Got emails at parent email only (no kid's email) for acceptance into Blair STEM, and rejection from RMIB. TPMS magnet Kid was planning to go to Blair STEM only anyway, else he would have gone to Wooton. He tells me that all his best buddies (pretty smart kids) are accepted into Blair STEM and/or RMIB though a kid with an exceptionally high MAP-M score is waitlisted. They all have high MAP-M/R scores and are Math/Science/Difference Makers club officers. Kid won a regional Math competition last year, a regional chess competition a few years ago, and started a club last year besides doing very well in math and science clubs. Basically, a pretty nerdy kid with strong extracurriculars and the ability to work very hard and determined to succeed. Anyways, I am writing all this to give ideas to parents whose kids will be applying for next year. I got so many tips and info- from this website that I feel obliged to do so as those proved very helpful for my kid to get admitted first into TPMS Magnet and now into Blair STEM Magnet. At the same time, I am also seeking info- now from parents with kids interested in pursuing STEM careers in top colleges or already there for my kid to help him plan his pathway at Blair so he could get into top colleges (hopefully with some scholarship). What courses he should be taking, what extracurricular activities are regarded as most valuable, etc. Basically, anything that can help him achieve his goal. I know what I am asking for is a tall order, but even a little help will be highly appreciated. I am an immigrant who didn't go to school in this country so don't have much idea about schools and colleges here so seeking your help. Again, I am very very thankful to great parents who have been sharing valuable info- for parents and kids here. Best wishes to your kids and hope they are able to achieve what they want to in their lives!

My kid got waitlisted at his preferred program and invited to another. Can he stay on the waitlist and accept the other invitation? I'm guessing not. So, if he declines the one invitation and never gets off the other waitlist, he's out of luck?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:kid is saying they based out of sports, since friends with less score got in or at least wait listed by doing a sport

I doubt it. My son doesn't do any sports and got in. It is really hard to find a rhyme and reason for these things.

+1 mine got into Blair SMACS with no extra curricular activities at all, and only the bare minimum SSL hours. I doubt those things matter much.

Do you think your kid got in based on MAP scores alone, out of interest? Or was there anything in their essay that definitely made them stand out? My kid also got into Blair without any extra curricular except swimming.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:kid is saying they based out of sports, since friends with less score got in or at least wait listed by doing a sport

I doubt this very much. Sounds like some resentment there.

it is not resentment, it is from a kid who does the best at everything and goes above and beyond, so when trying to see who got in with less scores vs who did not get in with good scores, the difference seemed to be being in a team sport,

For those who are questioning decisions. I have two straight A DCs, one didn’t get into RMIB a few years ago and one got in today. Neither of them are sporty or have many ECs but the younger one is a strong writer and very analytical, questions everything. Older one is more book smart, who is very happy at RM, still kicking a$$ as a “regular” honors/AP student.
Don’t be too hard on yourselves.

My private school DD is in at Blair but we still have not heard from RMIB. Weird.

Anonymous wrote:does being in a swim team or doing a tennis program matter , my child is so upset and is crying as failure, map scores in 99% and all 99-100 upper A grades. child is so upset as kids who are as low as 237 in map r got into RM. Did they do more by sports this year?

My child plays sports but did not mention it in the application. Got in but has 99th p++ maps and all As. I'm sorry about your child. It means nothing PP! It's really random sometimes.

Anonymous wrote:kid is saying they based out of sports, since friends with less score got in or at least wait listed by doing a sport

Doubtful. I’m sure my kid would have made it in if sports mattered. He’s in one waitpool and rejected for his top choice. Competitive in two sports.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My TPMS magnet kid is in at RM IB program, Blair magnet and waitlisted for CAP. No word from Wheaton engineering yet.

Which program is generally harder to get in to? Should I push him to even consider RM? Blair would be a much better commute and he’s set his sights in it because do have all his classmates but the IB program seems so more well rounded.

Blair is better if your kid wants engineering track. RMIB was the first choice for our non-engineer kid because we felt the focus on analytical writing prepares so well for college (and that was the area in which he needed the most improvement). He will still do STEM track but will have balance with strong humanities classes. Really don’t think you can go wrong though, and commute is a significant factor. Let your kid decide.

I would say WHeaton is better for Engineering. I have a recent Blair magnet grad and current Wheaton Engineering student. Both great programs. Blair has more variety, Wheaton is more focused/hands on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:kid is saying they based out of sports, since friends with less score got in or at least wait listed by doing a sport

I doubt it. My son doesn't do any sports and got in. It is really hard to find a rhyme and reason for these things.

+1 mine got into Blair SMACS with no extra curricular activities at all, and only the bare minimum SSL hours. I doubt those things matter much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:does being in a swim team or doing a tennis program matter , my child is so upset and is crying as failure, map scores in 99% and all 99-100 upper A grades. child is so upset as kids who are as low as 237 in map r got into RM. Did they do more by sports this year?

My first question is why your child knows a peer's map score down to the exact score.


For what it's worth, I have a child who got into RMIB and has not come willingly within 25 yards of a competitive sport in his entire life.

they share scores with their friends

Anonymous wrote:kid is saying they based out of sports, since friends with less score got in or at least wait listed by doing a sport

I doubt this very much. Sounds like some resentment there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:does being in a swim team or doing a tennis program matter , my child is so upset and is crying as failure, map scores in 99% and all 99-100 upper A grades. child is so upset as kids who are as low as 237 in map r got into RM. Did they do more by sports this year?

My first question is why your child knows a peer's map score down to the exact score.

For what it's worth, I have a child who got into RMIB and has not come willingly within 25 yards of a competitive sport in his entire life.

Anonymous wrote:kid is saying they based out of sports, since friends with less score got in or at least wait listed by doing a sport

I doubt it. My son doesn't do any sports and got in. It is really hard to find a rhyme and reason for these things.

Anonymous wrote:does being in a swim team or doing a tennis program matter , my child is so upset and is crying as failure, map scores in 99% and all 99-100 upper A grades. child is so upset as kids who are as low as 237 in map r got into RM. Did they do more by sports this year?