High school application - how much parent help?

[Anonymous]

+1 DC had to write it but we proofed for grammar and some sentence structure/ though process.

I wrote plenty at work and often have things proofed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would have them write it and you proof it. I don't get hands off parents.

Isn't there a prep center that will coach them on this sort of thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious how much other parents helped with the essay answers for the MCPS high school application. I’m usually big on DD taking care of her own ‘assignments’ but this is relatively high stakes and I don’t want her at a disadvantage because she’s less able to describe her accomplishments than other kids parents are. The 25 word answers seem particularly challenging, as it takes real skill to concisely and compellingly explain a class project or the significance of an award. Right now on the longer “tell us about yourself” part I’m inclined to leave 95% to her with a light review, but worry about that too.

Especially interested in experiences from people with kids who got into (or didn’t get into) the criteria programs in past years. If you let your kids do the application totally themselves, did they still get in? I hope I live in a world where that’s the norm, but am guessing it is not.

Did not help with essay, they got in

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would have them write it and you proof it. I don't get hands off parents.

Hands off parents are typically the ones who didn't raise their children on iPads and TikTok.

[Anonymous]

My kid has written drafts of the essay and short answers and we have talked about them, but I haven't scrutinized them. I already told them that if they get in, I think it will be their report card and extracurriculars (and not necessarily the way they describe those extracurriculars in the application), not the essays, that get them accepted.
- parent of two older children who attended an MCPS magnet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have them write it and you proof it. I don't get hands off parents.

Hands off parents are typically the ones who didn't raise their children on iPads and TikTok.

No, their kids have those things and they don’t care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have them write it and you proof it. I don't get hands off parents.

Isn't there a prep center that will coach them on this sort of thing?

I know that's a thing in VA. One of the centers has a semester-long course on writing these essays to help students know what to include and how to best frame it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have them write it and you proof it. I don't get hands off parents.

Hands off parents are typically the ones who didn't raise their children on iPads and TikTok.

Just the opposite. Hands off parenting is give the kid an iPad and ignore them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have them write it and you proof it. I don't get hands off parents.

Hands off parents are typically the ones who didn't raise their children on iPads and TikTok.

Just the opposite. Hands off parenting is give the kid an iPad and ignore them.

I don’t think it’s that simple. We are very hands-off for schoolwork but very involved with our kids’ lives generally. And beyond too much time spent on DCUM, we’ve always been a pretty screen-light, media-light family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid has written drafts of the essay and short answers and we have talked about them, but I haven't scrutinized them. I already told them that if they get in, I think it will be their report card and extracurriculars (and not necessarily the way they describe those extracurriculars in the application), not the essays, that get them accepted.
- parent of two older children who attended an MCPS magnet

The selection committee won’t know a thing about their extra curriculars unless they describe them or list them on the application.

[Anonymous]

I encouraged my kid to take a chance and apply, and I helped them count words and suggested a few edits to meet the word count on the 25 words or less one. All of the rest was them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have them write it and you proof it. I don't get hands off parents.

Hands off parents are typically the ones who didn't raise their children on iPads and TikTok.

Just the opposite. Hands off parenting is give the kid an iPad and ignore them.

I don’t think it’s that simple. We are very hands-off for schoolwork but very involved with our kids’ lives generally. And beyond too much time spent on DCUM, we’ve always been a pretty screen-light, media-light family.

School is a huge part of your kids lives and their "job." So, no you aren't very involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have them write it and you proof it. I don't get hands off parents.

Hands off parents are typically the ones who didn't raise their children on iPads and TikTok.

Just the opposite. Hands off parenting is give the kid an iPad and ignore them.

I don’t think it’s that simple. We are very hands-off for schoolwork but very involved with our kids’ lives generally. And beyond too much time spent on DCUM, we’ve always been a pretty screen-light, media-light family.

School is a huge part of your kids lives and their "job." So, no you aren't very involved.

I think it’s my job as a parent to make sure my kids learn to be independent. There is actually more than one way to parent.

[Anonymous]

I reviewed and offered feedback on the essay.
When mine applied, there was a longer essay, and activities and honors were just lists, so I think I did those. Kid did all essay work with feedback only (I did not make or suggest changes, just pointed out what did or didn't work).

[Anonymous]

We’re just reviewing it at the end but not giving any substantive input. If something is wildly off-base, we might say something, but otherwise for better or worse it’s DC’s words and ideas.

Can someone tell me where the link is to upload application materials? I’m not seeing it.