DSA 2023

[MissPPP]

While I noted that some top schools these days make it a point to emphasise on their websites or during open house that academic results are important as well, it doesn’t seem to be practised. Still see sportsmen with great disparity in academic results (eg AL 15-20 Vs COP of 6-8) entering such schools, worse if the schools are pure IP schools. Some of these schools are very hungry for medals and the parents, in exchange, are very hungry for the “brand names” without really considering if their kids can survive. If these kids already depend on tuitions in pri sch and still are at this level, it will only get worse in sec with the higher intensity of trainings and academic demands. Can’t possibly tuition all subjects like in pri? These schools and parents have twisted the intent of DSA, which is meant for kids with talents and yet with academic results not too far off from the standards of the schools, without requiring much external help.

[guoloong]

MissPPP\" post_id=\"2108444\" time=\"1683880790\" user_id=\"200335:

While I noted that some top schools these days make it a point to emphasise on their websites or during open house that academic results are important as well, it doesn’t seem to be practised. Still see sportsmen with great disparity in academic results (eg AL 15-20 Vs COP of 6-8) entering such schools, worse if the schools are pure IP schools. Some of these schools are very hungry for medals and the parents, in exchange, are very hungry for the “brand names” without really considering if their kids can survive. If these kids already depend on tuitions in pri sch and still are at this level, it will only get worse in sec with the higher intensity of trainings and academic demands. Can’t possibly tuition all subjects like in pri? These schools and parents have twisted the intent of DSA, which is meant for kids with talents and yet with academic results not too far off from the standards of the schools, without requiring much external help.

I guess as parents, we have to know what is our kid's capability and level of resilience and not to force things upon them. For me, I always view DSA as an opportunity to get into a \"good\" school which my kids may not get based on results alone. We have to weight between the benefits getting into a \"good\" school vs the potential negative effects of not able to cope academically.

As for the schools, I believe most top schools are very experienced in accepting student via DSA. The teachers are usually very experienced in detecting whether a student is resilient or confident enough to cope with the pace of their respective school during the interview. Not 100%, but teachers in top schools will have a good feel. I do not think that they are just hungry for medal without considering whether the students can survive.

Also, we do not need to worry that DSA students need to train harder/longer than others for their respective CCAs. The only difference between DSA student and non-DSA student is the former has a confirmed place in the CCA while the latter has to go through a trial. Once training starts, everyone has equal treatment and they still need to work hard to get selected or play in the first team.

[00skyblue00]

guoloong\" post_id=\"2108494\" time=\"1683964758\" user_id=\"143754:

I guess as parents, we have to know what is our kid's capability and level of resilience and not to force things upon them. For me, I always view DSA as an opportunity to get into a \"good\" school which my kids may not get based on results alone. We have to weight between the benefits getting into a \"good\" school vs the potential negative effects of not able to cope academically.

As for the schools, I believe most top schools are very experienced in accepting student via DSA. The teachers are usually very experienced in detecting whether a student is resilient or confident enough to cope with the pace of their respective school during the interview. Not 100%, but teachers in top schools will have a good feel. I do not think that they are just hungry for medal without considering whether the students can survive.

Also, we do not need to worry that DSA students need to train harder/longer than others for their respective CCAs. The only difference between DSA student and non-DSA student is the former has a confirmed place in the CCA while the latter has to go through a trial. Once training starts, everyone has equal treatment and they still need to work hard to get selected or play in the first team.

Also to add, in sec sch, there will be CCA stand down period before exam or WA period.
I do agree, in general, kids who have performed outstandingly in sports have the attributes which are required to do well in studies also in long run: discipline to do regular practice, keep changing to improve, never give up and keep going even when facing obstacles. If they press on, will see some results in the end. Heard quite a few such cases, still failing in prelim, got As in A levels or 20+ to 9 raw for O.

[zac's mum]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2108502\" time=\"1683968999\" user_id=\"143605:

Also to add, in sec sch, there will be CCA stand down period before exam or WA period.
I do agree, in general, kids who have performed outstandingly in sports have the attributes which are required to do well in studies also in long run: discipline to do regular practice, keep changing to improve, never give up and keep going even when facing obstacles. If they press on, will see some results in the end. Heard quite a few such cases, still failing in prelim, got As in A levels or 20+ to 9 raw for O.

My kid’s school does not have CCA stand down prior to WAs. Only for EOY. So some of the kids taking part in NSG and SYF were having important CCA events concurrently with WA preps. This is something to consider very carefully, no matter whether DSA in or S1 posting in to those CCAs.

If the kid needs the CCA bonus points for O level route, then lots of discipline and maturity in juggling everything (including revision, travel time & sleep) is required.

I would say the IP route has a longer runway to the next national exam, and hence has more breathing space to master the balancing act thru trial and error.

[yuuri]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2108502\" time=\"1683968999\" user_id=\"143605:

Also to add, in sec sch, there will be CCA stand down period before exam or WA period.
I do agree, in general, kids who have performed outstandingly in sports have the attributes which are required to do well in studies also in long run: discipline to do regular practice, keep changing to improve, never give up and keep going even when facing obstacles. If they press on, will see some results in the end. Heard quite a few such cases, still failing in prelim, got As in A levels or 20+ to 9 raw for O.

I beg to differ. My elder child's school does not have any stand down period for CCA. His twice a week cca goes on throughout the year regardless of WA or SA.

[00skyblue00]

yuuri\" post_id=\"2108510\" time=\"1683973470\" user_id=\"20253:

I beg to differ. My elder child's school does not have any stand down period for CCA. His twice a week cca goes on throughout the year regardless of WA or SA.

I was told, a girl was offered a place by rgs and mgs for her sport in past yr. She took up mgs because of the different commitment levels, cca stand down, no min hr per week commitment etc. Dsa students can choose wisely according to what is required then.

[MotherHere]

Hi, for DSA sports, child usually is AL10. Wants to apply to IP under 2 schools with cutoff for IP is 8 points, and O level track cutoff is 9M/10.


1)During DSA application, shld we put "No Preference", will "No Preference" increase the chance of getting an offer?

2)Or if put under "IP Track", will they just reject if they think he is not suited for IP and won’t offer the O level track?

4)Should there be an offer for O level track, after PSLE results if child gets 8/7/6/5 are we able to appeal to go to IP Track?

[00skyblue00]

MotherHere\" post_id=\"2108530\" time=\"1683980226\" user_id=\"198562:

Hi, for DSA sports, child usually is AL10. Wants to apply to IP under 2 schools with cutoff for IP is 8 points, and O level track cutoff is 9M/10.

1)During DSA application, shld we put \"No Preference\", will \"No Preference\" increase the chance of getting an offer?

2)Or if put under \"IP Track\", will they just reject if they think he is not suited for IP and won't offer the O level track?

4)Should there be an offer for O level track, after PSLE results if child gets 8/7/6/5 are we able to appeal to go to IP Track?

For 4) it will depend on if sch has any more vacancy and how many dsa and appeal students applied for them. No guarantee.

For 2), it also depends on how highly in demand or highly ranked is this dsa student in the sport.

Is the child more keen on the sch or IP?

[MotherHere]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2108541\" time=\"1683983172\" user_id=\"143605:

For 4) it will depend on if sch has any more vacancy and how many dsa and appeal students applied for them. No guarantee.

For 2), it also depends on how highly in demand or highly ranked is this dsa student in the sport.

Is the child more keen on the sch or IP?

Mainly keen on IP, but also likes his sports so don't mind to use sports DSA but wants to go to IP track.
But dilemma as should he be offered the O level then if PSLE managed to score for IP track not sure if can appeal.
But then also do not want to reject if given O level confirmation as PSLE if more than AL10 then rejected the O level confirmation, end up with nothing

Any advice?

[00skyblue00]

MotherHere\" post_id=\"2108544\" time=\"1683988301\" user_id=\"198562:

Mainly keen on IP, but also likes his sports so don't mind to use sports DSA but wants to go to IP track.
But dilemma as should he be offered the O level then if PSLE managed to score for IP track not sure if can appeal.
But then also do not want to reject if given O level confirmation as PSLE if more than AL10 then rejected the O level confirmation, end up with nothing

Any advice?

If IP is what he wants, one should put that as preference, my personal take. If sch really likes the candidate, they are likely to counter offer.

But as parent, i will be more realistic, to assess if child is really suitable to be in IP or O level is more realistic. Then review the final choice together w child.

To do well in IP, one needs attitude and aptitude. As parents, we should know if our child has both, one or other or neither.

Also, if his primary sch is one of those top schools vs neighbourhood schs, his AL10 may or may not be accurate or underestimate his performance.

I know someone usually scored AL8 but got AL5 in prelim. Her psle score was AL10. From neighbourhood sch. It depends on difficulty of papers set by sch and cohort quality.