DSA 2023

[bbbay]

Hi parents


A workbook created to aid DSA school search:

https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/sg.parent

Open the workbook ending with “DSA”. View it on a computer； will not display in full when viewing from phone

[Shirley_415]

My daughter has demonstrated some talent in music (violin grade 8 with 2nd instrument of piano started 1 yr ago) and virtual art. She was shortlisted by Sota for violin after attending Sota master class, but I understand she still need to attend audition and interviews. Hence, we have submitted VA for Sota as the 2nd art form too. Would any parent share the experience of Sota DSA application?

[zac's mum]

Shirley_415\" post_id=\"2065190\" time=\"1650695790\" user_id=\"127476:

My daughter has demonstrated some talent in music (violin grade 8 with 2nd instrument of piano started 1 yr ago) and virtual art. She was shortlisted by Sota for violin after attending Sota master class, but I understand she still need to attend audition and interviews. Hence, we have submitted VA for Sota as the 2nd art form too. Would any parent share the experience of Sota DSA application?

You may be asking at the wrong thread?

Maybe u can ask at the DSA2022 thread (Year 2022 application for entry into Sec 1 2023):

https://kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=101834&start=290

[Shirley_415]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2065193\" time=\"1650696412\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2065193 time=1650696412 user_id=53606]
You may be asking at the wrong thread?

Maybe u can ask at the DSA2022 thread (Year 2022 application for entry into Sec 1 2023):

https://kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=101834&start=290[/quote]

Thanks for highlighting. Yes, I have replied under a wrong thread…

[gryphon888]

iRabbit\" post_id=\"2063635\" time=\"1649154983\" user_id=\"51587:

I feel that the problem with using Sci DSA is that there are lesser competitions available. Furthermore, some prestigious ones like that NUSH one has a fixed quota per school. So if one is in a competitive pri sch, he may not be sent for Sci competitions if he’s not among the best in his batch.

MO, on the other hand, has almost no cap per sch.

What are the Sci competitions available to pri students nowadays?

Despite the fact that Math has many more competitions that Science, but if your kid wants to get into top schools like RI, for your info, RI would almost definitely take in only those who have at least won GOLD (yes, AT LEAST), at various MO competitions, or even consider those who have won top THREE at Math competitions.

Meanwhile, the friends who fully understand how to game the DSA system went for Science competitions, whatever they could find to enter. The kids just won Bronzes and Silvers for some, and yes, they are in year 1 at RI now. So don’t be under the wrong impression that just because Science has less competitions, it is relatively more competitive. We can assure you it is way less competitive than your kid trying his luck at RI with Math Domain. Too many Math whiz kids.

Again, just sharing some tips to help those kids with less ‘stellar’ Math “achievements” to have a better chance at getting into RI or their other choice schools.

Good luck to all the p6 kids and parents this year!

[ChiefKiasu]

gryphon888\" post_id=\"2066313\" time=\"1651712603\" user_id=\"197583:

Despite the fact that Math has many more competitions that Science, but if your kid wants to get into top schools like RI, for your info, RI would almost definitely take in only those who have at least won GOLD (yes, AT LEAST), at various MO competitions, or even consider those who have won top THREE at Math competitions.

Meanwhile, the friends who fully understand how to game the DSA system went for Science competitions, whatever they could find to enter. The kids just won Bronzes and Silvers for some, and yes, they are in year 1 at RI now. So don’t be under the wrong impression that just because Science has less competitions, it is relatively more competitive. We can assure you it is way less competitive than your kid trying his luck at RI with Math Domain. Too many Math whiz kids.

Again, just sharing some tips to help those kids with less ‘stellar’ Math “achievements” to have a better chance at getting into RI or their other choice schools.

Good luck to all the p6 kids and parents this year!

Thank you for the hint! So kids should try out Science competitions to prepare for DSA. Perhaps we should have a schedule of both Math and Science competitions so that parents can be made aware?

[iRabbit]

gryphon888\" post_id=\"2066313\" time=\"1651712603\" user_id=\"197583:

Despite the fact that Math has many more competitions that Science, but if your kid wants to get into top schools like RI, for your info, RI would almost definitely take in only those who have at least won GOLD (yes, AT LEAST), at various MO competitions, or even consider those who have won top THREE at Math competitions.

Meanwhile, the friends who fully understand how to game the DSA system went for Science competitions, whatever they could find to enter. The kids just won Bronzes and Silvers for some, and yes, they are in year 1 at RI now. So don’t be under the wrong impression that just because Science has less competitions, it is relatively more competitive. We can assure you it is way less competitive than your kid trying his luck at RI with Math Domain. Too many Math whiz kids.

Again, just sharing some tips to help those kids with less ‘stellar’ Math “achievements” to have a better chance at getting into RI or their other choice schools.

Good luck to all the p6 kids and parents this year!

I understand where you're coming from. Just that during ds' time, he wasn't selected for any SO competition by his primary sch coz the competition then was insane. So he had to use his MO results to apply for DSA instead.

Your advice reminded me of an incident - my ex-colleague told me that he sent his kids for external badminton training (with an eye to use it for DSA later) coz the table tennis route was just too competitive.

[iRabbit]

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2066316\" time=\"1651713300\" user_id=\"3:

Thank you for the hint! So kids should try out Science competitions to prepare for DSA. Perhaps we should have a schedule of both Math and Science competitions so that parents can be made aware?

I believe that will be very useful indeed. There are Math ctrs that prep students for MO competitions.

I wonder if there's any for SO as well.

[SG_KP1]

Ultimately, parents should try to provide activities/opportunities for their kids in areas where the kids are interested. Can get DSA or cannot get DSA the time and effort spent will still be worth it. Doing something because there may be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow will often end in disappointment…


I don’t know if the odds for Science are truly better than they are for Math. But even if the Science odds are better, the odds will get closer together once everyone piles into Science competitions, etc. And as I’ve said elsewhere, I don’t think Academic DSA is a "free entry" or "no strings attached" ticket.

Understand there is some feedback loop between what you are good at, what you experience success in, and what you like to focus on. But I still think internal interest > chasing an externally driven goal.

[ChiefKiasu]

To get started, here's the https://www.internationalolympiadacademy.com/olympiads/sasmo-singapore-amp-asian-schools-math-olympiad#:~:text=The%20top%2040%25%20winners%20are,SIMOC%20will%20be%20held%20online.:

17 July 2022 for top 40% winners
26 November 2022 for top 20% winners