Successful DSA-SEC Admissions In 2025 ~ Ms Janice Luo

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 Janice Luo 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 2024: 


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

Confidence and readiness. Confidence in knowing what you are saying during the interview and how you are saying it. The interviewer will be able to assess if you are prepared or not. Readiness in answering the questions, especially during the group interview session. You want to be the first few to answer the questions, as other students may have similar answers to the questions, and if they have said it, you may have to think of another answers which is harder to do. 


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

The DSA preparation at StepUp contributed significantly from the start to end of the DSA submission process. The in-person mock interview helped to improve my confidence as I have never attended any interview before. The mock audition gave a glimpse / first-hand experience on dancing solo in front of a panel and to answer questions immediately after. It was quite hard to speak properly as I’m trying to catch my breath after dancing, and it affected my concentration in trying to remember the answers. A good suggestion from Mr. Ng was to ask the interviewer if I could have a few minutes to recover first.


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

The dance exams, performances and competitions experiences gave me the slight advantage over other applicants without such experience. The certifications from these achievements provided a good platform to showcase my portfolio during my online submission. On-stage experience during competitions, recitals and events prepared me in performing in front of panels or judges.


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

One of the schools I was aiming to join is SOTA and admission to SOTA is only possible through DSA. For other schools that I applied for, taking up DSA also provides me with the first step into the schools Dance CCA and competition troupe. 


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

Anyone who is passionate in dance and see themselves wanting to continue dancing actively for the next 4-6 years should take up DSA. It also supports your academic result and is a sure way to become part of the school dance troupe. One advice I can share is to set your expectation higher, so that you put more effort to prepare for it, and whatever the result is, you know you have tried your best.


6) What was the toughest part of the DSA-Sec application? 

The toughest part was the interview segment, as there was no way to know for sure what the questions will be. Speaking in a formal setting like in an interview by a stranger was quite a nerve wrecking experience as I have never been interviewed before. Thankfully, StepUp has provided a list of FAQs that I can use to rehearse in advance. With my mum’s guidance, I prepared the answers and she helped me rehearsed multiple times until I can answer the questions smoothly and confidently.


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

I wish that I knew the difference between an ‘improv’ and a ‘contemporary’ dance. During the interview, one of the questions asked was what was something new that I’ve learnt during the audition that day, and I referred to the guided improv dance as a contemporary dance and it confused the interviewers. It caught me off guard, although I managed to somehow re-explain my answers.


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 a 1% differential from my P4 to PSLE prelims results. 


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

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