2008 DSA(Direct School Admission)

[lizawa]

[quote]How will we be able to tell which sports is favored by a particular school under DSA? Is such info published?[/quote]
Yes, each school has its own preference and they are normally published on the schools' websites. DSA is not only for Sports or Music talents, if your child is good academically throughout the years (esp P4 - P6), then, you can also try for DSA at some of the top schools.

Each school has their own entrance tests and interviews. Independent schools can take in up to 50% of their Sec 1 cohort through DSA, other schools range from 5 - 10%.

[kiasuson]

Can someone shared your childs DSA results?


My child has been put on waiting list for RI and have confirmed offers from NJC and Dunman High. He is not a GEP student. We are not sure to put him in NJC or Dunman High as his second choice. Any feedback will help.

[lizawa]

My son is also not from GEP. He is on waiting list Hwa Chongm unsucessful for RI. Only tried RI and Hwa Chong.


We did not try NJC because it’s the first year that they are taking students from Sec 1. They were finalizing the syllabus during the open house in April. So didn’t want to be "guinea pigs". Feedback from some NJC Sec 3/4 students during open house, some of the CCAs start at 6pm. So students expect to stay till 8 - 9pm. The advantage of NJC programme is the small cohort, only 150 students for next year’s Sec 1, so each class is small, about 20 - 25, if I am not wrong.

Dunman High will be moving back to the east, so a little far for us, so also didn’t try and didn’t go for the open house, so don’t really know how their IP Programme works. I suppose with a newer campus, they get better facilities.

[kiasuson]

Thanks for the reply.


Do you know the chance of success if our son is put on the waiting list?

[lizawa]

Since your son already has confirmed offers for Dunman and NJC, you should put RI waiting list as first choice. It will not affect the confirmed offer choice.


I suppose the chance is still there for waiting list. Most of the students who got confirmed offers from RI and HCI are GEP and / or Maths Olympaid winners. So far I know of 1 Maths Olympiad Platinum winner (non GEP) got confirmed from RI and HCI. And another same profile on Waiting List for HCI only. So I think most people who got confirmed offers have more than 1 confirmed offer. You can call up RI and check where in the waiting list is your child in.

[kiasuson]

Thanks again. I am not sure if RI will review his position on the list. Did HCI discloses your son chances to you?

[lizawa]

[quote]Did HCI discloses your son chances to you?[/quote]
They did not reveal exactly which position, but gave us a range.

[xhxie]

HCI does not disclose the position in the waiting list.


As I know the most of students in HCI waiting list finally got into the school through DSA. My son and his classmate was put on the HCI waiting list last year and both got into HCI through DSA although they could get into HCI through PSLE score (both 270+).

[ChiefKiasu]

xhxie:

HCI does not disclose the position in the waiting list.


As I know the most of students in HCI waiting list finally got into the school through DSA. My son and his classmate was put on the HCI waiting list last year and both got into HCI through DSA although they could get into HCI through PSLE score (both 270+).

270+ (?!) You've got one bright kid there!

[lizawa]

One of the reasons why we decided to apply for DSA is because the independent schools can admit up to 50% of cohort through DSA. The remaining 50% vacancy are left for students going in through PSLE scores. So as a \"kiasu\" parent, want to maximise the chance.


My son felt the DSA tests and interview \"drained up all his brain juices\". After spending 6 hours on all the tests and interview, he went home so tired and slept for the whole day. :lol: