Chances for TAMS (Texas Academy of Math and Science)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello CC users, I am a currently a high school sophomore wishing to attend TAMS (Texas Academy of Math and Science) for my junior and senior years. TAMS is basically an accelerated college experience where I would enroll in college classes at the age of 15. More info @ tams.unt.edu. Anyways, please post your opinion regarding your thoughts on my acceptance to the program.</p>

<p>SAT: N/A (will take in Jan., most likely 1800-2100)
GPA: 4.11 Weighted
AP: Taking AP Computer Science A and AP World History - projected 5's</p>

<p>SPORTS:
Varsity Cross Country(9th)
JV Track and Field(9th)
JV Cross Country(10th)</p>

<p>EXTRA-CURRICULARS:
Class President of Student Council(10th)
Co-founder and VP of Computer Programming Club(9th,10th)
Orchestra Council in Orchestra(9th,10th)
Member of Model UN(10th)
Member of HOSA(10th)
Orchestra(7th-10th)
UIL Number Sense(7th-8th)
Viola Tutor(9th,10th)</p>

<p>AWARDS:
Best in Pre-Algebra(7th)
Best in Science(7th)
Best in Algebra I(8th)
Best in Spanish II(9th)
Best in Computer Science Honors(9th)
Solo and Ensemble Class I Division(6th-8th)</p>

<p>GRADES:</p>

<p>7th and 8th ~ High A's in Maths and Sciences. 1 B in Spanish
9th ~ All A's, 1 B in Spanish II
10th ~ All A's, Quarter Grades in Chem and Alg II - 92,94 and 92,100 respectively</p>

<p>Notes: Positive trend, only weakness found in Spanish, although I was Spanish Student of the year as a freshman.</p>

<p>Teacher Recs: All good, Algebra II teacher familiar with TAMS program.</p>

<p>Accelerated Classes:
World Geography Honors
Geometry Honors
Spanish II Honors
Spanish III Honors
AP World History
AP Computer Science
Computer Science Honors
Algebra II Honors
Chemistry Honors
Biology Honors</p>

<p>Hooks: Only freshman in school history to take Computer Science as freshman. Strong interest in engineering/mathematical field. Additional teacher rec from Comp Sci teacher.</p>

<p>Please be brutally honest with your replies. Thank you.</p>

2

<p>bump… bump…</p>

3

<p>I have a friend who transferred out of our school last year to attend TAMS (he’s currently a junior). I don’t know much about the application experience, but from what I remember, the SAT score is pretty important, so I’d aim for the 2200+ range. Your weighted GPA seems somewhat low for a sophomore if your school weights like mine (4.0 for an A in a level course, 5.0 for an A in an honors course, 6.0 for an A in an AP course), but your ECs are excellent. My advice is to bump up that GPA with some stellar marks this year, and make sure you score well above 2000 on the SAT. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>thanks for your advice ForeverFish
I will work on improving my GPA</p>

5

<p>From what I’ve heard, they don’t really pay attention to your SAT scores. They don’t look at your Reading and Writing but they really look into your Math. People have told me that they look at your gender and ethnicity and decide your score limits. For example, if you’re an Asian girl, you would have more of a chance to get in. But, if you’re a white boy (no offense), it’d be pretty hard for you. I am and 8th grader thinking of going to TAMS if you couldn’t already tell. I met up with someone who had graduated from TAMS and he labeled getting admitted into TAMS as easy. I was pretty guarded after that because I’m pretty sure it’s not easy to get it in. My extracurricular activities are horrible. And my grades vary so I think that’s why I’m really scared of disappointing my father and mother. They’ve put all their hopes on me, and I personally think they’d get angry if I didn’t get in. I’m scared and I think it’s why I’m actually putting effort into something. Anyway, your Math is what you might want to improve because they really look at that. A TAMSter I know got in with M-740, CR-500 and W-700. She was a Korean transfer and I think thats why she got in pretty easily. But, I think TAMS is a great program, and I really hope I can improve my extra curricular activities!</p>

<p>-HaruHarumi</p>

6

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I’m currently a TAMS senior! I’m glad to see you’re interested in TAMS. Your chances of getting in really depend on your location in Texas. I came from a small-ish town in the Panhandle, so it was fairly easy for me to get in. I applied with a 1960 SAT, and my only awards/ECs were band related. As HaruHarumi said, they really focus on your Math score. I think I got a 760 for the SAT I submitted. Unfortunately, if you are from the Dallas area (especially Plano), it’s going to be a bit trickier to get in. They can’t take too many Plano students because the program is state funded, so they need some variety demographics-wise. If you are from a rural area of Texas, you seem set for getting an interview. Did you apply for early or regular decision?</p>

<p>Also, the math tests you take at the interview are really really important! So if you get invited, make sure you take those tests seriously :)</p>

<p>Good luck with your application!</p>

7

<p>Oh, thanks for applying saxplayer123. I am not in a rural part of Texas I am in the Irving/Coppell Area. In my school 15 other students are applying. How do u think i shape up against competition?</p>

8

<p>It’ll depend on how you shape up next to the other 15 who are applying with you. With their focus on geographic diversity (and kind of like college), they’ll evaluate you a little (or a lot) in the context of your school and the other applicants.</p>

9

<p>What high school do you go do?</p>

10

<p>Hi tdkeerthi. I think you look like a really strong applicant, as long as you get a high SAT. Remember to focus on the math section. Since this is a math and science academy, they highly emphasize the math score :)</p>

11

<p>What kind of name is Curry? If you want to be professional, get proper name. Then I will treat you with respect. You have small chance. If you get B’s then say bye bye to chances. Also, you don’t get valid award. My daughter get good award in science and math but get waitlisted. My daughter get waitlisted with TAMS for 2080 with 770 in math. She don’t have ECs but they not important. And why do you play sports? TAMS is not athletic NBA academy. It is for studying and academics. If TAMS accept you, they will be Texas Academy of Math and Sports(TAMS). Get focused for TAMS. My daughter friends in Plano get 2200 SAT and get in. NO ECs NO SPORTS. They are not important. Your passion for science and math is important. Find passion and improve GPA for chance.</p>

<p>-Tzu</p>

12

<p>Tzu I think that you seem to be really stereotypical and close-minded. The way you are making it sound seems like if anybody, even a homeless man on the street could get a 2220+ on the SAT(even by guessing), then Harvard and everybody would accept them. SAT is just a part but not all of it. Extra Curriculars and dedication are quite important in any admissions process. If academics is all you focus on you will be one-sided. Colleges want well-rounded people, not some girl who sits in a room all day studying vocab in a corner.</p>

13

<p>Mangoboy in my country, they call you shǎzi. I tell you once. I tell you twice. I tell you million times. "SAT IS EVERYTHING. Mangoboy I already talk to you. You is idiot. A fool. My daughter get waitlisted with bad SAT. What do you think? She is very quiet but study so hard. My husband yell at her for getting no 4.0. She study harder and harder. She no sleep some days. Calculus AP, Physics, Chemistry AP, and Biology AP she take. It is very stressful. TAMS is a college. If you no get SAT College TEST > 2100 then hope will lose. Honor you family. Your culture. Do the right thing.</p>

<p>-Tzu</p>

14

<p>EC are not awards or interns they are clubs and memberships. Getting the SAT up is only one part of the process, it is the final factor, if let’s say your daughter and I both achieve a 2300, then how will they know who is better? And they cannot take both of us. Getting the SAT up is the right thing, but it is not the only thing. I have a 4.0 GPA, and am in the IB program. There is no judging people only on some test score you take in January. I understand how stressful your daughters study life may be, but I would like to say that she really has no orientation of where she is going. Why is she taking 3 science courses at the same time? There is no diversity or any motivation for her to not get stressed. I am sorry but I did not understand the honor your family part. You may think me as a fool, but I speak the truth.</p>

15

<p>Tzu, I am going to have to disagree with you about >2100, i got a score less than that and I still made it into TAMS. My best friend got a 2220 and got waitlisted, even with an 800 in math. TAMS does not focus on academics but rather on well-roundedness. Sports, volunteering, grades (gpa), ECs, and passion are what TAMS looks at.</p>

16

<p>Can someone that has been to a interview day explain to me more about the questions and how the math tests are? Plus it would be helpful if you can tell me how TAMS accepts people at the point of interview day and further? Thank you so much, any help is greatly appreciated!! </p>

<pre><code> And by the way Tzu from what I’ve read literally everywhere not only do you have to be well educated to get in but also be extremely well rounded. For instance playing a sport will show TAMS that you are social and have team work in mind, having ECs is pretty vital into getting into TAMS as they look for people that are interested in things such as clubs, societies, etc. because that shows passion but also you don’t want too many ECs because that’ll make you look like you are just trying to “wow” the admission staff and they’ll most probably think you’re lying or un-focused.
</code></pre>