DSA 2017
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Hi,
I find this track has many useful info and sound advices for DSA. I would like to seek some advice. My DD is in GEP P6, she is just average in her class. DD is interested in Science and Art. We do not want her to go to specialized schools at this age. She does not take Higher Chinese. We intend to apply DSA to RGS and MGS. Her Science mark is just a little over 80 only, so not sure if she has chance to get DSA with Science. She loves drawing comic on paper and on iPad, she has drawn hundreds of comics. I think her comic drawing skill is good but not sure good enough to get DSA with Art, she has never participated in drawing competition. She attended 2 short courses in NAFA during school holiday.
Can you advise ways to find out which path, “Science” or “Art”, has higher chance to get DSA.
Thanks in advance. -
coast:
We asked DS about his opinion on several schools last year. For those he \"rejected\", we did not go to the Open House. We brought him to the Open House for the rest and told him that we should proceed with the DSA only if he really likes the school after the visit. What do we mean by \"really like\" ... that he would gladly accept the CO should his DSA be successful.[/quote]Problem is the school he desires is soooooo far away. That concerns me a lot - whether to dsa. With \"anything\" attitude, if get reject will it affect psle mode?coast:
[quote=\"yap_susan\"]I asked my son if he wants to dsa to NUShigh he says \"anything\". For you as a parent, proceed or not?
Bring him to the Open House first
My friend encourages to bring him to open house, try dsa, if rejected, psle jae put dsa school first choice.
What are your advices? -
sleepy:
It’s great that both your DDs are happy with their school
Then I went home to pitch my sales to dd1 to dsa to that school. Never force her. I only strongly influenced her lor
Between dd1 and I, I believe I am better at picking a suitable school and I don't think I want to leave the entire decision to a 12 year old kid.
dd1 is super proud of her secondary school so with hindsight I am happy to say it's a good fit for her. And obviously dd2 also dsa to the same school. dd2 tagged along with me to open house even though that time was to choose a school for dd1
We went to the Open House with DS but he would explore the school mostly on his own, visiting the booths that he was interested and even surprised us with little gifts from games he “won”.
We told him the pros and cons of each school, that they are good schools and that he would do well no matter which one he attends eventually as long as he stays motivated.
We shared with him our preference too. He chose another school though. We were happy as he has pondered his choices before making his decision
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yap_susan:
Problem is the school he desires is soooooo far away. That concerns me a lot - whether to dsa. With \"anything\" attitude, if get reject will it affect psle mode?coast:
[quote=\"yap_susan\"]I asked my son if he wants to dsa to NUShigh he says \"anything\". For you as a parent, proceed or not?
We asked DS about his opinion on several schools last year. For those he \"rejected\", we did not go to the Open House. We brought him to the Open House for the rest and told him that we should proceed with the DSA only if he really likes the school after the visit. What do we mean by \"really like\" ... that he would gladly accept the CO should his DSA be successful.
My friend encourages to bring him to open house, try dsa, if rejected, psle jae put dsa school first choice.
What are your advices?[/quote]hi yap_susan,
Is NUS High the school he desires? Or another school?
If the desired school is very far, I would suggest that you discuss with your DS whether to consider this school due to the distance. Or still go to the Open House and see whether your DS finds it “worth” the travel.
Personally, I will also be concerned if the school is far away but I know quite a few DS’s friends travel a fair bit to school and they seem to be okay so far.
I know kids who were rejected during DSA but did well in PSLE and went to the schools that “rejected” them with their PSLE results. Every kid is different so you need to judge for yourself how your DS will be affected. I let my DS know prior to DSA that the chance of a success is low. A principal mentioned during the Open House … not his exact words but the gist of his message “to get rejected is normal”. For most IP schools, the success rate should be lower than 10%. -
I have a copy of HAST (with sample questions) that was provided to us when my DS registered for HAST during his DSA last year. It is not dated so it may be the same set of questions each year. If you need a copy, just PM me

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TEA8008:
Is Science her best subject?
My DD is in GEP P6, she is just average in her class. DD is interested in Science and Art.
Her Science mark is just a little over 80 only, so not sure if she has chance to get DSA with Science.
Any other achievements like being seleted for masterclass or SPSO? -
Yes you are right
It is NUSHigh.
So what my friend told me is true. -
Yes you are right
It is NUSHigh.
So what my friend told me is true.
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