DSA 2017

[blmg]

Buddhist:

Assuming one has CO from both HCI and RI, which would be the choice?


Not sure about past years, but for 2017 DSA, HCI has imposed a very high standard for Maths & Science domains. Must be gold or platinum winners at Olympiads in order to be even shortlisted for HDP. Thus, there will have many top-calibre Maths/Science students to spur their schoolmates. Additionally, HCI has traditionally been known to strongly promote Chinese culture, language and values, which (in the current China era) is a big plus point. So I guess (just a guess) HCI has an edge over RI in terms of DSA acceptance.

This is what we call a \"happy problem\". I would weight the factors such as school culture/fit, distance from home, programs etc. to see which is more suited.

[Harrychew]

I think the differences in school cultures are much closer than what is imagined. Afterall the students are from all over Singapore exposed to more or less the same cultural influences and MOE primary school system. The teachers are equally good, compassionate and strict as any other schools since all teachers are MOE trained and they came from the same MOE education system as most of us came from too.


HCI and NYGH are definitely more Chinese language focus, but there will still be a few potatoes eaters in the midst because their parents thought it is a good idea to force their kids to learn more Chinese (which typically backfired). It is further reinforced as both have hardly any non-Chinese students. So the students will discuss more of Chinese celebrities, TV programs and the likes.

ACS and SJI traditionally attracts more students who dislike Chinese language, though this probably have slowly shifted over the years as China economic power rises.

RI and RGS are in between ACS and HCI in terms of "Chinese-ness".

HCI, NYGH, RI and RGS have for decades been neck to neck in terms of academics and production of top scholars. It is more important to consider if their child can cope with the academic pressure based on the average standard of the shortlisted school. Anyway the prestige of university is much more important, if one wants to argue for sake of it. And who cares if one is from ITE, polytechnic or JC if child went on to lead a happy adult life?

[blmg]

Buddhist:

Assuming one has CO from both HCI and RI, which would be the choice?


Not sure about past years, but for 2017 DSA, HCI has imposed a very high standard for Maths & Science domains. Must be gold or platinum winners at Olympiads in order to be even shortlisted for HDP. Thus, there will have many top-calibre Maths/Science students to spur their schoolmates. Additionally, HCI has traditionally been known to strongly promote Chinese culture, language and values, which (in the current China era) is a big plus point. So I guess (just a guess) HCI has an edge over RI in terms of DSA acceptance.

This is what we call a \"happy problem\". I would weight the factors such as school culture/fit, distance from home, programs etc. to see which is more suited.

[blmg]

Buddhist:

Assuming one has CO from both HCI and RI, which would be the choice?


Not sure about past years, but for 2017 DSA, HCI has imposed a very high standard for Maths & Science domains. Must be gold or platinum winners at Olympiads in order to be even shortlisted for HDP. Thus, there will have many top-calibre Maths/Science students to spur their schoolmates. Additionally, HCI has traditionally been known to strongly promote Chinese culture, language and values, which (in the current China era) is a big plus point. So I guess (just a guess) HCI has an edge over RI in terms of DSA acceptance.

This is what we call a \"happy problem\". I would weight the factors such as school culture/fit, distance from home, programs etc. to see which is more suited.

[mengsan]

When is rgs meeting the CO/WL?

[ilovemacarons]

Anyone heard from SJI yet? Certainly very late this year, which is strange since there was much fewer applicants.

:xedfingers:

[Francoise]

Estéema:

When we attended the NUSH Briefing, all the mktg talk did not paint the picture where pursuing grades and the lack of choice for CCA (take some discerning to figure out what they don't say) and other preferred outlets to complement some individuals' need to be engaged in their favourite art or music or sports, etc before they get refreshed enough to excel academically. Every individual heads towards success thro different process. It cannot be one size fits all. So, I think at least we recognized there are more than 1 top schools & many more just as good ones. Some chooses culture & value differently than just academic, some might slow down to catch up with more depth.

DS is strong in Math and Science but we have decided not to apply to some schools because of this reason. Call me crazy but I respect his choice.

[quote]I interviewed a batch of peers (fellow pri sch frds) some gone to RI, ACSI, & NUSH. They gave me the impression I derive my perception. The words of one student - \"RI very academically driven, NUSH not much life but lots of projects with scientists & co-projects with professors, ACSI a lot of life & space to be independent owise the teachers chat & coach more, if cannot hack it, VPs step in to work us back on track then some got the botak to hv one round of chat with his chaps!\" It's an eye-opener fr the teen's perspective. He's a happy bloke.[/quote]This is hilarious!!! You just made me laugh non stop!
[quote]So hear your child out. They shld be involved in decision making & freedom to choose & take responsibility for it. Once they buy-in to the school they eventually joins, they will take more ownership to the outcome of success or failure in their studies. No point push a child to stressful environment, unless they can take the rigors of the competition & push them off the clift.

JMHO & pls feel free to differ.[/quote]You just spoke my mind right here! :udawoman:

[ganjiongmummy]

MeMyselfAndI:

Anyone received St nicks. IP CO formal letter alr?

I still haven't the formal letter from SNGS until yesterday.

[porcupine]

ilovemacarons:

Anyone heard from SJI yet? Certainly very late this year, which is strange since there was much fewer applicants.

:xedfingers:

nope. nothing yet. i just keep refreshing my email and KSparents forum hoping for updates!

[ks2010]

Estéema:

Of course the above factors would be true in many other top sch, and it's not meant to be a slight at those sch.

Absolutely agree. Selection of sch or any participation shld be based on the participant's interests, capability or personality, not how popular the sch and everyone heading towards & more followers. Sure some schools kept producing top products, at the end of the journey, ppl look at some of the 'high' scores but nobody noticed those who didn't fit in the culture or fall behind.

When we attended the NUSH Briefing, all the mktg talk did not paint the picture where pursuing grades and the lack of choice for CCA (take some discerning to figure out what they don't say) and other preferred outlets to complement some individuals' need to be engaged in their favourite art or music or sports, etc before they get refreshed enough to excel academically. Every individual heads towards success thro different process. It cannot be one size fits all. So, I think at least we recognized there are more than 1 top schools & many more just as good ones. Some chooses culture & value differently than just academic, some might slow down to catch up with more depth.

I'm aware in all these top schools, there were top students who left them midst way. Many asked to leave and not given space and chance to reach the goal. Yet some schools with very dedicated educators (I accord them the honorable recognition as educators) monitor so closely performance of their students & analyze root cause with objective of helping students to get extra remedial to set them back on track or recalibrate stepping down e.g. fr IP to Express with aim for student to get back on track to IP. At least there is no counsel to \"apply poly or ano school\" out of current sch. A lot of these are not publicly announced esp fr top sch. So it appears the top left with high number of performers & space for higher performers to join in Y3, etc. You know how one leads to ano....

I interviewed a batch of peers (fellow pri sch frds) some gone to RI, ACSI, & NUSH. They gave me the impression I derive my perception. The words of one student - \"RI very academically driven, NUSH not much life but lots of projects with scientists & co-projects with professors, ACSI a lot of life & space to be independent owise the teachers chat & coach more, if cannot hack it, VPs step in to work us back on track then some got the botak to hv one round of chat with his chaps!\" It's an eye-opener fr the teen's perspective. He's a happy bloke.

So hear your child out. They shld be involved in decision making & freedom to choose & take responsibility for it. Once they buy-in to the school they eventually joins, they will take more ownership to the outcome of success or failure in their studies. No point push a child to stressful environment, unless they can take the rigors of the competition & push them off the clift.

JMHO & pls feel free to differ.[/quote]

From my experience, your two quotes on NUSH are not correct and beg to differ .

DC has been in NUSH for the past few years and there are many avenues for his outlet in CCAs and electives such as choir, gamelan, drama, music, dance, orchestras etc. Due to the small cohort size, there is a better chance for the students to partake in their interests.

He certainly has much of a life outside school. In the first two years, on non-CCA days, he is home by either 3pm or 5pm. I cannot recall seeing him doing homework as he found time to do them in school and is in bed before 10.30pm. Till now, we still have our 4 family outings over the weekends despite his indulging in computer games for a few hours during each weekend.

Without a doubt, NUSH has a very rigorous curriculum but there is also a recognition within the teaching leadership that a holistic approach is also needed. All the while I found the class mentors and subject teachers very dedicated, approachable and flexible.

Cheers!