DSA 2017

[Champion]

ImMeeMee:

Where to find information on DSA for Singapore Sports School.


TIA for pointing me a direction.

https://www.sportsschool.edu.sg/admissions/admission-by-sport/secondary-school

Hope this helps

[aadorew]

Parents, do you think dsa camp help? Anyone’s kids have attend such courses? What are the good secondary school in south of Singapore? Plse advise if any one know the school. Many thanks

[aadorew]

Parents, do you think dsa camp help? Anyone’s kids have attend such courses? What are the good secondary school in south of Singapore? Plse advise if any one know the school. Many thanks

[taurbear]

anyone can share dsa on NUS High and Dunman High?

[venus77]

Reporting here!!


Not sure if DS can make it for DSA…
Just try la!!

[CMF]

My personal view is that most DSA camps essentially focus on interview skills and presentation of one self. I feel that there’s only so much such sessions can help.


What perhaps is more essential is identifying which DSA category will the child best excel in and enjoy in the long term (esp for CCA or sports category), and then focus & build on it. DSA is after all, identifying exceptional talent in certain niche areas. So if the child shines in it, and has "credentials" to highlight and support his/her application, that will at least get them to the interview (if any) stage.

For the interview, the child essentially needs to be confident (which they will have if their credentials are there), comfortable (which they will be, if they can speak earnestly & passionately about their area of DSA interest) and answer sincerely (which they should try to be) during the interview.

I feel that it’s an ongoing process preparing for DSA, not so much a one-time or few sessions camp.

[aadorew]

Thanks CMF for your advice. I heard some parents who enrolled their kid via DSA as a result their kids do not like the cca in the secondary school. Although the parent tries to communicate with the school, however, the feedback is that the kid has to go to find another secondary school. Since he goes to his Dream school via DSA. Any parents encounter such situation? Would like ur advice plse. Tks

[CMF]

The DSA process allows "pre-selection" by the school and consequently the offer of a place by the said school not based on PSLE results, but based on the school’s determination of the child’s talent & ability in the particular DSA niche area / sport etc. Hence once the offer is taken up, the condition of acceptance is on that basis.


Unfortunately there are some who take the view that the main thing is just getting into the desired school regardless, and hope to thereafter "talk to the school", about the child not liking the chosen area / CCA etc, or not coping etc, in the hope that the school will understand etc and excuse the child accordingly, since after all the child is already in the school. Schools however are generally not sympathetic to such instances as understandably it undermines the whole DSA process etc, including the opportunity to have offered the places to others who may have been a better fit etc. Likewise, once a DSA offer has been made by the school, it stands regardless of PSLE results (assuming it meets the school’s minimum cutoff).

Schools have been heard to have requested the DSA child to seek alternative schools if they do not wish to continue their DSA commitment in the DSA school. Fair?

[wolf_19]

Fabbymum:

Hi there,


I would like to ask is it really necessary for kid to attend DSA preparation (like interview, etc) camps before any attempt for DSA application is made?

Such courses are time consuming and can be expensive.

Thanks.

If the child's grades are relatively good and the child has good CCA achievements and there is a good chance that the child will be shortlisted for an interview, it is a good idea to prepare for DSA interview. IMHO, personal 1-1 coaching is the best rather than camps and workshops because the coach is able to help the child formulate impressive answers that are honest and sincere and based on the child's achievements and background.

I also used the information on http://www.dsainterview.com when I was preparing my ds for DSA and will use it for my dd next year. it has some good tips and best of all its free !

Hope this helps and all the best !

[hquek]

I didn’t put DS1 through any prep camp/class. Reason being that I wanted him to be honest and not sound scripted. Not sure if outcome would have been different if I had but I was told before by a sec school teacher that they can tell when a child sounds prepared vs one that is honest. I had got some ideas from past questions shared by kspers and suffice to say, none came out during his interview sessions.