If a kid will fall in top 30-50% in TJ, is going to TJ a better idea

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

DP. I hate to be pedantic about this but strategizing a decision about TJ around college admissions is not a great value proposition. The delta between what you're getting at TJ vs. base school in FCPS is so much greater than the delta between typical TJ destinations and HYPSM - assuming you even get in.

- access to exceptional club opportunities *during the school day*
- access to extremely advanced STEM classes
- access to equipment and facilities that exceed what exists at many universities for first and second year students
- access to a student body that is 100% focused on school
- access to far greater athletic opportunities than are available at most FCPS schools
- access to TJ's insane alumni network

Now, if your kid can't handle it, or if your kid genuinely hates STEM, then yes, it's not the right fit. But to choose not to apply or to decline the offer without even trying it for a year for other reasons... tough to understand that.

The biggest difference in college admissions between Tj and base school is probably UVA. If UVA is a target at base school it can become a reach at TJ both because of the effect TJ rigor has on GPA and because UVA gets so many TJ applications.

But if you have what it takes to be successful at TJ, then all other things being equal, having the TJ name on your application is undeniably a benefit. The primary downside is the effect of rigor on GPA.
Top schools are used to taking more students from TJ than they are getting right now so they are not saying no to TJ because they already have too many kids from TJ.

The bolded is not factual.

Your penultimate paragraph is true: IF you will be a top TJ student, that’s better for college admissions than a top base student. Obviously, there is no way to tell where your kid’s GPA will land at TJ 3 years in, until it’s too late.

Class of 2024 had significantly better college admission results than class of 2025

It’s bc that was the last year under the merit (only) based admission standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

DP. I hate to be pedantic about this but strategizing a decision about TJ around college admissions is not a great value proposition. The delta between what you're getting at TJ vs. base school in FCPS is so much greater than the delta between typical TJ destinations and HYPSM - assuming you even get in.

- access to exceptional club opportunities *during the school day*
- access to extremely advanced STEM classes
- access to equipment and facilities that exceed what exists at many universities for first and second year students
- access to a student body that is 100% focused on school
- access to far greater athletic opportunities than are available at most FCPS schools
- access to TJ's insane alumni network

Now, if your kid can't handle it, or if your kid genuinely hates STEM, then yes, it's not the right fit. But to choose not to apply or to decline the offer without even trying it for a year for other reasons... tough to understand that.

I didn't see what year your TJ kid graduated in your response to my question asking for the year in which your TJ kid graduated.

That's because I'm a different person from the person to whom you responded. But you're probably not going to get an identifying response from someone on an anonymous forum. The reasons why you're wrong don't hinge on someone else's kid's graduation year. They come from your apparent lack of familiarity with the TJ product and its overall value.

I was exclusively responding to someone who said: “No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.”

This is the precise reason people post in this forum saying they regret it. Not everyone regrets it and not everyone thinks their kids’ college choices are lesser than they could have been had their kids not attended TJ, but plenty of people feel this way. This includes people IRL who express this regret.

College acceptances have become much maligned re competitive for everyone over the last few years. So only the last few years is relevant to this discrete issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

So you're saying that 4 years going to TJ was possibly a good idea but it isn't today? Why?

DP - College admissions should not be the end-stage outcome nor should it be considered a pre-requisite for the end-stage outcome.

Even if it is slightly harder to get to certain schools from TJ than it is elsewhere (and I'm not convinced it is except in certain cases), it doesn't matter because college admissions just isn't that big a deal anymore.

TJ kids are increasingly exiting college early to found their companies that they'll sell for 7-8 figures and start over again. And the colleges they're leaving aren't Harvard or Princeton.

Don't screw your kid over because you're stuck in a 2005 mindset.

I think what a lot of parents don't understand is that undergrad is not really a terminal degree anymore.

Spot on. Or how easy transferring can be in a lot of cases, especially in-state.

I don't think people go to TJ thinking that college options will be worse for many (had they just stayed at their base school) but they realize they can just transfer. Our friends with current seniors are all disappointed right now (ED rejections, UVA deferrals).

I think a lot of people (including the FCPS board) have the wrong idea about TJ
It's not an award, it's an opportunity.
It's an opportunity in a "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" sort of way.
Admitting kids along hierarchies of equity rather than hierarchies of competency was a disservice to everyone.

It's been said on this board a thousand times and it is not controversial to say that you shouldn't go to TJ to improve college admissions results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

DP. I hate to be pedantic about this but strategizing a decision about TJ around college admissions is not a great value proposition. The delta between what you're getting at TJ vs. base school in FCPS is so much greater than the delta between typical TJ destinations and HYPSM - assuming you even get in.

- access to exceptional club opportunities *during the school day*
- access to extremely advanced STEM classes
- access to equipment and facilities that exceed what exists at many universities for first and second year students
- access to a student body that is 100% focused on school
- access to far greater athletic opportunities than are available at most FCPS schools
- access to TJ's insane alumni network

Now, if your kid can't handle it, or if your kid genuinely hates STEM, then yes, it's not the right fit. But to choose not to apply or to decline the offer without even trying it for a year for other reasons... tough to understand that.

The biggest difference in college admissions between Tj and base school is probably UVA. If UVA is a target at base school it can become a reach at TJ both because of the effect TJ rigor has on GPA and because UVA gets so many TJ applications.

But if you have what it takes to be successful at TJ, then all other things being equal, having the TJ name on your application is undeniably a benefit. The primary downside is the effect of rigor on GPA.
Top schools are used to taking more students from TJ than they are getting right now so they are not saying no to TJ because they already have too many kids from TJ.

The bolded is not factual.

Your penultimate paragraph is true: IF you will be a top TJ student, that’s better for college admissions than a top base student. Obviously, there is no way to tell where your kid’s GPA will land at TJ 3 years in, until it’s too late.

Class of 2024 had significantly better college admission results than class of 2025

It’s bc that was the last year under the merit (only) based admission standards.

I agree, I was responding to the comment that the bolded text was not factual.

It is factual that colleges are used to admitting more TJ students than they are taking now so the limiting factor is not that there are too many TJ students being accepted at these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

DP. I hate to be pedantic about this but strategizing a decision about TJ around college admissions is not a great value proposition. The delta between what you're getting at TJ vs. base school in FCPS is so much greater than the delta between typical TJ destinations and HYPSM - assuming you even get in.

- access to exceptional club opportunities *during the school day*
- access to extremely advanced STEM classes
- access to equipment and facilities that exceed what exists at many universities for first and second year students
- access to a student body that is 100% focused on school
- access to far greater athletic opportunities than are available at most FCPS schools
- access to TJ's insane alumni network

Now, if your kid can't handle it, or if your kid genuinely hates STEM, then yes, it's not the right fit. But to choose not to apply or to decline the offer without even trying it for a year for other reasons... tough to understand that.

I didn't see what year your TJ kid graduated in your response to my question asking for the year in which your TJ kid graduated.

That's because I'm a different person from the person to whom you responded. But you're probably not going to get an identifying response from someone on an anonymous forum. The reasons why you're wrong don't hinge on someone else's kid's graduation year. They come from your apparent lack of familiarity with the TJ product and its overall value.

I was exclusively responding to someone who said: “No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.”

This is the precise reason people post in this forum saying they regret it. Not everyone regrets it and not everyone thinks their kids’ college choices are lesser than they could have been had their kids not attended TJ, but plenty of people feel this way. This includes people IRL who express this regret.

College acceptances have become much maligned re competitive for everyone over the last few years. So only the last few years is relevant to this discrete issue.

It didn't get harder only at TJ. It got harder everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

DP. I hate to be pedantic about this but strategizing a decision about TJ around college admissions is not a great value proposition. The delta between what you're getting at TJ vs. base school in FCPS is so much greater than the delta between typical TJ destinations and HYPSM - assuming you even get in.

- access to exceptional club opportunities *during the school day*
- access to extremely advanced STEM classes
- access to equipment and facilities that exceed what exists at many universities for first and second year students
- access to a student body that is 100% focused on school
- access to far greater athletic opportunities than are available at most FCPS schools
- access to TJ's insane alumni network

Now, if your kid can't handle it, or if your kid genuinely hates STEM, then yes, it's not the right fit. But to choose not to apply or to decline the offer without even trying it for a year for other reasons... tough to understand that.

I didn't see what year your TJ kid graduated in your response to my question asking for the year in which your TJ kid graduated.

That's because I'm a different person from the person to whom you responded. But you're probably not going to get an identifying response from someone on an anonymous forum. The reasons why you're wrong don't hinge on someone else's kid's graduation year. They come from your apparent lack of familiarity with the TJ product and its overall value.

I was exclusively responding to someone who said: “No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.”

This is the precise reason people post in this forum saying they regret it. Not everyone regrets it and not everyone thinks their kids’ college choices are lesser than they could have been had their kids not attended TJ, but plenty of people feel this way. This includes people IRL who express this regret.

College acceptances have become much maligned re competitive for everyone over the last few years. So only the last few years is relevant to this discrete issue.

It didn't get harder only at TJ. It got harder everywhere.

That’s why the post said College acceptances have become much more competitive “for everyone“ for the last few years. But that’s why it’s also important when people say in my experience with my kid, this is not true… For that person to also disclose that their experience was not with a kid graduating from high school and doing College Application applications within the last few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

DP. I hate to be pedantic about this but strategizing a decision about TJ around college admissions is not a great value proposition. The delta between what you're getting at TJ vs. base school in FCPS is so much greater than the delta between typical TJ destinations and HYPSM - assuming you even get in.

- access to exceptional club opportunities *during the school day*
- access to extremely advanced STEM classes
- access to equipment and facilities that exceed what exists at many universities for first and second year students
- access to a student body that is 100% focused on school
- access to far greater athletic opportunities than are available at most FCPS schools
- access to TJ's insane alumni network

Now, if your kid can't handle it, or if your kid genuinely hates STEM, then yes, it's not the right fit. But to choose not to apply or to decline the offer without even trying it for a year for other reasons... tough to understand that.

The biggest difference in college admissions between Tj and base school is probably UVA. If UVA is a target at base school it can become a reach at TJ both because of the effect TJ rigor has on GPA and because UVA gets so many TJ applications.

But if you have what it takes to be successful at TJ, then all other things being equal, having the TJ name on your application is undeniably a benefit. The primary downside is the effect of rigor on GPA.
Top schools are used to taking more students from TJ than they are getting right now so they are not saying no to TJ because they already have too many kids from TJ.

The bolded is not factual.

Your penultimate paragraph is true: IF you will be a top TJ student, that’s better for college admissions than a top base student. Obviously, there is no way to tell where your kid’s GPA will land at TJ 3 years in, until it’s too late.

I would counter with: If you will be an excellent TJ student - all things including ECs - considered, that's better for college admissions than a top base student. I reject the notion that you have to be in the top 10 or 20% from a GPA perspective in order to have outstanding outcomes because the evidence of dozens of classes coming through points the other direction.

- Take a very rigorous schedule
- Get strong grades
- Have a significant and demonstrable impact in a few worthwhile clubs, sports, or activities
- Deliver a strong through-line in your writing where admissions officers/interviewers can envision your impact at their school

... that's the pathway that works.

The one that doesn't work unless your grades are basically perfect is:

- max out your STEM AP schedule
- start a non-profit that has no future after you graduate
- the ECs every TJ kid does (Model UN, debate, Track, Crew)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

DP. I hate to be pedantic about this but strategizing a decision about TJ around college admissions is not a great value proposition. The delta between what you're getting at TJ vs. base school in FCPS is so much greater than the delta between typical TJ destinations and HYPSM - assuming you even get in.

- access to exceptional club opportunities *during the school day*
- access to extremely advanced STEM classes
- access to equipment and facilities that exceed what exists at many universities for first and second year students
- access to a student body that is 100% focused on school
- access to far greater athletic opportunities than are available at most FCPS schools
- access to TJ's insane alumni network

Now, if your kid can't handle it, or if your kid genuinely hates STEM, then yes, it's not the right fit. But to choose not to apply or to decline the offer without even trying it for a year for other reasons... tough to understand that.

The biggest difference in college admissions between Tj and base school is probably UVA. If UVA is a target at base school it can become a reach at TJ both because of the effect TJ rigor has on GPA and because UVA gets so many TJ applications.

But if you have what it takes to be successful at TJ, then all other things being equal, having the TJ name on your application is undeniably a benefit. The primary downside is the effect of rigor on GPA.
Top schools are used to taking more students from TJ than they are getting right now so they are not saying no to TJ because they already have too many kids from TJ.

The bolded is not factual.

Your penultimate paragraph is true: IF you will be a top TJ student, that’s better for college admissions than a top base student. Obviously, there is no way to tell where your kid’s GPA will land at TJ 3 years in, until it’s too late.

Class of 2024 had significantly better college admission results than class of 2025

You need a citation on this and it can't be the instagram feeds that only had like a quarter to a fifth of the graduating classes reporting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

So you're saying that 4 years going to TJ was possibly a good idea but it isn't today? Why?

DP - College admissions should not be the end-stage outcome nor should it be considered a pre-requisite for the end-stage outcome.

Even if it is slightly harder to get to certain schools from TJ than it is elsewhere (and I'm not convinced it is except in certain cases), it doesn't matter because college admissions just isn't that big a deal anymore.

TJ kids are increasingly exiting college early to found their companies that they'll sell for 7-8 figures and start over again. And the colleges they're leaving aren't Harvard or Princeton.

Don't screw your kid over because you're stuck in a 2005 mindset.

I think what a lot of parents don't understand is that undergrad is not really a terminal degree anymore.

Spot on. Or how easy transferring can be in a lot of cases, especially in-state.

I don't think people go to TJ thinking that college options will be worse for many (had they just stayed at their base school) but they realize they can just transfer. Our friends with current seniors are all disappointed right now (ED rejections, UVA deferrals).

I think a lot of people (including the FCPS board) have the wrong idea about TJ
It's not an award, it's an opportunity.
It's an opportunity in a "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" sort of way.
Admitting kids along hierarchies of equity rather than hierarchies of competency was a disservice to everyone.

It's been said on this board a thousand times and it is not controversial to say that you shouldn't go to TJ to improve college admissions results.

Yeah, why do merely smart kids deserve opportunity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

DP. I hate to be pedantic about this but strategizing a decision about TJ around college admissions is not a great value proposition. The delta between what you're getting at TJ vs. base school in FCPS is so much greater than the delta between typical TJ destinations and HYPSM - assuming you even get in.

- access to exceptional club opportunities *during the school day*
- access to extremely advanced STEM classes
- access to equipment and facilities that exceed what exists at many universities for first and second year students
- access to a student body that is 100% focused on school
- access to far greater athletic opportunities than are available at most FCPS schools
- access to TJ's insane alumni network

Now, if your kid can't handle it, or if your kid genuinely hates STEM, then yes, it's not the right fit. But to choose not to apply or to decline the offer without even trying it for a year for other reasons... tough to understand that.

The biggest difference in college admissions between Tj and base school is probably UVA. If UVA is a target at base school it can become a reach at TJ both because of the effect TJ rigor has on GPA and because UVA gets so many TJ applications.

But if you have what it takes to be successful at TJ, then all other things being equal, having the TJ name on your application is undeniably a benefit. The primary downside is the effect of rigor on GPA.
Top schools are used to taking more students from TJ than they are getting right now so they are not saying no to TJ because they already have too many kids from TJ.

The bolded is not factual.

Your penultimate paragraph is true: IF you will be a top TJ student, that’s better for college admissions than a top base student. Obviously, there is no way to tell where your kid’s GPA will land at TJ 3 years in, until it’s too late.

I would counter with: If you will be an excellent TJ student - all things including ECs - considered, that's better for college admissions than a top base student. I reject the notion that you have to be in the top 10 or 20% from a GPA perspective in order to have outstanding outcomes because the evidence of dozens of classes coming through points the other direction.

- Take a very rigorous schedule
- Get strong grades
- Have a significant and demonstrable impact in a few worthwhile clubs, sports, or activities
- Deliver a strong through-line in your writing where admissions officers/interviewers can envision your impact at their school

... that's the pathway that works.

The one that doesn't work unless your grades are basically perfect is:

- max out your STEM AP schedule
- start a non-profit that has no future after you graduate
- the ECs every TJ kid does (Model UN, debate, Track, Crew)

I mean this is the recipe for all kids, not just TJ...but at TJ it is difficult to end with top grades in relation to the rest of the graduating class. That is what hurts chances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

So you're saying that 4 years going to TJ was possibly a good idea but it isn't today? Why?

DP - College admissions should not be the end-stage outcome nor should it be considered a pre-requisite for the end-stage outcome.

Even if it is slightly harder to get to certain schools from TJ than it is elsewhere (and I'm not convinced it is except in certain cases), it doesn't matter because college admissions just isn't that big a deal anymore.

TJ kids are increasingly exiting college early to found their companies that they'll sell for 7-8 figures and start over again. And the colleges they're leaving aren't Harvard or Princeton.

Don't screw your kid over because you're stuck in a 2005 mindset.

I think what a lot of parents don't understand is that undergrad is not really a terminal degree anymore.

Spot on. Or how easy transferring can be in a lot of cases, especially in-state.

I don't think people go to TJ thinking that college options will be worse for many (had they just stayed at their base school) but they realize they can just transfer. Our friends with current seniors are all disappointed right now (ED rejections, UVA deferrals).

I think a lot of people (including the FCPS board) have the wrong idea about TJ
It's not an award, it's an opportunity.
It's an opportunity in a "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" sort of way.
Admitting kids along hierarchies of equity rather than hierarchies of competency was a disservice to everyone.

It's been said on this board a thousand times and it is not controversial to say that you shouldn't go to TJ to improve college admissions results.

Yeah, why do merely smart kids deserve opportunity?

I do think it is unfair TJ kids get tax payer funded things like the labs and then dedicated school time for ECs which could possibly help things like job apps, internships, and college apps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

So you're saying that 4 years going to TJ was possibly a good idea but it isn't today? Why?

DP - College admissions should not be the end-stage outcome nor should it be considered a pre-requisite for the end-stage outcome.

Even if it is slightly harder to get to certain schools from TJ than it is elsewhere (and I'm not convinced it is except in certain cases), it doesn't matter because college admissions just isn't that big a deal anymore.

TJ kids are increasingly exiting college early to found their companies that they'll sell for 7-8 figures and start over again. And the colleges they're leaving aren't Harvard or Princeton.

Don't screw your kid over because you're stuck in a 2005 mindset.

I think what a lot of parents don't understand is that undergrad is not really a terminal degree anymore.

Spot on. Or how easy transferring can be in a lot of cases, especially in-state.

I don't think people go to TJ thinking that college options will be worse for many (had they just stayed at their base school) but they realize they can just transfer. Our friends with current seniors are all disappointed right now (ED rejections, UVA deferrals).

I think a lot of people (including the FCPS board) have the wrong idea about TJ
It's not an award, it's an opportunity.
It's an opportunity in a "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" sort of way.
Admitting kids along hierarchies of equity rather than hierarchies of competency was a disservice to everyone.

It's been said on this board a thousand times and it is not controversial to say that you shouldn't go to TJ to improve college admissions results.

Yeah, why do merely smart kids deserve opportunity?

I do think it is unfair TJ kids get tax payer funded things like the labs and then dedicated school time for ECs which could possibly help things like job apps, internships, and college apps.

The vast majority of the equipment in the labs is not taxpayer-funded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

DP. I hate to be pedantic about this but strategizing a decision about TJ around college admissions is not a great value proposition. The delta between what you're getting at TJ vs. base school in FCPS is so much greater than the delta between typical TJ destinations and HYPSM - assuming you even get in.

- access to exceptional club opportunities *during the school day*
- access to extremely advanced STEM classes
- access to equipment and facilities that exceed what exists at many universities for first and second year students
- access to a student body that is 100% focused on school
- access to far greater athletic opportunities than are available at most FCPS schools
- access to TJ's insane alumni network

Now, if your kid can't handle it, or if your kid genuinely hates STEM, then yes, it's not the right fit. But to choose not to apply or to decline the offer without even trying it for a year for other reasons... tough to understand that.

The biggest difference in college admissions between Tj and base school is probably UVA. If UVA is a target at base school it can become a reach at TJ both because of the effect TJ rigor has on GPA and because UVA gets so many TJ applications.

But if you have what it takes to be successful at TJ, then all other things being equal, having the TJ name on your application is undeniably a benefit. The primary downside is the effect of rigor on GPA.
Top schools are used to taking more students from TJ than they are getting right now so they are not saying no to TJ because they already have too many kids from TJ.

The bolded is not factual.

Your penultimate paragraph is true: IF you will be a top TJ student, that’s better for college admissions than a top base student. Obviously, there is no way to tell where your kid’s GPA will land at TJ 3 years in, until it’s too late.

I would counter with: If you will be an excellent TJ student - all things including ECs - considered, that's better for college admissions than a top base student. I reject the notion that you have to be in the top 10 or 20% from a GPA perspective in order to have outstanding outcomes because the evidence of dozens of classes coming through points the other direction.

- Take a very rigorous schedule
- Get strong grades
- Have a significant and demonstrable impact in a few worthwhile clubs, sports, or activities
- Deliver a strong through-line in your writing where admissions officers/interviewers can envision your impact at their school

... that's the pathway that works.

The one that doesn't work unless your grades are basically perfect is:

- max out your STEM AP schedule
- start a non-profit that has no future after you graduate
- the ECs every TJ kid does (Model UN, debate, Track, Crew)

I mean this is the recipe for all kids, not just TJ...but at TJ it is difficult to end with top grades in relation to the rest of the graduating class. That is what hurts chances.

The key phrase here is "in relation to the rest of the graduating class". That's not as big a deal at TJ as it might be elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

So you're saying that 4 years going to TJ was possibly a good idea but it isn't today? Why?

DP - College admissions should not be the end-stage outcome nor should it be considered a pre-requisite for the end-stage outcome.

Even if it is slightly harder to get to certain schools from TJ than it is elsewhere (and I'm not convinced it is except in certain cases), it doesn't matter because college admissions just isn't that big a deal anymore.

TJ kids are increasingly exiting college early to found their companies that they'll sell for 7-8 figures and start over again. And the colleges they're leaving aren't Harvard or Princeton.

Don't screw your kid over because you're stuck in a 2005 mindset.

I think what a lot of parents don't understand is that undergrad is not really a terminal degree anymore.

Spot on. Or how easy transferring can be in a lot of cases, especially in-state.

I don't think people go to TJ thinking that college options will be worse for many (had they just stayed at their base school) but they realize they can just transfer. Our friends with current seniors are all disappointed right now (ED rejections, UVA deferrals).

I think a lot of people (including the FCPS board) have the wrong idea about TJ
It's not an award, it's an opportunity.
It's an opportunity in a "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" sort of way.
Admitting kids along hierarchies of equity rather than hierarchies of competency was a disservice to everyone.

It's been said on this board a thousand times and it is not controversial to say that you shouldn't go to TJ to improve college admissions results.

Yeah, why do merely smart kids deserve opportunity?

I do think it is unfair TJ kids get tax payer funded things like the labs and then dedicated school time for ECs which could possibly help things like job apps, internships, and college apps.

The vast majority of the equipment in the labs is not taxpayer-funded.

The entire building which houses the lab and allows it to run, is.

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Anonymous wrote:Kids from TJ get into the real world and dominate pretty much regardless of where they go to undergrad.

The differences in opportunities as far as course availability, facilities and equipment, and student groups is just so incredibly stark when compared to even the best base schools.

So yeah, it's possible that it might be a little harder to get into the most elite colleges from TJ... but as the years and decades have gone by, the value add from those schools has been depressed significantly AND you're increasing your chances of admission by a relatively small amount - it's by no means a guarantee.

This is ridiculous. Let me guess: you're sending out annual surveys that are answered by professors and employers from senior year of HS onward? No, this is what you're telling yourself. The answer is that very bright kids generally do well no matter where they are.

That's like a base HS kid who goes to an ivy league looking at the TJ kid going to VCU and saying "kids in the top of their HSs who get into the ivies dominate because their colleges are far superior to lower ranked colleges. We have more money from the endowment pouring in!!" The answer is that bright kids are bright and do well no matter where they are, and that includes middle school to base HS OR TJ and then base HS OR TJ on to x college.

- We turned TJ down for base HS and my kid is heading to an ivy next year. It is NOT "a little" harder to getting into elite schools from TJ. It's a lot harder. We strategically picked our local HS.

This is smart.

Thanks…hard decision four years ago - but we felt it was the right one for us then and we are very glad we did it.

No offense but I don't buy that it is a LOT harder to get into elite schools from TJ.

None of the kids I know that got into HYPSM from Langley would have had much trouble at TJ.
Most of the handw5ringing these days is the gross underperformance of the kids that are getting in under the new admissions process that would not have gotten in under the prior admissions process.
Aside from that there is a fairly significant effect for kids that might have gotten into UVA from their base school that will not get in from TJ.

TJ sends almost as many kids to HYPSM as the rest of FCPS combined.

-1,000

Do you even have a current 11th-12th grade TJ student or a TJ grad from ‘25?

I'd love the answer to this...

I have a TJ grad, not '25.

Year? If you don't have current information, your input needs to be viewed through that lens. College admissions are not what they were even 4 years ago.

So you're saying that 4 years going to TJ was possibly a good idea but it isn't today? Why?

DP - College admissions should not be the end-stage outcome nor should it be considered a pre-requisite for the end-stage outcome.

Even if it is slightly harder to get to certain schools from TJ than it is elsewhere (and I'm not convinced it is except in certain cases), it doesn't matter because college admissions just isn't that big a deal anymore.

TJ kids are increasingly exiting college early to found their companies that they'll sell for 7-8 figures and start over again. And the colleges they're leaving aren't Harvard or Princeton.

Don't screw your kid over because you're stuck in a 2005 mindset.

I think what a lot of parents don't understand is that undergrad is not really a terminal degree anymore.

Spot on. Or how easy transferring can be in a lot of cases, especially in-state.

I don't think people go to TJ thinking that college options will be worse for many (had they just stayed at their base school) but they realize they can just transfer. Our friends with current seniors are all disappointed right now (ED rejections, UVA deferrals).

I think a lot of people (including the FCPS board) have the wrong idea about TJ
It's not an award, it's an opportunity.
It's an opportunity in a "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" sort of way.
Admitting kids along hierarchies of equity rather than hierarchies of competency was a disservice to everyone.

It's been said on this board a thousand times and it is not controversial to say that you shouldn't go to TJ to improve college admissions results.

Yeah, why do merely smart kids deserve opportunity?

I do think it is unfair TJ kids get tax payer funded things like the labs and then dedicated school time for ECs which could possibly help things like job apps, internships, and college apps.

The vast majority of the equipment in the labs is not taxpayer-funded.

The entire building which houses the lab and allows it to run, is.

As well as the funding for the teachers who oversee use of the lab…