Magnet application result High School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My TPMS magnet kid was in one of his magnet classes when a classmate announced that the results were out, thus setting off a half hour frenzy while everyone freaked out and checked their emails. My kid is not a snowflake, and in any case got into their program of choice, but there has got to be a better way, MCPS!

Yes. It was an absolutely botched-up process.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:High Academic performance in COGAT or MAP = Prepped by Dr Li

Good Essays = They probably used an essay consultant

All around performance = Their parents had the luxury of time and money to ferry them to sports or music.

Hence all advanced programs should only have student ID put into a lottery and numbers pulled out like Powerball.

Could the kids have worked hard or just be smart??? Are you kidding!!! That could never happen.

But this is true of white kids as well, right?

High Academic performance in COGAT or MAP = Prepped at home

Good Essays = Proof-read and edited by a highly educated native English speaking parent

All around performance = Parents with time and energy to drive to travel soccer, volunteer opportunities, etc.

Hush. Get with the program. All Magnet acceptance posts on DCUM are for Asian bashing. You should not be saying "But others could have this advantage too"

LOL. I'm the PP and I'm writing as a white parent whose child was admitted to their preferred program(s). I fully acknowledge the ways in which my child's privilege is part of the equation here. In my case, it's not income (we're genuinely middle class, not just DCUM middle class), and it's not paid test prep, but it's pretty clear that my child's extracurriculars were a big part of their successful package. Those extracurriculars are extremely time consuming, and require one parent to either have a flexible work schedule or to be a SAHP.

There's nothing wrong with admitting that privilege is in the mix here. I can't undo the years that I spend driving my kid to their activity, and they have worked incredibly hard to get to the level that they have. It demonstrates something about them, for sure. But it would not have been possible without some specific circumstances at home.

Correct. And the choices you made (or had the ability to make) and priorities you had for your kid coupled with their interests. That is why I get particularly peeved when DCUM always characterizes Asians as not-intelligent robots coming through the Dr Li factory.

signed - An immigrant whose kid did not go to prep classes and got admitted to 7 Magnet programs.

DP I agree that characterization is unfair and racist. But I also think it appears in reaction to claims that Asian students are discriminated against by the selection committees, when there is absolutely no evidence to support this and overwhelming evidence that they are in fact over represented.

PP- My problem is there should be no concept of representation or over representation for these admissions. May the best kids get selected, whatever the criteria is. There should not be a "Your race is 13% of the population, so the 14th student who gets admitted in a 100 seat program means you are over-represented"

Look, I absolutely understand your frustration. And this is for anyone thinking kids like mine shouldn't have been chosen:
My kid is one of those "surprises" for Blair and I'm going to tell you how we approached application and perhaps it might help you see it in a different view. Why the committee chose them.
My kid knew they did not have the top map scores. They love math but science is their passion and that includes computer science too.
I don't want to identify myself or my child but because of my job, I approached the application as a job application. If a candidate doesn't have the top education or experience I listed on the job post, what do I want to see on the resume that could make me think yes, this is the IT guy I want.
So, in the award section, they listed awards or achievements strictly outside of school that showed discipline and hard work.
In the hobbies, they put one instrument (not a common one) one sports that takes discipline. One artistic hobby, two leasure ones and 2 that shows an interest in math science and computer science at home.
In the volunteer section, two that have nothing to do with SSL hours.
Their essay was written in their own voice, not very polished and rather short. They demonstrated a lifelong passion for science and computer science and strong work ethic as well as loving to collaborate with peers that they can learn from. Basically selling their soft skills as a way to offset a lower map score than others.
They were accepted into all of their choices so it means that different committees found their application compelling.
Remember that the map scores are only ONE criteria, the first one mentioned is a strong demonstrated interest in math science and computer science. They did not focus on math on the application but on all 3 subjects.
Again, I'm sorry. It feels unfair when the kid obviously worked very hard but that doesn't mean my kid deserves it less. My kid wants to be a scientist and they are doing stellar in science. Cogat was 99 percentile in 5th grade. They're a good fit for the magnet. Again I'm sorry.

What was the MAP score?

It was below 300!

Oh come on..0-300?

Not giving the exact number because there is a list the kids made that some parents have seen and I don't want to identify my child online.

I'm sorry but I have seen a number of comments here that TPMS magnet kids are making shareable lists of scores and admits and that is....toxic. Feeling compelled to collect and share that information is just not cool. That's a really bad behavior and cultural practice to feed (I mean culture of the way of thinking...not ethnicity). At a certain point it's not pride anymore: it's exclusivity and intellectual narcissism and it's not even a good luck for super gifted kids.

My kid is in the magnet and doesn't participate in this. They have a regular 98/99 MAP, but feel inferior to the kids who boast about 320s.

Do you not see all the parents here bragging? The toxic culture of the race to nowhere is alive and well at MCPS magnet programs. Of course the students feed into it all and many go on to have a lot mental health issues down the line. My oldest was in RMIB and was miserable. The students turn their noses up to non IB students. They popped adderall to focus all night study sessions to stay ahead. They ridiculed and dropped anyone that left the IB for a more balanced life. “They couldn’t do it” I definitely believe they are making lists and there is probably a mom who helped start it talking to another mom on the phone. Then let the kids take over. There are some genuinely nice kids, but the majority think and act like they are better than everyone else.

Unfortunately, I agree. And it begins with some of the parents. Essentially having just one metric here - MAP M has made it way worse for the kids too. They are focused less on the joy of learning and more on one test where you have to study ahead for success.

So your answer here is to demonize hard work and ability?

It’s not one metric. It’s very clear that the essay is very important too, arguably more so if you don’t have 300 plus map scores

I'm not privy to this list or even aware that it actually exists, but I do have one of those rare kids with over 300 at TPMS. I asked DC if they'd heard of this, they said then even they checked two groups and couldn't find anything... I guess that doesn't prove anything but I honestly have to wonder if this is just some another DCUM fabrication.

My kid didn’t know about it either. But she also said she “wouldn’t be friends with kids who did that kind of thing,” so maybe it’s one particular friend group?

Such goodness

There are at least 60 kids on the chat. Which is typical teenage chatter, congratulations, commiserations, anxieties, discussion of courses/electives/options and support. I asked my kid to show me because I was concerned but they all seem to be lovely, normal kids. (Caveat, I skimmed a little there are hundreds of messages). I expect your daughter would be happy to participate except that you made it out to be something it isn’t.

My TPMS magnet 8th grader has heard of this group chat but has never been invited to participate. If the kids are so lovely, normal, and supportive, why not open it up to the entire class rather than make some kids feel like they’re not wanted?

How do you propose they do that except by asking people they know to join? My kid, who is not very socially connected in the magnet, got invited to join long after it started. DC has barely looked at it except about an hour on Thursday and a couple of times since.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High Academic performance in COGAT or MAP = Prepped by Dr Li

Good Essays = They probably used an essay consultant

All around performance = Their parents had the luxury of time and money to ferry them to sports or music.

Hence all advanced programs should only have student ID put into a lottery and numbers pulled out like Powerball.

Could the kids have worked hard or just be smart??? Are you kidding!!! That could never happen.

But this is true of white kids as well, right?

High Academic performance in COGAT or MAP = Prepped at home

Good Essays = Proof-read and edited by a highly educated native English speaking parent

All around performance = Parents with time and energy to drive to travel soccer, volunteer opportunities, etc.

Hush. Get with the program. All Magnet acceptance posts on DCUM are for Asian bashing. You should not be saying "But others could have this advantage too"

LOL. I'm the PP and I'm writing as a white parent whose child was admitted to their preferred program(s). I fully acknowledge the ways in which my child's privilege is part of the equation here. In my case, it's not income (we're genuinely middle class, not just DCUM middle class), and it's not paid test prep, but it's pretty clear that my child's extracurriculars were a big part of their successful package. Those extracurriculars are extremely time consuming, and require one parent to either have a flexible work schedule or to be a SAHP.

There's nothing wrong with admitting that privilege is in the mix here. I can't undo the years that I spend driving my kid to their activity, and they have worked incredibly hard to get to the level that they have. It demonstrates something about them, for sure. But it would not have been possible without some specific circumstances at home.

Correct. And the choices you made (or had the ability to make) and priorities you had for your kid coupled with their interests. That is why I get particularly peeved when DCUM always characterizes Asians as not-intelligent robots coming through the Dr Li factory.

signed - An immigrant whose kid did not go to prep classes and got admitted to 7 Magnet programs.

DP I agree that characterization is unfair and racist. But I also think it appears in reaction to claims that Asian students are discriminated against by the selection committees, when there is absolutely no evidence to support this and overwhelming evidence that they are in fact over represented.

PP- My problem is there should be no concept of representation or over representation for these admissions. May the best kids get selected, whatever the criteria is. There should not be a "Your race is 13% of the population, so the 14th student who gets admitted in a 100 seat program means you are over-represented"

Look, I absolutely understand your frustration. And this is for anyone thinking kids like mine shouldn't have been chosen:
My kid is one of those "surprises" for Blair and I'm going to tell you how we approached application and perhaps it might help you see it in a different view. Why the committee chose them.
My kid knew they did not have the top map scores. They love math but science is their passion and that includes computer science too.
I don't want to identify myself or my child but because of my job, I approached the application as a job application. If a candidate doesn't have the top education or experience I listed on the job post, what do I want to see on the resume that could make me think yes, this is the IT guy I want.
So, in the award section, they listed awards or achievements strictly outside of school that showed discipline and hard work.
In the hobbies, they put one instrument (not a common one) one sports that takes discipline. One artistic hobby, two leasure ones and 2 that shows an interest in math science and computer science at home.
In the volunteer section, two that have nothing to do with SSL hours.
Their essay was written in their own voice, not very polished and rather short. They demonstrated a lifelong passion for science and computer science and strong work ethic as well as loving to collaborate with peers that they can learn from. Basically selling their soft skills as a way to offset a lower map score than others.
They were accepted into all of their choices so it means that different committees found their application compelling.
Remember that the map scores are only ONE criteria, the first one mentioned is a strong demonstrated interest in math science and computer science. They did not focus on math on the application but on all 3 subjects.
Again, I'm sorry. It feels unfair when the kid obviously worked very hard but that doesn't mean my kid deserves it less. My kid wants to be a scientist and they are doing stellar in science. Cogat was 99 percentile in 5th grade. They're a good fit for the magnet. Again I'm sorry.

What was the MAP score?

It was below 300!

Oh come on..0-300?

Not giving the exact number because there is a list the kids made that some parents have seen and I don't want to identify my child online.

I'm sorry but I have seen a number of comments here that TPMS magnet kids are making shareable lists of scores and admits and that is....toxic. Feeling compelled to collect and share that information is just not cool. That's a really bad behavior and cultural practice to feed (I mean culture of the way of thinking...not ethnicity). At a certain point it's not pride anymore: it's exclusivity and intellectual narcissism and it's not even a good luck for super gifted kids.

My kid is in the magnet and doesn't participate in this. They have a regular 98/99 MAP, but feel inferior to the kids who boast about 320s.

Do you not see all the parents here bragging? The toxic culture of the race to nowhere is alive and well at MCPS magnet programs. Of course the students feed into it all and many go on to have a lot mental health issues down the line. My oldest was in RMIB and was miserable. The students turn their noses up to non IB students. They popped adderall to focus all night study sessions to stay ahead. They ridiculed and dropped anyone that left the IB for a more balanced life. “They couldn’t do it” I definitely believe they are making lists and there is probably a mom who helped start it talking to another mom on the phone. Then let the kids take over. There are some genuinely nice kids, but the majority think and act like they are better than everyone else.

Unfortunately, I agree. And it begins with some of the parents. Essentially having just one metric here - MAP M has made it way worse for the kids too. They are focused less on the joy of learning and more on one test where you have to study ahead for success.

So your answer here is to demonize hard work and ability?

It’s not one metric. It’s very clear that the essay is very important too, arguably more so if you don’t have 300 plus map scores

I'm not privy to this list or even aware that it actually exists, but I do have one of those rare kids with over 300 at TPMS. I asked DC if they'd heard of this, they said then even they checked two groups and couldn't find anything... I guess that doesn't prove anything but I honestly have to wonder if this is just some another DCUM fabrication.

My kid didn’t know about it either. But she also said she “wouldn’t be friends with kids who did that kind of thing,” so maybe it’s one particular friend group?

Such goodness

There are at least 60 kids on the chat. Which is typical teenage chatter, congratulations, commiserations, anxieties, discussion of courses/electives/options and support. I asked my kid to show me because I was concerned but they all seem to be lovely, normal kids. (Caveat, I skimmed a little there are hundreds of messages). I expect your daughter would be happy to participate except that you made it out to be something it isn’t.

My TPMS magnet 8th grader has heard of this group chat but has never been invited to participate. If the kids are so lovely, normal, and supportive, why not open it up to the entire class rather than make some kids feel like they’re not wanted?

How do you propose they do that except by asking people they know to join? My kid, who is not very socially connected in the magnet, got invited to join long after it started. DC has barely looked at it except about an hour on Thursday and a couple of times since.

Easy. One person tells a magnet teacher, and the teacher announces it in all of their sections.

[Anonymous]

Who's this Dr. Li that several people have mentioned?

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Anonymous wrote:I think the discussion is about Blair SMAC.

The list I saw from TPMS (compiled by the kids) seemed to have very few white kids.

It’s pretty shameful to come in here and try to undermine the very real accomplishments of these kids just to make yourself feel better. I think the kids know better than that. Mine certainly does.

you are such a great parent with a great kid. not talking down to people. congrats.

That doesn't mean there is not an unfair system. agree there is no perfect system. there was a reason there was a test and teacher recs before - to not just rely on MAP - which is gameable through AOPS, etc, and grades. I hear the test is back next year which may make it fairer.

The old test was gameable. My kid noted that many kids (at TPMS magnet back in the day) had A++ binders and were in test prep classes designed for the magnet admissions test. Other kids went to Dr. Li. It kind of freaked mine out because we are downcounty where the prep culture is not as strong.

a good test + recs + map + grades is better than what we have now. will actually get a diverse group in just because of the process.

Every single credible study on this has shown that recs are racially biased against URMs. Unless they have a real plan to offset that which can pass peer-review I just don't see how that would be helpful. Further, teacher recs are subjective and inconsistent.

The current HS process seems to work and the CogAT was more of a way to filter out kids who couldn't afford prep like Dr. Li in many cases that just favors wealthy families. I know some people say you can't prep for the CogAT, but you really can. It's not hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In four years time one of these same kids will make an informal list to track where they are all going to college or who is going to UMD. Will DCUM be angry about that too?

It looks like more than 40 kid got in.

What's wrong with going to UMD? You make it sound like it's going to juvie.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High Academic performance in COGAT or MAP = Prepped by Dr Li

Good Essays = They probably used an essay consultant

All around performance = Their parents had the luxury of time and money to ferry them to sports or music.

Hence all advanced programs should only have student ID put into a lottery and numbers pulled out like Powerball.

Could the kids have worked hard or just be smart??? Are you kidding!!! That could never happen.

But this is true of white kids as well, right?

High Academic performance in COGAT or MAP = Prepped at home

Good Essays = Proof-read and edited by a highly educated native English speaking parent

All around performance = Parents with time and energy to drive to travel soccer, volunteer opportunities, etc.

Hush. Get with the program. All Magnet acceptance posts on DCUM are for Asian bashing. You should not be saying "But others could have this advantage too"

LOL. I'm the PP and I'm writing as a white parent whose child was admitted to their preferred program(s). I fully acknowledge the ways in which my child's privilege is part of the equation here. In my case, it's not income (we're genuinely middle class, not just DCUM middle class), and it's not paid test prep, but it's pretty clear that my child's extracurriculars were a big part of their successful package. Those extracurriculars are extremely time consuming, and require one parent to either have a flexible work schedule or to be a SAHP.

There's nothing wrong with admitting that privilege is in the mix here. I can't undo the years that I spend driving my kid to their activity, and they have worked incredibly hard to get to the level that they have. It demonstrates something about them, for sure. But it would not have been possible without some specific circumstances at home.

Correct. And the choices you made (or had the ability to make) and priorities you had for your kid coupled with their interests. That is why I get particularly peeved when DCUM always characterizes Asians as not-intelligent robots coming through the Dr Li factory.

signed - An immigrant whose kid did not go to prep classes and got admitted to 7 Magnet programs.

DP I agree that characterization is unfair and racist. But I also think it appears in reaction to claims that Asian students are discriminated against by the selection committees, when there is absolutely no evidence to support this and overwhelming evidence that they are in fact over represented.

PP- My problem is there should be no concept of representation or over representation for these admissions. May the best kids get selected, whatever the criteria is. There should not be a "Your race is 13% of the population, so the 14th student who gets admitted in a 100 seat program means you are over-represented"

Look, I absolutely understand your frustration. And this is for anyone thinking kids like mine shouldn't have been chosen:
My kid is one of those "surprises" for Blair and I'm going to tell you how we approached application and perhaps it might help you see it in a different view. Why the committee chose them.
My kid knew they did not have the top map scores. They love math but science is their passion and that includes computer science too.
I don't want to identify myself or my child but because of my job, I approached the application as a job application. If a candidate doesn't have the top education or experience I listed on the job post, what do I want to see on the resume that could make me think yes, this is the IT guy I want.
So, in the award section, they listed awards or achievements strictly outside of school that showed discipline and hard work.
In the hobbies, they put one instrument (not a common one) one sports that takes discipline. One artistic hobby, two leasure ones and 2 that shows an interest in math science and computer science at home.
In the volunteer section, two that have nothing to do with SSL hours.
Their essay was written in their own voice, not very polished and rather short. They demonstrated a lifelong passion for science and computer science and strong work ethic as well as loving to collaborate with peers that they can learn from. Basically selling their soft skills as a way to offset a lower map score than others.
They were accepted into all of their choices so it means that different committees found their application compelling.
Remember that the map scores are only ONE criteria, the first one mentioned is a strong demonstrated interest in math science and computer science. They did not focus on math on the application but on all 3 subjects.
Again, I'm sorry. It feels unfair when the kid obviously worked very hard but that doesn't mean my kid deserves it less. My kid wants to be a scientist and they are doing stellar in science. Cogat was 99 percentile in 5th grade. They're a good fit for the magnet. Again I'm sorry.

What was the MAP score?

It was below 300!

Oh come on..0-300?

Not giving the exact number because there is a list the kids made that some parents have seen and I don't want to identify my child online.

I'm sorry but I have seen a number of comments here that TPMS magnet kids are making shareable lists of scores and admits and that is....toxic. Feeling compelled to collect and share that information is just not cool. That's a really bad behavior and cultural practice to feed (I mean culture of the way of thinking...not ethnicity). At a certain point it's not pride anymore: it's exclusivity and intellectual narcissism and it's not even a good luck for super gifted kids.

My kid is in the magnet and doesn't participate in this. They have a regular 98/99 MAP, but feel inferior to the kids who boast about 320s.

Do you not see all the parents here bragging? The toxic culture of the race to nowhere is alive and well at MCPS magnet programs. Of course the students feed into it all and many go on to have a lot mental health issues down the line. My oldest was in RMIB and was miserable. The students turn their noses up to non IB students. They popped adderall to focus all night study sessions to stay ahead. They ridiculed and dropped anyone that left the IB for a more balanced life. “They couldn’t do it” I definitely believe they are making lists and there is probably a mom who helped start it talking to another mom on the phone. Then let the kids take over. There are some genuinely nice kids, but the majority think and act like they are better than everyone else.

Unfortunately, I agree. And it begins with some of the parents. Essentially having just one metric here - MAP M has made it way worse for the kids too. They are focused less on the joy of learning and more on one test where you have to study ahead for success.

So your answer here is to demonize hard work and ability?

It’s not one metric. It’s very clear that the essay is very important too, arguably more so if you don’t have 300 plus map scores

I'm not privy to this list or even aware that it actually exists, but I do have one of those rare kids with over 300 at TPMS. I asked DC if they'd heard of this, they said then even they checked two groups and couldn't find anything... I guess that doesn't prove anything but I honestly have to wonder if this is just some another DCUM fabrication.

My kid didn’t know about it either. But she also said she “wouldn’t be friends with kids who did that kind of thing,” so maybe it’s one particular friend group?

Such goodness

There are at least 60 kids on the chat. Which is typical teenage chatter, congratulations, commiserations, anxieties, discussion of courses/electives/options and support. I asked my kid to show me because I was concerned but they all seem to be lovely, normal kids. (Caveat, I skimmed a little there are hundreds of messages). I expect your daughter would be happy to participate except that you made it out to be something it isn’t.

My TPMS magnet 8th grader has heard of this group chat but has never been invited to participate. If the kids are so lovely, normal, and supportive, why not open it up to the entire class rather than make some kids feel like they’re not wanted?

How do you propose they do that except by asking people they know to join? My kid, who is not very socially connected in the magnet, got invited to join long after it started. DC has barely looked at it except about an hour on Thursday and a couple of times since.

Easy. One person tells a magnet teacher, and the teacher announces it in all of their sections.

That’s not the teacher’s job. If it was a school sponsored chat, sure, but it’s not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In four years time one of these same kids will make an informal list to track where they are all going to college or who is going to UMD. Will DCUM be angry about that too?

It looks like more than 40 kid got in.

What's wrong with going to UMD? You make it sound like it's going to juvie.

WTF? How on earth would you interpret that from what I wrote?!!! Do YOU think there is something wrong with going to UMD? Simply a lot of kids from Blair magnet - like 30 of them - go to UMD each year, so it’s highly likely that someone will track who is going there so that they know which of their friends will be joining them at college. Just like with these results. Goodness.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:If you are the parent of an Asian boy - well-rounded with good grades and high MAP scores looking around you to see kids who may have worse scores getting in, this is just the beginning. wait till you get to college admissions. it is beyond brutal. essentially at this point Asian kids - esp boys - are competing among themselves because the bar is so much higher than for others. being held to different standards as a 13 or 14 year old sucks though.

Admissions for these public school programs is race blind. They have no clue what the applicants race is just gender.

Some kids mentioned it in their essays. It's a work around.

Sure. Blair magnet is known for letting in subpar students just because they are black or brown. You sound like you need a therapist.

Actually, the enrollment of AA students at the blair manget is less than 5% which is far lower than AA representation in the county. This indicates that AA children are not favored. In fact, the only group whose enrollment exceeds their representation is Asian so guessing this is what the poster means by Brown?

Subpar huh? My AA child that was accepted into PHS SMCS is NOT subpar. I admit with no prep or MS magnet, they did tell me to plan on her going back to her home school. But now, in her junior year, he r teacher's absolutely adore her. She has joined many math, science and leadership organizations, opportunities and will be interning at NIH soon. I do not think she is subpar and hopes nobody else looks at her and judges her by her brown skin and African textured hair. THAT would be racist.

The subpar comment was from someone who was calling out racism. Not from someone who claimed that any students were “subpar” because of their race. Congratulations to your daughter. She and everyone selected earned their spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My TPMS magnet kid was in one of his magnet classes when a classmate announced that the results were out, thus setting off a half hour frenzy while everyone freaked out and checked their emails. My kid is not a snowflake, and in any case got into their program of choice, but there has got to be a better way, MCPS!

I guess they could have - and should have - sent the emails during afterhours. 7 pm, like last year. That said, this wouldn't have stopped list compilation and gossip.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High Academic performance in COGAT or MAP = Prepped by Dr Li

Good Essays = They probably used an essay consultant

All around performance = Their parents had the luxury of time and money to ferry them to sports or music.

Hence all advanced programs should only have student ID put into a lottery and numbers pulled out like Powerball.

Could the kids have worked hard or just be smart??? Are you kidding!!! That could never happen.

But this is true of white kids as well, right?

High Academic performance in COGAT or MAP = Prepped at home

Good Essays = Proof-read and edited by a highly educated native English speaking parent

All around performance = Parents with time and energy to drive to travel soccer, volunteer opportunities, etc.

Hush. Get with the program. All Magnet acceptance posts on DCUM are for Asian bashing. You should not be saying "But others could have this advantage too"

LOL. I'm the PP and I'm writing as a white parent whose child was admitted to their preferred program(s). I fully acknowledge the ways in which my child's privilege is part of the equation here. In my case, it's not income (we're genuinely middle class, not just DCUM middle class), and it's not paid test prep, but it's pretty clear that my child's extracurriculars were a big part of their successful package. Those extracurriculars are extremely time consuming, and require one parent to either have a flexible work schedule or to be a SAHP.

There's nothing wrong with admitting that privilege is in the mix here. I can't undo the years that I spend driving my kid to their activity, and they have worked incredibly hard to get to the level that they have. It demonstrates something about them, for sure. But it would not have been possible without some specific circumstances at home.

Correct. And the choices you made (or had the ability to make) and priorities you had for your kid coupled with their interests. That is why I get particularly peeved when DCUM always characterizes Asians as not-intelligent robots coming through the Dr Li factory.

signed - An immigrant whose kid did not go to prep classes and got admitted to 7 Magnet programs.

DP I agree that characterization is unfair and racist. But I also think it appears in reaction to claims that Asian students are discriminated against by the selection committees, when there is absolutely no evidence to support this and overwhelming evidence that they are in fact over represented.

PP- My problem is there should be no concept of representation or over representation for these admissions. May the best kids get selected, whatever the criteria is. There should not be a "Your race is 13% of the population, so the 14th student who gets admitted in a 100 seat program means you are over-represented"

Look, I absolutely understand your frustration. And this is for anyone thinking kids like mine shouldn't have been chosen:
My kid is one of those "surprises" for Blair and I'm going to tell you how we approached application and perhaps it might help you see it in a different view. Why the committee chose them.
My kid knew they did not have the top map scores. They love math but science is their passion and that includes computer science too.
I don't want to identify myself or my child but because of my job, I approached the application as a job application. If a candidate doesn't have the top education or experience I listed on the job post, what do I want to see on the resume that could make me think yes, this is the IT guy I want.
So, in the award section, they listed awards or achievements strictly outside of school that showed discipline and hard work.
In the hobbies, they put one instrument (not a common one) one sports that takes discipline. One artistic hobby, two leasure ones and 2 that shows an interest in math science and computer science at home.
In the volunteer section, two that have nothing to do with SSL hours.
Their essay was written in their own voice, not very polished and rather short. They demonstrated a lifelong passion for science and computer science and strong work ethic as well as loving to collaborate with peers that they can learn from. Basically selling their soft skills as a way to offset a lower map score than others.
They were accepted into all of their choices so it means that different committees found their application compelling.
Remember that the map scores are only ONE criteria, the first one mentioned is a strong demonstrated interest in math science and computer science. They did not focus on math on the application but on all 3 subjects.
Again, I'm sorry. It feels unfair when the kid obviously worked very hard but that doesn't mean my kid deserves it less. My kid wants to be a scientist and they are doing stellar in science. Cogat was 99 percentile in 5th grade. They're a good fit for the magnet. Again I'm sorry.

What was the MAP score?

It was below 300!

Oh come on..0-300?

Not giving the exact number because there is a list the kids made that some parents have seen and I don't want to identify my child online.

I'm sorry but I have seen a number of comments here that TPMS magnet kids are making shareable lists of scores and admits and that is....toxic. Feeling compelled to collect and share that information is just not cool. That's a really bad behavior and cultural practice to feed (I mean culture of the way of thinking...not ethnicity). At a certain point it's not pride anymore: it's exclusivity and intellectual narcissism and it's not even a good luck for super gifted kids.

My kid is in the magnet and doesn't participate in this. They have a regular 98/99 MAP, but feel inferior to the kids who boast about 320s.

Do you not see all the parents here bragging? The toxic culture of the race to nowhere is alive and well at MCPS magnet programs. Of course the students feed into it all and many go on to have a lot mental health issues down the line. My oldest was in RMIB and was miserable. The students turn their noses up to non IB students. They popped adderall to focus all night study sessions to stay ahead. They ridiculed and dropped anyone that left the IB for a more balanced life. “They couldn’t do it” I definitely believe they are making lists and there is probably a mom who helped start it talking to another mom on the phone. Then let the kids take over. There are some genuinely nice kids, but the majority think and act like they are better than everyone else.

Unfortunately, I agree. And it begins with some of the parents. Essentially having just one metric here - MAP M has made it way worse for the kids too. They are focused less on the joy of learning and more on one test where you have to study ahead for success.

So your answer here is to demonize hard work and ability?

It’s not one metric. It’s very clear that the essay is very important too, arguably more so if you don’t have 300 plus map scores

I'm not privy to this list or even aware that it actually exists, but I do have one of those rare kids with over 300 at TPMS. I asked DC if they'd heard of this, they said then even they checked two groups and couldn't find anything... I guess that doesn't prove anything but I honestly have to wonder if this is just some another DCUM fabrication.

My kid didn’t know about it either. But she also said she “wouldn’t be friends with kids who did that kind of thing,” so maybe it’s one particular friend group?

Such goodness

There are at least 60 kids on the chat. Which is typical teenage chatter, congratulations, commiserations, anxieties, discussion of courses/electives/options and support. I asked my kid to show me because I was concerned but they all seem to be lovely, normal kids. (Caveat, I skimmed a little there are hundreds of messages). I expect your daughter would be happy to participate except that you made it out to be something it isn’t.

My TPMS magnet 8th grader has heard of this group chat but has never been invited to participate. If the kids are so lovely, normal, and supportive, why not open it up to the entire class rather than make some kids feel like they’re not wanted?

Wait, so now it's some kind of a secret society?? God, what's going on there at TPMS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the list is malicious. But I do think that it makes kids feel bad if they didn't get in and are watching many of their friends get in. It's kind of overwhelming. My kid wasn't even waitlisted and they are a straight A 99%ile TPMS magnet kid. They are not sad/lacking confidence, but they are definitely in their feelings about it (mostly anger and frustration).

So did kids with lower scores that your child get in? Is that the cause of anger/frustration?

i have a kid who is definitely having higher scores in 280 upper range, A grades with mostly 100%, extracurriculars in school, and was wait pooled for 2 and not selected for 2 more. The sad part is DC was not even selected for one. MY kid definitely knows kids in their school very well below like 23 below in the score and got selected. It does make the kid feel bad, how come they were not selected even for one, when kids with lower score got in

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:High Academic performance in COGAT or MAP = Prepped by Dr Li

Good Essays = They probably used an essay consultant

All around performance = Their parents had the luxury of time and money to ferry them to sports or music.

Hence all advanced programs should only have student ID put into a lottery and numbers pulled out like Powerball.

Could the kids have worked hard or just be smart??? Are you kidding!!! That could never happen.

But this is true of white kids as well, right?

High Academic performance in COGAT or MAP = Prepped at home

Good Essays = Proof-read and edited by a highly educated native English speaking parent

All around performance = Parents with time and energy to drive to travel soccer, volunteer opportunities, etc.

Hush. Get with the program. All Magnet acceptance posts on DCUM are for Asian bashing. You should not be saying "But others could have this advantage too"

LOL. I'm the PP and I'm writing as a white parent whose child was admitted to their preferred program(s). I fully acknowledge the ways in which my child's privilege is part of the equation here. In my case, it's not income (we're genuinely middle class, not just DCUM middle class), and it's not paid test prep, but it's pretty clear that my child's extracurriculars were a big part of their successful package. Those extracurriculars are extremely time consuming, and require one parent to either have a flexible work schedule or to be a SAHP.

There's nothing wrong with admitting that privilege is in the mix here. I can't undo the years that I spend driving my kid to their activity, and they have worked incredibly hard to get to the level that they have. It demonstrates something about them, for sure. But it would not have been possible without some specific circumstances at home.

Correct. And the choices you made (or had the ability to make) and priorities you had for your kid coupled with their interests. That is why I get particularly peeved when DCUM always characterizes Asians as not-intelligent robots coming through the Dr Li factory.

signed - An immigrant whose kid did not go to prep classes and got admitted to 7 Magnet programs.

DP I agree that characterization is unfair and racist. But I also think it appears in reaction to claims that Asian students are discriminated against by the selection committees, when there is absolutely no evidence to support this and overwhelming evidence that they are in fact over represented.

PP- My problem is there should be no concept of representation or over representation for these admissions. May the best kids get selected, whatever the criteria is. There should not be a "Your race is 13% of the population, so the 14th student who gets admitted in a 100 seat program means you are over-represented"

Look, I absolutely understand your frustration. And this is for anyone thinking kids like mine shouldn't have been chosen:
My kid is one of those "surprises" for Blair and I'm going to tell you how we approached application and perhaps it might help you see it in a different view. Why the committee chose them.
My kid knew they did not have the top map scores. They love math but science is their passion and that includes computer science too.
I don't want to identify myself or my child but because of my job, I approached the application as a job application. If a candidate doesn't have the top education or experience I listed on the job post, what do I want to see on the resume that could make me think yes, this is the IT guy I want.
So, in the award section, they listed awards or achievements strictly outside of school that showed discipline and hard work.
In the hobbies, they put one instrument (not a common one) one sports that takes discipline. One artistic hobby, two leasure ones and 2 that shows an interest in math science and computer science at home.
In the volunteer section, two that have nothing to do with SSL hours.
Their essay was written in their own voice, not very polished and rather short. They demonstrated a lifelong passion for science and computer science and strong work ethic as well as loving to collaborate with peers that they can learn from. Basically selling their soft skills as a way to offset a lower map score than others.
They were accepted into all of their choices so it means that different committees found their application compelling.
Remember that the map scores are only ONE criteria, the first one mentioned is a strong demonstrated interest in math science and computer science. They did not focus on math on the application but on all 3 subjects.
Again, I'm sorry. It feels unfair when the kid obviously worked very hard but that doesn't mean my kid deserves it less. My kid wants to be a scientist and they are doing stellar in science. Cogat was 99 percentile in 5th grade. They're a good fit for the magnet. Again I'm sorry.

What was the MAP score?

It was below 300!

Oh come on..0-300?

Not giving the exact number because there is a list the kids made that some parents have seen and I don't want to identify my child online.

I'm sorry but I have seen a number of comments here that TPMS magnet kids are making shareable lists of scores and admits and that is....toxic. Feeling compelled to collect and share that information is just not cool. That's a really bad behavior and cultural practice to feed (I mean culture of the way of thinking...not ethnicity). At a certain point it's not pride anymore: it's exclusivity and intellectual narcissism and it's not even a good luck for super gifted kids.

My kid is in the magnet and doesn't participate in this. They have a regular 98/99 MAP, but feel inferior to the kids who boast about 320s.

Do you not see all the parents here bragging? The toxic culture of the race to nowhere is alive and well at MCPS magnet programs. Of course the students feed into it all and many go on to have a lot mental health issues down the line. My oldest was in RMIB and was miserable. The students turn their noses up to non IB students. They popped adderall to focus all night study sessions to stay ahead. They ridiculed and dropped anyone that left the IB for a more balanced life. “They couldn’t do it” I definitely believe they are making lists and there is probably a mom who helped start it talking to another mom on the phone. Then let the kids take over. There are some genuinely nice kids, but the majority think and act like they are better than everyone else.

Unfortunately, I agree. And it begins with some of the parents. Essentially having just one metric here - MAP M has made it way worse for the kids too. They are focused less on the joy of learning and more on one test where you have to study ahead for success.

So your answer here is to demonize hard work and ability?

It’s not one metric. It’s very clear that the essay is very important too, arguably more so if you don’t have 300 plus map scores

I'm not privy to this list or even aware that it actually exists, but I do have one of those rare kids with over 300 at TPMS. I asked DC if they'd heard of this, they said then even they checked two groups and couldn't find anything... I guess that doesn't prove anything but I honestly have to wonder if this is just some another DCUM fabrication.

My kid didn’t know about it either. But she also said she “wouldn’t be friends with kids who did that kind of thing,” so maybe it’s one particular friend group?

Such goodness

There are at least 60 kids on the chat. Which is typical teenage chatter, congratulations, commiserations, anxieties, discussion of courses/electives/options and support. I asked my kid to show me because I was concerned but they all seem to be lovely, normal kids. (Caveat, I skimmed a little there are hundreds of messages). I expect your daughter would be happy to participate except that you made it out to be something it isn’t.

My TPMS magnet 8th grader has heard of this group chat but has never been invited to participate. If the kids are so lovely, normal, and supportive, why not open it up to the entire class rather than make some kids feel like they’re not wanted?

Wait, so now it's some kind of a secret society?? God, what's going on there at TPMS!

A lot of kids,schools and groups have this especially on discord.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the list is malicious. But I do think that it makes kids feel bad if they didn't get in and are watching many of their friends get in. It's kind of overwhelming. My kid wasn't even waitlisted and they are a straight A 99%ile TPMS magnet kid. They are not sad/lacking confidence, but they are definitely in their feelings about it (mostly anger and frustration).

So did kids with lower scores that your child get in? Is that the cause of anger/frustration?

i have a kid who is definitely having higher scores in 280 upper range, A grades with mostly 100%, extracurriculars in school, and was wait pooled for 2 and not selected for 2 more. The sad part is DC was not even selected for one. MY kid definitely knows kids in their school very well below like 23 below in the score and got selected. It does make the kid feel bad, how come they were not selected even for one, when kids with lower score got in

Is your child at a magnet? I do believe that magnet kids with high MAPs have it harder since they compete amongst themselves (despite the notion that the admission is school-blind). If anything, committee members can tell a student is at a magnet by looking at their transcript and the classes they are taking..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the list is malicious. But I do think that it makes kids feel bad if they didn't get in and are watching many of their friends get in. It's kind of overwhelming. My kid wasn't even waitlisted and they are a straight A 99%ile TPMS magnet kid. They are not sad/lacking confidence, but they are definitely in their feelings about it (mostly anger and frustration).

So did kids with lower scores that your child get in? Is that the cause of anger/frustration?

i have a kid who is definitely having higher scores in 280 upper range, A grades with mostly 100%, extracurriculars in school, and was wait pooled for 2 and not selected for 2 more. The sad part is DC was not even selected for one. MY kid definitely knows kids in their school very well below like 23 below in the score and got selected. It does make the kid feel bad, how come they were not selected even for one, when kids with lower score got in

Is your child at a magnet? I do believe that magnet kids with high MAPs have it harder since they compete amongst themselves (despite the notion that the admission is school-blind). If anything, committee members can tell a student is at a magnet by looking at their transcript and the classes they are taking..

DC was not in a magnet school, but had some magnet classes in the regular school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the list is malicious. But I do think that it makes kids feel bad if they didn't get in and are watching many of their friends get in. It's kind of overwhelming. My kid wasn't even waitlisted and they are a straight A 99%ile TPMS magnet kid. They are not sad/lacking confidence, but they are definitely in their feelings about it (mostly anger and frustration).

So did kids with lower scores that your child get in? Is that the cause of anger/frustration?

i have a kid who is definitely having higher scores in 280 upper range, A grades with mostly 100%, extracurriculars in school, and was wait pooled for 2 and not selected for 2 more. The sad part is DC was not even selected for one. MY kid definitely knows kids in their school very well below like 23 below in the score and got selected. It does make the kid feel bad, how come they were not selected even for one, when kids with lower score got in

I’m sorry this happened but it was about the essay and possibly MAP R. Mean admitted MAP M is 275 so more than half below that.