DSA 2013
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@Melodyme
1) Yes, chinese dance is one of NYGH’s core CCAs
2) For DSA via academics, your daughter would have to sit for 3 tests, English/Chinese and Mathematics. So unless she is exceptionally talented at all 3 subjects, DSA via CCA is definitely easier.
Do note that 4 years is not a short time. Performing arts CCAs generally have a lot of practices, usually 2-3 times a week, which may increase to 4-5 times per week if there are performances/syfs. It is a lot of commitment, so unless your daughter is really interested in the CCA, don’t enter via DSA.
@GDragon
There is no such thing as a superior answer for interview questions. The whole purpose of interviews is for the interviewers to understand the applicants and to select the ones who are able to fit into the school culture and to make the most out of their time in the school. So just be yourself.
FYI, I know of someone who replied: “sleep and slack around” to question 1, for a usp interview and he got in. -
Icymummy:
Does RI have express stream? or only IP program?
Hi
They only have the 6 yr thru train programme and they prefer to call it RP aka Raffles Programme -
GDragon:
Well I cant be exactly sure about this. I think something good will be a respond that is different from others and something the school has pride in. Change it a little and make it your own xD For the personal questions just say the truth and talk about how you can reach your goals I suppose?What is a superior answer for the following questions?
1. How do you spend your free time?
2. Have you had any setbacks or disappointments? How did you overcome them?
3. What are your goals and aspirations?
4. If you could be a piece of furniture, what would you be?
Also,I have a list of actual previous DSA interview questions, :evil: which i can provide if you give me a \"superior\" response. :boogie: -
Icymummy:
Does RI have express stream? or only IP program?
IP, i.e, RP for Rafflesians. -
GDragon:
LOL, this is hilarious!What is a superior answer for the following questions?
1. How do you spend your free time?
2. Have you had any setbacks or disappointments? How did you overcome them?
3. What are your goals and aspirations?
4. If you could be a piece of furniture, what would you be?
Also,I have a list of actual previous DSA interview questions, :evil: which i can provide if you give me a \"superior\" response. :boogie:
What's the purpose of this, btw? -
SignorWinter:
GDragon is a P6 student. I guess she is asking for guidance to answer these questions.
LOL, this is hilarious!GDragon:
What is a superior answer for the following questions?
1. How do you spend your free time?
2. Have you had any setbacks or disappointments? How did you overcome them?
3. What are your goals and aspirations?
4. If you could be a piece of furniture, what would you be?
Also,I have a list of actual previous DSA interview questions, :evil: which i can provide if you give me a \"superior\" response. :boogie:
What's the purpose of this, btw? -
Talking about DSA and RI. My kid received an invitation from RI to apply via DSA into athletics but he is not among the top 3 for his event, although he was a finalist for the Nationals. What does that mean for his chances? He was also among top 20 in the Singapore National AgeGroup for swimming but obviously not good enough since they prob only look at top10. At the same time, he also has a distinction for his RI Maths Olympaid thingy - 96.5 percentile - but no letter to apply via maths. I understand both routes are v different. Any advice how to max chances - do they look exclusive at one and not the other? Or will they take in someone generally decent in both sports and maths but not exactly a superachiever in either? Kid loves sports and spends 7 days a week training in either sport, and has no tuition. Thrives in competitive environment, so RI seems to be a decent bet? We hate exams so don't want to go for more tests unless there's a strong chance.... Any advice much appreciated!
:thankyou: -
HairyOrange:
Thank you, HairyOrange, for the info. It is definitely useful for P6 parents.
Hi ngl2010,ngl2010:
My understanding of DSA to the top 4 schools is as follows. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Most Geppers will be accepted to the top 4 schools.
Mainstreammers' chance is extremely small. Maybe around 30 seats per school and these already include those DSA through sports, arts and music.
Can clarify about DSA last year..for the boys schools
RI - Mainstreamers really tough path. Round 1 shortlist based on results and achievement portfolio (fairly straight forward). Getting thru Rd 1 was a challenging RI-own GAT test (much tougher than the std GAT by Principals Academy).
Rd 2 Maths domain test a killer and only abt 100 DS sat for test.
NO Rd 3 or interviews required.
HCI - Mainstreamers shortlisted based on results and achievement portfolio for Academic. Rd 1 English, Chinese and Maths test plus group interview. Believe its a straight forward fight round and interview performance really impt.
CH - Rd 1 GAT and Rd 2 individual interview.
Tips to parents - Chances for the pure IP schools (like RI, HCI, DHS, RV, etc) seems better since they have so many more vacancies during DSA stage. The mix IP/Express schools have much smaller intake and might have very different selection criteria from the top tier. Eg. VS has very interesting scenario simulation group activities. RGS has group debates for Chinese domain 2nd round (no price for guessing that native Mandarin speakers whip the locals)
DS accepted HCI CO since he prefer the school from the Open House experience and the SMOPS experience there. Today, half his class came in via DSA Academic (non GEP) and only 1 via Sports. Suppose its the same profile in all the HCI consortiums except iSpark.
P6 Parents,
Despite the busy prep for DSA application and PSLE, please take time to have heart to heart talk with your DS and DD. Key questions:
- Big fish in small pond or small in big pond. The reality will hit hard for the unprepared after your first few tests.
- Be prepared for very hard working and hyper motivated classmates. U will hear real cases of even boys crying when they get their test results. Just go to the schools FB Confession pages to read heartbreaking sharings.
- Are you prepared for long BUT fulfilling hours juggling homework, multiple projects, extra curriculum reading, ad hoc seminars/symposiums and CCA?
- CCAs in the top few IP schools are very competitive and highly committed and these are not just confined to sports CCA. Expect to train regularly multiple times a week almost year round and take part in numerous competitions. How else do these schools win scores of top placings and distinction awards each year because they do not just depend on the DSA Sports talents to deliver but are team efforts.
But if yr DD/DS relish absorbing new knowledge and eye-opening experiences like sponges and have die-hard attitudes in challenging environments (eg. get thrown into competitions and lose honourably when pit against competitors 5-6 years their senior), the IP schools will offer that in heaps and thats the place they will thrive.
Best wishes to all the P6 students and parents out there!
:thankyou: -
HairyOrange:
:goodpost: Fully agree!
Hi ngl2010,ngl2010:
My understanding of DSA to the top 4 schools is as follows. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Most Geppers will be accepted to the top 4 schools.
Mainstreammers' chance is extremely small. Maybe around 30 seats per school and these already include those DSA through sports, arts and music.
Can clarify about DSA last year..for the boys schools
RI - Mainstreamers really tough path. Round 1 shortlist based on results and achievement portfolio (fairly straight forward). Getting thru Rd 1 was a challenging RI-own GAT test (much tougher than the std GAT by Principals Academy).
Rd 2 Maths domain test a killer and only abt 100 DS sat for test.
NO Rd 3 or interviews required.
HCI - Mainstreamers shortlisted based on results and achievement portfolio for Academic. Rd 1 English, Chinese and Maths test plus group interview. Believe its a straight forward fight round and interview performance really impt.
CH - Rd 1 GAT and Rd 2 individual interview.
Tips to parents - Chances for the pure IP schools (like RI, HCI, DHS, RV, etc) seems better since they have so many more vacancies during DSA stage. The mix IP/Express schools have much smaller intake and might have very different selection criteria from the top tier. Eg. VS has very interesting scenario simulation group activities. RGS has group debates for Chinese domain 2nd round (no price for guessing that native Mandarin speakers whip the locals)
DS accepted HCI CO since he prefer the school from the Open House experience and the SMOPS experience there. Today, half his class came in via DSA Academic (non GEP) and only 1 via Sports. Suppose its the same profile in all the HCI consortiums except iSpark.
P6 Parents,
Despite the busy prep for DSA application and PSLE, please take time to have heart to heart talk with your DS and DD. Key questions:
- Big fish in small pond or small in big pond. The reality will hit hard for the unprepared after your first few tests.
- Be prepared for very hard working and hyper motivated classmates. U will hear real cases of even boys crying when they get their test results. Just go to the schools FB Confession pages to read heartbreaking sharings.
- Are you prepared for long BUT fulfilling hours juggling homework, multiple projects, extra curriculum reading, ad hoc seminars/symposiums and CCA?
- CCAs in the top few IP schools are very competitive and highly committed and these are not just confined to sports CCA. Expect to train regularly multiple times a week almost year round and take part in numerous competitions. How else do these schools win scores of top placings and distinction awards each year because they do not just depend on the DSA Sports talents to deliver but are team efforts.
But if yr DD/DS relish absorbing new knowledge and eye-opening experiences like sponges and have die-hard attitudes in challenging environments (eg. get thrown into competitions and lose honourably when pit against competitors 5-6 years their senior), the IP schools will offer that in heaps and thats the place they will thrive.
Best wishes to all the P6 students and parents out there!