So torn about TJ advice to child

[Anonymous]

I'm a scientist, MIT grad and my kid got in to TJ.

I'm so torn about how to advise on it. My high school experience was fine but the way they structured sports and intense academics meant you had to choose and absolutely couldn't do both. I also couldn't do band with my schedule conflicts. I was unhappy to give up sports.

My child loves sports, loves music and is very gifted but not entirely as self-motivated as I once was. Motivated enough to register to take the exam.

I did a competitive sport at MIT and was able to balance the academic load but they also structured sports to not conflict with academics. I also did not have a 5.0 at MIT.

Anyone else have the same concerns?

[Anonymous]

Many TJ students do a sport, instrument, and get good grades. What did your child think of the open house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many TJ students do a sport, instrument, and get good grades. What did your child think of the open house?

To be honest, he got spooked at the end when he saw the research posters by some of the kids that won awards. I tried to explain that's not freshman-level kind of work but I don't know that he really bought what I was saying. He has a friend already attending, the kids were all very nice, and he liked the gym facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a scientist, MIT grad and my kid got in to TJ.

I'm so torn about how to advise on it. My high school experience was fine but the way they structured sports and intense academics meant you had to choose and absolutely couldn't do both. I also couldn't do band with my schedule conflicts. I was unhappy to give up sports.

My child loves sports, loves music and is very gifted but not entirely as self-motivated as I once was. Motivated enough to register to take the exam.

I did a competitive sport at MIT and was able to balance the academic load but they also structured sports to not conflict with academics. I also did not have a 5.0 at MIT.

Anyone else have the same concerns?

MIT Manasas Industrial Taphouse? do you work there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many TJ students do a sport, instrument, and get good grades. What did your child think of the open house?

To be honest, he got spooked at the end when he saw the research posters by some of the kids that won awards. I tried to explain that's not freshman-level kind of work but I don't know that he really bought what I was saying. He has a friend already attending, the kids were all very nice, and he liked the gym facilities.

Those are mostly senior projects. But there are gifted younger students who are doing advanced scientific research.

[Anonymous]

OP my child is similar and I think I’m letting them decline TJ. Depends on your alternate options of course.

[Anonymous]

So you went to a magnet like TJ?

[Anonymous]

Band is elective and it should not conflict with sports that usually after school. I went there last night and asked around the same question. My son interested in marching band also want to tryout swim, we thought it will be conflict but they both actually a seasonal fall/winter/spring so there is chance he can try both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Band is elective and it should not conflict with sports that usually after school. I went there last night and asked around the same question. My son interested in marching band also want to tryout swim, we thought it will be conflict but they both actually a seasonal fall/winter/spring so there is chance he can try both.

It’s entirely possible to do both. DC and multiple other marching band kids do it. The only thing marching band conflicts with is the fall sports season. That’s incompatible but winter and spring seasons are not.

[Anonymous]

Give it a try. If your child doesn’t like it, they can move to their base school sophomore year. It is a very unique educational experience and the peer group is great. Most are very active in clubs, sports and/or music.
- parent of two TJ alums who loved their time at TJ

[Anonymous]

I went to the TJ equivalent of New York. I don't plan to encourage my child to go to TJ. My school was a pressure cooker and while we had excellent outcomes, I don't want that kind of pressure for my child and the college game is very different now than it was then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Give it a try. If your child doesn’t like it, they can move to their base school sophomore year. It is a very unique educational experience and the peer group is great. Most are very active in clubs, sports and/or music.
- parent of two TJ alums who loved their time at TJ

What clubs are offered at TJ, and is it very competitive to get into them?

[Anonymous]

Is OP a troll?

I have never heard anyone from MIT reference their GPA at MIT (other than as a line on their CV). Most MIT students (especially those that become "scientists") learn quickly that at MIT, GPA doesn't matter - passion does.

[Anonymous]

Schedule conflicts happen at other schools too. Sometimes honors band and the AP class you want to take are offered at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schedule conflicts happen at other schools too. Sometimes honors band and the AP class you want to take are offered at the same time.

Band is a problem at our base school. All of the practices are during sports practices and it goes on all year long. It's really annoying. Pick a season.