DSA 2011

[superann]

Dad fm East:

[quote]not many schools will believe you if you tell them you only apply for one DSA, as most will apply for at least two, to have a choice

Although we like all the 3 schools we visited during open house, we only apply DSA to one school for DS. We discussed with DS and he only wanted to try for that particular school only. DW and me also agreed as we do not want DS to go thru too many tests as we could be quite stressful. I was also thinking I do not want to go thru the process of appealing if in the event we are rejected by the 1st choice, accepted the DSA from 2nd or 3rd choice and DS actually make the cut-off for 1st choice.

Btw, he was rejected by the school but eventually got in thru PSLE. I was really happy for him - heng arh! :D[/quote]Actually we had same feeling, as I heard DSA is very stressful process. The children, who went though DSA and been rejected, will lose their confidence. Normally the children who accepted by DSA also get good results in PSLE and join their dream school.

Any experience parents can suggest which schools are worth to do DSA? :oops:

[superann]

verykiasu2010:

Herbie:

DSA is like going for job interview... if you tell the company that you decide later... they will throw yr letter into the waste paper basket...

not necessarily true, after being through the DSA exercise in the same scenario of choice, plus having the chance of personal interaction with those teachers / principals / interviewers / interviewing coaches...

for GEP kids with consistent result, and high performing mainstream kids, receiving more than 1 DSA offers is norm. there is nothing wrong to tell the interviewers that decision will be made later, it is not a sign of being unsure of what you want. it is showing them being wise not to rush into a decision just because someone made the first offer. you have a choice and be mature about it. as a top/good student, you are in a position of strength.

it is just a trick question from the interviewer, nothing else. it is usually the last question for fun, they have already made up their mind. Such DSA interview is not so much giving the correct answer, it is how you present yourself, being articulate and genuine and honest than to give a superficial answer to please the listeners. Even for job interviews, bosses know how to sieve out the genuine answers from the boss-pleaser kind of answers.

as the parents and kids do find out more about the school even after receiving the various DSA offers, and also the DSA exercise form will only be distributed after they have sat for the PSLE, it perfectly okay to say that decision will be made later, up to the point of internet submission at end of October.

Normally I believe children and parents has done survey before they apply for DSA. I guess what the child can say is why he/she likes the school and then says I'll decide later if I really can get offer from more than one school :lol:

[phankao]

superann:

Any experience parents can suggest which schools are worth to do DSA? :oops:

\"worth to do\" DSA? Really, what's suitable for one child may not be suitable for another. So you'd really just have to decide which school you like and go for it.

[Herbie]

I think there shld be a cap to the no. of DSA a child can apply for.

So as not to rob others from of their opportunity in getting into their dream..

By having safety nets for yrself, you may end up being a 'road block' for others who want to get into their dream school..

[superann]

phankao:

superann:

Any experience parents can suggest which schools are worth to do DSA? :oops:

\"worth to do\" DSA? Really, what's suitable for one child may not be suitable for another. So you'd really just have to decide which school you like and go for it.

I'm quite lazy one. :oops: Just want to apply for one or two, but my DS increase his choices to three now. Maybe I should wait for open house and decide later. :lol:

[jtoh]

Herbie:

I think there shld be a cap to the no. of DSA a child can apply for.

So as not to rob others from of their opportunity in getting into their dream..

By having safety nets for yrself, you may end up being a 'road block' for others who want to get into their dream school..

The 'cap' should be self-imposed, not set by any authority. The kid and parents should limit themselves to a couple of schools they're keen on. No point applying for too many because it'll be exhausting in terms of time, effort and dollars.

[jtoh]

superann:

Dad fm East:

[quote]not many schools will believe you if you tell them you only apply for one DSA, as most will apply for at least two, to have a choice

Although we like all the 3 schools we visited during open house, we only apply DSA to one school for DS. We discussed with DS and he only wanted to try for that particular school only. DW and me also agreed as we do not want DS to go thru too many tests as we could be quite stressful. I was also thinking I do not want to go thru the process of appealing if in the event we are rejected by the 1st choice, accepted the DSA from 2nd or 3rd choice and DS actually make the cut-off for 1st choice.

Btw, he was rejected by the school but eventually got in thru PSLE. I was really happy for him - heng arh!

Actually we had same feeling, as I heard DSA is very stressful process. The children, who went though DSA and been rejected, will lose their confidence. Normally the children who accepted by DSA also get good results in PSLE and join their dream school.

Any experience parents can suggest which schools are worth to do DSA? :oops:[/quote]You and your child will know best which schools he/she is best suited for and hence may want to try DSA for. We can't advise you as we don't know your child's abilities/interests. If you could list the schools on your radar and your child's talents, maybe parents could give you some idea on how difficult it might be.

[lizawa]

Herbie:

I think there shld be a cap to the no. of DSA a child can apply for.

So as not to rob others from of their opportunity in getting into their dream..

By having safety nets for yrself, you may end up being a 'road block' for others who want to get into their dream school..

I know one boy who dsa into 4 schools and got confirmed offer from all 4. And i know another boy who dsa into more than 5 schools and got 1 confirmed offer from 1 which is not his \"dream\" school but just apply because he wants to play safe. In the end, his PSLE results meets the COP of his dream school, but appeal fails and he has to stick with the DSAed school.

My point is, if you are good, you will get into the school of your choice, either by DSA or otherwise. if you are average, your chances will be low for DSA, so why bother to apply for so many, just target 1 or 2 dream schools. If it doesn't work hard, PSLE is the other chance.

[Herbie]

HHi Jtoh, But sadly, kiasuparents will not self imposed hence MOE shld just put a ‘cap’ to it. And that will ‘force’ the parents and kids to decide and commit to their DSA application.


Otherwise, the school has to process so many application and end of the day you just say bye bye to them…

We have to teach the kid to be responsible and not based on the ‘wat if’ (e.g falling sick) scenario and cast so many safety nets for themselves.

[tisha]

lizawa:

I know one boy who dsa into 4 schools and got confirmed offer from all 4. And i know another boy who dsa into more than 5 schools and got 1 confirmed offer from 1 which is not his \"dream\" school but just apply because he wants to play safe. In the end, his PSLE results meets the COP of his dream school, but appeal fails and he has to stick with the DSAed school.

My point is, if you are good, you will get into the school of your choice, either by DSA or otherwise. if you are average, your chances will be low for DSA, so why bother to apply for so many, just target 1 or 2 dream schools. If it doesn't work hard, PSLE is the other chance.

Thanks for sharing lizawa. Some food for thought, really.
Agree with you.