DSA 2017
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jenao:
You are correct with your interpretation. Just like DSA via sports, the child must show exceptional achievements in his area of talent. It's not enough to participate in inter-school competitions. Participation at national levels would be advantageous. It would be a more guarantee to get a CO if he is one of the top 3 winners.
This requirement for one subject is fairly new, maybe just started last year, if I am not wrong? There used to be GEP domain, then it was removed maybe 2 yrs back, then General acad domain and now they are replacing it with subject domain. The last 2 years the dsa has changed quite a bit. Not very sure but that's what i gathered since I am first time PSLE mom.lee_yl:
From the RGS website, my understanding of DSA academic is to just look at one subject the student is good at right? Not overall 4 subjects, I think. :? :?
From RGS website for DSA Academic:
DSA ACADEMIC
Applicant must be able to demonstrate interest and talent beyond the abilities of students in the same age group and/or have a history of consistent high academic achievements in one of the following:
English Language
Chinese Language
Malay Language
Tamil Language
Mathematics
Science
I think for last year, a few schools like RGS moved away from general acad domain to subject domain, inline with the new direction? The way I understand it, the key words from these are \"BEYOND the abilities of students in the same age group\" which mean getting good marks are not enough! You need to be very TALENTED in that domain!!! Like if you are getting above 90s for maths is not good enough for maths domain, you need to be maths olympiad platinum! That's how I read it. Really very tough for our kids! How many are platinum or gold medal for any subjects? When I read it, my first thought was, no chance at all! Might as well just concentrate on doing well for PSLE, dont need to waste time and effort.
As for DSA via subject domain, any achievement at national level would be a BIG plus. E.g., for English, if you are in the finals of the annual National Spelling Competition, that would stand you well.
Generally, to apply for DSA via any domain, you must have relevant achievements/accolades to support your application. School academic results are only an indicative (unless MOE start imposing the requirement that the child must score a certain baseline to be admitted to certain schools via DSA).
In any case, schools will be conducting trials, auditions, entry tests, etc to assess the child in the area of talent before making a decision to offer a CO/WL.
To participate in the DSA exercise takes time and effort and can be a roller-coaster ride emotionally (for both parent and child). Do consider carefully before you embark on it. -
Yes indeed, DSA takes time and effort and most often during the prelims period where the child is consolidating her learning for PSLE.
For us, if DD is not a sports national champion with other non-acad achievements, we would not have bothered with DSA to the top schools. It was a lot of work/agony prepping for GAT, application, trials, tests, interviews and finally dreading/waiting for that outcome. I still remembered bringing her to an interview that lasted till evening right in the smack of prelims. In the end, when we looked back, perhaps her results could have brought her there anyway… -
I’m just pondering aloud
If a school prefers subject domain, then child needs to be really outstanding in one particular subject to stand a good chance.
If another school accepts generic academic domain, then a good overall result is probably more important than strong performance in one subject only?
If a child is super strong in one particular subject while overall result is not as good as another child who is reasonably good in all subjects but not particularly outstanding in any specific area.
Subject domain or generic academic domain - which is to your advantage would depend on your child’s strength and whether it aligns with your choice school’s selection criteria -
Imp75:
In the end, when we looked back, perhaps her results could have brought her there anyway....
That is with hindsight
Psle result could unexpectedly swing the other way :nailbite: 2 classmates didn't meet cut off point although the rest far exceeded cut off point. It's exactly that uncertainty that prompted so many students and parents to choose dsa route. -
Which schools dsa by subject domain?
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what I am saying is; parents probably 心里有数 whether child has been consistently doing well and whether DSA is necessary to put hearts at rest…those that stumble during PSLE are far and few…
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Nebbermind:
Which schools dsa by subject domain?
Thought you should know better? :evil:
https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=78374&p=1750083#p1750083 -
jetsetter:
2014 vs 2017...it has been evolvingNebbermind:
Which schools dsa by subject domain?
Thought you should know better? :evil:
https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=78374&p=1750083#p1750083 -
lee_yl:
If that's indeed the case, then DSA is indeed stressful and one has to plan & prepare early for it. My children have been doing violin and piano with Mandeville for years but nowhere near grade 8.
I guess candidate must also be good in one or two non-acad areas. I remember zulu's DD got into RGS thru English domain 3 years ago, but he mentioned she also has violin ABRSM certs (possibly Grade 8 kind!), CCA accomplishments, top few in her cohort (a neighbourhood school) and some Eng-related awards to include in her portfolio.jetsetter:
[quote=\"lee_yl\"]From the RGS website, my understanding of DSA academic is to just look at one subject the student is good at right? Not overall 4 subjects, I think. :? :?
From RGS website for DSA Academic:
DSA ACADEMIC
Applicant must be able to demonstrate interest and talent beyond the abilities of students in the same age group and/or have a history of consistent high academic achievements in one of the following:
English Language
Chinese Language
Malay Language
Tamil Language
Mathematics
Science
Compared to Maths, I wonder whether using Science as the DSA subject will be easier as it is not as competitive?
Unfortunately, except for the E2K program, my DD1 does not participate in any SO because her school does not take part! :gloomy:
Guess she has to rely solely on her PSLE results then.[/quote]Non-acad achievements as such are probably included to show the child is an all-rounder, i.e. icing on the cake, and to differentiate her from other competitors applying thru the same subject domain. It's not a must to have grade 5, 6, 7 or 8 I'm sure. It really depends on how strong your Rooster cohort is this year and your actual day interview performance.
For those applying thru CCA, I learnt from some DSA decision makers that it also depends on the demand and supply of that particular year. If the orchestra has a dime a dozen violinists who can easily be honed to play cello or double bass, and if their drummer or rare wind instrument anchors are graduating soon, they might look specifically for that drummer or flutist to fill the gap. Also, between a candidate who has Grade X for say, guzheng, vs another who merely played guzheng recreationally in her pri-school orchestra, of course the maestro will offer CO to the one who's graded or won some nat'l level competition. -
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