Do non-GEP student has much chance with DSA

[wonderm]

meiah:

INNOVATE:

Basketball has always been a key sport for many schools especially boys' schools.

If you think that your boy has what it takes to cope academically in a very competitive enviroment, these two schools are idea choices.

Conversely, if your boy is just above average, then explore other schools like Cat High or other good schools.

Do not choose one for its name recognition especially if a student needs the help of much tuition to catch up with his cohort.

Agree with you. Then again, go any sch also need tons of tuition! Actually, I'm happy if he can dsa to at least an above-average school.

Agree must be careful. Don't think it is the norm to have tons of tuition for all Sec schools, at least won't be for most subjects. Many Sec kids are already very busy with school work, project, CCA and many other school activities. They need to learn to be independent learners to cope well.

[matadorepy]

I am a parent of ex-GEP girl now in NUSH. If you ask me the qn "Do DSA favours the GEP ?? " Yes, the answer is a resounding YES. GEP students are catgorically asked to submit their DSA application and to complete their choice of IP-school. GEP students are favoured and generally have the first bite of the cherry at all IP-school. If a GEP student do not apply DSA, most teachers will ask why ???


As for rest of mainstream, my advise is to work hard on PSLE and get in thru the various COP. For mainstream, unless you want to goes to Specialised school like SOTA, Sport School. SST or NUSH then tried the DSA method as it is the only option available.

Don’t waste time, money and experienced trumas for your DD or DS. Better to concentrate on doing well for PSLE especially if you DD/DS are doing very well in school. Avoid all the stress associated with DSA. That my honest advise.

[Brenda10]

matadorepy:

I am a parent of ex-GEP girl now in NUSH. If you ask me the qn \"Do DSA favours the GEP ?? \" Yes, the answer is a resounding YES. GEP students are catgorically asked to submit their DSA application and to complete their choice of IP-school. GEP students are favoured and generally have the first bite of the cherry at all IP-school. If a GEP student do not apply DSA, most teachers will ask why ???


As for rest of mainstream, my advise is to work hard on PSLE and get in thru the various COP. For mainstream, unless you want to goes to Specialised school like SOTA, Sport School. SST or NUSH then tried the DSA method as it is the only option available.

Don't waste time, money and experienced trumas for your DD or DS. Better to concentrate on doing well for PSLE especially if you DD/DS are doing very well in school. Avoid all the stress associated with DSA. That my honest advise.

Hi matadorepy

Thank you for sharing this valuable input.

[Lynn2]

Hi matadorepy,



Thanks for sharing.


cheers
Lynn2

matadorepy:

I am a parent of ex-GEP girl now in NUSH. If you ask me the qn \"Do DSA favours the GEP ?? \" Yes, the answer is a resounding YES. GEP students are catgorically asked to submit their DSA application and to complete their choice of IP-school. GEP students are favoured and generally have the first bite of the cherry at all IP-school. If a GEP student do not apply DSA, most teachers will ask why ???

As for rest of mainstream, my advise is to work hard on PSLE and get in thru the various COP. For mainstream, unless you want to goes to Specialised school like SOTA, Sport School. SST or NUSH then tried the DSA method as it is the only option available.

Don't waste time, money and experienced trumas for your DD or DS. Better to concentrate on doing well for PSLE especially if you DD/DS are doing very well in school. Avoid all the stress associated with DSA. That my honest advise.

[69July]

I’m a P6 girl in RGPS and I really want to get into NYGH or RVHS. I want to try dsa for academics. My english and chinese are better than my math and science. I’ve got a A* for Chinese, 2 "A"s and a B(73) for math for P5 SA2. Average is 80.125. I’ve been in higher chinese since P2.I got merit and distinction before.But the problem that has been worrying me is that i did not enter any competition before. There’s a HSK thing(some chinese assessment) and I’m joining it as I think it is the only thing that can prove my strength in chinese. I am really very worried for the "no acheivements" thing. Minimum requirement is some academic achievements right? I can’t write that HSK thing because it is in July which is after the registration. Please help.

[ngbrdad]

MOE has a list of schools with recognised GEP programme for the primary GEP students to continue their studies.

For schools not on the list, don’t think many GEP students will apply. So mainstream students shouldn’t face competetions from GEP students there.
Schools such as NJC, River Valley are not on the list

[soda]

True that those top IP schools favour GEP students. But I also know quite a number of top GE or mainstream girls got rejected by RGS. These high achievers eventually got in through their high PSLE scores. But, why did they get rejected? Mostly, these girls failed the interviews. If these top schools are only interested in high achievers, why bother about dsa exercise? They better just admit students according to their PSLE scores.


My son was in GEP, many of his classmates, especially those top ones, had full tuitions in leading tuition centres. Wonder if they're truly gifted. There're many scored well, and yet many of his GE classmates scored low 260 and some only 250+. Many GE students score less than 80%. Mainstreamers who score high 80% have good chance in dsa. GEP itself is only a label. However, this label gives GEPers better opportunities.

What i'm trying to say is, mainstream students should not feel inferior/discouraged. If that is your dream school, just try your best and make the best out of every chance possible. :rahrah: Principal of ds's school, one of the top boys' schools, said the most successful people are not from the top cohort, they're usually from the 2nd tier. The GAT and interview are meant to identify these talents. Good luck :xedfingers:

[dovetail]

meiah:

So if my ds is in basketball school team and the school is generally strong in that sport, he will stand a good chance at dsa to RI/HCI??

In the top schools, they have a DSA class. Basically, it's for those who go in via DSA non-academic. This group is there to help win medals for school as first priority. My friend sons t-score only 210+ RI also want because he was good in track and field. I wonder how one can cope in RI with that score. Anyway, the kid went to VS in the end whose COP was still way above 210+ but my friend die die want the son to be associated with top schools. Sadly, the boy is miserable there other than for the sport. I heard sometimes they are treated like 2nd class citizens. Is it worth it just to be there for the school name?

[phankao]

meiah:

So if my ds is in basketball school team and the school is generally strong in that sport, he will stand a good chance at dsa to RI/HCI??

meiah, my friend's son DSA to HCI under volleyball - let me check with her. It appears there's no special \"sports class\".

[Pen88n]

I think comparing with GEP students, mainstreamers have a lower chance when it comes to acceptance thru’ DSA to top schools. However, having said that, there is still an opportunity and mainstream kids should still try for DSA to their dream school(s). Even if they are not successful, they have also gained through the DSA experience. The experience of going through selection test, group activites or interviews is good learning and eye-opener for these kids and these will benefit them in future.