Is it worth applying to TJ?

[Anonymous]

My kid scored all As in the 7th grade, and he scored an A in Geometry, science, English, and civics and an A- in French in the first quarter of 8th grade. My question is what will be his GPA, and considering he is from one of the feeders middle school, does he still have a chance of getting in?

[Anonymous]

My son had straight As in 7th grade (8th grade report cards weren't even considered) and also went to a feeder middle school. He and his best friend are in different HS districts so TJ was their only chance at going to school together. As it turned out they both got waitlisted - but my son is doing great at his base HS...with the large selection of classes and extracurriculars it really is what you make of it.

Having said that, he'll never get in if he doesn't apply, so might as well go for it.

[Anonymous]

Always a chance once you apply.

[Anonymous]

Does your kid want to go? Then apply.
Does your kid not want to go? Then don't apply.

Admissions is somewhat of a crapshoot.

[Anonymous]

There is zero chance if your kid doesn’t apply.

If your child is interested, not you the adult but your child, then apply. Two thousand kids apply for under 500 seats. Smart, engaged, STEM motivated kids were not accepted under the old system. Different smart, engaged, STEM motivated kids are not being accepted under the new system. But you don’t have a chance if you don’t apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son had straight As in 7th grade (8th grade report cards weren't even considered) and also went to a feeder middle school. He and his best friend are in different HS districts so TJ was their only chance at going to school together. As it turned out they both got waitlisted - but my son is doing great at his base HS...with the large selection of classes and extracurriculars it really is what you make of it.

Having said that, he'll never get in if he doesn't apply, so might as well go for it.

How do you know that 8th grade report cards weren't considered?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son had straight As in 7th grade (8th grade report cards weren't even considered) and also went to a feeder middle school. He and his best friend are in different HS districts so TJ was their only chance at going to school together. As it turned out they both got waitlisted - but my son is doing great at his base HS...with the large selection of classes and extracurriculars it really is what you make of it.

Having said that, he'll never get in if he doesn't apply, so might as well go for it.

How do you know that 8th grade report cards weren't considered?

They do consider the first quarter of 8th grade for the core classes: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-admissions/eligibility-requirements/gpa-calculation

[Anonymous]

TJ also accepts a small number of students as Sophomores. (they are called Froshomores, I think). The admission cycle would be starting soon. If any kids did not get in as Freshman, but are still interested in applying, then would highly encourage them to apply. Our friend's son got in as a Froshomore and he's enjoying it there much more as compared to the base school.

[Anonymous]

It's basically a lottery these days

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's basically a lottery these days

Nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son had straight As in 7th grade (8th grade report cards weren't even considered) and also went to a feeder middle school. He and his best friend are in different HS districts so TJ was their only chance at going to school together. As it turned out they both got waitlisted - but my son is doing great at his base HS...with the large selection of classes and extracurriculars it really is what you make of it.

Having said that, he'll never get in if he doesn't apply, so might as well go for it.

How do you know that 8th grade report cards weren't considered?

They do consider the first quarter of 8th grade for the core classes: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-admissions/eligibility-requirements/gpa-calculation

Does this mean they don't consider French in 8th grade when they are calculating the GPA?

[Anonymous]

My son has As and B+s in 7th grade and the first quarter of 8th grade. He is applying to TJ - will he get in? No idea but he definitely won't if he doesn't apply.

GPA is a part of the package but not the biggest part I think?

[Anonymous]

How is the GPA calculated if the kid has all As in 7th grade and As in the core subjects, and an A- in French in 8th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is the GPA calculated if the kid has all As in 7th grade and As in the core subjects, and an A- in French in 8th grade?

Since it's only a quarter, it is weighted less heavily, but it is still counted as a part of the GPA calculation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's basically a lottery these days

Nonsense.

From my experience it really is. Based on the large number who get waitlisted they have way more qualified applicants than they do spots. Hence, the lottery.