HS application essay

[Anonymous]

My DC is an eighth grader and thinking about applying for some of the high school programs. Is my understanding correct that they only write one essay and that’s used for all the applications? Is there an assigned topic each year that becomes available once the application is open, or are there instructions that apply every year? TIA!

[Anonymous]

Correct, and only 250 words maximum. If your DC plans to apply both literacy and STEM magnets, then the essay needs to be somewhat more general, or otherwise, emphasizing their strong enthusiasm and strength about one program would help. List some of their past achievements would add some weights I'd say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Correct, and only 250 words maximum. If your DC plans to apply both literacy and STEM magnets, then the essay needs to be somewhat more general, or otherwise, emphasizing their strong enthusiasm and strength about one program would help. List some of their past achievements would add some weights I'd say.

Thanks — oh wow, that’s like two paragraphs at best. Do they just write about themselves and why they would be a good candidate for these programs — like a cover letter? Are there instructions anywhere?

[Anonymous]

You can find a link to the essay prompt and other info here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can find a link to the essay prompt and other info here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/

Oh thanks! Somehow I missed the link to the essay instructions before.

[Anonymous]

250 words for a broad prompt like what motivates you as a student and 50 words for extracurricular and awards

[Anonymous]

I have "lots" of questions.
One: If you're applying to IB, can a MAP score 220 lead you to get accepted? I have seen other forums and I know that even 240 is low. I'm just curious about the MAP scores.

Second: If you're applying to SMCS (Science, Math, Computer Science), is a MAP score of 240 okay?

Three: Do they check Winter MAP scores?

Four: Should the essay be about what the student does or about what the student wants?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Is there a MCPS report that shows how many students are above 95th percentile at each grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have "lots" of questions.
One: If you're applying to IB, can a MAP score 220 lead you to get accepted? I have seen other forums and I know that even 240 is low. I'm just curious about the MAP scores.

Second: If you're applying to SMCS (Science, Math, Computer Science), is a MAP score of 240 okay?

Three: Do they check Winter MAP scores?

Four: Should the essay be about what the student does or about what the student wants?

Thanks.

I would think IB would require Map-R of at least 250. Blair stem’s medium for Map-m is in the 270s. They just look at spring 7th and fall 8th, not winter scores. Essay is whatever your child wants to say in response to the prompt.

[Anonymous]

220 definitely not anywhere close to good enough for RM IB program. Maybe Kennedy IB?

[Anonymous]

Though they say there are no minimum scores, I think anything below 260M and 240R would be very close to automatically disqualifying.

[Anonymous]

You can find the application on ParentVue top right corner Registration now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have "lots" of questions.
One: If you're applying to IB, can a MAP score 220 lead you to get accepted? I have seen other forums and I know that even 240 is low. I'm just curious about the MAP scores.

Second: If you're applying to SMCS (Science, Math, Computer Science), is a MAP score of 240 okay?

Three: Do they check Winter MAP scores?

Four: Should the essay be about what the student does or about what the student wants?
Do they even read the essays?
Thanks.

I would think IB would require Map-R of at least 250. Blair stem’s medium for Map-m is in the 270s. They just look at spring 7th and fall 8th, not winter scores. Essay is whatever your child wants to say in response to the prompt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have "lots" of questions.
One: If you're applying to IB, can a MAP score 220 lead you to get accepted? I have seen other forums and I know that even 240 is low. I'm just curious about the MAP scores.

Second: If you're applying to SMCS (Science, Math, Computer Science), is a MAP score of 240 okay?

Three: Do they check Winter MAP scores?

Four: Should the essay be about what the student does or about what the student wants?

Thanks.

I would think IB would require Map-R of at least 250. Blair stem’s medium for Map-m is in the 270s. They just look at spring 7th and fall 8th, not winter scores. Essay is whatever your child wants to say in response to the prompt.

Do they even read the essays??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have "lots" of questions.
One: If you're applying to IB, can a MAP score 220 lead you to get accepted? I have seen other forums and I know that even 240 is low. I'm just curious about the MAP scores.

Second: If you're applying to SMCS (Science, Math, Computer Science), is a MAP score of 240 okay?

Three: Do they check Winter MAP scores?

Four: Should the essay be about what the student does or about what the student wants?

Thanks.

I would think IB would require Map-R of at least 250. Blair stem’s medium for Map-m is in the 270s. They just look at spring 7th and fall 8th, not winter scores. Essay is whatever your child wants to say in response to the prompt.

Do they even read the essays??

I think they do. My kid who didn’t get all A’s in MS was accepted to CAP, SMCS, and a couple of other programs, I think in part because of her essay. She talked about her approach to learning, focusing on a specific project she had done that required several skills she didn’t have and explained the different ways she learned the skills she needed.