Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in my DC’s case. Their essay was solely about love in math and physics and dream to build a career in those fields. Got in to both SMCS and RM. But they got 300+ in map-m, and 99% on map-r, so I guess stats are still given a good priority.

How much plus above 300?

Forgot. 10 maybe? It’s above 300 since 7th grade. DC’s MAP-R highest score was 255 if I remember correctly.

My kid is struggling how to write one essay that covers both a science and humanities program. I don't understand why they don't let kids submit separate essays for programs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't try to write the essay for your kid, period. If they can't handle this 250 words essay, they can't handle the pressure for college application.

Good thing this isn't a college application.

More to the point, if an 8th grader isn’t yet able to independently write a 250-word essay, the regular 9th grader curriculum should be plenty challenging for them — no need for a magnet.

I don't think any of the 8th grade parents chiming in here are saying their kids can't independently write an essay, but the question is pretty generic so maybe their kids just want some suggestions on how to approach it. Some folks have responded with suggestions, so thank you! But if you don't have anything to offer but snark, maybe don't bother.

Anonymous wrote:Not in my DC’s case. Their essay was solely about love in math and physics and dream to build a career in those fields. Got in to both SMCS and RM. But they got 300+ in map-m, and 99% on map-r, so I guess stats are still given a good priority.

How much plus above 300?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't try to write the essay for your kid, period. If they can't handle this 250 words essay, they can't handle the pressure for college application.

Good thing this isn't a college application.

More to the point, if an 8th grader isn’t yet able to independently write a 250-word essay, the regular 9th grader curriculum should be plenty challenging for them — no need for a magnet.

Not in my DC’s case. Their essay was solely about love in math and physics and dream to build a career in those fields. Got in to both SMCS and RM. But they got 300+ in map-m, and 99% on map-r, so I guess stats are still given a good priority.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least last year, the essay was supposed to be describing what you are passionate about. I would not go for a laundry list. Have your child draft something describing their general interests in life, and their approaches to those. Read it and give them some feedback, but let their writing stand for itself. I think the committees love seeing a 13-year-old voice.

Maybe this is a dumb question, but if your kid is applying to both humanities and STEM magnets, how should they tailor their essay if the reviewers are looking to see whether the program will be a good fit for them? (not planning on being involved in the writing, but my kid is asking!)

That’s the problem. We don’t know focusing too much on math would hurt the chance of getting into IB.

Anonymous wrote:At least last year, the essay was supposed to be describing what you are passionate about. I would not go for a laundry list. Have your child draft something describing their general interests in life, and their approaches to those. Read it and give them some feedback, but let their writing stand for itself. I think the committees love seeing a 13-year-old voice.

Maybe this is a dumb question, but if your kid is applying to both humanities and STEM magnets, how should they tailor their essay if the reviewers are looking to see whether the program will be a good fit for them? (not planning on being involved in the writing, but my kid is asking!)

Anonymous wrote:Don't try to write the essay for your kid, period. If they can't handle this 250 words essay, they can't handle the pressure for college application.

Good thing this isn't a college application.

Yeah don’t think too hard. I can’t even remember what my DD’s was about but I had no part in it. She just wrote something. Not a list nor about MAP scores. I don’t remember her spending so much time on it. And she got in everywhere she applied to (Blair SMCS and Poolesville Ecology). Don’t overthink it and just let your kid write.

Don't try to write the essay for your kid, period. If they can't handle this 250 words essay, they can't handle the pressure for college application.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. Also, just for information, my DC is highly motivated and really wants to get in, and has positive growth. Should they highlight this, and how?

What are you thinking re: positive growth?

Like DC has positive growth in map scores and such, should I say this?

lol! Don’t write your kid’s essay, OP.

My DH tried to write my DD’s essay, and she got very annoyed with him. She wanted to do it herself and also did not want to cheat. His essay was ridiculous and in no way sounded like a teenager’s voice. It was cheesy and obviously written by a helicopter parent. She and I both told him to get lost, she wrote her own essay (which had a couple of rough things in the writing I didn’t point out to her), and she got into Blair.

Ask your child how they would like to approach it.

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. Also, just for information, my DC is highly motivated and really wants to get in, and has positive growth. Should they highlight this, and how?

Your child should talk about what they want to do in the next few years in school, based on their experiences in the past. It's not that complicated, and it's not a trick. The committee is looking for students who are a match for the program.

Anonymous wrote:At least last year, the essay was supposed to be describing what you are passionate about. I would not go for a laundry list. Have your child draft something describing their general interests in life, and their approaches to those. Read it and give them some feedback, but let their writing stand for itself. I think the committees love seeing a 13-year-old voice.

Parents are not supposed to be involved in writing the essay.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any general tips on how to write the 250-word essay? Like, should DC just do a laundry list and how it impacted them, or should they write a stor with a hook? Any other advice for how to get in? Anything appreciated!

Anyone know if you are supposed to answer the question with a story or a list of extracurriculars?

To the student: respond the prompt. If you can't work that out, magnet is likely not for you