Applying to GT from private?

[Anonymous]

I am wondering if it's even possible to apply to the GT program at Chevy Chase Elem. if your DC is currently in private school? We would make the more to the GT program for financial reasons if we could, but not sure how the process works. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is possible; I know someone who got into GT from private. I don't know the process, but I know it can be done.

[Anonymous]

Here's the info from the MCPS page:

http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/admissions/applications/

[Anonymous]

Someone I know went from private to the GT at CCES two years ago. However, they had to apply twice. They were applying from a Big 3. The first time, their child was rejected and, in a phone call initiated by the parent, was informed that the private school had sent a recommendation more geared toward private-school admission. They were told that the GT center looks not for the well-rounded child but for the child who "spikes" in a certain area and that lettes of recommendation should keep that in mind. They applied again and got in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone I know went from private to the GT at CCES two years ago. However, they had to apply twice. They were applying from a Big 3. The first time, their child was rejected and, in a phone call initiated by the parent, was informed that the private school had sent a recommendation more geared toward private-school admission. They were told that the GT center looks not for the well-rounded child but for the child who "spikes" in a certain area and that lettes of recommendation should keep that in mind. They applied again and got in.

OP here: Thanks for the helpful post. What do you mean by a child who "spikes?" I assume it means the child is highly advanced in one area? Not sure if this is accurate. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone I know went from private to the GT at CCES two years ago. However, they had to apply twice. They were applying from a Big 3. The first time, their child was rejected and, in a phone call initiated by the parent, was informed that the private school had sent a recommendation more geared toward private-school admission. They were told that the GT center looks not for the well-rounded child but for the child who "spikes" in a certain area and that lettes of recommendation should keep that in mind. They applied again and got in.

I don't understand how they applied a second time, as admissions are done once - in the spring of third grade.

[Anonymous]

This cannot be accurate. As PP says, you have one chance to apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone I know went from private to the GT at CCES two years ago. However, they had to apply twice. They were applying from a Big 3. The first time, their child was rejected and, in a phone call initiated by the parent, was informed that the private school had sent a recommendation more geared toward private-school admission. They were told that the GT center looks not for the well-rounded child but for the child who "spikes" in a certain area and that lettes of recommendation should keep that in mind. They applied again and got in.

I don't believe this story. A child who is not accepted to the CHG may appeal the decision (and will likely be turned down or wait-listed), but there is no such thing as "applying again."

And there is definitely no such thing as getting information like this over the phone. Not in MCPS, not in a million years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering if it's even possible to apply to the GT program at Chevy Chase Elem. if your DC is currently in private school? We would make the more to the GT program for financial reasons if we could, but not sure how the process works. Thanks

Yes, of course it's possible. I know someone who got in from private and is doing very well - and his parents love the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone I know went from private to the GT at CCES two years ago. However, they had to apply twice. They were applying from a Big 3. The first time, their child was rejected and, in a phone call initiated by the parent, was informed that the private school had sent a recommendation more geared toward private-school admission. They were told that the GT center looks not for the well-rounded child but for the child who "spikes" in a certain area and that lettes of recommendation should keep that in mind. They applied again and got in.

I don't understand how they applied a second time, as admissions are done once - in the spring of third grade.

I don't have personal knowledge of what happened. I only know that the mother told me of this telephone conversation and that the following school year her child was in the GT center in CCES, apparently having gained entry. Perhaps I, not knowing the terminology for GT applications, should not have used the phrase, "apply twice." Maybe the parents simply asked the school to resubmit a letter of recommendation following the guidance of the MCPS staff member with whom the mother spoke. I was only trying to help OP and anyone else applying from private school because I think it's interesting that MCPS made a distinction between a private-school rec letter and a GT rec letter. Sorry I cannot be of more help. I suppose I could call this woman and ask her, but I really do not want to pry, and that's probably why i did not delve further when she told me this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone I know went from private to the GT at CCES two years ago. However, they had to apply twice. They were applying from a Big 3. The first time, their child was rejected and, in a phone call initiated by the parent, was informed that the private school had sent a recommendation more geared toward private-school admission. They were told that the GT center looks not for the well-rounded child but for the child who "spikes" in a certain area and that lettes of recommendation should keep that in mind. They applied again and got in.

OP here: Thanks for the helpful post. What do you mean by a child who "spikes?" I assume it means the child is highly advanced in one area? Not sure if this is accurate. Thanks!

Yes, that's right. That is what the mother said she understood from her phone conversation.

[Anonymous]

This smells funny.

I cannot imagine MCPS discussing contents of an application or allowing resubmittal.

Also, the "spike" thing isn't true -- my kid doesn't have any spikes and is in a center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This smells funny.

I cannot imagine MCPS discussing contents of an application or allowing resubmittal.

Also, the "spike" thing isn't true -- my kid doesn't have any spikes and is in a center.

Sorry it smellls funny to you. I was relating what the mother, someone whom I knew from a regular volunteering gig we do together at the school (her child has graduated), told me and I trust her to have told the truth. She had no reason to lie to me about having talked to MCPS or about resubmitting a letter of recommendation. Knowing her to be an intelligent, well-educated, savvy, rather charming (and maybe even well-connected?) parent, I can well believe she did manage to talk to someone at MCPS. I can easily imagine my calling up about my kid's GT application and getting someone on the phone. Can't you?

[Anonymous]

PP:

No, really, I can't. I mean, you can certainly get someone on the phone and they will be very polite to you, but as to giving you actual feedback on a recommendation letter and the opportunity to resubmit -- well, it's unfathomable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP:

No, really, I can't. I mean, you can certainly get someone on the phone and they will be very polite to you, but as to giving you actual feedback on a recommendation letter and the opportunity to resubmit -- well, it's unfathomable.

NP here. I disagree, it is fathomable. You just have to be persistent and make sure you didn't sign any confidentiality agreements before you ask them to elaborate on what sank your child's application.