DSA 2023

[SG_KP1]

IMO, it is unlikely applying two domains is going to hurt the applicant. One needs to be competitive within both domains and having multiple interests/skills is unlikely to put you ahead of someone that has a stronger application in one of the domains. But all else equal, I think it is an advantage to show that you can manage various things simultaneously.


In both upper and lower sec, there are kids juggling multiple extras. Some conflicts are inevitable, and at times the school will decide what takes precedence. But it is hard to conclude that managing several things at the same time is looked down upon (and this is not to say more is always better; it depends on each kid and his/her interests).

Applying two domains at one school probably indicates that one prefers the school over a specific domain across schools (may not always be the case). But again, this is unlikely to be a major problem in itself.

[SG_KP1]

For leadership domain, I don’t think it is absolutely necessary to hold one of the top ranking positions (Head, Vice Head, etc). Generally speaking, I think the domain looks for students that have leadership in:


-School based positions/activities
-Service / Action (may be in school beyond the normal call of duty or outside of school)
-Character, values, etc

My impression is that all of these are valued, although it (what carries more weight) may vary a bit school to school (check if any explicit requirements/criteria). Regardless, I don’t think this domain is only about trying to get X number of Head Prefects to compete for who will be the Student President (or whatever it’s called) in S4.

The challenge for the domain is that there are ~360 Head/Vice Head Prefects, ~1,500 other EXCO members (guessing this figure), and numerous CCA leaders, award winners, etc.

[Marina Collection]

lchunleo\" post_id=\"2095126\" time=\"1673767971\" user_id=\"27768:

Can i ask DSA for leadership, how does school typically evaluate the candidates other than holding the post of e.g. prefect?

I don’t think the schools are only looking to grant interviews to head prefects . My daughter took part in DSA 2 years ago (ie psle 2021) and she was given a chance to interview with NYGH . She only holds a committee post in her school ELDDS CCA. Results is consistently AL5.

Alas she didn’t score a CO/WL. Her guess is the CO was given to another girl who spoke very confidently about helping to raise $100k doing charity in a less fortunate country overseas . I suppose with such track record , it’s difficult to beat right ? 😄

[Marina Collection]

ijc_chillax\" post_id=\"2095928\" time=\"1674662404\" user_id=\"200650:

If apply 2 talent areas for the same school - I think I've heard some comment saying that the school may have concern that the child may not fully focus on 1 talent area hence it becomes a disadvantage. Not sure if it is true?

I don’t think it’s true for all schools . Someone I know got called up for 2 interviews by RGS (math and EL). She was eventually offered math CO.

But if you were thinking of “spreading” your net out amongst the schools to catch as many CO/WL as possible , then maybe there’s some merit to pick 3 different schools amongst your 3 choices as MOE stipulates that each school can only eventually offer only 1 CO/WL .

Only RI specifically advise applicants to submit only 1 acad DSA applications . Submitting 2 acad DSA will be wasting your chance .

[olivegal77]

Hi


My boy too applied 2 talents in 2021, and we got interviewed for both and was offered 1. Guess it depends on which 2 talents are applied.

[Oldgal]

I understand many schools are not having graded mid year exams this year which may mean DSA schools won’t be able to use the mid year results as part of their assessment of the eligibility of the student. What do you all think?

[zac's mum]

Oldgal\" post_id=\"2096332\" time=\"1675168431\" user_id=\"126725:

I understand many schools are not having graded mid year exams this year which may mean DSA schools won't be able to use the mid year results as part of their assessment of the eligibility of the student. What do you all think?

Then they will probably look at the P5 EOY results. Which have already passed.

[Monkbone]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2096335\" time=\"1675171765\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2096335 time=1675171765 user_id=53606]
Then they will probably look at the P5 EOY results. Which have already passed.[/quote]

I believe the sec schools will look at their P6 term assessment(s) before June 2023 as well, as long as the schools can access these through internal MOE system.

[lakaik]

ijc_chillax\" post_id=\"2095928\" time=\"1674662404\" user_id=\"200650:

If apply 2 talent areas for the same school - I think I've heard some comment saying that the school may have concern that the child may not fully focus on 1 talent area hence it becomes a disadvantage. Not sure if it is true?

The student will only be allowed to accept 1 CO, and the commitment is only to the CO the student accepted and to focus on that. Why does the school have concern of the child not able to fully focus on 1 talent area?

My DS applied 2 talent area in the same IP school and shortlisted for both but eventually only received CO from 1 domain.

Just be prepared to answer question like which talent area your child preferred, and that is if he/she managed to secure the interview sessions. (The school actually never ask my DS this Q but we prep him with this Q :D). If you apply DSA to Sports / Performance + Academy and are equally good at both, the school very likely will admit the child thru the one requires commitment. The academy domain (like languages, math, science etc) does not have commitment (Again this maybe dependent on the school).

[skii]

Quick Questions on CCA - non sports.


(1)
If CCA - non sports, doesn’t reflect anything new in May during the P6 year,
shouldn’t the child drop the CCA earlier and spend the time on PSLE revision instead?

I was thinking hard about it, since the DSA school will only get to see the P5 report book, with the CCA accomplishment.

(2)
Then, if the child is not promoted to the top few post in the CCA by the end of P5, to have that achievement recorded in the EOY report slip, isn’t it too late, even if he/she gets the post after the previous P6 graudates the following year, when the child turns P6.


Sorry if it sounded kiasuly-strategic
time is really a precious commodity during PSLE year.