Hello,
I am a TP Grad, advancing to SMU. I was a DHL holder when i was in TP.
I'm not too sure whether DHL take consideration of the CDS, but i believe it is so. It looks at your overall GPA, rather than a specific group of subjects only. However, Director Honours List (DHL) as the name goes, it's based on recommendation from your Course Manager (CM) to your School Director. End of the day, your CM makes the decision whether you are deserving or not.
I know of people who are in the top 5% simply because they are good with books and have good project mates who give concessions to their free-riding behavior, but they were not given the DHL. I got to know of people who have above average grades all along that could have easily qualify them for DHL, but due to certain unpredictable events happening that caused them to do less ideally one or two subjects (probably CDS), are still given the award on discretionary basis.
Personally, i happen to be part of the latter group. In one of my semesters, just before the commencement of the mid-sem test week, my grandmother passed away. As a traditional chinese family, i had to commit to many religious procedures. While in a dilemma on whether to go for the tests or show my filial piety for the last time, i called my careperson and asked if i'll be allowed for re-tests given my scenario. I was given the green light, though i continued to go for the test but one when it was the most important day of the mourn. However, i was told my subject head that such arrangement isn't possible. As expected, i flunk that particular subject and had a straight B for all other subjects only, far from my usual Aces. That caused a huge drop in my GPA, and though i bucked up in my following semester, i was no longer one of the top students anymore, probably the 9-100% of the cohort.
Based on the DHL criteria, the recipient should not have gotten any F grade. I'm glad that my course manager understands my plight, and judged be based on my overall GPA instead, with optional consideration for my F.
Last but not least, DHL is usually awarded to the top 10% of your course. However, this is not a fixed quota. If the 5th recipient is already lower than GPA 3.0, do you still think they want to give more awards?
Anyway, all the best to all potential recipients. TP is indeed The Place to be!
