DSA 2012

[Snow Crystal]

Zekezachzoom:

Dear all experienced mums & dad here...


Riding on kitty questions, I too am trying to figure out whether a DSA route is better for my DS. I am not sure to put him through sport or academic DSA. He is very strong is math & science (constantly in the 90+ range) but rather weak in languages (around 80 range). He is in the school track & field team and won medals for his school in team & individual events. He is also a school prefect and a exco member. I am worried that if I put him thru sport DSA, the school will have certain expectation on him to excel in his sport and the academic will be secondary. Since he is not bad in his study, I am thinking of trying academic route instead.

Please give me some advice if you have similar experiences with your DC. Thanks.

Hi Z, I share jtoh's views that having above 90s in Math n Science is really not enough to set him apart. From what I gather from your posts, I assume RI is the school you have set your eyes on. Firstly check the historical records on how many track and field boys are chosen for past few year's RI DSA. Maybe can check around with sports seniors for such information bcos doubt the Sch will disclose. Then, review: if in past years, only say 1-2 boys in his area of track n field is/are chosen by RI, then what is your son's national ranking? If he's Number 1-2, there's chance. Go for it. However if his sports are good but not outstanding as in top national positions, his chance of going through sports DSA is much lower. Don't be disappointed. Sorry for being frank but got to be realistic. I read in this forum (RI thread perhaps) that there is min COP (below 240s) before they are put them into sports class. This is infor to be confirmed.

Next, academic wise, for RI academic DSA, he will be pitting against the SMOPS Platinum and Gold winners etc or Science Olympiad winners or Math/Science geniuses who have High Distinction for ICAS Math/Science etc. After catering for GEPpers and sports talents, there are very few seats left for RI Mainstream Academic. Most mainstream boys will walk away being rejected in its DSA.

My personal view is assess your chances, go for it but be prepared to be rejected. At the end, may still be more sound to go back to basics - work hard and hope to enter via PSLE S1.

[Zekezachzoom]

Thanks snow crystal for your advice. Nope, I am not setting my eye on RI knowing that it is going to be tough and put unnecessary stress to my DS. My only concern is knowing that his weaknesses in his languages, he may not be able to attain good TScore for a tier one secondary schools. Hence, have to look for some viable alternatives for him.


I am not really keen on sports DSA as I do not want my DS to be just a \"work horse\" to be trained to bring in the medals to the schools and study becomes secondary

[Coddington]

To do DSA,first aim for the DSA schools you want to enter.

Don’t choose too many.Max. 2-3 is suffice.
Produce as many certificates of achievements(academic, cognitive, sports)
from Pri.5 onwards.
And testimonial from your primary school.

Focus on Math-if you want to get into NUSH, HCI.
NUSH is a special case. They test & choose the students during
the selection rounds,
despite you are GEP or not.Science is tested on the spot.
If you are good at Olympiad Math, go for NUSH. They can accelerate you
to Yr2 OM programs during Yr1.
If you have won the Gold medal in NMOS
or Science, and admitted as Einstein Club member, you are quite
sure you are in following a series of process with them with the right attitudes.

RI & HCI are all-rounded. They require school academics & leadership performance, and mostly those GEP will get in.Many will get Waiting List.
But if you have very good PSLE scores and all distinctions, you sure to get in even you are on waiting list, if you put first choice.
For HCI, chances for Math(OM), Chinese, Sports(especially volleyball, TT)
talent is higher.

VS is as good as these schools.You will never regret going to VS.
VJC is very well-positioned in various competitive areas.
Not so easy to get in VS today if you do not have specialty.

No comment on others, …etc.

It’s all depends on whether you want to compete in the top tier of the
Premier League or not, where Champion League spot is up for grab.
The top 4+2 schools.

There will be plenty of work to do once the DSA rounds kickstart.

We aware that some of them will abandon their choices
(when offered successfully)
prior to PSLE and aim hard to score in PSLE, due to disillusion
and other reasons after going thru the entire DSA.

This is just experience, not a syllabus.

Good luck!!!

[Zekezachzoom]

Thanks all for your valuable input. It helps to set our expectation right. Looks like there are a lot to think about and it will sure be an emotional roller coaster ride if I decide to embark on it.


For now, I will focus on his performance on ca & SA and his well being. Ds is getting a bit sensitive now with so many things going in a light speed pace.

[jtoh]

Zekezachzoom:

Thanks snow crystal for your advice. Nope, I am not setting my eye on RI knowing that it is going to be tough and put unnecessary stress to my DS. My only concern is knowing that his weaknesses in his languages, he may not be able to attain good TScore for a tier one secondary schools. Hence, have to look for some viable alternatives for him.


I am not really keen on sports DSA as I do not want my DS to be just a \"work horse\" to be trained to bring in the medals to the schools and study becomes secondary

Hi. Snow Crystal's right in that it's easier to get a place through sports if your son is top of his field in a sport, compared to trying to secure a place academically. But ultimately you and your son have to decide if he's willing to commit for 4-6 years to a sport he may or may not have the passion for down the road. As your son seems to be strong academically, I say go for the academic route. If he passes the selection test, his strong leadership and sports skills will stand him in good stead for the interview stage. Be selective. Choose just 1-2 schools he's very keen on.

[verykiasu2010]

only DSA for the school you genuinely do not mind getting in


don’t go for any school just to secure a DSA offer

no need to DSA for the school you are sure to get in via PSLE S1 posting

[En-joy]

my daughter got into RGS last year via dsa sport. For parents who are keen to try this route, I must share that it can be very stressful becos school training and private training were going like 4 times a week in June hols (when everyone else is mugging like mad). July was competition time, Aug was dsa sports trial, Sept was school prelims and Oct was PSLE.


i was constantly debating if we have made the right move all since March to August, but I did not express my worry to my daughter, so as not to cause her more anxiety.

so for those who are interested, your child has to be very disciplined becos he has to study very hard after training (which could take up 40% of his time) and it can be very tiring. not much time to rest at all, no slack time, every minute counts.

i was very stressed becos had she not been successful in her dsa, a lot of time will be wasted while her friends can study at a more humane pace.

so parents, think carefully. unless you are very sure your child has an added competitve advantage (so that he can stand a much higher chance in the midst of hundreds), otherwise, academic result is the crucial one. it can be a big gamble and you can lose Time

once you have decided to go for it, you must persevere all the way and be extremely supportive! it can be quite a rollercoaster ride : emotionally, mentally and physically

all the best! :rahrah:

[Coddington]

The child has to feel SWEET + fun after doing all these DSA thingy.

Not the parents.

[En-joy]

yeah, thank goodness she loves her sport so much! she took her trainings as breaks from studying

[Coddington]

Agreed with you.

In Secondary & High school level, first and outmost,
the child MUST like it, whether it’s sports, arts,
robotics, any CCA. Otherwise they won’t do well.
Not about whether the parents like it or not.

Same for my ds & his fren…,chess, swimming, Olympiad Math,
robotics, volleyball, football, cross-country…
effort, stamina, time, endurance, commitment are all needed…
etc…and somekind of luck at the end…etc.