DSA 2012

[jtoh]

Zekezachzoom:

Thanks jtoh for your sound advice.


My DS did went for the NUS high science competition last year but unfortunately just got in to round 2. His school is sending him for RI math thingy this year ( in fact I m not sure to let him join as he is already very busy with track trainings and prefect duties). So... The answer to your question is he does not have any shining certificate yet;)

I am actually thinking along the line of using the academic route just not sure about the chances though. Also, is it true that most schools will group the sport DSA in one class and typically do not have very high expectation academically for this class?

The RI Math thingy is notoriously difficult to score in. :scared: Have your son go for SMOPS. If he can secure a gold or platinum that would be good.

As for DSA sports students all being in the same class, this varies from school to school. Some spread them out, some (like RI) group them all in the same class. The reason being they want to work around their competition schedules and to give them more attention knowing that they sometimes have to miss classes bec of training or competitions. I don't think the schools would focus any less academically on these students though. Maybe parents whose kids have children in DSA sports can comment.

[Funx3]

Zekezachzoom:

Thanks jtoh for your sound advice.


My DS did went for the NUS high science competition last year but unfortunately just got in to round 2. His school is sending him for RI math thingy this year ( in fact I m not sure to let him join as he is already very busy with track trainings and prefect duties). So... The answer to your question is he does not have any shining certificate yet;)

I am actually thinking along the line of using the academic route just not sure about the chances though. Also, is it true that most schools will group the sport DSA in one class and typically do not have very high expectation academically for this class?

Not True for My Gal's Sch.

They Don't Have Sports Class. ALL the Sports DSA R Spread out over the Non-GEP Classes, grouped by Sports Domain tog. Within the Same Class there R kids who DSA thru Sc, Maths, English, etc as well as those who R posted in thru S1 Posting Exercise. And they R expected to perform Above Avg academically. But Sch has Various schemes in place to help the students who R strapped for Time due to, say, the intensive National Team training.

Anyway, I'm Quite Sure that During DSA, the Sch Would Assess the Suitability of the Applicants, if they can Fit academically into the Academic Stream they will be admitted to Before they accept those Who DSA thru Sports.

[Mom2003]

My daughter is in Primary 5, she is interested in going to SOTA, she is into modern dance and Indian classical dance any tips for her on how she must prepare herself? She is doing SYF this year, she is a prefect and scores on an average of 85% every semester

[Zekezachzoom]

Thanks jtoh & funx3. I guess I will weigh the options more carefully when is time for DSA.


Jtoh - ya.. I heard the RI math thingy is extremely hard and some schools prep their students since p4 but not my DS school. I don't want him to loose his confidence over math after taking it but DS wants to try. Understand that the school will prep them somehow but I don't think is gonna enough. Has prepared my DS mentally will check out the Smops. Maybe the school sends different team to take part in it.

[jtoh]

Zekezachzoom:

Thanks jtoh & funx3. I guess I will weigh the options more carefully when is time for DSA.


Jtoh - ya.. I heard the RI math thingy is extremely hard and some schools prep their students since p4 but not my DS school. I don't want him to loose his confidence over math after taking it but DS wants to try. Understand that the school will prep them somehow but I don't think is gonna enough. Has prepared my DS mentally will check out the Smops. Maybe the school sends different team to take part in it.

Yes, prepare your son mentally for the RI Math test. You still have time to prepare him for SMOPS. I think your school should be able to send all those who are interested for SMOPS. Check it out.

[Snow Crystal]

Zekezachzoom:

Dear all experienced mums & dad here...


Riding on kitty questions, I too am trying to figure out whether a DSA route is better for my DS. I am not sure to put him through sport or academic DSA. He is very strong is math & science (constantly in the 90+ range) but rather weak in languages (around 80 range). He is in the school track & field team and won medals for his school in team & individual events. He is also a school prefect and a exco member. I am worried that if I put him thru sport DSA, the school will have certain expectation on him to excel in his sport and the academic will be secondary. Since he is not bad in his study, I am thinking of trying academic route instead.

Please give me some advice if you have similar experiences with your DC. Thanks.

Hi Z, I share jtoh's views that having above 90s in Math n Science is really not enough to set him apart. From what I gather from your posts, I assume RI is the school you have set your eyes on. Firstly check the historical records on how many track and field boys are chosen for past few year's RI DSA. Maybe can check around with sports seniors for such information bcos doubt the Sch will disclose. Then, review: if in past years, only say 1-2 boys in his area of track n field is/are chosen by RI, then what is your son's national ranking? If he's Number 1-2, there's chance. Go for it. However if his sports are good but not outstanding as in top national positions, his chance of going through sports DSA is much lower. Don't be disappointed. Sorry for being frank but got to be realistic. I read in this forum (RI thread perhaps) that there is min COP (below 240s) before they are put them into sports class. This is infor to be confirmed.

Next, academic wise, for RI academic DSA, he will be pitting against the SMOPS Platinum and Gold winners etc or Science Olympiad winners or Math/Science geniuses who have High Distinction for ICAS Math/Science etc. After catering for GEPpers and sports talents, there are very few seats left for RI Mainstream Academic. Most mainstream boys will walk away being rejected in its DSA.

My personal view is assess your chances, go for it but be prepared to be rejected. At the end, may still be more sound to go back to basics - work hard and hope to enter via PSLE S1.

[Zekezachzoom]

Thanks snow crystal for your advice. Nope, I am not setting my eye on RI knowing that it is going to be tough and put unnecessary stress to my DS. My only concern is knowing that his weaknesses in his languages, he may not be able to attain good TScore for a tier one secondary schools. Hence, have to look for some viable alternatives for him.


I am not really keen on sports DSA as I do not want my DS to be just a \"work horse\" to be trained to bring in the medals to the schools and study becomes secondary

[Coddington]

To do DSA,first aim for the DSA schools you want to enter.

Don’t choose too many.Max. 2-3 is suffice.
Produce as many certificates of achievements(academic, cognitive, sports)
from Pri.5 onwards.
And testimonial from your primary school.

Focus on Math-if you want to get into NUSH, HCI.
NUSH is a special case. They test & choose the students during
the selection rounds,
despite you are GEP or not.Science is tested on the spot.
If you are good at Olympiad Math, go for NUSH. They can accelerate you
to Yr2 OM programs during Yr1.
If you have won the Gold medal in NMOS
or Science, and admitted as Einstein Club member, you are quite
sure you are in following a series of process with them with the right attitudes.

RI & HCI are all-rounded. They require school academics & leadership performance, and mostly those GEP will get in.Many will get Waiting List.
But if you have very good PSLE scores and all distinctions, you sure to get in even you are on waiting list, if you put first choice.
For HCI, chances for Math(OM), Chinese, Sports(especially volleyball, TT)
talent is higher.

VS is as good as these schools.You will never regret going to VS.
VJC is very well-positioned in various competitive areas.
Not so easy to get in VS today if you do not have specialty.

No comment on others, …etc.

It’s all depends on whether you want to compete in the top tier of the
Premier League or not, where Champion League spot is up for grab.
The top 4+2 schools.

There will be plenty of work to do once the DSA rounds kickstart.

We aware that some of them will abandon their choices
(when offered successfully)
prior to PSLE and aim hard to score in PSLE, due to disillusion
and other reasons after going thru the entire DSA.

This is just experience, not a syllabus.

Good luck!!!

[Zekezachzoom]

Thanks all for your valuable input. It helps to set our expectation right. Looks like there are a lot to think about and it will sure be an emotional roller coaster ride if I decide to embark on it.


For now, I will focus on his performance on ca & SA and his well being. Ds is getting a bit sensitive now with so many things going in a light speed pace.

[jtoh]

Zekezachzoom:

Thanks snow crystal for your advice. Nope, I am not setting my eye on RI knowing that it is going to be tough and put unnecessary stress to my DS. My only concern is knowing that his weaknesses in his languages, he may not be able to attain good TScore for a tier one secondary schools. Hence, have to look for some viable alternatives for him.


I am not really keen on sports DSA as I do not want my DS to be just a \"work horse\" to be trained to bring in the medals to the schools and study becomes secondary

Hi. Snow Crystal's right in that it's easier to get a place through sports if your son is top of his field in a sport, compared to trying to secure a place academically. But ultimately you and your son have to decide if he's willing to commit for 4-6 years to a sport he may or may not have the passion for down the road. As your son seems to be strong academically, I say go for the academic route. If he passes the selection test, his strong leadership and sports skills will stand him in good stead for the interview stage. Be selective. Choose just 1-2 schools he's very keen on.