FAQ

Admissions

What is the Cut-off Point (COP) for this year's cohort?

The exact COP will not be revealed until all students have completed the JAE admission exercise. However, the COP last year can still be used as a guide to help students in their application to their school of choice. Last year, Hwa Chong’s COP for the Science stream was 4 points, while the COP for the Arts stream was 5 points. We encourage you to consider HCI as your first choice if your L1R5 aggregate meets the COP for last year.

What is the Cut-off Point (COP) for taking 4 H2 subjects in HCI?

All JAE students posted to HCI are eligible to take 4 H2 subjects.

Do I have to take Mother Tongue in Hwa Chong?

JAE students who attain a score D7 and above for GCE O-level Higher Mother Tongue Language (MTL) can be exempted from taking H1 MTL. For IP students, there is an internal requirement of B4 and above to be exempted from taking H1 MTL. However, if students wish to take the subject again, they are allowed to do so.

When do we need to select our subject combination?

Students generally indicate their subject combination during Orientation. There will be opportunities for students to consult teachers on their choice of subject combination. Regarding selection tests for certain subjects or Special Programmes, more information will be provided during Orientation.

If I would like to take up a hybrid subject combination, do I join Hwa Chong through the Science or Arts stream?

A hybrid subject combination is one with two H2 Science stream subjects (such as Physics and Mathematics) and two H2 Art stream subjects (such as History and English Literature). If you wish to take a hybrid subject combination, you will apply under the Science stream.

What bursary and scholarship schemes are available for HCI students?

No Singaporean student will be denied a place in Hwa Chong Institution for financial reasons. A range of financial assistance schemes, scholarships and awards are available to support our students.

More information on them can be found here: https://www.hci.edu.sg/college/financial-info/

Orientation & Integration

When will the JC1 Orientation be held?

The Orientation for all JC1 students (both IP and JAE) will be held from 2-6 February 2024.

How many JAE and IP students are there in one cohort?

In each cohort, there are typically 300 to 350 JAE students.

How are the students divided into the different faculties?

There are 4 faculties in HCI – Ares, Artemis, Athena and Apollo. Each faculty comprises classes with different subject combinations. For instance, Apollo hosts the Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP) and Humanities Programme (HP) classes. Students will be informed of their class faculty once they get their class allocation.

Will JAE students be disadvantaged in terms of academic, leadership and CCA opportunities?

Students admitted via JAE will not be disadvantaged in their selection of subject combinations or CCAs. For more information on the selection processes, feel free to attend the Senior-Junior Tea Session.

Academic Programmes

Will the teachers reteach Common Last Topics (CLT) that O-level students missed out on?

The teachers are aware of CLT, and will cover all topics that contain relevant and fundamental concepts for the H1 and H2 syllabi.

What are the selection processes for Talent Programmes like?

Selection processes take into account students’ prior academic grades and their performance in the programme’s specific selection tests. Information on each Talent Programme can be found at https://hc-oh.com/academics/talent-programmes.html.

Students will be able to sign up for Talent Programme selection tests at a later date. For more information, please attend the various Talent Programme talks. The schedule can be found on the homepage.

Are students allowed to take more than one Talent Programme?

Every year, there are instances of students who participate in more than one Talent Programme. However, these are due to the student taking up a scholarship such as the Bicultural Studies Programme scholarship in secondary school, then joining a different Talent Programme in Junior College.

Requests to take more than one Talent Programme are approved on a case-by-case basis. For any further queries, please contact the relevant teachers-in-charge.

What Talent Programmes does Hwa Chong offer?

Hwa Chong offers the following Talent Programmes:

  1. Art Elective Programme (AEP)
  2. Computing Talent Programme (CTP)
  3. Science and Mathematics Talent Programme (SMTP)
  4. Humanities Programme (HP)
  5. Bilingual Studies Programme (BSP)
  6. Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP)

CCAs

What are the CCAs available in Hwa Chong?

We offer a wide range of CCAs in Hwa Chong, ranging from performing arts to student committees. Please refer to this link for a more comprehensive guide to the CCAs we offer: https://hc-oh.com/life/cca.html

How are students selected for CCAs?

Selection processes differ from one CCA to another. For example, some CCAs might require students to go through an audition, trial or interview to ascertain their passion and aptitude for the CCA. IP and JAE students will attend CCA trials at the same time.

Do I need to have a CCA in Hwa Chong?

CCAs are not compulsory in Hwa Chong. However, given our emphasis on holistic student development, we encourage every student to take up a CCA.

Can I join more than one CCA?

Most students join only one CCA during their time in Hwa Chong. However, students may join more than one CCA, subject to the approval of the CCA Department.

Is there a quota set aside for JAE students in CCAs?

This generally differs between CCAs. However, all CCAs will conduct auditions or interviews for every student looking to join the CCA, and a fair opportunity will be given to both IP and JAE students.

How intensive are CCAs in Hwa Chong?

CCA sessions differ based on the nature of the CCA and the time of year. On average, most students attend CCA sessions twice to thrice a week. However, in the lead up to productions and competitions like the National School Games, this number may increase.

How can I join a Student Committee?

The selection processes for each student committee vary. Most student committees select their members from February to May, through interviews and other modes of selection. Furthermore, the Students’ Council requires prospective candidates to be elected by the student body.

Student Development Programmes

Are there any compulsory boarding programmes or camps during the 2 years of college life?

There are no compulsory cohort-wide camps or boarding programmes for our students. However, camps and overseas immersion programmes may be organised for CCA groups, or as part of student development programmes that students sign up for. Throughout the year, we organise various programmes for leadership development, Values-in-Action and Outdoor Expedition which are open to all students.

Can non-scholars opt to stay in the Boarding School?

Yes. More information on fees and living arrangements can be found at https://www.hcibs.edu.sg.

What is the Hwa Chong Diploma?

The Hwa Chong Diploma is an internationally recognised certification that Hwa Chong awards its students. It serves to recognise their outstanding holistic achievements in the following academic and non-academic areas:

  • Academic Achievements
  • Service to the Community
  • Conduct
  • Scholastic Achievement OR Leadership and Service

Does Hwa Chong offer a platform for students to advocate for causes they are passionate about?

Yes! Hwa Chong ensures that every student has the chance to contribute meaningfully and give back to society. We provide support and funding for Service Learning (SL) projects which are initiated by students to champion a cause they are passionate about, along with other opportunities to engage with disadvantaged communities on a regional scale. For examples of past SL projects, refer to https://hc-oh.com/community/service-learning.html. For more frequent updates, follow @cipcouncil on Instagram.

School Processes

What time does school start and end?

The timing for morning assemblies differ. On Mondays, assembly begins at 7.40am at the terraces. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, it begins at 8.15am at the Central Plaza. Students will gather for assemblies in their homerooms on Thursdays and Fridays.

The time at which lessons end depends on students' subject combination. This can vary from day to day, with lessons ending as early as 12pm and as late as 6pm.

How many students does each class have?

Hwa Chong’s class size typically varies from 20 to 26, depending on the students' subject combination.

How many classes does each level have?

We have between 40 and 44 classes per level.