My chances for getting into TAMS/things I can do to improve my chances

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am currently a female 9th grader in the LISD school district. I have an Asian father and a Caucasian mother and have not takes the SAT, but I took it in 7th grade as a part of the DUKE Tip program and scored a 1570 (is that worth mentioning on the application? I will, of course, have an improved score the next time I take the SAT. I plan on taking it freshman year.)</p>

<p>I understand the competition will be challenging, but I truly do believe this is the best place for me to be, it's just the getting in part that's difficult. Will they be asking for grades from 7th grade? In 7th grade my grades started to slip and I made A's and B's, in eighth grade I made all high A's and now, in 9th grade, I am making all high A's.</p>

<p>I have gotten my teachers involved and they are helping to find resources. I currently:</p>

<p>-Have competed in an Art VASE competition and scored a four
-Participate in MENSA and try to frequently visit the meetings
-Have been in DUKE Tip for 6 years
-Do community service for 2 hours every week
-Have participated on the Debate-Forensics team
-Have been on the Junior and National Honor Society
-Played the clarinet from 6-8th grade and made region and honors band
-Have been in the gifted and talented programs for 12 years</p>

<p>I do not do sports but I can add more community service and clubs if needed. I may do track next year if I must, seeing as I might be able to.</p>

<p>I do plan on taking the hardest courses avaliable and perhaps some summer courses if applicable. I am willing to put in any work and money needed for the courses since my parents will be the ones paying for TAMS if I get accepted. I understand that I'm probably nowhere near ready, but what can I do to improve my application? What clubs should I join and what can I do to increase my chances of getting accepted? Is it even possible for me to get accepted (my teacher, whose best friend went to TAMS and was discussing my application with her, said that she believes I certainly have a chance, but a boy in my English class, who is applying also, said that I don't have enough EC's to stand up to the other people applying. So far, I have not heard of any one else in my school applying.)</p>

<p>Thank you so much for reading and for any help you may have to offer!</p>

2

<p>Current TAMS student here-
I went to Marcus (also in LISD) and come from a similar mixed background.</p>

<p>First off, I wouldn’t let that kid in your English class discourage you. I can’t say that the number EC’s matter as much as how involved you are with them. Honestly, don’t stretch yourself thin by joining a whole bunch of clubs that you’re not particularly interested in just so you can add them to your laundry list. I was in JNHS/orchestra with various awards- that’s it.</p>

<p>They will be asking for grades from middle school/what you have from high school. A few B’s from 7th grade will not rule you out from the applicant pool. (In my opinion, your SAT score in 7th grade is not worth mentioning- it’s not exactly stellar and many kids had the opportunity to take it)</p>

<p>Are you applying as a freshman? I would say you have a chance of getting in. Put thought into your application essays. Present yourself as a well-rounded person during the interview. The math test is just algebra, but I would advise going though the practice test anyways.</p>

<p>Good luck to you!</p>