Anonymous wrote:ttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444070104578042783816300100.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

Irrelevant.

Last year I think there were 3 questions on the application. One question we answered in just 3 sentences, and the other two were a one sentence answer each. Our DC is in the center now.

A. If your home school isn't implementing the William & Mary/Jr. Great Books (or only partially implenting), and reading/language arts is your child's strength - I would mention that
B. I don't think it really matters much - test score and teacher recs are more important to the people evaluating
C. I think they are turned off by pages long replies - they get hundreds of applications per center to wade through

Anonymous wrote:ttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444070104578042783816300100.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444070104578042783816300100.html

Anonymous wrote:ttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444070104578042783816300100.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

Link didn't work...

ttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444070104578042783816300100.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

Anonymous wrote:are you kidding? I honestly don't think the "essay" is too relevant...they look at grades, test scores, teacher recommendations, and mostly, I think, the test they take in January.

My DS is in 5th grade at a center, we only wrote one sentence that we completed in 2 minutes..." we don't think his needs are met at his current school" or something like that.

+1
I did the same thing - one sentence saying dd would benefit from an enriched curriculum and more challenge. I think the test results and teacher rec. probably matters more. DD is now at a HGC

are you kidding? I honestly don't think the "essay" is too relevant...they look at grades, test scores, teacher recommendations, and mostly, I think, the test they take in January.

My DS is in 5th grade at a center, we only wrote one sentence that we completed in 2 minutes..." we don't think his needs are met at his current school" or something like that.

PP again--forgot to mention: this may not be accurate, but I have heard that the parent questions are the least important part of the application. Test scores count the most.

Our child is currently at a center. When we applied, I gave specific examples of how DC's needs weren't being met at home school; I also gave specific examples when answering the parent questions. (In other words, instead of saying, "X is really smart ," I said things like "One day X deduced the quadratic formula before breakfast." Yes, kidding with example, but that is the idea.)

HTH.

Let your child get in on her/his own merits. You should know the reasons you want your child in there without needing a list of buzzwords.

Can their needs be met at their home school?
Do they have peer groups at their home school?
What interests/subjects are they driven to pursue?

Anonymous wrote:If you have to ask..don't apply.

Oh... Okay. I won't apply.

When I wrote one last year for DD, I scanned the brochure, and my notes from the informational meeting. There were the "buzzwords", meaning, from that I knew what they were looking for and was able to gear the answers to the questions to fit that. Not too hard. Good luck!

If you have to ask..don't apply.

Any suggestions for key words/phrases to use in essay for HG center?