2009 DSA(Direct School Admission)

[daisyt]

kohjl:

Hi ApronMama and daisyt


I am not talking about having \"missed the COP by 1-2 score after posting result is out\". That process of appeal is pretty straightforward. Also, once one has already selected the DSA confirmed offer, there's no way to join in at the S1 posting exercise.

Hi kohjl, Ooopsss ... so sorry I interpretted wrongly. :oops: :oops: Its getting a little confusing now

[kohjl]

daisyt:

kohjl:

Hi ApronMama and daisyt


I am not talking about having \"missed the COP by 1-2 score after posting result is out\". That process of appeal is pretty straightforward. Also, once one has already selected the DSA confirmed offer, there's no way to join in at the S1 posting exercise.

Hi kohjl, Ooopsss ... so sorry I interpretted wrongly. :oops: :oops: Its getting a little confusing now

No problem at all! Everyone is encouraged to share thoughts and experiences so tt we concerned parents can learn from one another.

[Jennifer]

kohjl:

I am asking about having a confirmed DSA offer and having selected that offered school at the DSA stage (which we all know will be in late Oct, BEFORE PSLE results are out), what happens if the child's PSLE is ABOVE the COP of a premier top school - can we still appeal AFTER getting the PSLE results to switch choices? To be able to guess with some accuracy, it must be based on some past experience and past empirical data, and hence my latest clarification using the words \"historical\" COP.

kohjl, thanks for posting this qn. I think I need such guide too.

[wiimum]

Jennifer:

kohjl:

I am asking about having a confirmed DSA offer and having selected that offered school at the DSA stage (which we all know will be in late Oct, BEFORE PSLE results are out), what happens if the child's PSLE is ABOVE the COP of a premier top school - can we still appeal AFTER getting the PSLE results to switch choices? To be able to guess with some accuracy, it must be based on some past experience and past empirical data, and hence my latest clarification using the words \"historical\" COP.

kohjl, thanks for posting this qn. I think I need such guide too.

Having had a child who went through DSA last year and subsequently transferred, perhaps I am qualified to give some advice here

Choosing the school is really an important issue and it must be a school that your child is willing to go to and not one that you have decided for him or her. So please discuss this at length/with depth with your child.

If you have one or 2 confirmed offers, no problem go ahead and exercise the option.
If you have been waitlisted at your preferred choice, I feel it is still better to put that waitlist option as the first choice because that's where you really want to be, and chances will be good to get in.

You may have some gut feel about how you child performs during the PSLE itself so that can in some way help you decide.

After the PSLE result comes out, if the result is better that you expected but having been posted via DSA , you can still make an appeal and change schools. We did that and yes it is a hassle. First from the school that you are transferring out, you get remarks passed (why did you choose us in the first place... Many people would want to be here.....)
It would involved several trips to both schools to get documents processed, submitted etc. But it is possible just a bit troublesome. But for the sake of what we think is in the best interest of the child, it was worth it. And more importantly, for my child to get to his school that he really wants to be, based on his results.

[turquoise]

If you have more than one confirmed offer, do you need to indicate 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice etc in the DSA School Preference Form or can you just indicate your 1st choice? Thanks!

[mummyjoyce]

Thanks wiimum - the info is really helpful! I just got a confirmation letter yesterday and as usual (KS) thinking what to do regarding such matter.

Super and now I just need her to concentrate for another 1.5 mth and relax after that. Lesser stress now :)[/quote]

[kohjl]

wiimum:

After the PSLE result comes out, if the result is better that you expected but having been posted via DSA , you can still make an appeal and change schools. We did that and yes it is a hassle. First from the school that you are transferring out, you get remarks passed (why did you choose us in the first place... Many people would want to be here.....)
It would involved several trips to both schools to get documents processed, submitted etc. But it is possible just a bit troublesome. But for the sake of what we think is in the best interest of the child, it was worth it. And more importantly, for my child to get to his school that he really wants to be, based on his results.

Hi wiimum

Thanks for posting yr experience - it really helped to clarify that such an appeal process is possible. It certainly helped to lessen the stress for myself, and for other parents faced with the question of whether to accept a confirmed DSA offer that is not the first choice. I don't think this appeal route is documented anywhere in the MOE website (or did I miss it??).

This is the type of hassle I would GLADLY go thru! Good for your child that you went thru all that trouble. I am sure yr child will remember what you had done for him even after many years, and will always think you are the best (wii)mum in the world. Worth it!

[Jennifer]

wiimum:

Having had a child who went through DSA last year and subsequently transferred, perhaps I am qualified to give some advice here

wiimum, thank you for the sharing.

[luckystar]

I think when there are too many parents doing these apeals, it will to depends on the vacancy left. This is what I think.

[wiimum]

luckystar:

I think when there are too many parents doing these apeals, it will to depends on the vacancy left. This is what I think.

I shared my experience here not to encourage appeals. But I want other parents to know that it is a possibility and the DSA choice is not cast in stone. It also gives the child an option/motivation to work harder for the PSLE in case the DSA option was not really their first choice.
However in the event that the child really did not do well in the PSLE like few points below the cut off point of some IP schools, having made the choice during the DSA would save you the agony.
In fact, the reason I went through the trouble of DSA is because I am worried that with the \"bochap\" attitude, he will not make it to any IP programme based on his PSLE result. Although I know for sure that the IP programme would be the best for him and he is capable of it. He is just not the \"study hard \" and \"book smart\" type. If he doesn't go the IP way, I have additional worry at \"O\" Levels.