Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did nothing to prep. My kid had a MAP M of mid 270s and MAP R of mid 260s.

Wrote about his passions (STEM) and work ethic (very motivated), some extra curriculars that showed balance and team work and ability to work with others. He wrote it all himself. It had a good hook and showcased his interests.

He got admitted to all the selective programs - Blair magnet and CAP, the Wheaton programs, the IB programs (RM and local). Chose Blair.

What you have to consider is that these programs are extremely rigorous and hard work. Your kid has to be strongly motivated to succeed. Kids who land there due to pushy parents trying to manipulate the selection will be miserable.

Fair point, but not every kid has that motivation while stuck in gen ed classes in MS. Some find it when surrounded by other bright, motivated kids in electives they find interesting.

I can’t stress it more. Unless your kid strongly wants to go do not push them. The workload is intense. They don’t get to pick electives they find interesting until junior year anyway. If your kid isn’t motivated in middle school this is not the right place for them. They also need to be highly organized. My kid is very motivated, extremely organized and works very hard but as a parent I have conflicted feelings about their teenage years being so focused on studying, studying and more studying. It’s relentless. I’ve talked to other parents who have expressed similar concerns. We are all afraid our kids will burn out and these are kids who strongly want to be there and in most ways are thriving.

And bear in mind that you can take advanced classes at any high school.

Anonymous wrote:We did nothing to prep. My kid had a MAP M of mid 270s and MAP R of mid 260s.

Wrote about his passions (STEM) and work ethic (very motivated), some extra curriculars that showed balance and team work and ability to work with others. He wrote it all himself. It had a good hook and showcased his interests.

He got admitted to all the selective programs - Blair magnet and CAP, the Wheaton programs, the IB programs (RM and local). Chose Blair.

What you have to consider is that these programs are extremely rigorous and hard work. Your kid has to be strongly motivated to succeed. Kids who land there due to pushy parents trying to manipulate the selection will be miserable.

Fair point, but not every kid has that motivation while stuck in gen ed classes in MS. Some find it when surrounded by other bright, motivated kids in electives they find interesting.