Which Top School to choose for DSA?

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:03:14 GMT

xxjustakidxx — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:03:14 GMT

Sun_2010:
mummyjoyce:

[quote=\"MOE_Hater\"]I got 74.5 for my SA1 for Science and 87 for P5 overall and they still gave me a CO. Lol.
You are a smart chap and confident too (watch that though).

Yeah! Watch that MOE_Hater [/quote]It pretty much concerns your primary school, and your class too. Pupils who get 100 for all their foundation subjects can't get in too, right?

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:18:03 GMT

Sun_2010 — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:18:03 GMT

mummyjoyce:

MOE_Hater:
I got 74.5 for my SA1 for Science and 87 for P5 overall and they still gave me a CO. Lol.
You are a smart chap and confident too (watch that though).

Yeah! Watch that MOE_Hater

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:14:41 GMT

francbat — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:14:41 GMT

Heartlander:
My son is in P6. He is doing well in his school and in competitions. For example, he scored Silver for the NMOS & Bronze for SMOPS. He has the most room for improvement for Chinese. He will do well enough to be in one of the top schools but not sure which one.

I am thinking of trying for the following for DSA:
1) RI
2) HCI
3) NUSHS
4) ACS(I)
5) NJC

Here are my questions:
A) RI vs HCI
I was an RI boy but my perception of HCI is that it is more progressive, takes more initiative, more engaging, more entrepreneural, etc. For example, they were first to merge the Sec & JC. They offer their own Diploma. They started HC International offering IB. Their SMOPS is well received. RI appears too elitist, and always one step slower. Objectively, would HCI be a better school for my child's development?

B) HCI vs NUSHS
My son is strong in Maths & Science. While NUSHS is strong in Maths & Science, HCI is also equally strong - judging from their performance in competitions like the SMO. So the real difference maybe just in perception & branding.

I am also concerned about the recognition for the NUSHS Diploma which is not as well established. Will that be a liability?

Thanks.

Last I heard, RI is offering the Raffles Diploma from 2011. Perhaps those who know both can compare. For Math and Science, RI and NUSHS stands out. The students who represent Singapore in the Intl Olympiads come from these 2 schools primarily. HCI does well in SMO only because of PRC scholars. And if you look at http://sms.math.nus.edu.sg/competitions/SMO2010.aspx and also past years, the top students come from RI and NUSHS.

I feel however it is too young for a child to decide that he wants to specialise in math and science. Keep his options open. When did you decide what you wanted to do in life? How many times did it change?

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:14:08 GMT

mummyjoyce — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:14:08 GMT

…[/quote]

I got 74.5 for my SA1 for Science and 87 for P5 overall and they still gave me a CO. Lol.[/quote]

You are a smart chap and confident too (watch that though).

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:10:30 GMT

verykiasu2010 — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:10:30 GMT

phankao:
MOE Hater:
NUS High

Shouldn't you be in school now?

may be not taking HCL in the prelims

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:09:32 GMT

phankao — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:09:32 GMT

MOE Hater:
NUS High

Shouldn't you be in school now?

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:07:07 GMT

MOE Hater — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:07:07 GMT

NUS High

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:47:33 GMT

verykiasu2010 — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:47:33 GMT

MOE Hater:
verykiasu2010:
[quote=\"sally\"]

I agreed with you. My boy is in Yr 1 this year, they don't have text book except HCL. Their teacher will distribute notes to them on the topic they are covering. Their Maths & Science really different from other IP school, e.g for Maths now they are covering some of the Yr 3 topic.

I don't know and the funny thing is that the students understand and able to do well.
those who got in NUSHS are generally good in math & sci - that is why they are there

and being able to get in means they are usually some higher scorers in math olympiad - hence not difficult for them to grasp year 3 stuff ...

I got 74.5 for my SA1 for Science and 87 for P5 overall and they still gave me a CO. Lol.[/quote]the CO is from which school again ?

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:08:14 GMT

MOE Hater — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:08:14 GMT

verykiasu2010:
sally:
[quote=\"ddparent\"]NUSHS is more selective. They really want the best for Math and Science. Unless your child is really very good at Science, I doubt a bronze in SMOPS will help a lot.

I agreed with you. My boy is in Yr 1 this year, they don't have text book except HCL. Their teacher will distribute notes to them on the topic they are covering. Their Maths & Science really different from other IP school, e.g for Maths now they are covering some of the Yr 3 topic.

I don't know and the funny thing is that the students understand and able to do well.

those who got in NUSHS are generally good in math & sci - that is why they are there

and being able to get in means they are usually some higher scorers in math olympiad - hence not difficult for them to grasp year 3 stuff ...[/quote]I got 74.5 for my SA1 for Science and 87 for P5 overall and they still gave me a CO. Lol.

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:24:26 GMT

Guthix — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:24:26 GMT

ddparent:
NUSHS is more selective. They really want the best for Math and Science. Unless your child is really very good at Science, I doubt a bronze in SMOPS will help a lot.

actually not if your kid is in GEP, as even those who doesn't do really well in Math and Science can get a Confirmed Offer. It should be quite easy to get in if you are GE, but the problem is that too few people are applying and those who \"think\" they stand a chance can get CO from other schools such as RI/RGS. If you are waiting listed, you actually still stand a pretty high chance.

also, NUSHS is rather attrative to my son only because of the module system in NUSHS. Read up more on the wikipedia or google it if you want.

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:54:54 GMT

wonderm — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:54:54 GMT

These are the dates from RI website:

GAT Sessions - RGS
21, 28 Jun
07, 13 Jul

Interviews
28 Jun – 13 Aug

Half Day Selection Tests for Short listed Applicants
10 & 24 Jul

Notification of DSA results
30 Aug

Notice that RI gives a long period for interview. Anyone knows if the shortlisted candidate who attend half day selection test will be interviewed at the same time, or do they need to go back for interview on another day? Will all of those who attend half day test be interviewed or just the shortlisted ones? In other words, does RI carry out another round of shortlisting, besides the one with GAT?

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:47:18 GMT

wonderm — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:47:18 GMT

onemore:
Heartlander:

I am thinking of trying for the following for DSA:
1) RI
2) HCI
3) NUSHS
4) ACS(I)
5) NJC

Here are my questions:
A) RI vs HCI
I was an RI boy but my perception of HCI is that it is more progressive, takes more initiative, more engaging, more entrepreneural, etc. For example, they were first to merge the Sec & JC. They offer their own Diploma. They started HC International offering IB. Their SMOPS is well received. RI appears too elitist, and always one step slower. Objectively, would HCI be a better school for my child's development?

Thanks.
Hi Heartlander,
Have to agree with you, especially the part on \"RI appears too elitist, and always one step slower.\"; after recent experience.

HCI has already completed their phase I DSA last Saturday in accordance with what they published in their official website; they stick to their schedule like clockwork. Looks like RI is really slack in their execution, I guess they think that they have no worries as all the top students like to get into RI!

If the polls here are a reflection of reality, would not be too surprised that why more people is now choosing to go into HCI than RI.

Just curious, are you saying RI is not following their published dates for DSA? I understand some have been invited for the half day test on 10 July which was the date stated on their website.

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:33:22 GMT

onemore — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:33:22 GMT

Heartlander:

I am thinking of trying for the following for DSA:
1) RI
2) HCI
3) NUSHS
4) ACS(I)
5) NJC

Here are my questions:
A) RI vs HCI
I was an RI boy but my perception of HCI is that it is more progressive, takes more initiative, more engaging, more entrepreneural, etc. For example, they were first to merge the Sec & JC. They offer their own Diploma. They started HC International offering IB. Their SMOPS is well received. RI appears too elitist, and always one step slower. Objectively, would HCI be a better school for my child's development?

Thanks.

Hi Heartlander,
Have to agree with you, especially the part on \"RI appears too elitist, and always one step slower.\"; after recent experience.

HCI has already completed their phase I DSA last Saturday in accordance with what they published in their official website; they stick to their schedule like clockwork. Looks like RI is really slack in their execution, I guess they think that they have no worries as all the top students like to get into RI!

If the polls here are a reflection of reality, would not be too surprised that why more people is now choosing to go into HCI than RI.

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Sun, 04 Jul 2010 03:09:24 GMT

yorknell — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 03:09:24 GMT

hi! i’m indonesian student interested in studyingin sngapore sec 3. i have tried the NUS HS DSA Which is really though.*'m unsure will be shortlisted. i’ll try the ri dsa and ACSI DSA For foreigner… i’ll do the aeis… is that any sec. school or ip school i should try to apply? Except sap… Because i don’t speak chinse well. Please recommend me a good school to try to apply! Thanks!

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:57:02 GMT

wonderm — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:57:02 GMT

verykiasu2010:
sally:
[quote=\"ddparent\"]NUSHS is more selective. They really want the best for Math and Science. Unless your child is really very good at Science, I doubt a bronze in SMOPS will help a lot.

I agreed with you. My boy is in Yr 1 this year, they don't have text book except HCL. Their teacher will distribute notes to them on the topic they are covering. Their Maths & Science really different from other IP school, e.g for Maths now they are covering some of the Yr 3 topic.

I don't know and the funny thing is that the students understand and able to do well.

those who got in NUSHS are generally good in math & sci - that is why they are there

and being able to get in means they are usually some higher scorers in math olympiad - hence not difficult for them to grasp year 3 stuff ...[/quote]This is not surprising. I have heard that RI and HCI cover some Sec 3 maths topics in Sec 1 too. I won't be surprised it is the same for other IP schools.

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:15:44 GMT

verykiasu2010 — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:15:44 GMT

sally:
ddparent:
NUSHS is more selective. They really want the best for Math and Science. Unless your child is really very good at Science, I doubt a bronze in SMOPS will help a lot.

I agreed with you. My boy is in Yr 1 this year, they don't have text book except HCL. Their teacher will distribute notes to them on the topic they are covering. Their Maths & Science really different from other IP school, e.g for Maths now they are covering some of the Yr 3 topic.

I don't know and the funny thing is that the students understand and able to do well.

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:24:25 GMT

sally — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:24:25 GMT

ddparent:
NUSHS is more selective. They really want the best for Math and Science. Unless your child is really very good at Science, I doubt a bronze in SMOPS will help a lot.

I agreed with you. My boy is in Yr 1 this year, they don't have text book except HCL. Their teacher will distribute notes to them on the topic they are covering. Their Maths & Science really different from other IP school, e.g for Maths now they are covering some of the Yr 3 topic.

I don't know and the funny thing is that the students understand and able to do well.

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:02:54 GMT

ddparent — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:02:54 GMT

NUSHS is more selective. They really want the best for Math and Science. Unless your child is really very good at Science, I doubt a bronze in SMOPS will help a lot.

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Fri, 14 May 2010 00:08:26 GMT

csc — Fri, 14 May 2010 00:08:26 GMT

[quote]The open houses benefit many others who go there to get a direct feel of the the school culture and environment and information on their programs. Indeed 3/4 of those going to the school open house may not land up there. From the school perspective these open house is like a branding excercise. Many top organisations continue to advertise their products and themselves even though they do not need to. Nowadays, schools are like that - a lot of marketing, branding and listing of their awards.[/quote]
You are right! The open houses will be on again - on a smaller scale - after the release of PSLE results in Nov.

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Thu, 13 May 2010 23:36:38 GMT

traineeks — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:36:38 GMT

csc:
phankao:
Of course I know they are having an open house and they do have every year ... but I was saying that they don't really need one bc they will not be short of applicants.

Definitely not short of applicants - BUT they are competing with the other top schools for the BEST applicants - they want the BEST of the crops -
肥水不留外人田ma!

Yes - the schools are competing for the top top tier students. These are the ones who will most likely bring them awards in olympics, debate and other competitions in the future. Example - there are about 70 platinum holders in SMOPS each year and most are boys. They are more or less evenly spread in RI/HCI/NUSH. Each of these schools will try to get as many of these type of students as they can. This is done not during the open houses but thru other direct sessions with these students.

The open houses benefit many others who go there to get a direct feel of the the school culture and environment and information on their programs. Indeed 3/4 of those going to the school open house may not land up there. From the school perspective these open house is like a branding excercise. Many top organisations continue to advertise their products and themselves even though they do not need to. Nowadays, schools are like that - a lot of marketing, branding and listing of their awards.

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Thu, 13 May 2010 17:16:23 GMT

traineeks — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:16:23 GMT

Heartlander:

B) HCI vs NUSHS
My son is strong in Maths & Science. While NUSHS is strong in Maths & Science, HCI is also equally strong - judging from their performance in competitions like the SMO. So the real difference maybe just in perception & branding.

I am also concerned about the recognition for the NUSHS Diploma which is not as well established. Will that be a liability?

The DSA test/camp dates for HCI & NUSHS clashes (24-Jul-10). I am torn because we have to drop one option before we even try. There is always the thought that if I drop the one that would have offered the place, while the other didn't, it would be a loss. Anyone has any advice which one to drop?

I will try to provide you some information based on my understanding of these two schools.

Recognition of the NUSH diploma:
The NUSH Diploma is now recognised by leading universities in USA, UK and Australia. Students from the pioneer batch has gained admission to Standford, MIT and other overseas university. It is also recognised by all local universities. Students from the pioneer batch have also been admitted to medical school in NUS. I think the uncertainty comes to play when you are aiming for scholarships. The ministries or organisations giving out these scholarships are not familar on how to compare the grades from NUS high vs the A levels. However I think this is a problem with the first few batches. By the time your son come to that stage, things would have sorted out.

DSA:
I would suggest that you apply to both schools. In the DSA process, one is never sure of getting admission or being shortlisted. Only the platinum holders of SMOPS are more or less sure of a place in the schools they apply. To reach the test date of HCI, your son needs to be shortlisted first.. To reach the camp of NUSH, your son needs to pass the selection test first. So why not apply both first and decide when he is selected by both schools for the 24 july events.
The NUSH test and camp focuses strongly on Maths and Science whereas the HCI test and interviews covers many areas including Chinese. One of the test is in Chinese and interviews may also be in Chinese.

Good Luck.

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Thu, 13 May 2010 10:03:48 GMT

tutortamil — Thu, 13 May 2010 10:03:48 GMT

tutortamil:
lol

i think he should be studing

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Thu, 13 May 2010 10:03:16 GMT

tutortamil — Thu, 13 May 2010 10:03:16 GMT

MdmKS:
Very strange ... :? This is SA1 week and this \"P6\" is not busy with SA1 preparation? And SA1 result is to be included for DSA.

lol

Reply to Which Top School to choose for DSA? on Thu, 13 May 2010 09:19:40 GMT

livewith_vanilla — Thu, 13 May 2010 09:19:40 GMT

MdmKS:
Very strange ... :? This is SA1 week and this \"P6\" is not busy with SA1 preparation? And SA1 result is to be included for DSA.

Hello! I'm a p6 girl and i've been watching this forum for the past few days as a form of relaxing.I'm extremely fascinated by the topics here. Actually, there isn't much to prepare,cause my school is setting papers that test u on non-routine questions instead of the normal straight-to-the point type.Hence,i given up on revising.:P Wrong attitude,i know.:P