Chance Me/Good Fit at TAMS

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

Hi all, I’m a rising sophomore considering TAMS for my junior and senior years of high school. I haven’t truly taken a look at TAMS until this summer, and it now seems like a very appealing opportunity for me. I have a couple of questions that hopefully a parent/student/alumnus could answer. Is there a social atmosphere around TAMS? Are the college students receptive at all to social TAMS students? Is there a possibility of practicing (not playing due to NCAA) with the college team if I’m at the same level? Thanks in advance!

PSAT 8/9 (freshman year)
Math: 720/720
Reading/Writing: 650/720

SAT (7th grade) 2010
Math: 770
Reading: 600
Writing: 640, Essay: 8

SAT (6th grade) 1850
Math: 720
Reading: 560
Writing: 570, Essay: 6? (not sure, probably isn’t important)

9th Grade
Honors Bio (B+ first semester, A second)
Honors Chem (A’s)
AP Calc BC (very likely a 5) (A+'s)
Western/Eastern Civ (no honors available and A/A+)
Spanish 2 (no honors available and A+)
Freshman English (no honors available and A+)

10th Grade
AP Chem
Linear Algebra (post-AP)
Honors Physics
AP European History
Sophomore English (no honors available)
Spanish 3 (no honors available)

School Type: Competitive Private, graduating class of 90
Class Rank: Tied for (or) 1st

Extra Curriculars
Sports: Varsity soccer, cross country, and track both freshman and sophomore year; Select soccer for 5 years
Clubs: Outdoors Club, student council (grade rep), Competitive Math Club, Math Club, some others
-Summer before sophomore year spent commuting and working in downtown Dallas at large finance firm doing market research and analysis under CEO
-Spends some of free time shadowing surgeons, ENT’s, cardiologists, etc at hospital which mother works at
-Self-taught guitar player
-Active within local running community, help organize/volunteer the Fort Worth marathon each year

Awards as of now
-AIME Qual as a freshman
-2x Mathcounts Chapter Winner (In Fort Worth, a city of 700,000+ people), 3x Qualified & ranked at state
-24th? at State Mathcounts as well
-Numerous Local (Dallas/Fort Worth) Math Competition awards (in Algebra 1 through Calculus) such as McNabb, Metroplex
-Member of SET (Julian C Stanley Study of Exceptional Talent)
-National Recognition in Duke TIP Program
-National Spanish Exam 3x Gold Medal
-National Latin Exam 2x Gold Medal
-DFW Middle School Stock Investment Content 2nd Place (Over 4-5 months, made a 25 or so % increase in net value)

2

Also, I didn’t know of the Prep School Chances Forum until after I posted. How does one get their post moved?

3

A mod will move it.

4

Bump to try to get my post moved to Prep School Chances

5

Hello rising TAMS Junior here. I myself, applied in freshman year and got in. In comparison with my stats I think that you have a easy shot at making it. You have community service, plenty of accolades, and from what your 7th grade SAT score is I think your tenth grade SAT score will be good as well. TAMS does have a high acceptance rate.

Is there a social atmosphere around TAMS?

Although I don’t start until August, from what I have seen, there is definitely a social atmosphere at TAMS. Everyone is really chill and will help out. After all you do live with your friends. You get to talk with people who have similar aspirations and have the drive to succeed.

Also since there is no ranking people are really nice and helpful. People don’t try to back stab you for a higher rank.

At TAMS you do form really meaningful and long lasting relationships.

Are the college students receptive at all to social TAMS students?

Again as I said I don’t have first hand experience, but a lot of the seniors have said that UNT students are really social and receptive as long as you don’t brag and are cocky that you are in TAMS.

Is there a possibility of practicing (not playing due to NCAA) with the college team if I'm at the same level?

I don’t know too much but you are considered a UNT student so you do have access to all UNT facilities… I have seen a senior in a UNT sports clubs so I guess you probably can… Don’t take my word on it…

6

One factor that play in admission is your school. For example Plano has a lot of applicants so it would be harder to get in from Plano than it would be to get in from a small city that sends in 1 or 2 people to TAMS

I would recommend you check out a preview day if you are interested.

7

Thank you for the extended and thought-out answer. I’m definitely tempted to attend a preview day and apply for early decision.
Are there any other TAMS students out on the forum who can affirm the help @cerealguy3 gave? Also, if anyone is interested, I can keep this post updated on how admission and preview days go.

8

Hey there! I’m actually going to be a TAMS senior in the fall, and judging by your stats, you have a really good chance for getting accepted. If you don’t mind me asking, where are you from and are there any fields that you’re interested in?

cerealguy3’s answers are pretty much on point, but i’ll give you my two cents.

1.Is there a social atmosphere around TAMS?
Oh yeah, definitely.
In addition to club meetings, organizations will often hold some kind of event to raise money for a cause. Examples of events range from dances (the big ones are hoco and prom), movie nights, bake sales, and auctions. In addition, there’s also tons of opportunities to volunteer, so there’s that too. Also, the TAMS community is really supportive and really helpful too.

  1. Are the college students receptive at all to social TAMS students? I've had classes with UNT students and they are really chill/nice for the most part, just don't act pretentious around them. Also, most UNT students don't know if you're a TAMS student until you tell them, so they just treat you like a normal college student.

3.Is there a possibility of practicing (not playing due to NCAA) with the college team if I’m at the same level?
I’m not entirely sure the answer to this question, because I don’t participate in sports, but I do know that there’s a TAMS students who was on the UNT table tennis team, so it’s something that you should look into/ask other TAMS students.

Also, I know you didn’t ask about the application process, but if you are planning to apply, I really recommend getting started on the app as soon as possible (just because you don’t have to worry about it as much during sophomore year). I’d also recommend coming for a Preview Day/Spend a Day when the school year starts (I don’t think they offer either in the summer), just to get a feel for what TAMS is like.

If you have any other questions about TAMS, feel free to message me!