2009 DSA(Direct School Admission)

[lizawa]

phankao:

joconde:

[quote=\"phankao\"]
My younger boy (p4 only) has his eyes set on HCI (don't know why he has such a good impression of it). He's talented in chinese music, but I do wonder if it would even be an avenue for HCI. I also notice they don't have a special music programme, unlike Nanyang or RI. And he's actually not interested in RI even tho' they have the Music Option, bc he says RI is \"not good\" in Chinese music. LOL. The thoughts of a young p4 boy!

So ur boy plays chinese instrument ? I think DHS chinese orchestra troupe can be considered one of the best, RVH also good. Although these may not be most parents first choice

Yes. DHS clearly states they take in under CO. I think by p6 year, my boy shd be able to, since he is \"shou xi\" for his co. Only thing dhs so far away for us \"northlanders\". He prefers HCI tho. Not even thinking abt RVH.[/quote]Hi phankoa,

Although HCI doesn't have a special music programme, their Chinese Orchestra is very very strong. They have been getting Gold with Honours awards for SYF. So I would think that ur boy will stand a good chance if he can play one of the instruments well. This year, Nanyang and Catholic High also achieve Gold with Honours.

[phankao]

lizawa:

Although HCI doesn't have a special music programme, their Chinese Orchestra is very very strong. They have been getting Gold with Honours awards for SYF. So I would think that ur boy will stand a good chance if he can play one of the instruments well. This year, Nanyang and Catholic High also achieve Gold with Honours.

haha - think my boy's application will be thrown out from nanyang the moment they see \"Gender: M\". haha. Yeah - CHS quite likely can . Am thinking ahead ... and see how he can further develop himself

[lizawa]

phankao:

lizawa:

Although HCI doesn't have a special music programme, their Chinese Orchestra is very very strong. They have been getting Gold with Honours awards for SYF. So I would think that ur boy will stand a good chance if he can play one of the instruments well. This year, Nanyang and Catholic High also achieve Gold with Honours.

haha - think my boy's application will be thrown out from nanyang the moment they see \"Gender: M\". haha. Yeah - CHS quite likely can . Am thinking ahead ... and see how he can further develop himself

Haha,,, not asking your boy to apply for NYGH !
Saying that becos' when they enter Year 5 / 6, they will belong to the same CCA for the JC section.

[kiasuson]

phankao:

csc:

[quote=\"phankao\"]
Yes we know, KS-son. Our kids are dumbos. :stupid: :stupid: :stupid:

I don't understand what you mean by v worst. Some kids may not excel academically but they may be exceptionally good in a sport, art or musically inclined so DSA gives them a chance or an opportunity to tap on their talents and develop their potential.

Yea i know.... no biggie ... .. just that by that statement, kiasuson seemed to tell us that we are worrying(concerns) only bc our children do not perhaps \"meet the minimum criteria\" and they shd not even be considering DSA. That's the general feel i get from that.[/quote]To clarify, I am trying to say that for GEP students they will not have any concerns as long as they meet the minimum criteria.

By the way, my son is not an GEP student and also not an award winner. He was posted to a top school in Singapore thru DSA. He also has offers from another 3 IP schools. There are no shortcut for him. He went thru all the test. He is also not the top 10 students in his primary school which is not GEP school but a SAP school. I hope this give some motivation let their kids go for the DSA and not to give out.

[Jennifer]

[Moderator's note: Topics merged.]


We are trying for DSA, but have no idea how to start a personal statement.

Can sth like this do?

My interests are (1) aaa, (2) bbb, etc and my strengths are (1) ccc, (2) ddd, etc. I believe with these interests and strengths, XXX (name of the school) can groom me into YYY (the mission statement of the school).

Appreciate your comments.

[Mandarin]

I would like to share on my son’s experience in writing personal statement for DSA last year.


For his personal statement, he has included his reason for choosing the school. his strength (which I encouraged him to choose attributes which are non-academic) with supporting anecdotes, his interests and his aspirations. All done in 1 page.

FYI, he got a waitlist offer which he put as first choice and was subsequently admitted into his school of choice.

I hope this helps to give you some idea, though I am not sure if it was helpful in gaining an admission for him.

[Fairy]

Hi,


Can someone whose child has gone through the DSA exercise for
- RGS
- NYGH
- NJC
- RV

share about her experience going through the tests/ interviews? How was academic excellence (for non-GEPers) defined by these schools?
Above 90marks ==> no doubt
Above 80marks ==> any chance?

What were the standards of the selection test?

[phankao]

Mandarin:

For his personal statement, he has included his reason for choosing the school. his strength (which I encouraged him to choose attributes which are non-academic) with supporting anecdotes, his interests and his aspirations. All done in 1 page. .

Isn't that what you are supposed to write in a personal statement? I helped a little friend with writing (not my child). She did get into sch via DSA confirmed (not waiting list). But her DSA process not only included the pers stt but also the interview, tests, and auditions.

[MMM]

DSA is a foreign animal to me at this stage of my life as kids are in lower primary. But I am fairly curious about it eg. is it something we should be aware of and prepare in early stage???? Eg. my P2 joins the band and she is keen to get into school band. She has since move from learning cornet to trambone :? I think the school band has been the award winning type. I wonder if this is something that we should encourage her to pursue and do well as this will one day open her gate to DSA????


From my observation of the postings, it appears that the P6 child must be those self-motivated and exactly know what they want type inorder for them to be successful in DSA??? Since they have to face the interview,etc... themselves? :roll:

[Jennifer]

Mandarin:

I would like to share on my son's experience in writing personal statement for DSA last year.


For his personal statement, he has included his reason for choosing the school. his strength (which I encouraged him to choose attributes which are non-academic) with supporting anecdotes, his interests and his aspirations. All done in 1 page.

FYI, he got a waitlist offer which he put as first choice and was subsequently admitted into his school of choice.

I hope this helps to give you some idea, though I am not sure if it was helpful in gaining an admission for him.

Mandarin, thank you very much for the guide. At least we can start somewhere now.