DSA 2021

[gksmummy]

Tq for the thread. Am interested to find out more abt dsa badminton n leadership.

My DD got a CO for badminton and here's her profile for reference.

1. DD represented in school team but her school team did not do well in zonal competition. One good thing was her school played against the primary school which was affiliated to the secondary school that offered her DSA. She won in the game.

2. Apart from participating in inter-school competition, i also signed up 3 external competitions during her P5. She did not win any medal in those 3 competitions, just to gain experience only.

3. She is also vice captain in the CCA badminton and hold other captains responsibility in the school

Hope this is helpful for you !

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and congrats on the confirmed offer!

Actually my son is the Same situation as your girl. But I'm still hesitant on dsa. Will think more abt it after sa2 results

[Tzuke]

Many parents make the mistake when come to DSA choosing only the few top schools without weighting their DS's ability to cope academically or can even fit into the schools' academic demand. To have a higher chance of success of gaining entry into the top 20 schools (base on Cut Off Point), the pupils' academic must not be too far off from the school's COP. Ten points below the COP is quite reasonable especially for DSA in sports.

For pupils aiming for the next 30 top schools, the chances to gain entry are much higher and you can afford to have a lower score against the COP. Say the school COP is 240 and your DS is in the region of 210 to 230. This is because the competition to compete for DSA places in these schools is lesser and many of this schools are willing to take in these students with good talent areas like sports. Remember that every schools allocate 20% (non affiliated schools) of the intake for DSA. For these so call 2nd tier top schools, the chances are much higher than the top 20 schools. For some schools, they are even willing to take in pupils with good talent areas as long as they meet the minimum 200 for Express. This is extremely unlikely for the top 20 schools.

For pupils who are very good academically, many parents still opted for DSA to secure for places in their choice schools in case their PSLE score may not turn out as expected. Kiasu maybe but understandable. This is how many on WL get a chance when these top students decided not to take up CO not from their 1st choice school.

Do not waste your 3 choices and choose wisely.

[zac's mum]

That is very good advice.

With the new AL system kicking in 2021, I think it would be good to chope a place in a 2nd tier school, that’s provided you really like the 2nd tier school and it’s a good fit for your child.

[Tzuke]

That is very good advice.

With the new AL system kicking in 2021, I think it would be good to chope a place in a 2nd tier school, that’s provided you really like the 2nd tier school and it’s a good fit for your child.

The problem with "choping" is that unless you are willing to accept any of the 3 schools you choose, you will end up rejecting the other two COs thus depriving others a CO place and increasing the WL place. Worst case, if your 1st choice is rejected by the school and you also reject the other two COs (2nd and 3rd choice) because you want to try via IS. You ended up wasting your child's time and efforts to go through the entire DSA exercise.

Hence, if your child is academically good, stay away from DSA or just apply the choice school and if CO offered, good, if not go for IS. DSA is basically for pupils who are not good academically for that choice school but have talents to be considered for that school and not meant for pupils who are academically good enough for the school.

[Zappy]

Tq for the thread. Am interested to find out more abt dsa badminton n leadership.

My DD got a CO for badminton and here's her profile for reference.

1. DD represented in school team but her school team did not do well in zonal competition. One good thing was her school played against the primary school which was affiliated to the secondary school that offered her DSA. She won in the game.

2. Apart from participating in inter-school competition, i also signed up 3 external competitions during her P5. She did not win any medal in those 3 competitions, just to gain experience only.

3. She is also vice captain in the CCA badminton and hold other captains responsibility in the school

Hope this is helpful for you !

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and congrats on the confirmed offer!

Actually my son is the Same situation as your girl. But I'm still hesitant on dsa. Will think more abt it after sa2 results

Actually, one key bit of info missing here is - which school are you aiming for?

There are some schools which are badminton powerhouses and having those listed credentials may not get you through the door. On the other hand, there are definitely schools which will invite the applicant for trials, interviews and offer CO/WL.

Another point to consider, also related to which school. What is the estimated T-score vs the schools’ COP. If it is too far off, many of the top academic schools may not want to get in a student who may struggle subsequently due to the rigors of the academic requirements. It would be potentially doing a disservice to the student too.

[floppy]

...
You ended up wasting your child's time and efforts to go through the entire DSA exercise.
...

Any process that strengthens or adds life experiences to the child isn’t wasting time nor effort.

Just saying.

[Cool nurse]

...
You ended up wasting your child's time and efforts to go through the entire DSA exercise.
...

Any process that strengthens or adds life experiences to the child isn’t wasting time nor effort.

Just saying.

I concur will floppy.

[Tzuke]

...
You ended up wasting your child's time and efforts to go through the entire DSA exercise.
...

Any process that strengthens or adds life experiences to the child isn’t wasting time nor effort.

Just saying.

Objectively speaking, you are right but that is not the intent and purpose of DSA. As parents, we are in better position to decide what is best for the child and the community. Just my thoughts!

[zac's mum]

I won’t be wasting my time DSA for my child just for the application + interview experience, and then to reject the CO anyway. That time & effort would be better spent on PSLE prep.

Still considering carefully.

Need to weigh the odds of getting a CO/WL given the limited places, versus the time lost beefing up the DSA portfolio, versus the time for academic studying.

It’s not like PV application just submit existing resume and no loss.

[Tzuke]

I won’t be wasting my time DSA for my child just for the application + interview experience, and then to reject the CO anyway. That time & effort would be better spent on PSLE prep.

Still considering carefully.

Need to weigh the odds of getting a CO/WL given the limited places, versus the time lost beefing up the DSA portfolio, versus the time for academic studying.

It’s not like PV application just submit existing resume and no loss.

Absolutely!