DSA 2022

[mystique_j]

I think the ”issue” I have is applying for schools they do not have any intention to accept. But it’s free anyway, so just fill up the 3 spots. So that is just being selfish?

[floppy]

mystique_j\" post_id=\"2085351\" time=\"1665383330\" user_id=\"39431:

I think the ”issue” I have is applying for schools they do not have any intention to accept. But it’s free anyway, so just fill up the 3 spots. So that is just being selfish?

You don't get bonus points for not being selfish.
Besides, no one is breaking any rules. It is still working within the system.

[Mr.025413Clumsy]

mystique_j\" post_id=\"2085351\" time=\"1665383330\" user_id=\"39431:

I think the ”issue” I have is applying for schools they do not have any intention to accept. But it’s free anyway, so just fill up the 3 spots. So that is just being selfish?

I don't think it's fair to say that the student has no intention of accepting schools which he/she applied for. Rather, the chances of getting in may be slim so the student applies anyway. If there is no wish to enter that school then there is no reason to apply - I doubt students (or parents) do that.

For example, my DS submitted an application for RI and we all knew it was a long shot (which was proven true). By the same token, we would not submit an application for NJC as we wanted an all-boys school.

[Imp75]

Mr.Clumsy\" post_id=\"2085355\" time=\"1665385577\" user_id=\"135989:

I don't think it's fair to say that the student has no intention of accepting schools which he/she applied for. Rather, the chances of getting in may be slim so the student applies anyway. If there is no wish to enter that school then there is no reason to apply - I doubt students (or parents) do that.

For example, my DS submitted an application for RI and we all knew it was a long shot (which was proven true). By the same token, we would not submit an application for NJC as we wanted an all-boys school.

During my daughter time, someone applied to 7 schools just to hit the jackpot….. it can get so crazy….it’s the take first think later mentality or the “long shot” as some have mentioned.

[coast]

Mr.Clumsy:

10 Oct 2022 10:25
Plus, the DSA system allows a student to apply for up to 3 schools. Naturally, people would have at least 1-2 in mind as their preference but they'd apply for the 3rd while they're at it. So, they may end up getting a CO from a school which wasn't necessarily on the top of their list (for whatever reason) which they may end up rejecting. OR, knowing life, may be the only CO they get so they then have to make a decision as to whether or not to pursue that \"less preferred\" school.

Oh, I ramble...

mystique_j\" post_id=\"2085293\" time=\"1665368954\" user_id=\"39431:

Which will then potentially deprive another kid that may really want to get to that school. Oh well.. that’s how the system works.

Every school has a Waiting List. So any student who does not take up a CO will go to the next student in the Waiting List.

While some secondary schools may have more students who reject their COs than the number in Waiting List, I think it is a conscious decision whether the school wants to increase the Waiting List number for the next year(s).

For schools who do not participate in Sec 1 Posting (NUS High, SST, Sota), if there are vacancies after the DSA-Sec Exercise, interested students can apply for the Supplementary Intake Exercise (SIE) after getting PSLE results.

All the best.

[Mr.025413Clumsy]

Imp75\" post_id=\"2085361\" time=\"1665386428\" user_id=\"2358:

During my daughter time, someone applied to 7 schools just to hit the jackpot….. it can get so crazy….it’s the take first think later mentality or the “long shot” as some have mentioned.

It's the classic case of Asians at a buffet. GRAB ALL THE FOOD... whether or not you can eat is a different story. Just make sure that you have it on your plate first. Worry about consuming it later.

Like the DSA, the hotels/restaurants don't stop you. Yes, they may levy a charge for food wastage but I doubt MOE will do something similar for the DSA.

At best, they may ask applicants to rank their submissions so you can only use a CO from your \"highest ranked\" application and you will automatically lose the rest of the COs. For example, if you score a CO from all 3 schools, your highest ranked school's CO will count whereas the other 2 COs will not (thus freeing up space for others). Similarly, if you only scored a CO from your 2nd ranked school, then only that school's CO will count.

[Imp75]

During my daughter time there was no limit but deterrence though. Eg to go IP school, they hv to take GAT which is priced at $xx, the more applications, the cost increased. Also independent schools have their own admin and processing fee so yah you could be paying a meaningful sum just to get a shot and also each IP school requires you to write personal statement as well but now, this doesn’t matter compared to the Toto windfall right.

[ChiefKiasu]

Daddy with one son\" post_id=\"2085310\" time=\"1665371739\" user_id=\"102861:[quote=\"Daddy with one son\" post_id=2085310 time=1665371739 user_id=102861]
Hi, will the boys who had a CO from HCI be attending any briefing by the school?[/quote]

I think there will be a briefing ONLY after the PSLE results come out.

[coast]

Mr.Clumsy\" post_id=\"2085319\" time=\"1665374002\" user_id=\"135989:

I agree.

However, I believe that this is how university applications work too so it's not peculiar to the DSA. For example (back in the day), UCAS allowed applications to 8 different universities and offers were given based on preliminary results etc. I don't know what it's like today but I believe that it's similar. (Happy to stand corrected if otherwise.)

In any event, I suspect that the schools know this too. They know that not all students who get COs will take up the offer. In that sense, it doesn't totally deprive others as the schools would likely make an allowance for those COs which aren't utilized (hence the WL system). What I'd be keen to know is whether parents whose children have secured COs into top and highly contested schools like RI, HCI, RGS etc. actually turn down their CO in favour of other less prominent schools?

Anyway, like it or not, this is Asia where Asian parents thrive.

UCAS -> Up to 5 courses (usually can only apply to one course at either Oxford or Cambridge). For details,
https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/filling-your-ucas-undergraduate-application

I know of some outstanding students who wanted to attend only one particular school (ACSI or HCI or NUS High or RI or ... ) so they applied only to 1 school during DSA. For those who applied multiple schools and got multiple COs, there will always be some who chose School X over School Y/Z and vice versa ... it's just which school has more acceptances.

[coast]

kaisuism\" post_id=\"2085347\" time=\"1665381715\" user_id=\"199574:

Agree. That's why I thought those who has a CO will accept based on what you said. They should have done their due diligence before that. Of course others pointed out the change of preference could be one of the reasons not to accept.

I am sure schools and MOE are monitoring the stats, especially since it changed to online application and max of 3 applications. I was looking at the info shared by KP1 and coast, number of applications for DSA has been increasing for the past 3 years. PSLE new scoring system, increasing awareness of DSA and more opportunities for students helped push up the numbers. We dont know the % of COs accepted. Can we assume 8 out of 10 will accept their COs? If the numbers are not high, isnt that a waste of time and resources?

From the school's perspective, they got the students they want (CO and WL).

From the student's perspective, they got to know more about the secondary school through the DSA process. Whether they are successful or not (via DSA), they know more about themselves and the school, gained experience via the trials, tests, interviews, ... etc and make informed decisions for DSA acceptance or schools' selection during Sec 1 posting process (via PSLE results).