DSA 2022

[ChiefKiasu]

CoolSotongMom\" post_id=\"2063580\" time=\"1649135127\" user_id=\"196684:

Hi All!

I have been following this thread as my girl will be trying for DSA next year.

I agree with ChiefKiasu. A lot of times, I have head parents saying there's no harm trying for it since its free anyway. After they have been awarded a CO, they will then decide whether they want it. I find it a waste of time, effort and resources. TBH, I feel it might even be better to snap a application fee so that we can filter these people away.

Speaking of scholarships, I did have a discussion years ago with a fellow scholar. He is of the opinion that scholarships are there to recognize excellence in studies, while I am more of the opinion that scholarships are there to help those who will not get to the school without their help. In fact, he was thinking of paying off the bond of $300K+ after school. According to him, students who need help to get to a school should get a bursary instead.

The issue of prestige versus utility. Not sure if this discussion belongs here... but what do you think?

[zac's mum]

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2063591\" time=\"1649140060\" user_id=\"3:

Speaking of scholarships, I did have a discussion years ago with a fellow scholar. He is of the opinion that scholarships are there to recognize excellence in studies, while I am more of the opinion that scholarships are there to help those who will not get to the school without their help. In fact, he was thinking of paying off the bond of $300K+ after school. According to him, students who need help to get to a school should get a bursary instead.

The issue of prestige versus utility. Not sure if this discussion belongs here... but what do you think?

Maybe the simple way to deal with such is not to allow any paying off of bonds.

[ChiefKiasu]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2063593\" time=\"1649140379\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2063593 time=1649140379 user_id=53606]
Maybe the simple way to deal with such is not to allow any paying off of bonds.[/quote]

But he is not wrong to say that scholarships are for everybody, rich or poor, and they do have an element of \"prestige\" in them. I think the cost of $300K+ is already a deterrent for most of the poorer folks like us so we don't anyhow break our bonds. My sister who was one of my guarantors, was all ready to fly over and chop off my head if I don't come back :rotflmao:

[Liew Nga Wing]

Whether we call it as scholarships or a bursary, the basic principle is - no students will be deter from going future study because of "No money".

[CoolSotongMom]

Why in the first place does the rich (referring to those who can afford the fees easily) applied for scholarships if they can well afford it? Just so as to tell people that they are excellent enough to get it? I am of the opinion that scholarships are to help people who has difficulties to continue further studies when they have excellent performance. I am sure there are already different awards in place to recognize that excellency.

[ChiefKiasu]

CoolSotongMom\" post_id=\"2063609\" time=\"1649146858\" user_id=\"196684:

Why in the first place does the rich (referring to those who can afford the fees easily) applied for scholarships if they can well afford it? Just so as to tell people that they are excellent enough to get it? I am of the opinion that scholarships are to help people who has difficulties to continue further studies when they have excellent performance. I am sure there are already different awards in place to recognize that excellency.

I do agree with you, but in the same context, does it mean we should be banning well-to-do families from scholarships? That doesn't seem right either.

[Notabene]

On an entirely different topic, for schools like ACSI where there are two streams (IB/O level) for DSA, can the school override the student’s preference ultimately when offering the CO?


eg, if child has preference for IB when submitting for DSA, does this mean that the school will only consider you for this stream, and what does it depend on?

Or perhaps is the DSA offered a generic one and the actual stream (IB/O level) is dependent on PSLE result?

[zac's mum]

Notabene\" post_id=\"2063629\" time=\"1649152796\" user_id=\"36517:

On an entirely different topic, for schools like ACSI where there are two streams (IB/O level) for DSA, can the school override the student's preference ultimately when offering the CO?

eg, if child has preference for IB when submitting for DSA, does this mean that the school will only consider you for this stream, and what does it depend on?

Or perhaps is the DSA offered a generic one and the actual stream (IB/O level) is dependent on PSLE result?

This qn is best asked at their Open House.

In previous years, some forummers did mention that if the CO was for O level stream, and PSLE result turns out to meet the IB COP, then u can go appeal for the seat to be upgraded IB. But no officially published word on this as far as I know.

[Notabene]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2063632\" time=\"1649154539\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2063632 time=1649154539 user_id=53606]
This qn is best asked at their Open House.

In previous years, some forummers did mention that if the CO was for O level stream, and PSLE result turns out to meet the IB COP, then u can go appeal for the seat to be upgraded IB. But no officially published word on this as far as I know.[/quote]

Thank you so much! I'll ask this Saturday then. Since last years DSA results were apparently very late due to Covid, what is the normal time frame for DSA CO's to be offered if they are lucky enough to be offered?

[zac's mum]

Notabene\" post_id=\"2063652\" time=\"1649166351\" user_id=\"36517:

Thank you so much! I'll ask this Saturday then. Since last years DSA results were apparently very late due to Covid, what is the normal time frame for DSA CO's to be offered if they are lucky enough to be offered?

I believe the CO/WLs come in the midst of prelims, some maybe even after prelims (with interviews/auditons happening in the midst of prelims?)…but in any case, it doesnt really matter, as the deadline to submit the preference/acceptance form is always *after* the kids sit for the PSLE.