DSA 2022
-
Mr.Clumsy\" post_id=\"2082004\" time=\"1663030250\" user_id=\"135989:
Oh got it, thank you so much!
Per MOE's website (https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary/dsa/preferences
Students who have received offers through DSA-Sec should submit their preferred choice of schools to us from 9am on Monday, 31 October 2022 to 3pm on Friday, 4 November 2022.
You can submit your child's preferences:
Through the DSA-Sec Portal.
Contact your child's primary school.
It seems that either approach is acceptable but I would prefer to do so via the DSA-Sec Portal when it opens up on 31 October 2022. Since this was the avenue used to submit DSA applications in the first place, it makes sense (at least to me) to follow this approach in making the school selection. -
Today’s Update (13 September, T+1)
Good morning everyone. We are at T+1 day, i.e. it’s a day after MOE’s deadline of 12 September. Presumably, all schools would have communicated their DSA results by now though some may have opted for the snail mail approach (DHS, we’re looking at you) so it may take a bit longer for applicants there to be notified.
For better or worse, I’m hoping that all students have received their DSA results and can now focus on their PSLEs. Listening Comprehension is on Friday (16 September) before a week+ of reprieve and then the papers kick off fast and furious. Before we know it, all of this (DSAs, COs, WLs, GEPs, PSLEs etc.) will be but a lingering memory. So, make the best of it regardless of outcomes. Experience it as I’m sure, at some point in our lives, we’ll wish we could go back and re-live all of this once again (even though we won’t publicly admit it)
It has been a pleasure sharing the updates. I hope some of you have found them as useful as I’ve had fun posting them. As before, congrats to all who received COs & WLs. And, GOOD LUCK to all students and parents regardless!
Onwards & upwards!
DSA 2022 Results Dates
4 August
- NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (NUSH)
- Maris Stella High School
5 August
- Anglican High School
12 August
- Nan Chiau High School
- Chung Cheng High School Yishun (CCHY)
13 August
- Xinmin Secondary School
16 August
- CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)
18 August
- School of the Arts (SOTA)
- Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School
- Fuhua Secondary School
22 August
- St. Joseph's Institution (SJI)
23 August
- Anglo Chinese School (Independent) (ACSI)
24 August
- Hwa Chong Institution (HCI)
29 August
- Zhonghua Secondary School
30 August
- Raffles Girls’ School (RGS)
31 August
- Victoria School (VS)
- CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School (SNGS)
- Anderson Secondary School
- Catholic High School (CHS)
1 September
- Swiss Cottage Secondary School
2 September
- River Valley High School (RVHS)
- Cedar Girls’ Secondary School (CGSS)
- School of Science & Technology (SST)
5 September
- Temasek Junior College (TJC)
- Nanyang Girls' High School (NYGH)
- Nan Hua High School
6 September
- Raffles Institution (RI) (Note: Certain sports domains were notified on 1 Sept via phone)
- Tanjong Katong Girls' School (TKGS)
- Crescent Girls’ Schools (CGS)
7 September
- National Junior College (NJC)
8 September
- Methodist Girls’ School (MGS)
9 September
- Singapore Chinese Girls' School (SCGS)
- Temasek Secondary School
- Dunman High School (DHS) (By snail mail)
10 September
- Chung Cheng High School (Main)
- St. Andrew’s Secondary School
11 September
- Anglican High School
12 September (MOE DEADLINE)
- St Margaret's Secondary School (SMSS)
NEXT STEPS
Per MOE’s website:
Students who have received offers through DSA-Sec should submit their preferred choice of schools to us from 9am on Monday, 31 October 2022 to 3pm on Friday, 4 November 2022.
You can submit your child's preferences:
[list]- Through the DSA-Sec Portal.
[/list][list]- Contact your child's primary school.
[/list]
See: https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary/dsa/preferences -
Mr.Clumsy\" post_id=\"2082005\" time=\"1663030456\" user_id=\"135989:
Hi just jumping in with my thoughts.
Hi there! Do your DS have the option of SJI & SOTA (under Visual Arts) too?
Currently, I'm more inclined to with SJI than SOTA though this reflects my traditional/old-school mentality more than anything else. I'd like a more well-rounded school rather than one which is so arts-focused. I do think, however, that SOTA has a more progressive IB program whereas SJI is more traditional. Can't really decide for now but eager to hear others' thoughts too.
I believe the time commitment spent by the Visual Arts DSA boys in the obligatory SJI’s Josephian Arts Programme is much less taxing than at SOTA - at the latter, the DSA art form will be their compulsory CCA. Hence, if your boy has other interests besides VA, if he picks SJI he would be able to explore such & join another CCA if he wants. -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2082008\" time=\"1663032777\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2082008 time=1663032777 user_id=53606]
Totally agree, @zac's mum! It's great if art is his world but I don't know that for sure. I'd like him to have a more open mind for the time being hence my preference for SJI over SOTA.
Hi just jumping in with my thoughts.
I believe the time commitment spent by the Visual Arts DSA boys in the obligatory SJI’s Josephian Arts Programme is much less taxing than at SOTA - at the latter, the DSA art form will be their compulsory CCA. Hence, if your boy has other interests besides VA, if he picks SJI he would be able to explore such & join another CCA if he wants.[/quote] -
SOTA’s IB curriculum is the exactly the same as the other Singapore IB schools. They offer most of the same subjects although the breadth in choice of subjects offered will differ from school to school anyway. SOTA also offers anticipated Chinese (same as ACSI) so they can have one less subject to study in Y6 if they qualify.
Those that choose (and qualify for) Double Science in Yr 5, will have to drop their Group 6 subject which is their Art Form. This is the same requirement for ALL IB schools globally (including ACSI) regardless of which school and which country. The main difference is that SOTA does not offer TRIPLE Science, which requires you to drop your Humanities subject.
To be honest, being in SOTA means a very high chance of a 7 (top bracket) in IB for a Group 6 subject. And being at SOTA means that the Group 6 (ART Form) must be one of your HL subjects. Having had 4 years of intense Art Form, it then should be a relatively easy HL subject to score well in.
The double science class kids that no longer do an art form in SOTA do miss doing their Art Form subject, but they only form a small percentage of the cohort. Double Science used to be a much desired subject combo for degrees like Medicine, however most B.Med degrees are now post graduate or a double degree, and therefore if you have a single science (usually Chem) you are accepted. The second science is done in your final year of your first degree. If you speak with Doctors that train fresh interns, they really value students with a holistic approach (less traditional) which is where SOTA students have the advantage.
Things to consider btw IP and IB:
A Levels and O Levels are SIngapore specific exams. They are NOT the same exams that UK students sit for and are significantly harder. Those that can afford to, usually send their kids overseas for their A Levels to take the UK A Level equivalent version and guarantee an easier pathway into a UK University. Hence the stress in O Levels and A Levels in SG. It is necessarily harder because of the limited places in local Uni’s here.
IB is the same GLOBAL Exam for all students. It is NOT made specifically harder for Singaporeans. Hence most MOE students regardless of school, are better prepared than International school kids for IB due to the rigour and discipline in MOE schools. Singapore has the highest global average for the IB exam (IB average is 40) and has traditionally dominated this exam on a global platform. SOTA’s average is 41.1, which is just behind SJI (42) and ACSI (42.7)
IB is also used for entrance into all universities globally, and is not weighted against Singaporeans who sit for tougher O Levels and A Levels. If you are targeting overseas universities, then it would be a sensible strategy to choose IB over IP (A Levels) for a fairer reflection of the student’s abilities.
SOTA vs ACSI/MGS vs SJI
Less choice of Sport CCAs (I think Floorball, Badminton, Tchoukball)
Your area of interest eg music lessons are paid for
Literary Arts kids can choose Film in IB for their Group 6 subject. Other Art Forms can also switch to Film instead of their current Art Form if they wish.
SOTA does not offer Business Management but does offer Economics (both HL and SL)
Students are offered unique opportunities to collaborate with other kids from other art forms throughout their school life
You can also choose more CCA’s in addition to your Art Form and most kids do. However there is a lot of time that is devoted to your Art form (think of it as a heavy CCA commitment)
Also, despite the name, SOTA is not like a traditional “Arts School” like Juilliard or Paris Ballet etc. Think of it as a taster dish. The academic rigour is the same as any other IB school, hence the very long school days.
For the kids that know that they ONLY want to do their Art form (eg go to UK to do dance) would leave SOTA to go overseas by Yr5. Others will choose IBCP which is the career related pathway that has significantly less IB subjects. The unique advantage SOTA offers is that it buys most of these kids with talent, some time to make some decisions about what they are truly passionate about. Most kids find a sense of belonging once they get to SOTA in Y1- like being welcomed to a tribe, gives them a sense of pride, purpose and a unique identity. Once they get an idea of how intense their Art Form can be, some are turned off (usually by the theoretical components) , but for some its enough to confirm that they wish to pursue further study. Some choose to not pursue anything related to their Arts and go on to pursue Med or Law etc. The choice is open to them which is what makes SOTA unique as a “Arts School”
Good luck in your decision making process! -
Mr.Clumsy\" post_id=\"2082005\" time=\"1663030456\" user_id=\"135989:
Hi my daughter received CO from sota for visual arts too and she was very clear as long as she gets sota every other offer is irrelevant.She has been wanting to go sota since she was 8 years old.I have a couple of acquaintances who teach at sota and a friend whose niece just graduated from sota and doing psychology at NTU so we are satisfied with the programme.It is pretty much the same as the ACS IB ..some diff is that year 5/6 they cab choose the path where it is more career related rather than the normal IB.
Hi there! Do your DS have the option of SJI & SOTA (under Visual Arts) too?
Currently, I'm more inclined to with SJI than SOTA though this reflects my traditional/old-school mentality more than anything else. I'd like a more well-rounded school rather than one which is so arts-focused. I do think, however, that SOTA has a more progressive IB program whereas SJI is more traditional. Can't really decide for now but eager to hear others' thoughts too.
Most importantly would be to see the personality of your son as IB would have more projects and presentations. Which would suit his style and mode more?From my daughters personality I believe it would suit her.Also which would your son prefer?How much would be like doing Art especially when it comes to the technical and in depth? I know many who loves Art but prefers the fun part of it and complains when it is the dry part.
Maybe call each school and find out in depth about everything,talk to your son about each school and see which he prefers.
All the best! -
Notabene\" post_id=\"2082012\" time=\"1663035684\" user_id=\"36517:
Thank you and agree with most of your points (IP/A/O vs. IB, Singapore vs. Global, etc).
SOTA’s IB curriculum is the exactly the same as the other Singapore IB schools. They offer most of the same subjects although the breadth in choice of subjects offered will differ from school to school anyway. SOTA also offers anticipated Chinese (same as ACSI) so they can have one less subject to study in Y6 if they qualify.
Those that choose (and qualify for) Double Science in Yr 5, will have to drop their Group 6 subject which is their Art Form. This is the same requirement for ALL IB schools globally (including ACSI) regardless of which school and which country. The main difference is that SOTA does not offer TRIPLE Science, which requires you to drop your Humanities subject.
To be honest, being in SOTA means a very high chance of a 7 (top bracket) in IB for a Group 6 subject. And being at SOTA means that the Group 6 (ART Form) must be one of your HL subjects. Having had 4 years of intense Art Form, it then should be a relatively easy HL subject to score well in.
The double science class kids that no longer do an art form in SOTA do miss doing their Art Form subject, but they only form a small percentage of the cohort. Double Science used to be a much desired subject combo for degrees like Medicine, however most B.Med degrees are now post graduate or a double degree, and therefore if you have a single science (usually Chem) you are accepted. The second science is done in your final year of your first degree. If you speak with Doctors that train fresh interns, they really value students with a holistic approach (less traditional) which is where SOTA students have the advantage.
Things to consider btw IP and IB:
A Levels and O Levels are SIngapore specific exams. They are NOT the same exams that UK students sit for and are significantly harder. Those that can afford to, usually send their kids overseas for their A Levels to take the UK A Level equivalent version and guarantee an easier pathway into a UK University. Hence the stress in O Levels and A Levels in SG. It is necessarily harder because of the limited places in local Uni’s here.
IB is the same GLOBAL Exam for all students. It is NOT made specifically harder for Singaporeans. Hence most MOE students regardless of school, are better prepared than International school kids for IB due to the rigour and discipline in MOE schools. Singapore has the highest global average for the IB exam (IB average is 40) and has traditionally dominated this exam on a global platform. SOTA’s average is 41.1, which is just behind SJI (42) and ACSI (42.7)
IB is also used for entrance into all universities globally, and is not weighted against Singaporeans who sit for tougher O Levels and A Levels. If you are targeting overseas universities, then it would be a sensible strategy to choose IB over IP (A Levels) for a fairer reflection of the student’s abilities.
SOTA vs ACSI/MGS vs SJI
Less choice of Sport CCAs (I think Floorball, Badminton, Tchoukball)
Your area of interest eg music lessons are paid for
Literary Arts kids can choose Film in IB for their Group 6 subject. Other Art Forms can also switch to Film instead of their current Art Form if they wish.
SOTA does not offer Business Management but does offer Economics (both HL and SL)
Students are offered unique opportunities to collaborate with other kids from other art forms throughout their school life
You can also choose more CCA’s in addition to your Art Form and most kids do. However there is a lot of time that is devoted to your Art form (think of it as a heavy CCA commitment)
good luck in your decision making process!
For clarity, I believe the Literary Arts kids could previously drop Category 6 (if don't want to take Film) and take Literature and Performance (Category 1 - Language and Literature). However, this year I was told that the Literary Arts kids (entering 2023) will have a dedicated Category 6 class by the time they reach Year 5, and I was never given a straight answer as to whether Category 6 could be dropped (for double Science as you mentioned above). If one doesn't care, then that is fine. However, it may be something others would like to confirm.
Good luck. -
ling2311\" post_id=\"2082001\" time=\"1663028439\" user_id=\"28419:
Hope we will receive today
i also didnt receive anything too :scratchhead: guess it is still on the way 🙏🏻
-
Just for clarity, I have no real opinion on IP/A Level vs. IB. I think the yearly assessment/promotion calculations are different (more EOY in IP/A Level although I think this also varies by school), but I think the actual day to day work has become more similar (there are a lot of projects and group work in IP A Level as well). Also, if I am not mistaken the final IB score (i.e. 45 points) is still 70%-80% final written exam so going IB does not relieve one of the "high stakes test."
As for sciences, many will take triple science in upper sec only to cut back to two sciences in JC. One can argue that another humanities subject would help kids more in upper secondary. At the same time, those who like science or want to pursue Medicine may benefit from taking Bio earlier (although not needed). I do believe double science in JC still has some advantage as it relates to keeping certain university tracks open, and to me this is a consideration for IB Category 6 (if planning to go overseas it is less of an issue). Of course, there are also Arts track kids that don’t take any Sciences in A Level JC and that is fine too.
The end result is that SOTA/IB will still allow you to do many things. Similarly, IP A Level will still allow kids to study fewer subjects in-depth and be well rounded by taking up other opportunities in school. In both cases, the curriculum is what it is. What the student does is what matters more.
Best of luck to all that are deciding between the two tracks. -
SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2082014\" time=\"1663036605\" user_id=\"188234:
Yes, for the LA kids they must take Lit Performance, which is the same subject that the double science kids must take to replace their missing Group 6. I guess the only way you can confirm if by IB will offer a dedicated Group 6 subject for Lit Arts by 2026 (for those that enter in 2023) is to contact IB yourself or do your own research. IBO is in charge of syllabus changes and responds independently to the school. And of course I would imagine that if indeed it becomes its own Group 6 stand alone subject, that SOTA would be the first to offer it. Lit Arts however is much time the same as HL Lit so it would be tough to justify a Group 6 subject just for Lit Arts given the similarities. Just my opinion though.
Thank you and agree with most of your points (IP/A/O vs. IB, Singapore vs. Global, etc).
For clarity, I believe the Literary Arts kids could previously drop Category 6 (if don't want to take Film) and take Literature and Performance (Category 1 - Language and Literature). However, this year I was told that the Literary Arts kids (entering 2023) will have a dedicated Category 6 class by the time they reach Year 5, and I was never given a straight answer as to whether Category 6 could be dropped (for double Science as you mentioned above). If one doesn't care, then that is fine. However, it may be something others would like to confirm.
Good luck.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login