DSA for JC/University

[ChiefKiasu]

On the surface, DSA is exactly working as it would be… a partial system favoring those in the know.


Not being privy to the deliberations, we cannot really say that the system is fair or not. The coaches will have to live with their choice, so it is up to them to decide.

[zac's mum]

Infoseeker\" post_id=\"2135009\" time=\"1718333706\" user_id=\"60487:

Further to topic of conversation, sharing the experience that we had recently with Dunman High. Its regarding the DSA for a sport (not stating the sport for sensitivity reasons). The Coach for the sport is a family friend of my kid's friend's family. My Kid's friend knew right from beginning of Sec 4 that he will apply for DSA in Dunman and will get through since his elder sibling was also int he same school and sport and he knew the Coach well. While this kid was average in the sport and also very average in his Sec3/4 grades, he along with few others (including my Kid) was called for the trials. there were some very good players turning up for the trial.

And bang - earlier this week, that kid gets a message from Dunman for confirmed offer under DSA. I am not even saying that my kid played better or had far better grades else it seems like a case of sour grapes - but there were couple of other brilliant players. And none of them got the offer.

Now isn't this an extremely unfair process and system ???

Not the first case i’ve heard where the older sibling was already in the sport in XYZ school and entire family already network very well with the coach to bring in the younger child via DSA, chosen over other better qualified competitors.

It’s time to look into giving too much power to a single coach.

[Imp75]

Infoseeker\" post_id=\"2135009\" time=\"1718333706\" user_id=\"60487:

Further to topic of conversation, sharing the experience that we had recently with Dunman High. Its regarding the DSA for a sport (not stating the sport for sensitivity reasons). The Coach for the sport is a family friend of my kid's friend's family. My Kid's friend knew right from beginning of Sec 4 that he will apply for DSA in Dunman and will get through since his elder sibling was also int he same school and sport and he knew the Coach well. While this kid was average in the sport and also very average in his Sec3/4 grades, he along with few others (including my Kid) was called for the trials. there were some very good players turning up for the trial.

And bang - earlier this week, that kid gets a message from Dunman for confirmed offer under DSA. I am not even saying that my kid played better or had far better grades else it seems like a case of sour grapes - but there were couple of other brilliant players. And none of them got the offer.

Now isn't this an extremely unfair process and system ???

Let’s give the Sch or coach the benefit of the doubt.
We applied secondary Sch sports dsa as well so had gone through the process. We realised (not true if for all sports) that DHS doesn’t typically offer to the top talents because they know the top talent will prefer the R and H schools and they sound the students out during interviews as well on the dsa sch they applied and their decision. I know a few who are both talented in sport and books were not offered as well bc they were stumped at this persistent question (ie cannot give them half-baked answers).

[keas]

To be fair, Dunman High is not strong in sports and parents are aware that the school favours academic performance more than sports performance.


I agree that networking plays a part. But it’s more like between 2 similar students, the one with better network might be favoured. It’s not a case where the weaker player is chosen.

[doodbug]

I thought the case is usually that the coaches give inputs and their rankings of preferred students, and submits them to the school? The school management ultimately decides how many of each talent group to take in, looking at the overall profile of applicants, as well as the applicant’s academic profile.

[Infoseeker]

Hi All - seek your kind advice.

My son is getting a DSA offer from Temasek JC. However we are confident that based on his O-Level results he would be able to get Victoria JC. What is the general perception for the 2 JC - TJC and VJC?

Which has better Science/Maths department?
Which has better support structure/guidance for preparing for Overseas University Applications
Whats the difference in cultures between the two
Any other key difference between the two JCs
Any guidance will be much appreciated

[Trungtt]

Today is 6th, Sep, pass the due date Moe giving (5 Sep)

But I still not yet received any information from school, either pass or fall.

I heard from some other parents got failed message already, just curious, did any parents got successful message? And from which school?

[jakert23]

Amazing information.