jesschan:

I have heard from third parties that some kids managed to DSA via excellent school results only. I suppose it makes some sense because if you look at the past PSLE results, many schools produce at least one student with high T-score of above 260. So, I think if your kid top the school every year in P4-6, there is still a some chance to get in via DSA. Not sure if what I said made sense....

ks2011:

Hi Picolo


My dd is a jack of all trades, I guess. She only got selected to the 2nd round of test and did not make it in the final list. Then was in the twinning programme where she participated with the GEP students in some of the activities (not the same as being in GE) but she really enjoyed her primary school and her sport.

ks2011:

Frankly speaking, all the kids in her class seem good. Before my dd applied, I heard that commonwealth essay or getting best speaker award at the national schools debate helps. They still have to perform well in the test n interview.


If you feel that your child is a cut above others in a particular subject apply for dsa. The test administered for dsaa is different than the school exams.

I gave my dd's example to illustrate that she didn't get dsa inspite of all the small achievements. I had asked for advise at ksp forum last yr n was advised to focus on psle. I still feel that there is no harm in applying to 1-2 schools but don't be disheartened if your child does not get in thro' dsa. Remember that there is a second chance via psle.

ks2011:

Picolo:

[quote=\"ks2011\"]quote]


Hi ks2011, if you were able to turn back the clock, would you try to get your dd to RGS DSA (academic - English domain) instead or just discourage her to participate, and tell her to just focus on PSLE?

Based on hearsay, I personally find DSA (academic) to RGS/RI a waste of time since the chance of getting in via this route for mainstreamers is extremely low, almost 0. For me, I rather my child focus on PSLE but then he may still want to try DSA. :roll:

ks2011:

Picolo:

Hi ks2011, if you were able to turn back the clock, would you try to get your dd to RGS DSA (academic - English domain) instead or just discourage her to participate, and tell her to just focus on PSLE?

Based on hearsay, I personally find DSA (academic) to RGS/RI a waste of time since the chance of getting in via this route for mainstreamers is extremely low, almost 0. For me, I rather my child focus on PSLE but then he may still want to try DSA. :roll:

Hi Picolo, If I were to turn back the clock, I would let her participate in the english domain. Even then, I think the results would not have been very different. The kids selected for the english domain at RGS are really very good. I realise that for students who are consistently good academically, they are assured of getting into a good school via PSLE.

zeedoo:

peterch:

[quote=\"ks2011\"] Perhaps she should have applied under the English domain.

Picolo:

ks2011:

quote]


Hi ks2011, if you were able to turn back the clock, would you try to get your dd to RGS DSA (academic - English domain) instead or just discourage her to participate, and tell her to just focus on PSLE?

Based on hearsay, I personally find DSA (academic) to RGS/RI a waste of time since the chance of getting in via this route for mainstreamers is extremely low, almost 0. For me, I rather my child focus on PSLE but then he may still want to try DSA. :roll:

ruohoo97:

what we are facing here is actually chance vs possibility. Every endeavor we are pursuing involving cost and risk; yet with rewarding possibility. To face failure in DSA is not necessarily bad thing. It helps one to put her/him in right perspective, she/he will learn a lot from process. In the end of day, it is not DSA, not even PSLE matter, if we look at a life long journey. All the best to all DSA students, whatever the outcome, hope that we will get most of it. :hugs:

zeedoo:

peterch:

[quote=\"ks2011\"] Perhaps she should have applied under the English domain.

zeedoo:

Thanks for all your replies. I will probably show this to my daughter and encourage her to spend her time and effort on PSLE than on DSA


It is indeed very scary, the competition nowadays. During my time, I just had to study hard to get into RGS. Now it really seems an uphill task, what with the much more difficult syllabus and all the headstart that many seem to have in terms of tuition and competition awards...sigh

peterch:

ks2011:

Perhaps she should have applied under the English domain.

ks2011:

Good results may alone not be very useful for rgs. GAT is the 1st round. 2nd round is the subject based exam. This is where the competitive skills help. My dd applied for dsa last yr. She has always been top 3 in the level in the mainstream in a GEP school. She has a Maths Olympiad silver. She is a national level player for one of the sports not offered in DSA. She is a commonwealth essay bronze winner and was in school debate team. She didn't clear round 2 where the questions were of Maths Olympiad level. Perhaps she should have applied under the English domain. Anyways, she got into rgs after her psle results. Fortunately, we didn't accept co from other school.

ks2011:

Good results may alone not be very useful for rgs. GAT is the 1st round. 2nd round is the subject based exam. This is where the competitive skills help. My dd applied for dsa last yr. She has always been top 3 in the level in the mainstream in a GEP school. She has a Maths Olympiad silver. She is a national level player for one of the sports not offered in DSA. She is a commonwealth essay bronze winner and was in school debate team. She didn't clear round 2 where the questions were of Maths Olympiad level. Perhaps she should have applied under the English domain. Anyways, she got into rgs after her psle results. Fortunately, we didn't accept co from other school.