GEP and DSA 2011

[jtoh]

The interview setting at RGS is a few girls being interviewed by a panel. I think your dd should do fine as she's articulate and dares to speak her mind. Good luck!

TREX8:

Tks for the information. jtoh, that DD should apply under GEP domain and not English. Had the idea that there is a need for GEP kids to specify which area are they good at when applying for RGS DSA.

Looks like the interview component for DD will be the determining factor for her success at DSA. DD's articulate, has her own ideas and dare to speak her mind. However, she takes a long time to warm up to people, prefers to be an observer rather than a participant and may come across as aloof. So alot depends on the interview set up and the interaction between her and her interviewers.

Does anyone have any idea what is the interview for RGS and NYGH like? One-on-one, or one-to-many? Formal or informal setting?

jtoh:

Hi TREX8,

As your dd's in GEP, she'll be applying under GEP domain, not English domain. But make sure you include all her English accolades in her application. Given her good results in P4 & P5, she will be called for an interview assuming there are no changes in selection criteria. Once she's at the interview it's up to her to sell herself.

Yes, for NYGH, GEP students who perform well and do HCL are offered DSA without test nor interview. Those who don't take HCL will be called up for interview.

It is true that RGPS girls have a higher success rate at DSA than other GEP schools. I think part of it has to do with the standard of the girls, who as a cohort tend to do better than the GEP average. Secondly, I've heard feedback that RGPS girls perform better at interviews than other schools - more poised, confident and articulate.

[vlim]

Just wonder do the kids do the portfolio for DSA themselves or the teacher will guide them along :?

[sautille]

hildangirl:

If you chose the academic path for DSA, does the student have to apply separately for Eng, maths or MT?

If I understand correctly, GEP students must apply through GEP domain for RI and HCI (RGS and NYGH?). Not sure if this requirement is the same for other IP schools. Any parents care to share their DSA experiences with other IP schools?

[sautille]

vlim:

Just wonder do the kids do the portfolio for DSA themselves or the teacher will guide them along :?

My son did his own portfolio - no guidance from his school. However, from my observation, neither RI nor HCI paid too much attention to the portfolio...sets me wondering how important is the portfolio in the DSA process...

[TREX8]

Well, I've casually asked one of the P6 GEP teachers in DD's school on some guidelines on how to go about with the portfolio as I thought it would be a good idea for DD to work on her portfolio during the year end hols. However, she said that the requirements for the portfolio lie with the Secondary school that DD wants to DSA to and not for the primary school to determine. In other words - do it yourself.


Just to echo jtoh's observation about RGPS girls being more confident and articulate, I think some GEP centres (maybe RGPS and NYPS) really do take the DSA exercise for GEP students seriously and guide their students along.

DD's centre has a more laid-back culture. From informal conversations with other GEP parents in DD's school, the school informs parents about procedural stuff (when to do what). Students are left very much on their own with regards to portfolio and interview skills.

vlim:

Just wonder do the kids do the portfolio for DSA themselves or the teacher will guide them along :?

[TREX8]

Any parents would like to share how important is the portfolio for RGS/NYGH?


I have discussed the portfolio with DD and we thought of approaching it like writing CV for job application - basically, give general personal information, followed by strengths, awards/competitions, maybe a section that is more personal - eg. reflection on GEP years :? Sounds ok? On the right track?

sautille:

vlim:

Just wonder do the kids do the portfolio for DSA themselves or the teacher will guide them along :?

My son did his own portfolio - no guidance from his school. However, from my observation, neither RI nor HCI paid too much attention to the portfolio...sets me wondering how important is the portfolio in the DSA process...

[jtoh]

TREX8:

Any parents would like to share how important is the portfolio for RGS/NYGH?


I have discussed the portfolio with DD and we thought of approaching it like writing CV for job application - basically, give general personal information, followed by strengths, awards/competitions, maybe a section that is more personal - eg. reflection on GEP years :? Sounds ok? On the right track?

sautille:

[quote=\"vlim\"]Just wonder do the kids do the portfolio for DSA themselves or the teacher will guide them along :?

My son did his own portfolio - no guidance from his school. However, from my observation, neither RI nor HCI paid too much attention to the portfolio...sets me wondering how important is the portfolio in the DSA process...

[/quote]Err... I don't think the portfolio's very important. Some schools don't even ask for it or look at it during the interview. And the portfolios are done by the kids. No guidance from the school.

[sautille]

TREX8:

I have discussed the portfolio with DD and we thought of approaching it like writing CV for job application - basically, give general personal information, followed by strengths, awards/competitions, maybe a section that is more personal - eg. reflection on GEP years :? Sounds ok? On the right track?

My son's portfolio was basic - personal info, evidence of grades (P4 to P6 SA1), and achievements (leadership positions held, competition/awards won, etc.) and a piece of work he did in P5/P6 that has scored high marks.

There was quite a bit of overlap here as grades and evidence of achievements would have to be submitted to support your DSA application anyway. RI requested my son to present a project work he did in P5/P6 during the interview, so he included the work in his portfolio. It turned out that the interviewer did not even look at the portfolio and needless to say, no question was asked about his project work.

I also wonder if RGS/NYGH treats personal portfolio differently.

[verykiasu2010]

sautille:

vlim:

Just wonder do the kids do the portfolio for DSA themselves or the teacher will guide them along :?

My son did his own portfolio - no guidance from his school. However, from my observation, neither RI nor HCI paid too much attention to the portfolio...sets me wondering how important is the portfolio in the DSA process...

both RI & HCI pays more attention to the selection test result/GAT result, & interview performance than the portfolio

however doing the portfolio enable the child to have an overall view of his achievements and it is a good record to keep

i know of a case who got RI confirmed offer who just last minute put in the online application but submitted a copy of his catalogue of his personal exhibition

those whom HCI made confirmed offers - some had no chance to compile a portfolio as the past results were entered online (same as RI) and then went for written test / interview without calling for other supporting doc submission

[haema.022496rocketmail.022496com]

Hi I'm a GEPer from RGPS P6 '10, and I'm going to RGS next year. I got my DSA to both NYGH and RGS.


For NYGH, I would say it's an easier process compared to RGS. Most pupils who applied, say 80-90% got in. Close to half of that group got in without interview. Those who've gone for interviews comment that the questions are not typical interview questions one would have prepared for, and assess basically the personality I would say. Such weird questions include \"Would you rather a screwdriver or a hammer?\" Something like that. :shock:

For RGS, most also got in. For the interviews, a group got the typical questions and a group didn't. My close friends all told me about the non-typical questions such as \"Do you think printing other schools' exam papers online are an act of infrigement of copyright?\" But I got those typical questions like \"Why would you choose RGS?\" that I hadn't prepared for and didn't expect So anyway, much thinking on the spot.

RGS did not look at my portfolio and of those who were interviewed with me, only one had to give them her portfolio but that was only cos they needed the list of her certs. So I think a very basic portfolio with a content page and list of certs would do. And maybe get a nice folder Or at least that's what I did.