DSA 2024

[koudayao27]

skii\" post_id=\"2132949\" time=\"1713668918\" user_id=\"82603:

Wah
Must be gepper parents. Right?

For (1), I only know 1 real example first hand.

It’s really rare.

So 170+ minus the (1).
Remaining is for (2) and (3)

Actually, most students are not GEP.
The final intake of 170+ students comes from ～80 primary schools, not all of which are top schools. My son's school is just a neighborhood school, and last year, 4 students from his school got into NUSH.

I feel that among the top schools, NUSH offers the most fairness and opportunities. At least everyone has a chance to sit in the selection test, Unlike in other schools where most applicants get eliminated in the shortlisting stage.

[MrsB]

koudayao27\" post_id=\"2133001\" time=\"1713775310\" user_id=\"199369:

Actually, most students are not GEP.
The final intake of 170+ students comes from ～80 primary schools, not all of which are top schools. My son's school is just a neighborhood school, and last year, 4 students from his school got into NUSH.

I feel that among the top schools, NUSH offers the most fairness and opportunities. At least everyone has a chance to sit in the selection test, Unlike in other schools where most applicants get eliminated in the shortlisting stage.

It's heartening to hear this. Sounds like each cohort could comprise a good mix of students. I hear good things about NUS High but am worried that it maybe a rather \"stressful\" environment. Anyone has any feedback regarding this?

[floppy]

gigilam\" post_id=\"2132962\" time=\"1713674546\" user_id=\"129870:

Hi…
As moe change new rule which no more streams as express , normal and NE…
I wonder does it mean DSA aim for normal neighbourhoods schools also useless?
Under old stream system… as long as you get in via DSA no matter to which school as least is under express…
Now under new system does it mean if not aim for popular school or IP … no point go using DSA for normal school as there will not be confirmation under express?

There is no difference between new and old system with respect to DSA.

Under old system, even if you get in, it's not guaranteed express stream. You will need to meet the express stream t-score of 180 /200 to be eligible for express. Otherwise, you will be posted to which ever stream you are supposed to be in. If the school does not offer normal acad / normal technical, and your score is below 180, the CO will be rescinded.

Also, even the \"less\" popular schools have COP of AL 14 / 15 / 16 / whatever. If you can't meet those COP, DSA is an alternative option. Hence, I won't be so quick to consider it as \"no point\".

[lucid]

MrsB\" post_id=\"2133002\" time=\"1713778235\" user_id=\"204537:

It's heartening to hear this. Sounds like each cohort could comprise a good mix of students. I hear good things about NUS High but am worried that it maybe a rather \"stressful\" environment. Anyone has any feedback regarding this?

It depends. Compared to the Rs and HC cutthroat pre-selection for any opportunities ( including CCA !) amidst the big cohort - it is less stressful. Explore experiment and excel at your own pace, sky is limit given abundant resources and low student-staff ratio.

Less stressful with no bell curve - culture is uplifting to help one another and peer tutoring plus close teacher relationships are mainstays. Less stressful as more time to explore instead of trying to arms race one another racing to private tuition centres after school. There is no tuition period. The teachers have consultation time built in their schedules if students need extra help. Check with any NUSH parent if there is less stress given the tuition fees they have saved over 6 years ( ok except mother tongue for most in the school)!

Less stressful as it’s a cumulative grade and not reliant on one major “do or die” final exam.

For all the reasons above, more stressful if student is poor with time management and not disciplined with consistent work. More stressful if you feel imposter syndrome just because there is always someone better than you in something else. This is why most NUSH students are quietly confident but humble because they know that the ones who succeed well have BOTH talent and discipline (as with any IP programme)

Do head over the NUSHigh thread where parents and students discuss and describe the environment -https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=95132&p=2115819&hilit=Stressful#p2115819

Poignant post by one of the senior teachers
https://postlmg.cc/TKYpjdKG

[bbbay]

lucid\" post_id=\"2133014\" time=\"1713807626\" user_id=\"14312:

It depends. Compared to the Rs and HC cutthroat pre-selection for any opportunities ( including CCA !) amidst the big cohort - it is less stressful. Explore experiment and excel at your own pace, sky is limit given abundant resources and low student-staff ratio.

Less stressful with no bell curve - culture is uplifting to help one another and peer tutoring plus close teacher relationships are mainstays. Less stressful as more time to explore instead of trying to arms race one another racing to private tuition centres after school. There is no tuition period. The teachers have consultation time built in their schedules if students need extra help. Check with any NUSH parent if there is less stress given the tuition fees they have saved over 6 years ( ok except mother tongue for most in the school)!

Less stressful as it’s a cumulative grade and not reliant on one major “do or die” final exam.

For all the reasons above, more stressful if student is poor with time management and not disciplined with consistent work. More stressful if you feel imposter syndrome just because there is always someone better than you in something else. This is why most NUSH students are quietly confident but humble because they know that the ones who succeed well have BOTH talent and discipline (as with any IP programme)

Do head over the NUSHigh thread where parents and students discuss and describe the environment -https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=95132&p=2115819&hilit=Stressful#p2115819

Poignant post by one of the senior teachers
https://postlmg.cc/TKYpjdKG

I think it’s the same over at Rs and HC/NY, as long as students have no imposter syndrome - always want to be better than others, they should manage ok.

In general R and HC primary role is to produce leaders; NUSH to produce scientists. Students from R and HC may as well learn to manage “competitive tensions” right from the start. The scientists may produce advance AI algorithm. The CEO may need to face grilling in Congress one day to defend the product.

R and HC have changed compared to 10 years ago. Now more on balancing individuals well being and achievements.

[iRabbit]

bbbay\" post_id=\"2133017\" time=\"1713831016\" user_id=\"175278:

I think it’s the same over at Rs and HC/NY, as long as students have no imposter syndrome - always want to be better than others, they should manage ok.

In general R and HC primary role is to produce leaders; NUSH to produce scientists. Students from R and HC may as well learn to manage “competitive tensions” right from the start. The scientists may produce advance AI algorithm. The CEO may need to face grilling in Congress one day to defend the product.

R and HC have changed compared to 10 years ago. Now more on balancing individuals well fare and achievements.

Mabbe I'll share my kid's educational journey from S1 to JC2. He was offered CO from both NUSH and RI at P6 DSA via Math. In the end, he chose RI as the vibes from the Open House were good. As parents, RI was also our school of choice as we preferred that he received an all-rounded education rather than specializing at such a young age.

Throughout the 6 yrs of the IP journey, I could see that his interest slowly but surely veers away from MO to be replaced by other aspects of school life. Due to his strong MO foundation, he was still able to get gold for SMO in lower sec despite the lack of practise but by upper sec, silver became the norm and he didn't even bother to register for SMO by the time he reached JC.

Looking back, RI was an inspired choice as it exposed him to a wider variety of options, compared to a specialized school. His preferred undergrad course is also non-STEM. His experience showed us that young kids' interests and preferences change over time, and in our son's case, it was quite a drastic change.

Granted, there are kids who are mature enough to know what they really want to focus on at 12 (and I salute them for being so mature) but mine is not one of them.

[doodbug]

iRabbit\" post_id=\"2133022\" time=\"1713850232\" user_id=\"51587:

Mabbe I'll share my kid's educational journey from S1 to JC2. He was offered CO from both NUSH and RI at P6 DSA via Math. In the end, he chose RI as the vibes from the Open House were good. As parents, RI was also our school of choice as we preferred that he received an all-rounded education rather than specializing at such a young age.

Throughout the 6 yrs of the IP journey, I could see that his interest slowly but surely veers away from MO to be replaced by other aspects of school life. Due to his strong MO foundation, he was still able to get gold for SMO in lower sec despite the lack of practise but by upper sec, silver became the norm and he didn't even bother to register for SMO by the time he reached JC.

Looking back, RI was an inspired choice as it exposed him to a wider variety of options, compared to a specialized school. His preferred undergrad course is also non-STEM. His experience showed us that young kids' interests and preferences change over time, and in our son's case, it was quite a drastic change.

Granted, there are kids who are mature enough to know what they really want to focus on at 12 (and I salute them for being so mature) but mine is not one of them.

Interesting. If you don't mind sharing, what did your DS eventually pursue in university?

It's also good that as parents you did not insist that the kid continues to build on his 'MO competitive advantage', and to allow him to pursue other interests.

Remind me of how we had this impression that kids should take triple science in upper sec to have good exposure to STEM and to make choices on which STEM fields to go into - both my kids did and in spite of decent science results, promptly decided STEM is not for them! :rotflmao:

[iRabbit]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2133024\" time=\"1713853095\" user_id=\"13281:

Interesting. If you don't mind sharing, what did your DS eventually pursue in university?

Econ. My kid has a few offers from local and overseas uni to read this subject. He was never interested in the more popular courses such as med, law nor comp sci and only settled on econ during NS, for now (he has another chance to change his mind next year).

doodbug\" post_id=\"2133024\" time=\"1713853095\" user_id=\"13281:

It's also good that as parents you did not insist that the kid continues to build on his 'MO competitive advantage', and to allow him to pursue other interests.

I think MO at higher levels can be very dry, and I don't blame him for ditching it towards the end. I remember those times when I had to send him to NUS/NUSH for those external training sessions and wondered what were they all about coz he was never at the top end of the class and they only choose the top few for overseas competitions. Anyway, I think the time spent in MO aided him in his H3 Math paper later on, so I would say it was still beneficial.

doodbug\" post_id=\"2133024\" time=\"1713853095\" user_id=\"13281:

Remind me of how we had this impression that kids should take triple science in upper sec to have good exposure to STEM and to make choices on which STEM fields to go into - both my kids did and in spite of decent science results, promptly decided STEM is not for them! :rotflmao:

Mine was pretty decent in STEM subjects too, all the way to Y6. And then he tells us, \"I'm not interested in engineering nor computing in uni.\"

[lucid]

I applaud all of you parents who have enabled pathways for your children. This is why we have threads like this - for prospective DSA hopefuls to learn and for the experienced ones to share. These are success stories for our children to have possibilities opened up so I am thankful for the DSA pathway. Also, the key takeaway is to give the child autonomy and free choice ,despite helping them uncover possibilities. :lovesite:


In our case ( as with most success cases in NUSH), having been through the entire journey - this NUSH child was adamant he wanted to pursue only STEM. Forgo IB school (affiliate school) interview after the admissions test as it clashed with NUSH DSA camp day, chose NUSH over R (parent and grandparents alumni). Chinese too chiu to thrive in HC ( to disappointment of the other alumni parent and another HJC grandparent).

After arriving in the school, he found that humanes was as interesting and developed interest in literary works ( influenced from STEM classmates who read copiously). There is a resident poet teacher in the school too - go check the threads on the school. It is not all STEM as the children can pursue the humanes or music (Yong Siew Toh conservatory) to the highest levels at Uni level if they choose. Econs honours can be read at NUS for the 1XX-2xx series modules; they take the same tutorials and exams as the undergrads are marked agst their curve. Most do well as otherwise, they will not get back the extra fees charged by the uni. Motto of school is to Experiment, Explore and Excel. It applies to their entire culture and way of approaching life.

Out of Math, a number will embark on the Science/Informatics Olympiads with the free electives and reach National Golds and even national training team for International. Up until 1-2 yrs ago, R did not even offer CS as a core subject at As so it was doubly punishing to be pursuing CS and still having to clear your As with PCME combo.

MO at high level is not for everyone. By Y3-4, it would be clear who is cut out for it as very often, the students were taught WRONG as lower primary levels. The questions are meant for the alternate thinker who can find the most elegant solutions.

Also, the pursuit of research to the highest levels enabled many of them to have opportunities for multi projects at DSO/unis/ASTAR/hospitals/etc. Some went to professional internal congresses to present, a few interned at Ivy League labs and a number are published - see the convocation books for achievements of graduating classes . All were incidental achievements as most just followed their heart and passion in a school that fully enabled the opportunities and resources. If they propose a project, the school has the means to reach out to their partners and affiliates to find an external mentor who has been specialising in the research.

What you have when you match Passion and Discipline with Opportunities and Resources will be excellent and robust experiences - some call it “stacked portfolios”. Others thrive in leadership because the school , while small, has so many CCAs and interest groups that leadership opportunities are abundant. The culture too is self-leadership and to take charge of your own choices and care for your peers around you.

It is a bit too premature at PSLE but I do invite forward thinking parents to project 6 years on. What is the end goal here ? DSA in a good name school or exploring the best educational pathway for your child to stay engaged and happy? And then qualify for a stress free journey into university ?

Having been through the journey, the students end with amazing portfolios and \"supra-curriculars\" like university modules etc that stand out at university and scholarship admissions. I dare say a large percentage going to local Uni will be on faculty or Uni scholarship and get early acceptances. This will apply across to STEMM courses including CS, pre-med. 30-40% will go on to non-Stem like Econs, Law, Geography etc.
Something to note for forward thinking applicants to Ivy and Oxbridge and other foreign selectives is the timeline of applications at the end of each year - the Singapore A level and IB system puts pressure given most will be chasing prelims and the final national exams. Meanwhile, NUSH ends lessons ard Oct and the students then hv the bandwidth to DREAM, THINK, REFLECT on their university and career pathways. I always find it a shame that the A level kids have to choose their pathway or courses they are eligible for within weeks of results release. More often than not, they pick the best courses they can qualify for - and not what they will thrive in. Why are there so many disengaged adults in our workforce here ?

Meanwhile, grades are cumulative in NUSH, the student will be fully aware of what they need to do to get to the courses /unis they want , if they fall short, they are backed up by good portfolios to make an exceptional application. One hidden gem is the counsellor team in the school. The low student ratio makes it possible for those who seek them out to get the best and tailored advice. If you check with the big mainstream elites, you will find the students lamenting that they have to pay external consultants unless you are in the top 5% of the school( 50-60 out of 1200 per cohort).

The free access to opportunities where everyone is equal is the value add from NUSH. The hardest will be to make in into the school at 12 yrs old. The child is free to explore various pathways to the highest levels but the caveat is that he/she must have the natural aptitude for math and science to thrive in the core curriculum.

I also understand that at 11-12 yrs, not all will have a firm inclination. Thus, our role as parents is to uncover and research on possibilities. Do not place the child in NUSH if they do not like math AND science.

A lot is discussed about the wows of elite mainstream but many are only aware the realities after the entire journey too. Recognise too R has become a “kinder” place. We come from a family where the first and second generation of nieces and nephews hail from R , HC ,SOTA and NUSH - all successful in Oxbridge, Ivy , pre-med, Law, NTU Nanyang , NUS Global Merit, PSC scholarships. We recognise the pros and cons of each to bring out the best in each child. Every school is a good school - only if the culture and opportunities match. Our job as parents is then to help the child do the necessary due diligence. Had we been adamant too child only go to our known alumni and join the well known brand , I dare say it would have been a disservice to his potential.

[doodbug]

I have to say that many NUSH parents with kids in NUSH and non-NUSH have come to the same conclusion regarding the merits of not needing to take A levels or IB. It helps a lot as students can concentrate on university applications and the various tests (BMAT, TMUA, UCAT, LNAT, SATs etc) to excel in them. The NUSH Diploma (thanks to the NUS name) is highly recognized by top universities globally and within Singapore. And because NUSH kids have the time and space through the 6 years to build up a very credible portfolio comprising APs (which are highly recognized) and international prizes, applications to top universities and programmes are well-received. The student-staff ratio at NUSH is very favourable and NUSH is well-resourced on a per student basis.


The NUSH experience however, will not have certain ‘intangible’ aspects the way the top mainstream schools have, like illustrious alumni and donors, school spirit and cheering in full force at National Games etc. The school is after all, quite a young school.