highly gifted centers (HGCs) advice on how to prepare kid for acceptance or rejection

[Anonymous]

Parent of twins: Suggest you talk to the twins ahead of time, saying that they should prepare for all possibilities -- neither getting in, one getting in, both getting in. Let them know that there are a lot of really smart kids all trying for a small number of slots.

That should help. Have friends with twins. One got into HGC, one didn't. The one who got in decided not to go. Then, for MS, one got into a magnet and the other didn't. They are now at different middles and both are really happy and doing well.

[Anonymous]

For those who push hard for GT in all schools... There ARE some kids who really don't flourish in regular school environments. I know b/c I have one. B/c of the TPES/PBES split, he's now been in 4 schools. HGC is the FIRST school where he's happy, social and likes school. (That's not a slight on the Takoma schools, btw, as our older child who's also in a magnet thrived at those schools).

I agree that schools should offer more advancement in general in more environments, but I feel strongly that the HGCs and magnets are needed for very top kids like him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I know the notices of acceptance to the highly gifted centers (HGCs) come out this month.

DC applied to HGC that sibling currently attending. DC is pretty competitive and wants to attend - although local school very good too.

I have heard and read about kids getting upset if they don't get in. I was hoping that would not be the case, but that is probably naive. Though I am not sure what DC has understood, we often talk about the importance of fit, knowing he is plenty smart, the HGC testing process is subjective, and we feel all the school options are great.

Beyond that, any advice to prepare DC mentally for getting in and attending or not getting into the HGC??

Reading previous posts was helpful in that I plan to discuss that either way, it is not something to talk about with friends!

Learning how to cope with disappointment is an incredibly important life skill for all kids (and their parents). We have discussed how unfortunately in life, you can do absolutely everything to prepare, but sometimes it doesn't work out. The single MOST important thing is for the kid to feel their parents are ok with it/them. I did not handle the rejection well last year so not surprisingly, my kid felt it was a reflection on her. If you are good about it, she will be too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I know the notices of acceptance to the highly gifted centers (HGCs) come out this month.

DC applied to HGC that sibling currently attending. DC is pretty competitive and wants to attend - although local school very good too.

I have heard and read about kids getting upset if they don't get in. I was hoping that would not be the case, but that is probably naive. Though I am not sure what DC has understood, we often talk about the importance of fit, knowing he is plenty smart, the HGC testing process is subjective, and we feel all the school options are great.

Beyond that, any advice to prepare DC mentally for getting in and attending or not getting into the HGC??

Reading previous posts was helpful in that I plan to discuss that either way, it is not something to talk about with friends!

Learning how to cope with disappointment is an incredibly important life skill for all kids (and their parents). We have discussed how unfortunately in life, you can do absolutely everything to prepare, but sometimes it doesn't work out. The single MOST important thing is for the kid to feel their parents are ok with it/them. I did not handle the rejection well last year so not surprisingly, my kid felt it was a reflection on her. If you are good about it, she will be too.

Agreed. Our kids will learn how to deal with disappointment from our example.

[Anonymous]

OP - Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the sharing of stories what worked and did not for yourself and friends and relatives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the sharing of stories what worked and did not for yourself and friends and relatives.

Did your child get in?