Blair SMAC

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I think many of you are over thinking. It’s just a high school program. They understand many middle schoolers are not exposed to computer science or math/science competitions. I also don’t think they care much about the essay. As long as the applicant doesn’t write hating math or science, I doubt the essay will make any difference.

In that case, I’ll ask again, what does make a difference? They literally have only MAP M and the most recent math and science grades, plus the essay. Given that many kids will have high MAP-m scores and As in geometry and science, what is differentiating kids if it’s not the essay?

I guess not that many people know with certainty but based on what I've read over the years, I think those things matter.

What things matter? Are you the same person who said the essay went make any difference? I’m assuming the essay is pretty important. It’s really the only way to differentiate yourself.

With only 250 words its not that important.

Ok again, if it’s not important and many people have high MAP-M scores and As then HOW do they differentiate if it’s not the essay?

Depends what you consider high map? I know a lot of kids with what I consider high map scores.

NP. What do you consider high?

400!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many of you are over thinking. It’s just a high school program. They understand many middle schoolers are not exposed to computer science or math/science competitions. I also don’t think they care much about the essay. As long as the applicant doesn’t write hating math or science, I doubt the essay will make any difference.

In that case, I’ll ask again, what does make a difference? They literally have only MAP M and the most recent math and science grades, plus the essay. Given that many kids will have high MAP-m scores and As in geometry and science, what is differentiating kids if it’s not the essay?

I guess not that many people know with certainty but based on what I've read over the years, I think those things matter.

What things matter? Are you the same person who said the essay went make any difference? I’m assuming the essay is pretty important. It’s really the only way to differentiate yourself.

With only 250 words its not that important.

^ Apparently some posters feel they can improve their child's odds by discouraging others or pushing bad information

[Anonymous]

Apply IF you are interested! Take essay seriously, but don’t go crazy!!! Do not let this group of ‘strangers’ discourage you/your kid. Half this group is a mind game…..

[Anonymous]

Back to the open house. Does anyone remember whether the coordinator said they see the Q1 AND Q2 math and science grades for 8th grade? Or just the Q1 grades?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Back to the open house. Does anyone remember whether the coordinator said they see the Q1 AND Q2 math and science grades for 8th grade? Or just the Q1 grades?

I wasn't at this year's meeting, but it's usually just Q1 since they have to decide by around the time Q2 ends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alg 2 is offered in every MoCo HS for 8th graders who qualify.

But only a few wealthy ES offer AIM in 6th grade. TPMS for example, won't allow anyone who hasn't taken AIM to take Algebra in 6th grade. Only kids who have taken Algebra in 6th grade are able to take Algebra 2 in 8th.

Yes the feeder schools were really strict on this. I'm sure a few others as well. Many kids were shut out of that track because of it. Would have been helpful to mine during Functions -- that was a beast.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It’s Math, Science and Comp Sci. Some people stronger on science but lower in math (they get in), some stronger in comp sci. There is no 1 thing. Again, there are 3 levels of 9th grade magnet math (mag geometry, mag pre cal & magnet functions). There are levels of kids who get in!

You are making no sense dude!

What does three levels of math have ANYTHING to do,with acceptance rates.

Also, in 9th grade there is no magnet math. Math is not part of the smacs block. In ninth grade it’s a science, computer science and research and experimentation (r & e) class.

That’s not correct. 9th graders take Magnet Precalc or Functions, both of which are magnet classes. If any kids come in from Algebra 1 in 8th, they take Magnet Geometry over the summer before 9th, so they also start 9th in Magnet Precalc.

This doesn't make sense that they'd take a student with only Algebra 1 vs. a student who has completed Algebra 2 and is ready for more. That's not really a magnet program if they are taking kids with just Algebra 1.

You don't understand the program. It's about potential in a variety of stem related fields, not just where you are on a math track.

Thought about trying to explain that as well but figured they would likely be unable or unwilling to grasp this.

It should be for the brightest kids who can grasp the material. A child in Algebra in 8th is very different than one in 6th.

There is nothing to suggest which is the brightest student here, much as you'd like it to be. Even if the kid in Alg in 6th is brighter in math overall, that isn't the only factor of the program. And, when a student takes a class often has more to do with pushy parents than student acumen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many of you are over thinking. It’s just a high school program. They understand many middle schoolers are not exposed to computer science or math/science competitions. I also don’t think they care much about the essay. As long as the applicant doesn’t write hating math or science, I doubt the essay will make any difference.

In that case, I’ll ask again, what does make a difference? They literally have only MAP M and the most recent math and science grades, plus the essay. Given that many kids will have high MAP-m scores and As in geometry and science, what is differentiating kids if it’s not the essay?

I guess not that many people know with certainty but based on what I've read over the years, I think those things matter.

What things matter? Are you the same person who said the essay went make any difference? I’m assuming the essay is pretty important. It’s really the only way to differentiate yourself.

With only 250 words its not that important.

^ Apparently some posters feel they can improve their child's odds by discouraging others or pushing bad information

I don't think they are that important. If our child got a slot, I don't think we could do it anyway so not worried about it at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alg 2 is offered in every MoCo HS for 8th graders who qualify.

But only a few wealthy ES offer AIM in 6th grade. TPMS for example, won't allow anyone who hasn't taken AIM to take Algebra in 6th grade. Only kids who have taken Algebra in 6th grade are able to take Algebra 2 in 8th.

Yes the feeder schools were really strict on this. I'm sure a few others as well. Many kids were shut out of that track because of it. Would have been helpful to mine during Functions -- that was a beast.

Then you should have gone to a non-wealthy school. Ours allows it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are also kids who are very good at math (but perhaps not the top) but maybe they are better at Science. Same goes for Computer Science. And Blair’s English is still
higher than every other program too, so they do look at the whole picture. Of course they try to take most of the TOP math kids, but there are at least 2 levels of 9th grade magnet math. And a few will be in math with 10th graders probably, because Those are truly the top math kids.

Ok, so my kids best subject is computer science. How does the selection committee get to taste his abilities on this when they only have MAP-M and grades in math and science to go on?

DP. Now you understand why MCPS is broken.

Cogat (the race-neutral, nationally-administered) exam is gone.

MAP-M primarily indicates what grade level of math the child is doing (and the test score most likely influenced by after-hours tutoring).

Is an A at TPMS the same as an A at Forest Oak?

The only other selection factor is what is written in the application. I would list whatever computer science the child does and have your kid write what they like about CS.

The PP is mostly uninformed. Most of the kids who were getting in had prepped for the CogAT. Yes, that's a thing and it made the scores unreliable since non-gifted who had spent months practicing presented as gifted. There are a lot of bitter people who are pushing bad information. The real problem isn't selection but the scarcity of these programs. THe one thing the MS lottery demonstrated is that far more kids are capable of doing the work than had been previously believed.

DP. This exactly. And, if you want to know, no, mine were not rejected, though 1 did choose Wheaton (gasp).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many of you are over thinking. It’s just a high school program. They understand many middle schoolers are not exposed to computer science or math/science competitions. I also don’t think they care much about the essay. As long as the applicant doesn’t write hating math or science, I doubt the essay will make any difference.

In that case, I’ll ask again, what does make a difference? They literally have only MAP M and the most recent math and science grades, plus the essay. Given that many kids will have high MAP-m scores and As in geometry and science, what is differentiating kids if it’s not the essay?

I disagree with pp about essays and awards. I think, especially without recs, essays become more important to know a student's character and interests. Also, kids do have activities and potential for awards. ECs point to the whole student. Awards give a record of achievement to augment map and grades. Every ms kid can do science fair. Mine both had science fair awards when they applied. And, this is another place to show what the student can bring to the program. Mine had performing arts accolades. STEM programs are interested in "out of the box" thinkers and like kids with arts activities/awards.

Also, if you have a girl, I highly recommend Technica. It's a huge all girl (or female identifying) hackathon hosted by umd. I think it just happened this year and was partly online. But, hopefully will be back next fall in person. It's a giant comp sci slumber party with tons of awards and swag (and a chocolate fountain). And it's a very supportive, cooperative environment. My kid went by herself in 7th grade and won a bunch of hardware for a website she made. She went with a friend the next year and had a blast. The 7th grade win definitely went on her magnet app!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are also kids who are very good at math (but perhaps not the top) but maybe they are better at Science. Same goes for Computer Science. And Blair’s English is still
higher than every other program too, so they do look at the whole picture. Of course they try to take most of the TOP math kids, but there are at least 2 levels of 9th grade magnet math. And a few will be in math with 10th graders probably, because Those are truly the top math kids.

Ok, so my kids best subject is computer science. How does the selection committee get to taste his abilities on this when they only have MAP-M and grades in math and science to go on?

DP. Now you understand why MCPS is broken.

Cogat (the race-neutral, nationally-administered) exam is gone.

MAP-M primarily indicates what grade level of math the child is doing (and the test score most likely influenced by after-hours tutoring).

Is an A at TPMS the same as an A at Forest Oak?

The only other selection factor is what is written in the application. I would list whatever computer science the child does and have your kid write what they like about CS.

The PP is mostly uninformed. Most of the kids who were getting in had prepped for the CogAT. Yes, that's a thing and it made the scores unreliable since non-gifted who had spent months practicing presented as gifted. There are a lot of bitter people who are pushing bad information. The real problem isn't selection but the scarcity of these programs. The one thing the MS lottery demonstrated is that far more kids are capable of doing the work than had been previously believed.

lol. Sorry hun. CogAT isn't like MAP-M. MAP-M, yes, absolutely, you can prep for it. All MAP-M does is check the grade level of math you studied for. CogAT, on the other hand, is about pattern matching, spatial recognition, word analogies, etc. Sure, you might squeeze out a few points on word analogies by learning a lot of words, but for the pattern matching, spatial recognition, etc. either the kid gets it - or they don't.

Seriously though, you sound like you're the only bitter one here?

DP. You are so wrong. Pattern matching is VERY coachable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alg 2 is offered in every MoCo HS for 8th graders who qualify.

But only a few wealthy ES offer AIM in 6th grade. TPMS for example, won't allow anyone who hasn't taken AIM to take Algebra in 6th grade. Only kids who have taken Algebra in 6th grade are able to take Algebra 2 in 8th.

Yes the feeder schools were really strict on this. I'm sure a few others as well. Many kids were shut out of that track because of it. Would have been helpful to mine during Functions -- that was a beast.

Then you should have gone to a non-wealthy school. Ours allows it.

Huh?
Wealthy W ESs don't feed into TPMS.
Piney Branch and Pine Crest (HGC) weren't wealthy (at least when my kids went)! Both very rigid not letting any of the kids (including kids from tpes's magnet back in the day) advance beyond compacted. It was the whole 2.0 thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alg 2 is offered in every MoCo HS for 8th graders who qualify.

But only a few wealthy ES offer AIM in 6th grade. TPMS for example, won't allow anyone who hasn't taken AIM to take Algebra in 6th grade. Only kids who have taken Algebra in 6th grade are able to take Algebra 2 in 8th.

Yes the feeder schools were really strict on this. I'm sure a few others as well. Many kids were shut out of that track because of it. Would have been helpful to mine during Functions -- that was a beast.

Then you should have gone to a non-wealthy school. Ours allows it.

Huh?
Wealthy W ESs don't feed into TPMS.
Piney Branch and Pine Crest (HGC) weren't wealthy (at least when my kids went)! Both very rigid not letting any of the kids (including kids from tpes's magnet back in the day) advance beyond compacted. It was the whole 2.0 thing.

That's so weird because DC is at TPMS along with several other Potomac kids whose ES also offered AIM in 5th grade so they were able to take in Algebra in 6th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alg 2 is offered in every MoCo HS for 8th graders who qualify.

But only a few wealthy ES offer AIM in 6th grade. TPMS for example, won't allow anyone who hasn't taken AIM to take Algebra in 6th grade. Only kids who have taken Algebra in 6th grade are able to take Algebra 2 in 8th.

Yes the feeder schools were really strict on this. I'm sure a few others as well. Many kids were shut out of that track because of it. Would have been helpful to mine during Functions -- that was a beast.

Then you should have gone to a non-wealthy school. Ours allows it.

Huh?
Wealthy W ESs don't feed into TPMS.
Piney Branch and Pine Crest (HGC) weren't wealthy (at least when my kids went)! Both very rigid not letting any of the kids (including kids from tpes's magnet back in the day) advance beyond compacted. It was the whole 2.0 thing.

That's so weird because DC is at TPMS along with several other Potomac kids whose ES also offered AIM in 5th grade so they were able to take in Algebra in 6th.

Some schools allow kids to skip aim and others require it. The issue is most es don’t have aim.