Application: Question about student samples and additional pages

[Anonymous]

I am looking at the guidelines for the AAP paperwork. It mentions attaching up to four pages of student work samples. If you have a child in this program, what types of samples did you attach? I have a few ideas for what I might attach for my child but thought I would ask here.

Also, it mentions that I can attach up to five other documents (certificates, awards, etc.). I probably will not be attaching much since my child does not have any awards (except a non-academic one). However, it says we can include a report of academic extracurricular activities. What would be considered an "academic extracurricular activity?" Can this be chess? Or is it more likely a science, math, etc. class? My son does not take classes in addition to schoolwork. However, he is involved in chess, music, and some other brain stimulating activities. Am I supposed to list these? And, is it worth listing them? He has never participated in competitions for these activities, so I don't know that it is worth mentioning. Thank you for your help!

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering the same question. I am mostly unsure about the documents. If my child received a coach's award for a sport, should I include a document with a picture of the trophy and a description of the award (hard work, dedication, etc.)? Would this count as one of the five documents? Also, what types of academic extracurriculars are they asking for in the report? Do we simply provide a list of these?

[Anonymous]

We didn't have to appeal but I heard from many parents who tried. They were told to attach something incredibly special above and beyond to help offset a lower score or why they didn't get in the first round. Ie my kid is fluent in Chinese or has extreme technical abilities or something of those sorts. I think sports or coaches awards is something most every child has and wouldn't really be the bump needed. Remember, there has to be some kind of talent that was missed in testing that you need to prove to the school.

Another thought, if your child didn't get in, do you want to push them or wait another year and retest then? I would think it would be better for us if my child were one of the smartest and got Level 3 pull outs in regular classes then barely making it in full time Level 4 and having stress. Again, just some things to think about when trying to push kids into higher levels they may not qualify for.

[Anonymous]

PP, I don't think they're talking about an appeal (NP here). Parents have the option of including these documents on the initial assessment round. Our AART encouraged all parents to include them regardless of test scores (e.g. even if the child is "in the pool").

For the work samples, we have a couple of pictures that our child has drawn of his "inventions" (machines, mechanical devices, airplanes) and some stories that he has written. Also a drawing for a game that he made up. Our AART offered to go over the packet with us and help select which specific items to include. She did say that photos are good, too, like a complex Lego creation or Origami - we might include one of those if I can go through our photo archives in time .

I don't have much for the other 5 pages, though. We just don't really do any structured academic activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents have the option of including these documents on the initial assessment round. Our AART encouraged all parents to include them regardless of test scores (e.g. even if the child is "in the pool").

+1000

Many AARTs recommend parents complete the optional one page form and include materials as it helps the screening committee have a view of the child. This also applies to children in the 2nd grade screening pool.

As for what to include: we included a letter from the chess instructor.

[Anonymous]

I think you are over-thinking this. If you are immediately thinking of a special award your child received (involving reasoning ability or persistence/tenacity/dedication), then include it. If you are stumped to know what to submit, that's an indication that your child doesn't have any notable/useful awards. It's ok! REally.

I submitted NOTHING. No parent form, no letters from the soccer coach or cub scout leader. Those things aren't going to move the needle unless the award/letter shows that the kid is UNUSUALLY above his/her developmental level.

If your child won the chess tournament, then that would be useful. If your child has been taking piano since she was 3 and now performs with 8th graders, that would be unusual b/c it shows the ability to focus and work at something challenging. If your child writes short stories that are more intricate than most kids that age, then send it.

If your child is a decent kid doing normal 2nd grade activities, then please don't think that getting the coach's award for "most improved" is going to help.

If there isn't something that REALLY stands out in your mind, then your child needs to have good test scores. Being well-rounded with average test scores is not what they are looking for.

AAP IS challenging. One kid in my son's class that left after the first quarter, one left before Xmas and I've heard that others are thinking they will go back to the base school after the year is over (that may not be true -- who knows.). The point is, your kid needs to have the mental quickness to handle the curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We didn't have to appeal but I heard from many parents who tried. They were told to attach something incredibly special above and beyond to help offset a lower score or why they didn't get in the first round. Ie my kid is fluent in Chinese or has extreme technical abilities or something of those sorts. I think sports or coaches awards is something most every child has and wouldn't really be the bump needed. Remember, there has to be some kind of talent that was missed in testing that you need to prove to the school.

Another thought, if your child didn't get in, do you want to push them or wait another year and retest then? I would think it would be better for us if my child were one of the smartest and got Level 3 pull outs in regular classes then barely making it in full time Level 4 and having stress. Again, just some things to think about when trying to push kids into higher levels they may not qualify for.

2nd poster here. We are not appealing yet. This is for the first set of paperwork. However, your post is very helpful. That's good to know that if my child is not chosen and we decide to appeal, we will have the opportunity to attach an additional piece of work. Also, this gives me an idea of what I should show in the work samples for the initial application.

I have not decided what we will do if my child does not get in the program first round. I know my child is capable of doing the work. He is a very hard worker, he performs well in his class, and he is constantly wanting to learn more. But, I don't want to push him into the program if he is not accepted. Thanks again for your help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, I don't think they're talking about an appeal (NP here). Parents have the option of including these documents on the initial assessment round. Our AART encouraged all parents to include them regardless of test scores (e.g. even if the child is "in the pool").

For the work samples, we have a couple of pictures that our child has drawn of his "inventions" (machines, mechanical devices, airplanes) and some stories that he has written. Also a drawing for a game that he made up. Our AART offered to go over the packet with us and help select which specific items to include. She did say that photos are good, too, like a complex Lego creation or Origami - we might include one of those if I can go through our photo archives in time .

I don't have much for the other 5 pages, though. We just don't really do any structured academic activities.

2nd poster here. This is very helpful. I am glad that I am not the only one who doesn't have much for the 5 pages. I was a bit stressed about that. I feel like I am filling out a college application! lol

You have some great examples for possible work samples. This gives me a much better idea of what the committee is looking for when viewing these samples.

Question: How are you displaying your child's stories? I may include a multi-page writing sample but I need to fit it on a single-sided page. Should I just show one page of it or should I photograph all of the pages and fit them on one single-sided page?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents have the option of including these documents on the initial assessment round. Our AART encouraged all parents to include them regardless of test scores (e.g. even if the child is "in the pool").

+1000

Many AARTs recommend parents complete the optional one page form and include materials as it helps the screening committee have a view of the child. This also applies to children in the 2nd grade screening pool.

As for what to include: we included a letter from the chess instructor.

I had not thought of a letter from an extracurricular instructor. That's a great suggestion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are over-thinking this. If you are immediately thinking of a special award your child received (involving reasoning ability or persistence/tenacity/dedication), then include it. If you are stumped to know what to submit, that's an indication that your child doesn't have any notable/useful awards. It's ok! REally.

I submitted NOTHING. No parent form, no letters from the soccer coach or cub scout leader. Those things aren't going to move the needle unless the award/letter shows that the kid is UNUSUALLY above his/her developmental level.

If your child won the chess tournament, then that would be useful. If your child has been taking piano since she was 3 and now performs with 8th graders, that would be unusual b/c it shows the ability to focus and work at something challenging. If your child writes short stories that are more intricate than most kids that age, then send it.

If your child is a decent kid doing normal 2nd grade activities, then please don't think that getting the coach's award for "most improved" is going to help.

If there isn't something that REALLY stands out in your mind, then your child needs to have good test scores. Being well-rounded with average test scores is not what they are looking for.

AAP IS challenging. One kid in my son's class that left after the first quarter, one left before Xmas and I've heard that others are thinking they will go back to the base school after the year is over (that may not be true -- who knows.). The point is, your kid needs to have the mental quickness to handle the curriculum.

It makes me feel better that some parents submit nothing. This part was stressing me out a bit. I couldn't decide about the coach's award. I thought about including it because he received it for his ability to focus and his dedication. It was for a year-round swim team. However, now that I have read some of the comments, I probably will not include it. My son doesn't have any other awards. Luckily, it seems like he is not the only one.

I have heard AAP is challenging. I feel like my child can handle the work, but I am a little nervous because I have heard 3rd grade is a big change (both AAP and general program). However, my child is a hard worker, loves to learn, etc.. I just want to give the committee an accurate picture of him. I'll trust their decision on whether or not he is a good fit. Thanks again for your advice. Your post was very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Another question: I noticed the applications says that we should give a report of previous participation in advanced academic programs. At our school, the AART pulls certain kids out of the classroom every week. Is this what it is talking about when it mentions "previous participation in advanced academic programs?" Or, is this for kids who are transferring from an advanced academic program in a different school district?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, I don't think they're talking about an appeal (NP here). Parents have the option of including these documents on the initial assessment round. Our AART encouraged all parents to include them regardless of test scores (e.g. even if the child is "in the pool").

For the work samples, we have a couple of pictures that our child has drawn of his "inventions" (machines, mechanical devices, airplanes) and some stories that he has written. Also a drawing for a game that he made up. Our AART offered to go over the packet with us and help select which specific items to include. She did say that photos are good, too, like a complex Lego creation or Origami - we might include one of those if I can go through our photo archives in time .

I don't have much for the other 5 pages, though. We just don't really do any structured academic activities.

2nd poster here. This is very helpful. I am glad that I am not the only one who doesn't have much for the 5 pages. I was a bit stressed about that. I feel like I am filling out a college application! lol

You have some great examples for possible work samples. This gives me a much better idea of what the committee is looking for when viewing these samples.

Question: How are you displaying your child's stories? I may include a multi-page writing sample but I need to fit it on a single-sided page. Should I just show one page of it or should I photograph all of the pages and fit them on one single-sided page?

10:14 here - just to be clear, my kid is in 2nd grade and we're preparing the files now, so I don't really have any idea of what the committee will be looking for! Our AART just told us that the examples should show creative or critical thinking - i.e. not worksheets full of straight-up addition/subtraction type problems. My kid is not exactly an art prodigy, the drawing skill is no more advanced than a typical second grader, but it's the machine itself that is pretty cool, and how he spends his free time dreaming up these "inventions". That's what I'd like to get across.

I haven't decided how to display the stories yet. He made one that was 6 pages long, but only a few lines + pictures per page - I may scan and shrink/crop those pages down to fit on one sheet. I'd guess that you could shrink them if it'll still be readable, otherwise just select a sample page.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you are over-thinking this. If you are immediately thinking of a special award your child received (involving reasoning ability or persistence/tenacity/dedication), then include it. If you are stumped to know what to submit, that's an indication that your child doesn't have any notable/useful awards. It's ok! REally.

I submitted NOTHING. No parent form, no letters from the soccer coach or cub scout leader. Those things aren't going to move the needle unless the award/letter shows that the kid is UNUSUALLY above his/her developmental level.

If your child won the chess tournament, then that would be useful. If your child has been taking piano since she was 3 and now performs with 8th graders, that would be unusual b/c it shows the ability to focus and work at something challenging. If your child writes short stories that are more intricate than most kids that age, then send it.

If your child is a decent kid doing normal 2nd grade activities, then please don't think that getting the coach's award for "most improved" is going to help.

If there isn't something that REALLY stands out in your mind, then your child needs to have good test scores. Being well-rounded with average test scores is not what they are looking for.

AAP IS challenging. One kid in my son's class that left after the first quarter, one left before Xmas and I've heard that others are thinking they will go back to the base school after the year is over (that may not be true -- who knows.). The point is, your kid needs to have the mental quickness to handle the curriculum.

It makes me feel better that some parents submit nothing. This part was stressing me out a bit. I couldn't decide about the coach's award. I thought about including it because he received it for his ability to focus and his dedication. It was for a year-round swim team. However, now that I have read some of the comments, I probably will not include it. My son doesn't have any other awards. Luckily, it seems like he is not the only one.

I have heard AAP is challenging. I feel like my child can handle the work, but I am a little nervous because I have heard 3rd grade is a big change (both AAP and general program). However, my child is a hard worker, loves to learn, etc.. I just want to give the committee an accurate picture of him. I'll trust their decision on whether or not he is a good fit. Thanks again for your advice. Your post was very helpful.

Is there any harm in submitting it? I could see if you were bumping up against the page limit and had to choose between that and something else ... but if not, will it somehow count against him if you throw it in? Like, will it make the parents look like they're "reaching" to prove their child worthy of AAP and therefore indicate that the kid isn't really up for it, or somehow "bring down" the overall application?

Not being snarky here - genuinely curious about the reasons for withholding something that you think the committee may not be interested in (but don't really know). My instinct would be to throw it all in and let the committee decide what they think is valuable, if anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you are over-thinking this. If you are immediately thinking of a special award your child received (involving reasoning ability or persistence/tenacity/dedication), then include it. If you are stumped to know what to submit, that's an indication that your child doesn't have any notable/useful awards. It's ok! REally.

I submitted NOTHING. No parent form, no letters from the soccer coach or cub scout leader. Those things aren't going to move the needle unless the award/letter shows that the kid is UNUSUALLY above his/her developmental level.

If your child won the chess tournament, then that would be useful. If your child has been taking piano since she was 3 and now performs with 8th graders, that would be unusual b/c it shows the ability to focus and work at something challenging. If your child writes short stories that are more intricate than most kids that age, then send it.

If your child is a decent kid doing normal 2nd grade activities, then please don't think that getting the coach's award for "most improved" is going to help.

If there isn't something that REALLY stands out in your mind, then your child needs to have good test scores. Being well-rounded with average test scores is not what they are looking for.

AAP IS challenging. One kid in my son's class that left after the first quarter, one left before Xmas and I've heard that others are thinking they will go back to the base school after the year is over (that may not be true -- who knows.). The point is, your kid needs to have the mental quickness to handle the curriculum.

It makes me feel better that some parents submit nothing. This part was stressing me out a bit. I couldn't decide about the coach's award. I thought about including it because he received it for his ability to focus and his dedication. It was for a year-round swim team. However, now that I have read some of the comments, I probably will not include it. My son doesn't have any other awards. Luckily, it seems like he is not the only one.

I have heard AAP is challenging. I feel like my child can handle the work, but I am a little nervous because I have heard 3rd grade is a big change (both AAP and general program). However, my child is a hard worker, loves to learn, etc.. I just want to give the committee an accurate picture of him. I'll trust their decision on whether or not he is a good fit. Thanks again for your advice. Your post was very helpful.

Is there any harm in submitting it? I could see if you were bumping up against the page limit and had to choose between that and something else ... but if not, will it somehow count against him if you throw it in? Like, will it make the parents look like they're "reaching" to prove their child worthy of AAP and therefore indicate that the kid isn't really up for it, or somehow "bring down" the overall application?

Not being snarky here - genuinely curious about the reasons for withholding something that you think the committee may not be interested in (but don't really know). My instinct would be to throw it all in and let the committee decide what they think is valuable, if anything.

God help the committee that has to wade through all this dreck.

I'm another parents who submitted nothing with my kid. Scores and teacher comments were enough to get him in no problem..

Two years ago the head of AAP told me that basically parents are allowed to add things out of fairness and because so many feel the need to be involved in the process, but the samples aren't given that much attention unless there is something extraordinary in them that isn't captured in scores and GBRS.

I would never stress not being able to fill up all the pages. You're kids either super bright and a fit, or not.

[Anonymous]

I mean "your kid's"