Successful DSA-SEC Admissions In 2025 ~ Ms Jaelyn Chua

31 Jan 2025
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DSA-SEC Admissions In 2025 - Our Student's Success Stories

 
In an academically driven society as Singapore where every parent's primary concern with school-going children is their educational results, we have encountered first-hand when dance is often sacrificed for extra tuition classes when a student's academic results need improvement. However, we are of the humble opinion that dance actually offers students an outlet to engage in an activity that betters their mental and physical wellbeing, leaving them recharged for their academic pursuits.


In recent years, our nation's leading education authority - Ministry Of Education has been pushing for a broad-based multifaceted learning approach as evidenced by the introduction of the new Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) scoring system - Achievement Level (AL) since 2021 and the introduction of Subject-Based Banding (SBB) in Secondary Schools from 2024 onwards. Thus, pursuing dance while striving for academic excellence at the same time is now a very viable option through MOE's DSA-SEC admission programme that takes into account a student's talent in Dance when they are vying for a spot in their preferred Secondary School. For our full in-depth review of this topic, please visit this link: https://stepup.sg/blog/DSA-SEC-How-Dance-Can-Complement-Your-Child-s-Admission-Into-Their-Preferred-Secondary-School.
 

In this article, we will be celebrating the achievements of Ms Jaelyn Chua who managed to receive a confirmed offer from her preferred Secondary School through DSA-SEC via the talent area of Dance. Read on to find out more of her personal insights with regards to her successful DSA journey in 2025: 


1. What are the most important personal attributes in a student for success in DSA using dance?

Personally, I would think that one of the most important personal attributes required for success in DSA using dance would be a genuine love for dance as this would drive the commitment for consistent practice even when the going gets tough. Furthermore, using dance as DSA would mean that I need to commit myself to the dance CCA for the next four years in my secondary school life so a love for dance is really important so that I enjoy the time spent during CCA.

Resilience and having a growth mindset is also important to help me overcome challenges and grow. It is not easy to prepare for my DSA audition item, especially with all the PSLE preparation going on at the same time. Thankfully, with my parent's support, they kept reminding me to just do my best so that I would have no regrets no matter the result of the application.


2. How have the DSA preparations at StepUp contributed to your success in DSA?

The DSA preparations at StepUp have definitely been a great help in the success of the DSA application. The DSA webinars allowed my parents to have a greater understanding of the process as well as the implications so that both my parents and I could reach a consensus on whether to go ahead with the application. In addition, the online training for the interviews and audition increased my confidence and helped lessen my anxiety during the interviews.


3. How has the dance journey at StepUp contributed to your success in DSA?

The exposure to regular dance performances at various public events and recitals as well as the competitions clearly boosted my confidence when going for the audition. I felt confident when performing my item in front of the interview/audition panel even though it was an individual item.


4. Why did you decide to take up DSA-Sec? 

I decided to pursue DSA because it aligns with my belief in nurturing holistic development beyond academics. DSA provides an opportunity to showcase strengths and passions in areas like dance, allowing me to grow in confidence, discipline, and creativity. It offers a chance to join a school that values and supports my talent, providing an environment where I can thrive both artistically and academically.


5) Who would you recommend DSA-Sec to and why? 

I would recommend DSA to students who have a genuine love for dance and are sure that they would be choosing dance as their CCA in secondary school. DSA provides an opportunity for them to choose a school with a CCA that they are passionate about and having received a confirmed offer even before they take the PSLE written papers really help calm the nerves while preparing for the exams.


6. What was the toughest part of the DSA-SEC application?  

The toughest part of the application process for me was really the part on dedicating additional time to prepare for the audition item. School was stepping up on the after-school lessons and teachers were also giving extra practices as homework. I had to stay up late into the night to complete my homework after the DSA dance sessions. My mother supported me by staying up as well and making sure I had sufficient rest on other days to catch up on my sleep. My parent also communicated with my school teachers for extra time, when necessary, to complete my homework.


7) If you could redo the entire DSA-Sec submission again, what improvements would you undertake?   

I had done my best for the DSA audition/interview. However, if I could redo the entire DSA audition and interview, I would focus on improving my confidence and presentation skills to better articulate her passion for dance.


8) Can we ask for your child's average overall AL scores from P4 onwards to their PSLE prelims, and their actual PSLE score?     

My actual PSLE score was within 20% of my average AL scores from P4 to the PSLE prelims. 


Thanks to Jaelyn for sharing her DSA-SEC journey and inspiring our juniors at StepUp with her success story! 

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