8th Grader Izzy: I'm extremely excited

Posted by izzy at 7:01 AM

Thank you guys for all of the positive feedback, it feels great to know that I have some support!

Wednesday night was the Bronx Science open house, and therefore a good chance to get a feel for what the subway ride was going to be like. From the time that we got into the subway to the time that we got out, it only took (give or take) 45 minutes, which was slightly less than we had heard but still quite a shock (my subway ride to school takes 10 minutes on a slow day!). Transportation is still a major question; the school offers a bus service that would take me door to door, but it's rather pricey and takes anywhere from an hour to two hours, from what I've heard. The alternative would be taking the subway, but I'm not sure if I'm comfortable riding the subway all the way to the Bronx by myself everyday.

Transportation aside, the open house itself very much resembled the tour that we took when we were first considering it; this time, however, the opening speech was much more congratulatory, and reminded us of how special we should feel that we had gotten in. I certainly did feel special, sitting in the huge auditorium that will someday be where I think some of my most complex and intellectual thoughts.

The tour took us into some of the classrooms, and introduced us to students in classes, clubs, and anyone else that happened to be in the building at the time. All of the courses sounded difficult and grueling, but I was instantly intrigued by a lot of the rooms that I walked into just based on the displayed work; one room was housing the robotics team, and they had their fully completed robot sitting out for people to look at.

Overall, I'm extremely excited to start going to Bronx. The possibilities are endless, as long as I keep my mind open and my schedule clear for study time!

8th Grader Izzy: The final results are in!

Posted by izzy at 3:31 PM

Great news!! We got our specialized and non-specialized school results back yesterday, and I got into my first-choice specialized high school...

BRONX SCIENCE!!!

I'm really excited and really proud, because I honestly didn't expect to make it. I was on a bus riding back from a school trip when my mom called with the results, and I could hardly believe what I was hearing when she told me I had been accepted. I guess all of my hard work finally paid off! A whole bunch of kids from my grade also made it in, so if I do end up going there, I'll have a ton of already-made friends to help me out and ride the subways with me.

On the downside, I didn't seem to get accepted to my non-specialized school choice (the one in my neighborhood)...

BARD,

which I was a little upset about, considering I really thought that I had nailed that interview. But I suppose there was something about me that they didn't like, or maybe they just ran out of room. I heard a rumor that there is a second letter that might arrive sometime in March from Bard with the final word (because they get a lot of applicants and don't always have time to get out the results, or something along those lines), which would tell me once and for all if I have gotten in there, but I'm not holding my breath. Whatever the reason, I'll be bummed for a little while, but I'm sure I'll get over it soon enough.

At the same time, I got into Bronx Science (I love the way that looks when I type it out!) and I really have no reason to complain. I accomplished my goal in finding a great school, and I'm mind-numbingly proud that I made it through all this without losing my cool.

8th Grader Izzy: The wait continues, but not for long

Posted by izzy at 7:08 AM

Hey everyone! It's been quite some time since I last blogged, mainly because all has been quiet on the high school frontier for a while now. I am currently waiting for the results of the specialized high school exam, which are due back next week (somewhere around Feb. 6), to tell me whether or not I made it into my first-choice specialized high school.

At the same time that I'm pretty jazzed about those results, I'm also anticipating the results of my application to non-specialized high schools. At this point, I will, quite frankly, be happy no matter where I get in. I have confidence that I made it into the small school in my neighborhood, and my excitement concerning acceptance to that school has only risen since I finally decided to put it first. Although I've heard rumors that it will be backbreakingly fast-paced, I've also heard wonderful things about the rich curriculum and able staff.

My one concern is that, if I do somehow make it into both the specialized high school and the regular school, which will I choose? Both schools are overachieving and will undoubtedly get me many places in my future career as a student, but I would have to make certain sacrifices in order to succeed in both places. One will allow for shorter travel time, but more club participation; the other, immense travel time, but possibly less competition among the student body. Only the test results (and some good thinking time!) will tell.

8th Grader Izzy: A new challenge in the future

Posted by izzy at 7:02 AM

Hey again everyone! It's been a while, and I've made a ton of decisions since the last time I blogged.

I handed in my high school application yesterday, and after thinking it over for weeks, I've chosen to put the small school in my neighborhood first. If I get in, it's guaranteed to be extremely difficult, and chances are, most of my time for the next four years is going to be totally devoted to it. I'm honestly a little afraid that if I get in, it's going to be too hard for me, and that I might crack under the pressure. But at the same time, I am totally ready for a new challenge, and I think that I'll be able to handle it.

Until I get my answer (as to whether or not I've made it in), I'm going to sit back and relax, because I've done all that I can at this point. The specialized high schools still haven't sent out the answers yet either, but I'll tackle that mountain when it comes.

As a second choice, I put down my current school. I did that because it's honestly the safest school that I can think of at this point; I know the area, the teachers, the kids, and it's not necessarily known for being a school of crushing homework or a hyper-speed curriculum. So if worse comes to worse, I'll just stay where I am, which isn't really a "worst" at all!

8th Grader Izzy: The interview and the invisibility cloak

Posted by izzy at 6:45 PM

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but work has picked up its pace and barely have time to breathe anymore!

I got a call last week informing me that I passed the first test to get into the small school in my neighborhood, so I was eligible for the final step to determine my admission: an interview. Unluckily, it was at 3 p.m. on a school day, and as I only get out of school at 2:10, I really had to get to the school fast.

So one cab ride and several anxious minutes later, I was sitting in a small lab room with a cheerful interviewer. I sat up straight, grinned, and gave it my all. By the end, I was pretty sure I had him hooked! If I get in to this school, I have decided that if I don't get into the specialized high school of my choice, I'm pretty sure I'll go there.

* * *

I just have a quick explanation for my readers out there. You may have realized that I have avoided naming any of the schools in my posts, and there is a reason behind that: Because this is a public blog, I wouldn't really enjoy having my chances at a certain school lowered based on something that I wrote about it. By not naming the schools, I kind of have an "Invisibility Cloak" that allows me to say whatever I want about any school and not get judged on it.

8th Grader Izzy: The pressure is off....for now

Posted by izzy at 11:21 AM

Saturday was the Specialized High School Admission Test! I think it went fairly well, considering the rain was pouring and I was really nervous.

The reading section of the test seemed pretty easy to me, at least easier then the sections that I had been studying off of, and that kind of caught me off guard. The math went smoothly too, for the first half; the next quarter of questions were challenging, and the last quarter were near impossible — some just because they were difficult problems, and some that I could have figured out with more time. In the end, I can only hope that the last couple of problems didn't completely trip me up.

I only put down two schools on the specialized high school application, because I really had no interest in the others. Now, all that I can do is wait!

8th Grader Izzy: The test is closing in!

Posted by izzy at 1:51 PM

Tomorrow at 8 in the morning, the Specialized High School Admission Test will start.

Tension is definitely running high at my school, and the student body seems to have broken up into groups:

• the Majorly Stressed Out, or the kids whose lives depend on passing this test;
• the Middle Group, or the kids who would love to get in and are fairly worried, but still seem to have a clear head (this is me);
• the Minimally Stressed Out, or the kids who really want to get in but aren't really concerned;
• and the Micro Group, the kids who are taking this test because their parents want them to, but have already decided to stay at our school for high school.

Some students are even skipping school today so as to rest up and cram in some last-minute studying.

I'm not ruling out my current school for another four years, but the key problem is right there: another four years. I think I'm just about ready for a change of scene. Now let's hope the test tomorrow goes well enough to give me the options I want.

8th Grader Izzy: The final tour

Posted by izzy at 6:38 PM

Last week, I took my last tour before I make my high school decision. (Applications are due Nov. 30.) It was a small school on the Upper East Side, about 45 minutes from my apartment by car. The building was tiny, neat, and clean, and the walls were plastered with photographs and student artwork. The curriculum seemed fairly rigorous, although nothing about it seemed to stand out to me in particular. The students that roamed the halls were polite and informative; however, I sensed a slight lack of interest. There seemed to be a fair amount of science equipment, and there was a beautiful art room filled with unbelievably unique student work.

After touring this school, I think that I would perhaps consider it as a last resort. The student body seemed to be a little bit different than the kinds of people that I am generally used to, but the school did seem like it had a very nurturing atmosphere.

8th grader Izzy: Let the tests begin!

Posted by izzy at 7:41 PM

Last Saturday, I took the test for that small school near my apartment. The test itself was all right, but I felt that the essay question was extremely vague, and I'm not sure if I did my best. The math was fairly simple; however, there were some hard questions that I'd had never seen before. After having this experience, I'm just happy to have gotten through one test. I now have a better feel for exactly what the Specialized High School Admission Test will be like. I know that I am much better prepared for this test, coming up on Oct. 27, than I was for the past one, because of my tutoring, practice tests, and overall better knowledge of the information that's going to be on it.

With roughly two weeks to go, my tutoring is almost up and the stress levels are running high. Students at my school are anxiously awaiting the day of the test, anticipating that feeling of "it's out of my hands now." I guess all I can do now is study!

8th grader Izzy: The first specialized high school

Posted by izzy at 1:17 PM

This past Thursday, I visited my first specialized high school. Before I even arrived at the open house, I already had an issue about the school: it's about an hour away from my apartment by car or subway, which would take a huge chunk of time out of my day. However, as soon as I walked in the doors, all my concerns about the travel time fell away, and I fell in love. The building was huge and beautiful, and there was a massive mural painted across the front entrance wall. Students were masterfully playing soft classical music in the corners of the room, and upon entering the auditorium, it was plain to see that the entire school was going to be just as grand as that front entrance.

All of the classrooms looked fantastically equipped with state-of-the-art computers, science equipment, and literature, and every wall was littered with ribbons and trophies from past victorious competitions. Each club had its own display somewhere along the hallways: robotics, boat crafting, and cooking, to name a few. Some of the best features, in my opinion, were the vast courtyard behind the school, the planetarium on the top floor, and the animal room, complete with a range of live animals.

After touring this school, I am pretty sure that it’s the right one for me. However, I have to decide if the trip is going to be too much for me, and I still have to pass the Specialized High School Admission Test.

8th grader Izzy: The heat is on!

Posted by izzy at 9:01 AM

Hey there! Once again, sorry for lack in posts lately, but my work has increased in size and I've been rather stressed out! My tutoring sessions have gotten more serious, and last class, we had to take a mock-Specialized High School Admission Test just to see how much we've all learned. Talk about grueling!

Last Thursday, I visited a school in a neighborhood not far from my own. It was a beautiful building, filled to the brim with wonderful student art and posters for clubs. The student representation at the meeting seemed happy, intelligent, and very enthusiastic about their school. The curriculum sounded rigorous and exciting, although I felt as though perhaps the stress-levels could run a little high (they get about five hours of homework a night). However, the neighborhood itself was a little troublesome. On our way back to the car at about seven the night of the tour, we were met by a gang of kids wielding sticks that had congregated outside of a nearby school. That in itself was a little nerve-wracking.

Over all, I could see myself possibly attending this school, but I'm not sure whether or not I would be able to keep up with the fast-paced schedule.

8th grader Izzy: How much stress is too much stress?

Posted by izzy at 3:16 PM

Eighth grade has certainly started out with a bang! I have a few teachers that are new to my school, and therefore unaware of how things generally run, so class time has been a little hectic. We’ve been absolutely bogged down with homework, and on top of that, I have started my weekly tutoring sessions to prepare for the specialized high school test. There is also a little homework to go along with that, but it isn't that stressful.

However, the stress that some of my friends are going through far exceeds what I’m talking about. I have one friend who comes home directly after school to study, and who is no longer allowed to spend time with his friends because his parents are so determined to get him into a good high school. He also attends the Specialized High School Institute, an after school tutoring course, once during the school week and once on Saturday, and he devotes a lot of time in between to completing the homework that the institute assigns. Yet he isn’t even sure that he wants to go to a specialized high school, even if he passes the test!

8th grader Izzy: A voice from the top of the middle

Posted by izzy at 9:06 PM

Hey everyone! I'm Izzy. I'm an eighth grader, and I go to a small middle school in Manhattan. I have a ton of interests, but music --playing it, listening to it, and occasionally writing it-- is my biggest passion. I also love to write, ballroom dance, and sometimes study life science. I'm also applying to high school.

Now that the specialized high school admissions test steadily looms nearer (it's on Oct. 27), I have decided that I would either like to focus on literature, the arts, or science. I'm going to look into several different high schools until I find the one that best fits my needs. I'm looking for attentive, interested students, a clean facility, and plenty of materials and instruments available for student use. At the end of this experience, which I'll be blogging here, I'm determined to have found the perfect high school for me.