Anonymous
01/27/2026 09:48
Subject: When do you guys think magnet results are coming out this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DC Got in! Map M- 289 fall and Map R- 245
Got into what program(s)?
It’s sad how Blair focuses exclusively on MAP M. My kid had a 270 MAP M and 262 MAP R and didn’t get in to Blair SMCS despite being a more well-rounded student presumably than the kid above…
It's a very narrow set of criteria. No COGAT, and with most kids who apply for Blair SMCS getting As in STEM class, MAP M is the only thing they review that shows a big range. They don't look at MAP-R at all for the STEM programs. Similarly, they don't look at MAP-M at all for the IB programs.
It's a flawed set of criteria IMHO, but I don't work for MCPS>
My kid had a 269 MAP-M with all As and I figured they had no chance of getting into SMCS, and it turns out I was correct. Unfortunately, the cut-off is pretty high.
Also, just a reminder that in addition to MAP scores and grades, there's also the essay and list of activities/interests, along with consideration of special programs (e.g., IEP, 504, etc.). While I don't know how much weight is placed on those, they do allow for some differentiation beyond just MAP-M.
But with the activities and interests you run into biases and inequities. My kids' relatively wealthy middle school has a math team, but no science team/science bowl. I'm sure other schools have far less. How can you credit a kid for showing "exceptional extracurricular interest in science" when their school offers nothing. So you end up with 100 kids selected for SMCS who have high MAP-M scores. You can prep by enrolling your kid in a MAP course, as many parents do (I never did, but my kid didn't make MAP-M 280, so I guess that was a mistake.)
If your kids have exceptional extracurricular interests in science, they’ll do something at least and be able to write about their interests. It doesn’t have to be expensive camps or school clubs. You can’t just say they have strong interests but nothing to show.
Anonymous
01/27/2026 09:28
Subject: When do you guys think magnet results are coming out this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DC Got in! Map M- 289 fall and Map R- 245
Got into what program(s)?
It’s sad how Blair focuses exclusively on MAP M. My kid had a 270 MAP M and 262 MAP R and didn’t get in to Blair SMCS despite being a more well-rounded student presumably than the kid above…
It's a very narrow set of criteria. No COGAT, and with most kids who apply for Blair SMCS getting As in STEM class, MAP M is the only thing they review that shows a big range. They don't look at MAP-R at all for the STEM programs. Similarly, they don't look at MAP-M at all for the IB programs.
It's a flawed set of criteria IMHO, but I don't work for MCPS>
My kid had a 269 MAP-M with all As and I figured they had no chance of getting into SMCS, and it turns out I was correct. Unfortunately, the cut-off is pretty high.
Also, just a reminder that in addition to MAP scores and grades, there's also the essay and list of activities/interests, along with consideration of special programs (e.g., IEP, 504, etc.). While I don't know how much weight is placed on those, they do allow for some differentiation beyond just MAP-M.
But with the activities and interests you run into biases and inequities. My kids' relatively wealthy middle school has a math team, but no science team/science bowl. I'm sure other schools have far less. How can you credit a kid for showing "exceptional extracurricular interest in science" when their school offers nothing. So you end up with 100 kids selected for SMCS who have high MAP-M scores. You can prep by enrolling your kid in a MAP course, as many parents do (I never did, but my kid didn't make MAP-M 280, so I guess that was a mistake.)
That's easy. There are many opportunities outside school to demonstrate interest - e.g., camps, classes. If cost is an issue, 13 and 14 year olds can often volunteer to be a counselor in training (CIT) for a younger kids' camp. There are also many free STEM camps and workshops that I see offered through my kid's MS. Write science fiction. Be creative!
Anonymous
01/26/2026 12:39
Subject: When do you guys think magnet results are coming out this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DC Got in! Map M- 289 fall and Map R- 245
Got into what program(s)?
It’s sad how Blair focuses exclusively on MAP M. My kid had a 270 MAP M and 262 MAP R and didn’t get in to Blair SMCS despite being a more well-rounded student presumably than the kid above…
It's a very narrow set of criteria. No COGAT, and with most kids who apply for Blair SMCS getting As in STEM class, MAP M is the only thing they review that shows a big range. They don't look at MAP-R at all for the STEM programs. Similarly, they don't look at MAP-M at all for the IB programs.
It's a flawed set of criteria IMHO, but I don't work for MCPS>
My kid had a 269 MAP-M with all As and I figured they had no chance of getting into SMCS, and it turns out I was correct. Unfortunately, the cut-off is pretty high.
Also, just a reminder that in addition to MAP scores and grades, there's also the essay and list of activities/interests, along with consideration of special programs (e.g., IEP, 504, etc.). While I don't know how much weight is placed on those, they do allow for some differentiation beyond just MAP-M.
But with the activities and interests you run into biases and inequities. My kids' relatively wealthy middle school has a math team, but no science team/science bowl. I'm sure other schools have far less. How can you credit a kid for showing "exceptional extracurricular interest in science" when their school offers nothing. So you end up with 100 kids selected for SMCS who have high MAP-M scores. You can prep by enrolling your kid in a MAP course, as many parents do (I never did, but my kid didn't make MAP-M 280, so I guess that was a mistake.)
Anonymous
01/26/2026 12:32
Subject: When do you guys think magnet results are coming out this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DC Got in! Map M- 289 fall and Map R- 245
Got into what program(s)?
It’s sad how Blair focuses exclusively on MAP M. My kid had a 270 MAP M and 262 MAP R and didn’t get in to Blair SMCS despite being a more well-rounded student presumably than the kid above…
It's a very narrow set of criteria. No COGAT, and with most kids who apply for Blair SMCS getting As in STEM class, MAP M is the only thing they review that shows a big range. They don't look at MAP-R at all for the STEM programs. Similarly, they don't look at MAP-M at all for the IB programs.
It's a flawed set of criteria IMHO, but I don't work for MCPS>
My kid had a 269 MAP-M with all As and I figured they had no chance of getting into SMCS, and it turns out I was correct. Unfortunately, the cut-off is pretty high.
Also, just a reminder that in addition to MAP scores and grades, there's also the essay and list of activities/interests, along with consideration of special programs (e.g., IEP, 504, etc.). While I don't know how much weight is placed on those, they do allow for some differentiation beyond just MAP-M.
PP again, just noting that while admission is school-blind and (allegedly) race-blind, it's not gender-blind. I don't have anything beyond speculation but that could also factor into selection.
Anonymous
01/26/2026 12:27
Subject: When do you guys think magnet results are coming out this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DC Got in! Map M- 289 fall and Map R- 245
Got into what program(s)?
It’s sad how Blair focuses exclusively on MAP M. My kid had a 270 MAP M and 262 MAP R and didn’t get in to Blair SMCS despite being a more well-rounded student presumably than the kid above…
It's a very narrow set of criteria. No COGAT, and with most kids who apply for Blair SMCS getting As in STEM class, MAP M is the only thing they review that shows a big range. They don't look at MAP-R at all for the STEM programs. Similarly, they don't look at MAP-M at all for the IB programs.
It's a flawed set of criteria IMHO, but I don't work for MCPS>
My kid had a 269 MAP-M with all As and I figured they had no chance of getting into SMCS, and it turns out I was correct. Unfortunately, the cut-off is pretty high.
Also, just a reminder that in addition to MAP scores and grades, there's also the essay and list of activities/interests, along with consideration of special programs (e.g., IEP, 504, etc.). While I don't know how much weight is placed on those, they do allow for some differentiation beyond just MAP-M.
Anonymous
01/26/2026 11:32
Subject: When do you guys think magnet results are coming out this year?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:DC Got in! Map M- 289 fall and Map R- 245
Got into what program(s)?
It’s sad how Blair focuses exclusively on MAP M. My kid had a 270 MAP M and 262 MAP R and didn’t get in to Blair SMCS despite being a more well-rounded student presumably than the kid above…
It's a very narrow set of criteria. No COGAT, and with most kids who apply for Blair SMCS getting As in STEM class, MAP M is the only thing they review that shows a big range. They don't look at MAP-R at all for the STEM programs. Similarly, they don't look at MAP-M at all for the IB programs.
It's a flawed set of criteria IMHO, but I don't work for MCPS>
Anonymous
01/26/2026 10:50
Subject: When do you guys think magnet results are coming out this year?
What is the difference between wait list and wait pool? Does one come first for spots?