2010 DSA(Direct School Admission)
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Sorry to say this, but I noticed that some "branded" primary schools get preference over the neighbourhood schools when RI / RGS selects for DSA. You will hear that more students from these "branded" primary schools go to RI / RGS. In addition, when there is DSA talks organised by these "branded" primary schools, the "branded" secondary schools are more willing to send reps to give talks etc. You do not see that at the neighbourhood primary schools. I supposed the "branded" primary schools have established certain reputation and standards over the years, and these are being recognised by the "branded" secondary schools.
No offence meant, but this is just to highlight how it is that certain schools have much higher success rate for DSA compared with others. I have frens whose kids top / among tops in their neighbourhood primary schools, but get nowhere with DSA application. Sometimes very disheartening for the kids. -
jtoh:
Getting into NJC and NUSHS is definitely easier. Especially for NUSHS which is purely DSA Academic only. A Math Olympiad Gold or Platinum practically guarantees you a place.
In my opinion, getting into NJC and NUSHS is not necessary easier than other schools. It all depends on the strength and attributes of the child and how well they match those sought after by each of the schools. Both NJC and NUSHS also have a smaller intake compared to other IP schools.
By looking at the number of applicants and the number of places available, one can guage the chances of getting in. In NUSH, there are about 1800 to 2000 applicants vying for 170 places. In RI, there are about 1000 + applicants vying for about 450 places.
While a platinum in math olympics almost guarantee a place, a gold does not. A gold medal holder will still need to pass the first test given in NUSHS before he can move to the camp. The test consist of maths AND science. A gold holder in math may not necessary do well in science. There are some gold awardees who do not make it pass the first round..
There are only about 70 platinum holders each year. Most schools welcome them with open arms. You will find most of them in HCI / RI / NUSH. It is not easy to be a Platinum awardee. Many GEP students do not even get a bronze even though the GEP schools send the most candidates to the maths olympics.
For the GEP students, the chances of getting into HCI and RI is actually higher than NJC and NUSHS. This is because HCI and RI (and most IP schools) have a different route for GEP students from the mainstream ones. The GEP students do not need to sit for any test and go straight to the interview round. There are also more places preallocated to the GEP students in these schools. So you find that the GEP students applying to HCI and RI focuses on preparation of the interview and portforlios whereas the others need to pass the admission tests. I understand in NJC and NUSH, there are no special route for GEP and no preallocated places for GEP - they have to compete on equal footing with the other mainstream applicants.
If you take a look at the GEP primary schools, you will find that most of them have activities to prepare their GEP students for DSA. This is virtually non existent in the mainstream schools. Indeed many students and parents from the mainstream schools are not even aware of DSA. -
traineeks:
This is prob true only for those in GEP since most would apply for ri or hci in my boys' school. For the non-gep, not many apply for DSA either. Most aim for the affiliated secondary school.
If you take a look at the GEP primary schools, you will find that most of them have activities to prepare their GEP students for DSA. This is virtually non existent in the mainstream schools. Indeed many students and parents from the mainstream schools are not even aware of DSA.
As for nJC, can't say it's easier. it's really quite a mix, from my observation, but it seems that they look for the overall good performer and not those who are just academically strong - and this is AFTER they have shortlisted from their test round. Some that i know who were academically strong did not get offer at all. Not even waitlist, even tho' they got thru' the first test round. -
traineeks:
You have raised valid points. When I wrote that NJC and NUSHS were easier to get DSA into, I meant for non-GEP students. The reason for this is as you pointed out, GEP and non-GEP compete on equal footing, and also, I believe most GEP students choose to DSA into RI/RGS/HCI/NYGH, leaving more places for non-GEP at the other schools.jtoh:
Getting into NJC and NUSHS is definitely easier. Especially for NUSHS which is purely DSA Academic only. A Math Olympiad Gold or Platinum practically guarantees you a place.
In my opinion, getting into NJC and NUSHS is not necessary easier than other schools. It all depends on the strength and attributes of the child and how well they match those sought after by each of the schools. Both NJC and NUSHS also have a smaller intake compared to other IP schools.
By looking at the number of applicants and the number of places available, one can guage the chances of getting in. In NUSH, there are about 1800 to 2000 applicants vying for 170 places. In RI, there are about 1000 + applicants vying for about 450 places.
While a platinum in math olympics almost guarantee a place, a gold does not. A gold medal holder will still need to pass the first test given in NUSHS before he can move to the camp. The test consist of maths AND science. A gold holder in math may not necessary do well in science. There are some gold awardees who do not make it pass the first round..
There are only about 70 platinum holders each year. Most schools welcome them with open arms. You will find most of them in HCI / RI / NUSH. It is not easy to be a Platinum awardee. Many GEP students do not even get a bronze even though the GEP schools send the most candidates to the maths olympics.
For the GEP students, the chances of getting into HCI and RI is actually higher than NJC and NUSHS. This is because HCI and RI (and most IP schools) have a different route for GEP students from the mainstream ones. The GEP students do not need to sit for any test and go straight to the interview round. There are also more places preallocated to the GEP students in these schools. So you find that the GEP students applying to HCI and RI focuses on preparation of the interview and portforlios whereas the others need to pass the admission tests. I understand in NJC and NUSH, there are no special route for GEP and no preallocated places for GEP - they have to compete on equal footing with the other mainstream applicants.
If you take a look at the GEP primary schools, you will find that most of them have activities to prepare their GEP students for DSA. This is virtually non existent in the mainstream schools. Indeed many students and parents from the mainstream schools are not even aware of DSA.
Another reason why I say it is easier to get into NUSHS than RI/RGS/HCI/NYGH is because I know of 3 students who scored Gold/Platinum in Math Olympiad, who were rejected by RI/RGS/NYGH/HCI but were accepted by NUSHS. In fact, two of these Math Olympiad gold awardees didn't even get past the test round for RI/RGS/HCI/NYGH. -
What about at the girls' school like RGS / NYGH? Do the non-GEP students compete on equal footing with the GEPers when it comes to DSA? My girl is not from GEP, and i was hoping she will do well in the Mths Olympiad to improve her chances of securing a place to RGS/NYGH via DSA academic. Reading what you have shared, it does not seem the olympiad results will help that much... :shock:
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jtoh:
reason for GEPpers to chose RI/HCI/RGS/NYGH is that these schools provide SBGE while NJC & NUSHS does not
You have raised valid points. When I wrote that NJC and NUSHS were easier to get DSA into, I meant for non-GEP students. The reason for this is as you pointed out, GEP and non-GEP compete on equal footing, and also, I believe most GEP students choose to DSA into RI/RGS/HCI/NYGH, leaving more places for non-GEP at the other schools.
Another reason why I say it is easier to get into NUSHS than RI/RGS/HCI/NYGH is because I know of 3 students who scored Gold/Platinum in Math Olympiad, who were rejected by RI/RGS/NYGH/HCI but were accepted by NUSHS. In fact, two of these Math Olympiad gold awardees didn't even get past the test round for RI/RGS/HCI/NYGH. -
clover18:
What about at the girls' school like RGS / NYGH? Do the non-GEP students compete on equal footing with the GEPers when it comes to DSA? My girl is not from GEP, and i was hoping she will do well in the Mths Olympiad to improve her chances of securing a place to RGS/NYGH via DSA academic. Reading what you have shared, it does not seem the olympiad results will help that much... :shock:
I believe the chances are even
From my conversation with the principals, a high proportion of DSA vacancies are reserved for NON-GEPpers !
Also, there are only about 500 GEPpers nationwide
If you combine the total vacancies from those schools like HCI, RI, RGS, NYGH, NUSHS, CHS, DHS.......you will realise that there are lots of places available
As I posted before elsewhere on this KSP website, they are looking for consistent good results from P4 to P6, if via DSA academic -
verykiasu2010:
That's comforting for non-GEP students. Do you know how much space is put aside for non-GEP students?clover18:
What about at the girls' school like RGS / NYGH? Do the non-GEP students compete on equal footing with the GEPers when it comes to DSA? My girl is not from GEP, and i was hoping she will do well in the Mths Olympiad to improve her chances of securing a place to RGS/NYGH via DSA academic. Reading what you have shared, it does not seem the olympiad results will help that much... :shock:
I believe the changes are even
From my conversation with the principals, a high proportion of DSA vacancies are reserved for NON-GEPpers !
Also, there are only about 500 GEPpers nationwide
If you combine the total vacancies from those schools like HCI, RI, RGS, NYGH, NUSHS, CHS, DHS.......you will realise that there are lots of places available
As I posted before elsewhere on this KSP website, they are looking for consistent good results from P4 to P6, if via DSA academic -
could you explain what is SBGE?
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jtoh:
That's comforting for non-GEP students. Do you know how much space is put aside for non-GEP students?
Sorry for the typo above : the chances are even - for the DSA
at S1 posting, everyone is based on T-score
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