I love Mr Ostrander for exactly this reason. Why my kid chose it over RMIB whose open house was too focused on where kids went after high school.

The reason we chose Blair SMCS for our kid is that Mr. Ostrander has vocally, at every info session, spoken out against trying to game the HS experience in service of elite college admission. (We were at the info session this past fall with kid #2, who is opting not to do SMCS, and I believe his exact phrasing was, “You are doing damage to your children” when you focus on elite college admission.) High school classes - and activities - are about what is best for your high schooler right now.

Anonymous wrote:Wondering how it will look when applying to college if your kid is at Blair stem program but has no science/robotics/math activity or club. Would it be a huge disadvantage when applying for a college? Presume a child has a great gpa, and has other EC activities that she likes but no STEM related things. I assume many kids at Blair will do great at STEM clubs, competition or else. Should I not send my kid there?

DC in the same boat. They are involved with music in depth, so no time for many STEM EC. I don't think it's an issue for college but the STEM clubs at Blair are very good experience for students. They were worth doing for that reason even if the child doesn't have time for leadership role.

Anonymous wrote:Wondering how it will look when applying to college if your kid is at Blair stem program but has no science/robotics/math activity or club. Would it be a huge disadvantage when applying for a college? Presume a child has a great gpa, and has other EC activities that she likes but no STEM related things. I assume many kids at Blair will do great at STEM clubs, competition or else. Should I not send my kid there?

No, it's fine. Mine didn't do any of those and did very well in admissions. They did have lots of arts related activities/awards, though. And, a science award. But no science or math clubs or ECs.

Anonymous wrote:Even if your kid does all that forced activities, the chances are they won't get in to elite schools anyway. If your oldest kid hasn't gone through the college app process, you may not agree with me, but that's the reality. Avoid "why did I go through all that pain" syndrome, and enjoy hs years.

There is this. And you are right, the college process is brutal. BUT, my 2 magnets still don’t regret going as they enjoyed it. But yes, most don’t get into the Elites.

This has got to be one of the lamest questions.

Even if your kid does all that forced activities, the chances are they won't get in to elite schools anyway. If your oldest kid hasn't gone through the college app process, you may not agree with me, but that's the reality. Avoid "why did I go through all that pain" syndrome, and enjoy hs years.

Anonymous wrote:The magnet kids are involved in lots of things, and much of it outside of class in NOT stem related. Makes you more ‘well rounded’ which is what most colleges want now anyway.

I thought colleges wanted spikey?

OP, at some point you have to stop worrying about building your resume for acceptance into college and focus instead on your child's interests. If they already have a great GPA, other ECs and attending Blair SMAC then that should be enough for college applications. Don't force her into certain activities. IF she doesn't get into MIT or a school of that caliber, so be it.

The magnet kids are involved in lots of things, and much of it outside of class in NOT stem related. Makes you more ‘well rounded’ which is what most colleges want now anyway.

I had tthat kid. She xc and track all four years (though not at a recruitable level) so no time for much else. Maybe it made her look more broad? She did have a decent internship junior summer so that probably helped. She is at a T20 school

My kid is likely going to be in that situation and we’re sending her there. She will enjoy the classes, the rigor, and the smart classmates. I figure she’ll be competitive for college because of the STEM magnet and advanced courses, and the other things will make her seem well rounded and interesting. She won’t be competitive for MIT or whatever compared to someone all-in on STEM ECs, but that’s fine.

Wondering how it will look when applying to college if your kid is at Blair stem program but has no science/robotics/math activity or club. Would it be a huge disadvantage when applying for a college? Presume a child has a great gpa, and has other EC activities that she likes but no STEM related things. I assume many kids at Blair will do great at STEM clubs, competition or else. Should I not send my kid there?