DSA 2017

[aadorew]

Thanks CMF for your advice. I heard some parents who enrolled their kid via DSA as a result their kids do not like the cca in the secondary school. Although the parent tries to communicate with the school, however, the feedback is that the kid has to go to find another secondary school. Since he goes to his Dream school via DSA. Any parents encounter such situation? Would like ur advice plse. Tks

[CMF]

The DSA process allows "pre-selection" by the school and consequently the offer of a place by the said school not based on PSLE results, but based on the school’s determination of the child’s talent & ability in the particular DSA niche area / sport etc. Hence once the offer is taken up, the condition of acceptance is on that basis.


Unfortunately there are some who take the view that the main thing is just getting into the desired school regardless, and hope to thereafter "talk to the school", about the child not liking the chosen area / CCA etc, or not coping etc, in the hope that the school will understand etc and excuse the child accordingly, since after all the child is already in the school. Schools however are generally not sympathetic to such instances as understandably it undermines the whole DSA process etc, including the opportunity to have offered the places to others who may have been a better fit etc. Likewise, once a DSA offer has been made by the school, it stands regardless of PSLE results (assuming it meets the school’s minimum cutoff).

Schools have been heard to have requested the DSA child to seek alternative schools if they do not wish to continue their DSA commitment in the DSA school. Fair?

[wolf_19]

Fabbymum:

Hi there,


I would like to ask is it really necessary for kid to attend DSA preparation (like interview, etc) camps before any attempt for DSA application is made?

Such courses are time consuming and can be expensive.

Thanks.

If the child's grades are relatively good and the child has good CCA achievements and there is a good chance that the child will be shortlisted for an interview, it is a good idea to prepare for DSA interview. IMHO, personal 1-1 coaching is the best rather than camps and workshops because the coach is able to help the child formulate impressive answers that are honest and sincere and based on the child's achievements and background.

I also used the information on http://www.dsainterview.com when I was preparing my ds for DSA and will use it for my dd next year. it has some good tips and best of all its free !

Hope this helps and all the best !

[hquek]

I didn’t put DS1 through any prep camp/class. Reason being that I wanted him to be honest and not sound scripted. Not sure if outcome would have been different if I had but I was told before by a sec school teacher that they can tell when a child sounds prepared vs one that is honest. I had got some ideas from past questions shared by kspers and suffice to say, none came out during his interview sessions.

[aadorew]

Thanks wolf_19 and everyone sharing your views.

[Busybugz73]

Yes, very insightful posts! All the best to each of your children during this exam period!

[Busybugz73]

Yes, very insightful posts! All the best to each of your children during this exam period!

[Janeal]

Hi, if my boy has no CCA achievements and academic for P5 SA2 (all subjects above 80%) can I still try? worth the effort to give it a try?

[What The]

Janeal:

Hi, if my boy has no CCA achievements and academic for P5 SA2 (all subjects above 80%) can I still try? worth the effort to give it a try?

Just try. I was in a dilemma whether to try DSA last year as well. DS is in P6 this year. It was my DS who wants to try.
So no harm trying for your DS, as long as he likes the school. Even if he did not get it, the experience is worth it. My DS have no CCA achievements at all as well, no academics certificates (e.g. Australian competitions, Maths Olympics). Only p4-p6 average results consistently >90%.

[Janeal]

What The:

Janeal:

Hi, if my boy has no CCA achievements and academic for P5 SA2 (all subjects above 80%) can I still try? worth the effort to give it a try?

Just try. I was in a dilemma whether to try DSA last year as well. DS is in P6 this year. It was my DS who wants to try.
So no harm trying for your DS, as long as he likes the school. Even if he did not get it, the experience is worth it. My DS have no CCA achievements at all as well, no academics certificates (e.g. Australian competitions, Maths Olympics). Only p4-p6 average results consistently >90%.

Are your son accepted into ACSI via DSA? But I think your DS results are good consistently > 90%