DSA 2012

[Snow Crystal]

24hr-mum:

which sec sch has dsa based on art or visual art?

what is the criteria to get in by art?

if to enter by academic, eg good in eng or ch, wats the benchmark?

For AEP, please refer for criteria at:
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/elective-programmes/files/art-elective-programme.pdf
Raffles family also can DSA via art.
Please refer to respective Sch website for DSA criteria. Differs from Sch to Sch.

For EL DSA for top IPs, High D in UNSW/ICAS competitions helps but many are also rejected so no guarantee. Maybe winning national/international essay writing competitions may help. The usual stages are IQ tests, academic tests and interviews, and assuming your kid is non GEP, seats are limited via academic mainstream so you can imagine what a tough route. Chinese DSA - sadly many who made it are China Chinese lah! Unless your kid is winner of national/international Chinese essay writing calibre and top 30 winners of Bilingual Olympiad (to DSA HCI and NYGH), again chances to get in via Chinese DSA to top IPs is very slim. Sorry if I paint a tough scenario but it's the reality if your kid is a mainstreamer trying to DSA top IPs via academics. If your kid is in SHHK BICEP program, it helps for IP schools like DHS but not for HCI/NYGH. Some friends' kid's went for HCI camp in p5 also did not get CO. Mainstreamer better bank on PSLE.

[mum42]

Snow Crystal:

24hr-mum:

which sec sch has dsa based on art or visual art?

what is the criteria to get in by art?

if to enter by academic, eg good in eng or ch, wats the benchmark?

For AEP, please refer for criteria at:
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/elective-programmes/files/art-elective-programme.pdf
Raffles family also can DSA via art.
Please refer to respective Sch website for DSA criteria. Differs from Sch to Sch.

For EL DSA for top IPs, High D in UNSW/ICAS competitions helps but many are also rejected so no guarantee. Maybe winning national/international essay writing competitions may help. The usual stages are IQ tests, academic tests and interviews, and assuming your kid is non GEP, seats are limited via academic mainstream so you can imagine what a tough route. Chinese DSA - sadly many who made it are China Chinese lah! Unless your kid is winner of national/international Chinese essay writing calibre and top 30 winners of Bilingual Olympiad (to DSA HCI and NYGH), again chances to get in via Chinese DSA to top IPs is very slim. Sorry if I paint a tough scenario but it's the reality if your kid is a mainstreamer trying to DSA top IPs via academics. If your kid is in SHHK BICEP program, it helps for IP schools like DHS but not for HCI/NYGH. Some friends' kid's went for HCI camp in p5 also did not get CO. Mainstreamer better bank on PSLE.

Totally agreed with Snow Crystal DSA academic for mainstreamer is v tough. Even for other subjects esp Math. The child must be the top math Olympiad before they r given a chance , d chances for a gold cert sometime is still not good enough for d top schools .

This year is Dragon year , competition will be intense , so worry for my DS.

[Song22]

Does anyone know about Weiqi DSA? I know some schools like HCI, DHS and RI have Weiqi CCA, but do they take in Weiqi DSA? I heard that HCI will usually take in one, but weiqi dsa thingy is not shown at their dsa website.

Hope experienced parents can sheer some lights, thanks!

[24hr-mum]

wow, looks like got nothing to dsa. my gal not in sports, have music backgrd but not high enuf std, cant write so well to enter writing competitions. but since she in art club i thot maybe can try the visual art domain, jus go for the test only right? nothing to prepare?

i m rather disillusioned wif the system. why must rob our kids of precious childhood wif competition at such young age. sigh. in the end, what they study may not be their calling in life

[Snow Crystal]

24hr-mum:

wow, looks like got nothing to dsa. my gal not in sports, have music backgrd but not high enuf std, cant write so well to enter writing competitions. but since she in art club i thot maybe can try the visual art domain, jus go for the test only right? nothing to prepare?

i m rather disillusioned wif the system. why must rob our kids of precious childhood wif competition at such young age. sigh. in the end, what they study may not be their calling in life

The current DSA caters mainly to GEP and exceptional talents (academic/sports/performing arts/visual arts etc). Balance seats post PSLE under S1 are allocated according to PSLE results. Thus majority still go in by PSLE results.

Visual art domain DSA requirements may differ from school to school. You have to zoom into your 1-2 dream schools and find out. No transfer allowed after DSA CO option exercised so some say no need to try so many schools.

You can still send your kid to try DSA via languages and art but manage expectations ok.

On another note, I guess the original intention of DSA is really to sieve out the exceptional talents and give them prior entry first. Eg some top sportsmen may not meet the usual COP of the top schools. So schools recruit them first via DSA - don't forget schools got KPI to be well-rounded - can study must also show that can win in running, jumping, shooting, swimming, throwing (balls and javelin) etc. This little group of exceptional kids help to upkeep the all-rounded image. Very important :evil: But soon it evolved to some pri sch parents with the end in mind first before embarking on CCA choice and working towards CCA portfolio building to gain DSA entry. So of course become super competitive especially in hot CCAs like swimming and badminton. Same as GEP - original intention was sift out the naturally talented and stretch them but due to ease of entry via DSA to top IPs, everyone wants a piece of the GEP pie thus hothousing via GEP prep classes started to emerge

[yukilei]

Hi, this URL is for GEP students who are interested in applying DSA to RI.


http://admissions.ri.edu.sg/php/uploads/2012%20DSA%20Y1%20GE.pdf

[Snow Crystal]

24hr-mum:

wow, looks like got nothing to dsa. my gal not in sports, have music backgrd but not high enuf std, cant write so well to enter writing competitions. but since she in art club i thot maybe can try the visual art domain, jus go for the test only right? nothing to prepare?

i m rather disillusioned wif the system. why must rob our kids of precious childhood wif competition at such young age. sigh. in the end, what they study may not be their calling in life

My comments are based on assumption that your DD is aiming IP school.
However, maybe DSA to the non IP schools may be slightly different story Not so sure and would appreciate those in the know to enlighten 24 hr-mum.
Wishing your DD all the best in her DSA and do share with us your insights of the DSA journey.

[Snow Crystal]

mum42:

This year is Dragon year , competition will be intense , so worry for my DS.

Oh yes, forgot about Dragon Year effect. Don't worry, work hard for PSLE and if he gets into dream school, very well. But if not, whichever school he gets, make the best out of it. I have a DS too and people say they bloom later (I hope). Push into dream sec school must also survive well there. The truth is sec Sch is a beginning of another bigger race. All the best to your DS! :rahrah:

[mum42]

Snow Crystal:

mum42:

This year is Dragon year , competition will be intense , so worry for my DS.

Oh yes, forgot about Dragon Year effect. Don't worry, work hard for PSLE and if he gets into dream school, very well. But if not, whichever school he gets, make the best out of it. I have a DS too and people say they bloom later (I hope). Push into dream sec school must also survive well there. The truth is sec Sch is a beginning of another bigger race. All the best to your DS! :rahrah:

:thankyou:

[BeContented]

Funx3:

BeContented:

Thanks a lot Funx3. For a moment was worried cos' I have yet to compile DS's 'portfolio'....wondering where to start from :scratchhead:

Ha Ha ....
Port-Fo-Lio .... Such a Big Word!
Sista Here Was :scratchhead: :scratchhead: my Head Last year in May/June Period Too!
Where to start? What to Put in? Am Totally Clue-less Too!

Finally, a couple of Wks B4 the Submission Date, I Took up the DSA Application Forms, Follow what is Stated Faithfully ....

Get my Gal to Write a Personal Statement - Like What they Stated,
Dig Here , Dig There (Like My Doggie! Ha Ha!) ....
Out comes a Stack of Papers ....
And Submit these, Some On Line (Got So Much to Scan! ), Some Just Staple and Put in a Clear Folder and Submit to Sch ....
And that Completes the Port-Fo-Lio!

Not so .... Scary, after ALL!

Funx3,
you sure make it sound simple
ok, so I can still shake leg.....until nearer the time....anyway, only plan to DSA 2 -3 (one cos' he likes Maths, the other cos' nearby