Non STEM kid, RMIB vs Blair

[Anonymous]

DC got invited to both magnet programs and is not sure which program would be a right fit for him. DC is a kid often says he doesn’t like STEM, and rather likes writing/reading. His most wanted school has been RMIB since the application process has started, but after the result is out, it seems like he is considering Blair too. He shared the reasons that he is hesitating to go for Blair with us. One of them is social problems: he is worried that many of TPMS kids are already a good friend group. Another reason is also kind of related to TPMS, as he has not been so interested in STEM, he has no experience with coding, robotics etc. and worries that there will be a huge gap for him to catch up comparing to those kids who have been doing that for a long time. DC is good at math, and academically good, so as parents, we think he would be ok for learning and studying STEM subjects, but not sure how he can thrive at Blair-say club activities etc. without any computer science or engineering experience. And we are worried that he might not have enough confidence for himself throughout the high school year which we told him he doesn’t have to…
The reason he is considering Blair is because few of his friends are going to Blair and recently starts to think engineering, physics are cool..
How do non STEM kids do at Blair? Would it be better for him to stick with the plan? If he goes to RMIB and for some reason really want engineering, is there a way that he can emphasize that? It seems to us these two schools are such two different programs as if there is no middle between those two.

Any experience with either non stem kid at blair or stem kid at RMIB, also humanity kids at RMIB would be appreciated. Thanks!!
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of stem kids at RMIB. I don’t think the CS program is as good as Blair but a lot of the engineering types take the 2 year HL physics IB course. I would guess close to half the kids are going into stem majors.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know how many hours Blair kids average? I have heard most kid don't sleep until very late and get up in the early morning hours. Obviously it would be different if they are 9th/10th grade versus upperclassmen.

[Anonymous]

My kid was choosing between these two a few years ago. She did come out of TPMS, but she has interests across the board in math, literature, arts, music and film .

I would not worry about coding experience. That is not a prerequisite. Also, don't worry about robotics. Most TPMS kids aren't into that anyway!

I would consider how willing your kid is to have half of the schedule be stem classes. You keep describing them as non-stem. Is that really true if they like physics and are interested in engineering? How interested are they? Blair has great physics courses -- fantastic teacher for physics 1 and quantum. There's mathematical physics, thermodynamics, robotics, which would be in line with engineering. There is also the required R&E class which is like applied physics in a shop setting. But, other than that, there is not much specifically geared to engineering. But you, kid could certainly come out of Blair with a great foundation for engineering. Is your kid ok with taking 2 years of cs and a few extra science classes?

My kid was a little burnt out by stem by sr year, but she is grateful for the program and experience. Also, the AP classes in humanities at Blair were good. Magnet and APs served her well to prepare for college. She is thriving, having a big chunk of a math major done, thanks to Blair, and taking math, film, politics, music and theatre classes.

RM was her first choice, but, it was much farther away and had a reputation for having more work (which is probably not really more considering Blair's extea period). She decided it wasn't worth the commute. Also, it was less flexible than Blair in terms of balancing a variety of interests. Harder to dabble with the IB requirements.

Both are fantastic programs. Go to the admit days, ask lots of questions, shadow a student (even if they don't advertise this, it should be an option), ask for a current student to contact. Mine was really torn and did all of this. It really helped, and she made the right choice for her. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

My kid is like the 8:23 poster, and I echo those comments. RMIB was his first choice until he got into both, and then Blair quickly won. Commute plus reputation for more work at RMIB made Blair a great choice. I want my kids to work hard and be very challenged, but I also want lots of downtime for them during high school.

[Anonymous]

You think there's less work at Blair SMAC?

[Anonymous]

Blair’s hardest 2 years are 9/10, RMIB are 11/12. Remember, RMIB hardest time when you are also applying to college. 11/12 at Blair is almost entirely magnet elective that you chose based on your interests.

[Anonymous]

OP, my TPMS kid was also admitted to both. He’s leaning toward Blair not least because the commute would be better. There is a large contingent of kids from TPMS going to Blair but I don’t think they will be clique-y or tough for a non TPMS kid to join. My child knows a lot of kids in the TPMS magnet but doesn’t seem to have strong friendships with individual kids. I’m hoping that will change at Blair. Everyone says that even though Blair is huge kids find their people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You think there's less work at Blair SMAC?

I don’t quite know about RM but Blair was a lot of work for my kid all the way from 9th grade to first half of 12th. Some respite only in the last few months. And this was a very organized, smart kid who had a flair for math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You think there's less work at Blair SMAC?

I'm the 11:04 poster, and yes, I think Blair SMCS is less work. Writing takes so much time, and RMIB has more of that I think. But I also never had a kid at RMIB. And my kid is very fast and efficient.

[Anonymous]

11:04/15:11 poster
I'm a NP and my child sounds like yours. What was the homework load like for your child? What were the most time-consuming classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You think there's less work at Blair SMAC?

I think it's pretty well known fact that SMAC has less work than RMIB

[Anonymous]

I've heard this too but since no one attends both schools it always made me skeptical. Have any parents on here have kids at both or who have gone through both?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11:04/15:11 poster
I'm a NP and my child sounds like yours. What was the homework load like for your child? What were the most time-consuming classes?

Very manageable. I'd say 1-3 hours a day. I've been saying 1-2 because I assume he's watching lots of Youtube videos when he's upstairs, and he spends lots of time with me on the couch watching TV, but maybe he is working more than I think. He does a ton of other time-consuming things though, so it can't be 3 hours a day all the time as he wouldn't have time for that. He is very bright and very efficient and, as he says himself, knows how to be a good student (he rarely misses any points on tests). If you've had that kind of kid all along, this shouldn't be much different. I'd have to ask him what takes time. Math?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You think there's less work at Blair SMAC?

I don’t quite know about RM but Blair was a lot of work for my kid all the way from 9th grade to first half of 12th. Some respite only in the last few months. And this was a very organized, smart kid who had a flair for math.

I am 8:23 and agree with this and 11:04 too and the poster who said 1st 2 years were most intense. Mine started with Functions frosh year which was really intense, then did a 2 season varsity sport soph year. So, there were other factors than the general program. Remote was kind of a nice break from it all. Fall of sr year was busy with magnet, college apps and sport. Took a study hall Spring. That was a wise choice. These kids have been taking an extra class all along, so it doesn't look thin at all to take study hall (& doesn't show on transcripts).