DSA 2022

[bbbay]

My view:


There is nothing to lose to try out DSA. And I read somewhere , there were 30K student (correction: 30K domain/school applications. 12K unique applicants https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/20220110-direct-school-admission-secondary-exercise) applied for DSA. Almost 1 out of every 3 P6 students tried out DSA.

And when academic result does not matter in DSA, why not try DSA into the most popular schools? RGS/ NYGH/RI/HCI are the obvious choices. Say only half of the 12K students go for these 4 ideal choices: 6K students go for 4 schools. And assume each student apply only 1 of the 4 schools. Each school will then receive 1.5K DSA applications.

When each school has 1.5K DSA students to select from, for say 100 DSA places, how will school make their choices?

students that are very rare breed like junior champion, or did something no one else has done before, will be admitted. Rare breeds are rare. Next in considerations will be those with eye catching performance but not as rare. They may be admitted next. Next will be those very good in their domains. Good can be relatively common. If there are 20 equally “good” students to choose from to fill the 5 remaining DSA places, how to differentiate them? Academic results may be the deciding factor.

Due to nothing to lose in trying out DSA, and why not the best school, and top schools have too many students to chose from, and unless the student is of rare breed or have eye catching performance, among the “good” performers too many of them vying for limited places. We may end up still using academic performance to decide among DSA applicants.

After PSLE, the number of students applying for top schools are the 4 to 7 maybe some 8 pointers, one thousand+ of them. a small number compared to 6K DSA applicants for top 4 schools.

Assuming the analysis is correct, DSA application to 2nd tier schools may yield higher chance of acceptance.

[Zeal mummy]

Lavanya123\" post_id=\"2056784\" time=\"1643070120\" user_id=\"143620:

@Zeal mummy, can you let me know what you think of NJC for STEM DSA, I am thinking of this one of the choices for my son who will be trying DSA this year.

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Aesthetics & Mathematics) (will be required to be engaged in and lead STEAM-based activities for 4 years in Junior High)

Source: https://nationaljc.moe.edu.sg/admissions/ip-dsa/

[Zeal mummy]

AHsDad\" post_id=\"2056776\" time=\"1643039844\" user_id=\"172457:

Sure. Vice-head prefect. Chairperson Art club. Community service activities only those done within school period. For P5 and mid-year, both AL7. In the DSA submission (RGS Leadership and RGS Visual Art), kiasufully filled up the max 10 “non-school achievements”. Intent was to exhibit being an all-rounder, so all her arts, music, sports, debate, etc, we just laid it out on the table 😂 also the ECHAs and EAGLEs awards should count for something too

Congrats AHs, on your girl’s achievements.
Could you share more on the community service activities done within school period? Also if you don’t mind, what were the 10 “ non-school achievements.”

[Lavanya123]

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2056827\" time=\"1643109813\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2056827 time=1643109813 user_id=58173]
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Aesthetics & Mathematics) (will be required to be engaged in and lead STEAM-based activities for 4 years in Junior High)

Source: https://nationaljc.moe.edu.sg/admissions/ip-dsa/[/quote]

Yes that will be really good, out first choice is nush, second choice thinking of NJC, specifically looking for schools that would have strong math&science focus, do you have any recommendation for thrid choice, so far coulnt find any that has this focus so far.

Also, i have tried to access the link you provided, i always get server not found error, does the link open for you?

[AHsDad]

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2056828\" time=\"1643110118\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2056828 time=1643110118 user_id=58173]
Congrats AHs, on your girl’s achievements.
Could you share more on the community service activities done within school period? Also if you don’t mind, what were the 10 “ non-school achievements.”[/quote]

Thanks. Bear with me pls 😂. Reportbook is not so comprehensive so exact duties (school-based) are also included and expounded. Community events >> role in school art sales charity donation & healthcare+Public transport heroes appreciation (art club) , NTUC book donation drive (prefect volunteer event) and river cleanup (school event).

Disclaimer: 10-pointer may not exactly be the key to securing the interview, in fact ours arguably even an overkill. Anyway… here goes
1. Art club events (inc SYF team lead + above mentioned)
2. Art competitions (internal and external)
3&4. Prefect events and roles
3. Performing arts - piano grade, talent contest, represented school in MOE music video
6. Maths & science Olympiads - internal and external achievements. Invited by NUSH for MCurie2 course
7. Oratory - debate and emceeing experience
8-10. Achvements in 3 Sports at national level

[Lavanya123]

AHsDad\" post_id=\"2056843\" time=\"1643130523\" user_id=\"172457:

Thanks. Bear with me pls 😂. Reportbook is not so comprehensive so exact duties (school-based) are also included and expounded. Community events >> role in school art sales charity donation & healthcare+Public transport heroes appreciation (art club) , NTUC book donation drive (prefect volunteer event) and river cleanup (school event).

Disclaimer: 10-pointer may not exactly be the key to securing the interview, in fact ours arguably even an overkill. Anyway… here goes
1. Art club events (inc SYF team lead + above mentioned)
2. Art competitions (internal and external)
3&4. Prefect events and roles
3. Performing arts - piano grade, talent contest, represented school in MOE music video
6. Maths & science Olympiads - internal and external achievements. Invited by NUSH for MCurie2 course
7. Oratory - debate and emceeing experience
8-10. Achvements in 3 Sports at national level

AhsDad, I am keen on understanding how the form will look like for the 10 non school based achievements, if you could explain it would be great

[AHsDad]

Have answered you before

For each point,
- period(s) >> ie timeline
- awards/activities name
- brief description (200-250 character limit)

You will have plenty of time to prepare the form from the start of the DSA exercise

[Imp75]

Dear ahsdad

Your dd achievements are amazing. How did she find time for piano MO sports art and still did so well in psle…

[Lavanya123]

AHsDad\" post_id=\"2056848\" time=\"1643153629\" user_id=\"172457:

Have answered you before
For each point,
- period(s) >> ie timeline
- awards/activities name
- brief description (200-250 character limit)

You will have plenty of time to prepare the form from the start of the DSA exercise

ak ok, sorry about that! I didnt realise i asked you earlier ha ha, i have been spending lot of time on this ksp forum and lost track of it
much appreciate your reply though

can i ask you this question: my kid is generally passionate and skilled in math and science, so looking up schools with strong focus on these areas, so far i find nush and njc as the best choices, trying to identify the third choice, what do you think will be the logical third one? (ofcourse i donno if he will get into any of this, but i am trying to find the best fit )

[AHsDad]

Imp75\" post_id=\"2056849\" time=\"1643155967\" user_id=\"2358:

Dear ahsdad
Your dd achievements are amazing. How did she find time for piano MO sports art and still did so well in psle....

Thanks. Fortunately, she doesn’t require tuition so we can afford the time and savings for extracurricular lessons. Piano to relax. MO is for the challenge/ experience (at best bronze) and helpful for psle maths too. Sports is where she spends a lot of time, but she’s willing and happy, plus says she needs it for stress release. For psle prep, doing plenty of past year papers was key

If any sign that she get stressed, we’ll step in and review again the commitments. So far so good…🙏🏽