DSA 2023

[newkeynesian]

floppy\" post_id=\"2074275\" time=\"1657708759\" user_id=\"97579:

The students are always viewed holistically. Hence, if a student has been doing well consistently, schools are not put off by one-off bad result (the reverse is also true: if the student hasn’t been doing well all the time, scoring a AL4 in the mid year isn’t going to wow the selectors). Furthermore, AL14 won’t be beyond any schools’ threshold for DSA Sports in the first round, especially if the school has O Level stream.

Notwithstanding, the first level filter for DSA Sports is always about the sports achievement. The second level cut would be about the aptitude and attitude of the candidate.

My take would be that the student’s achievement isn’t outstanding enough against other candidates. It’s a DSA Sports application but details about the achievements aren’t shared. Few medals but what are they? Pesta Sukan? National Wushu Championship? NSG? When were they won? Is he a Singapore Wushu Federation National athlete? These are the details that the selectors would be looking at.

Very very close description of the actual.

[Squarish]

My child joined an external netball club for quite some times. Her school doesn’t have any netball. Would there be chances that she can get thru DSA with a external netball club?

[floppy]

Squarish\" post_id=\"2074761\" time=\"1657954017\" user_id=\"88527:

My child joined an external netball club for quite some times. Her school doesn't have any netball. Would there be chances that she can get thru DSA with a external netball club?

I think the question should be whether the external netball club is a recreational club or a competitive one. If it’s a competitive club, which are the comp that it takes part in and how well is it performing. Recreational clubs or clubs without anything to show for will naturally have a much lower priority.

[Kittenprincess]

Hi all, i’ll like to ask for personal experiences. My child is considering DSA to RGS under academic (not decided which subject yet). However, she does not have a school CCA for various reasons . Being P5 late in the year now, it’s a little too late to join one. I know the RGS website clearly states that one of their criteria for DSA English / Math is "sustain active participation in the curriculum and co-curriculum…".


But does anyone have personal stories to share of girls who made it in without CCA participation?

As an aside, she has some piano and ballet competition awards under her belt (not sure if that will count as "co-curriculum")

Many thanks in advance for any responses. Just trying to set expectations for next year - if it’s a lost cause we may not even try.

[floppy]

Kittenprincess\" post_id=\"2075048\" time=\"1658128689\" user_id=\"69025:

Hi all, i'll like to ask for personal experiences. My child is considering DSA to RGS under academic (not decided which subject yet). However, she does not have a school CCA for various reasons . Being P5 late in the year now, it's a little too late to join one. I know the RGS website clearly states that one of their criteria for DSA English / Math is \"sustain active participation in the curriculum and co-curriculum...\".

But does anyone have personal stories to share of girls who made it in without CCA participation?

As an aside, she has some piano and ballet competition awards under her belt (not sure if that will count as \"co-curriculum\")

Many thanks in advance for any responses. Just trying to set expectations for next year - if it's a lost cause we may not even try.

If you are applying via an academic subject, the school, naturally, will want to look at achievements or CCA participation in the relevant subject matter. It could be things like involvement in plays, storytelling competition, 书法比赛, Olympiads, etc.

Basically, what all schools would like to know (in general) is, beyond being able to score AL1 or 2 (maybe even 3?), what else is going to substantiate / proof / show the student’s passion for the subject matter? There has to be something extra to look for in a candidate beyond just mugging for good grades. If the student is good at studying only, the better option would be PSLE results.

[Zeal mummy]

Kittenprincess\" post_id=\"2075048\" time=\"1658128689\" user_id=\"69025:

Hi all, i'll like to ask for personal experiences. My child is considering DSA to RGS under academic (not decided which subject yet). However, she does not have a school CCA for various reasons . Being P5 late in the year now, it's a little too late to join one. I know the RGS website clearly states that one of their criteria for DSA English / Math is \"sustain active participation in the curriculum and co-curriculum...\".

But does anyone have personal stories to share of girls who made it in without CCA participation?

As an aside, she has some piano and ballet competition awards under her belt (not sure if that will count as \"co-curriculum\")

Many thanks in advance for any responses. Just trying to set expectations for next year - if it's a lost cause we may not even try.

Someone shared this profile of her daughter’s application for DSA English. (Disclaimer: not my kid’s) Looks like your child is not the only one without a CCA.

- got Gold in The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2018 and 2019
- won The World Wildlife Fund Young Reporters for the Environment National Competition
- won the PSDO ( Primary School Debate Open) 2018
- A* for English since P5 (band 1 for English since P1)
- got Gold in Math Olympiad
- got Distinction for Higher Chinese since P5
- got Gold in Singapore National Figure Skating Competition 2019
- ABRSM Piano grade 8 with distinction
- won the International Ballet Grand Prix in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019
- GEP student at RGPS

Having a fantastic CcA is not necessary for academic domains, but you’ll have to showcase your child’s passion, love and interest in that particular domain. All the best and hope it helps!

[floppy]

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2075110\" time=\"1658192215\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2075110 time=1658192215 user_id=58173]
Someone shared this profile of her daughter’s application for DSA English. (Disclaimer: not my kid’s) Looks like your child is not the only one without a CCA.

- got Gold in The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2018 and 2019
- won The World Wildlife Fund Young Reporters for the Environment National Competition
- won the PSDO ( Primary School Debate Open) 2018
- A* for English since P5 (band 1 for English since P1)
- got Gold in Math Olympiad
- got Distinction for Higher Chinese since P5
- got Gold in Singapore National Figure Skating Competition 2019
- ABRSM Piano grade 8 with distinction
- won the International Ballet Grand Prix in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019
- GEP student at RGPS

Having a fantastic CcA is not necessary for academic domains, but you’ll have to showcase your child’s passion, love and interest in that particular domain. All the best and hope it helps![/quote]

I think for DSA English, the items in blue will be important. The rest of the items are to fill up space.

[Zeal mummy]

floppy\" post_id=\"2075111\" time=\"1658192389\" user_id=\"97579:

I think for DSA English, the items in blue will be important. The rest of the items are to fill up space.

If you’re thinking of Rgs.. it will definitely be a plus to include the rest of her varied achievements to display what this child is also capable of ..independently managing her studies (doing well in math/higher Chinese) despite her heavy commitment towards skating, piano and ballet.

[floppy]

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2075114\" time=\"1658193040\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2075114 time=1658193040 user_id=58173]
If you’re thinking of Rgs.. it will definitely be a plus to include the rest of her varied achievements to display what this child is also capable of ..independently managing her studies (doing well in math/higher Chinese) despite her heavy commitment towards skating, piano and ballet.[/quote]

Yes, no doubt, but it will also throw up additional spanners:

If you have to decide representing the school in an English competition, or attending a national figure skating competition happening on the same day, which would you choose?

or

The commitments from our DSA students are high. You will be required to attend 3x extra CCA / lessons after school. It may mean that you have to sacrifice your figure skating or ballet. How would you decide?

At the end of the day, DSA commitments is contractual. Students are expected to go through with it. Managing to do well with 4 subjects isn't necessary the same as doing well with 8 subjects. If the student can address those concerns and be clear in her plans, no problem. Just need to prep for it. Otherwise, it may not go down well with the selectors. Less, is sometimes, more (but nothing is nothing :evil: ).

[Zeal mummy]

floppy\" post_id=\"2075116\" time=\"1658193714\" user_id=\"97579:

Yes, no doubt, but it will also throw up additional spanners:

If you have to decide representing the school in an English competition, or attending a national figure skating competition happening on the same day, which would you choose?

or

The commitments from our DSA students are high. You will be required to attend 3x extra CCA / lessons after school. It may mean that you have to sacrifice your figure skating or ballet. How would you decide?

At the end of the day, DSA commitments is contractual. Students are expected to go through with it. Managing to do well with 4 subjects isn't necessary the same as doing well with 8 subjects. If the student can address those concerns and be clear in her plans, no problem. Just need to prep for it. Otherwise, it may not go down well with the selectors. Less, is sometimes, more (but nothing is nothing :evil: ).

We can agree to disagree. I would not input less just so that the child may seem less capable and thus have more time for the selected domain. I also do not think the interviewer would mind my child being more outstanding than the other student. On the other hand, it shows excellent time management and the exposure, varied activities that is invaluable.