS. I think you must support my remark.

ANChan59

原帖由 ksenia 於 11-10-4 23:19 發表
and please explain more on the "strategy" part

Did you check score boundaries of different subjects? If yes, you know what I mean.