DSA academic route

[zeedoo]

Thanks for all your replies. I will probably show this to my daughter and encourage her to spend her time and effort on PSLE than on DSA


It is indeed very scary, the competition nowadays. During my time, I just had to study hard to get into RGS. Now it really seems an uphill task, what with the much more difficult syllabus and all the headstart that many seem to have in terms of tuition and competition awards…sigh

[zeedoo]

peterch:

ks2011:

Perhaps she should have applied under the English domain.

BTW, what does the English domain entail? What kind of achievements are expected? Is it ok to just impress at the interview with one's eloquence?

[jtoh]

zeedoo:

Thanks for all your replies. I will probably show this to my daughter and encourage her to spend her time and effort on PSLE than on DSA


It is indeed very scary, the competition nowadays. During my time, I just had to study hard to get into RGS. Now it really seems an uphill task, what with the much more difficult syllabus and all the headstart that many seem to have in terms of tuition and competition awards...sigh

Just encourage your dd to study hard and do well at PSLE. She can still get into RGS that way, no need for competition awards. In fact the majority of girls get into RGS that way.

[jtoh]

zeedoo:

peterch:

[quote=\"ks2011\"] Perhaps she should have applied under the English domain.

BTW, what does the English domain entail? What kind of achievements are expected? Is it ok to just impress at the interview with one's eloquence? [/quote]No, there's GAT and the English test, both of which you have to clear before you're even called up for an interview. I think there are several English-related competitions which would help in your application. Off the top of my head I can think of the Commonwealth Essay Writing competition, UNSW English, debate teams etc.

[jesschan]

I suppose it is very difficult get into top tier IP schools (cut-off point constantly above 260) via DSA because they can cherry pick since they will get the best students during the main posting after PSLE results are released anyway.

But I think most schools understand if a student can get above 255 in PSLE, he or she is probably very good already. So for the other IP schools, they may want to lock in good students, who have been doing well consistently in school and are likely to get above 255 in PSLE, during the DSA period first. Hence, in my personal opinion, it is ok to try DSA so long as the student understands that it is not the end of the world if his or her DSA is unsuccessful.

[ruohoo97]

what we are facing here is actually chance vs possibility. Every endeavor we are pursuing involving cost and risk; yet with rewarding possibility. To face failure in DSA is not necessarily bad thing. It helps one to put her/him in right perspective, she/he will learn a lot from process. In the end of day, it is not DSA, not even PSLE matter, if we look at a life long journey. All the best to all DSA students, whatever the outcome, hope that we will get most of it. :hugs:

[jesschan]

ruohoo97:

what we are facing here is actually chance vs possibility. Every endeavor we are pursuing involving cost and risk; yet with rewarding possibility. To face failure in DSA is not necessarily bad thing. It helps one to put her/him in right perspective, she/he will learn a lot from process. In the end of day, it is not DSA, not even PSLE matter, if we look at a life long journey. All the best to all DSA students, whatever the outcome, hope that we will get most of it. :hugs:

Totally agree.

[ks2011]

Picolo:

ks2011:

quote]


Hi ks2011, if you were able to turn back the clock, would you try to get your dd to RGS DSA (academic - English domain) instead or just discourage her to participate, and tell her to just focus on PSLE?

Based on hearsay, I personally find DSA (academic) to RGS/RI a waste of time since the chance of getting in via this route for mainstreamers is extremely low, almost 0. For me, I rather my child focus on PSLE but then he may still want to try DSA. :roll:

Hi Picolo, If I were to turn back the clock, I would let her participate in the english domain. Even then, I think the results would not have been very different. The kids selected for the english domain at RGS are really very good. I realise that for students who are consistently good academically, they are assured of getting into a good school via PSLE.

[ks2011]

zeedoo:

peterch:

[quote=\"ks2011\"] Perhaps she should have applied under the English domain.

BTW, what does the English domain entail? What kind of achievements are expected? Is it ok to just impress at the interview with one's eloquence? [/quote]I think there was some poetry appreciation and group discussion for the domain test. I am not sure. Others in the forum might be able to help.

[Picolo]

ks2011:

Picolo:

Hi ks2011, if you were able to turn back the clock, would you try to get your dd to RGS DSA (academic - English domain) instead or just discourage her to participate, and tell her to just focus on PSLE?

Based on hearsay, I personally find DSA (academic) to RGS/RI a waste of time since the chance of getting in via this route for mainstreamers is extremely low, almost 0. For me, I rather my child focus on PSLE but then he may still want to try DSA. :roll:

Hi Picolo, If I were to turn back the clock, I would let her participate in the english domain. Even then, I think the results would not have been very different. The kids selected for the english domain at RGS are really very good. I realise that for students who are consistently good academically, they are assured of getting into a good school via PSLE.

Thanks for info. I think so too. Each top primary school should have min. 30 mainstreamers to be able to get PSLE score of 262 & above, which allows them to go to any desired sec school. Consistently good students should not worry too much about DSA. A friend's dd was devastated when she didn't get into NYGS via DSA (Acad), though she has won in a few CL writing competitions. But she managed to persevere and got 264 for PSLE. Finally managed to get in via S1 posting anyway.

BTW your dd is really good. Have you ever wondered why she didn't get into GEP? Or, did she reject GEP?