Jay Mathews: Did money keep student out of top school? [TJ]

[Anonymous]

Husband did not go to a "TJ". He did not go past calculus in high school.

He triple majored in Math, Engineering, and Physics in college. Went on for PhD (full ride at an Ivy) and is now working at a top government laboratory. Just saying. He had interest, talent, and motivation. TJ would have been nice, but don't think he was held back by the lack of it. He is very respected in his field. Nobody cares where he went to high school or even undergrad college (or at this point even graduate school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you have toured TJ 's labs

Have done that.

Anonymous wrote:and looked at the online course catalog (google it),

Have done that, too.

Anonymous wrote:you have no idea whether TJ is better for kids seriously interested in math and science

So I have done both of those prerequisites, as the PP states must be done.

Anonymous wrote: --- and the answer is that TJ is better for any kid wanting advanced studies at his home school in those subjects.

For a "kid wanting advanced studies in math and science" TJ may not necessarily be better than a kid staying at her/his home school.

My kid wants advanced studies in computer science and technology and can better meet these desires at the neighborhood high school, combined with opportunities for internships, extra-curricular activities and online coursework.

As was stated earlier in this thread, whether or not TJ is better than the neighborhood high school depends on the kid.

Some base schools offer multivariable calculus and matrix algebra but that 's about it as far as advanced post-AP courses in math and science. The base schools just do not have the "critical mass" of students or adequate teachers to offer other post AP courses beyond that such as "Advanced Math technique, Complex Variables, Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis etc.". Many teachers teaching post AP courses hold Ph.Ds in physics, chemistry, computer science etc. Some of them were university professors, In addition, I don't think the base schools offer post AP courses in science/computer science such as "Computational Physics, DNA Science, Neuroscience, Organic Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence, Parallel Computing etc.". Many TJ kids take these kinds of courses and use the knowledge in their scientific research not to mention all the equipments and facilities at various research labs some of which are not even found at colleges.

Only a handful of TJ kids are able to take these classes, because the vast majority of the kids who attend are on track to take Calc BC in 11th grade. A not insubstantial portion of the kids start with Algebra in 8th and consequently don't even get to Calc until senior year, and some of them don't even take BC, but AB.
And don't forget the 15-30% of TJ kids who are struggling with the math sequence and need remediation.
It's a highly unequal environment, and the mere fact that a kid got in doesn't mean he or she will take advanced classes not available elsewhere. It does guarantee that the kid will be in the bottom half of the class if he/she wasn't ready for the competition.

Many more than handful of kids take post AP math courses for any given semester and less than 5% begin the freshman year with Geometry.

[Anonymous]

And this year all the 9th graders are taking the equivalent of AP Statistics the first semester at TJ. No matter what math they came in with.

[Anonymous]

He triple majored in Math, Engineering, and Physics in college. Went on for PhD (full ride at an Ivy) and is now working at a top government laboratory. Just saying. He had interest, talent, and motivation. TJ would have been nice, but don't think he was held back by the lack of it. He is very respected in his field. Nobody cares where he went to high school or even undergrad college (or at this point even graduate school).

Smart by any other name is still smart!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

He triple majored in Math, Engineering, and Physics in college. Went on for PhD (full ride at an Ivy) and is now working at a top government laboratory. Just saying. He had interest, talent, and motivation. TJ would have been nice, but don't think he was held back by the lack of it. He is very respected in his field. Nobody cares where he went to high school or even undergrad college (or at this point even graduate school).

Smart by any other name is still smart!




So true, but apparently very baffling to many posters on this board who seem convinced the winning formula to success has to go through TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

He triple majored in Math, Engineering, and Physics in college. Went on for PhD (full ride at an Ivy) and is now working at a top government laboratory. Just saying. He had interest, talent, and motivation. TJ would have been nice, but don't think he was held back by the lack of it. He is very respected in his field. Nobody cares where he went to high school or even undergrad college (or at this point even graduate school).

Smart by any other name is still smart!




So true, but apparently very baffling to many posters on this board who seem convinced the winning formula to success has to go through TJ.

Receiving TJ education would be nice if possible especially since it is tuition free but not that many people think that is the only way to go. Just like MIT is just one school out of many good schools. Not many people feel the urge to attack MIT so why the urge to attack TJ? Just accept the fact that TJ is a great school and move on.

[Anonymous]

I also don't think that anyone believes TJ is the only way to get a good education. It definitely has its strengths but that doesn't mean other schools aren't strong as well. It seems more like people who do not choose TJ (or don't get in) feel they have to attack the school for some reason. But it just ends up being strange because rational people should agree that TJ is one of a number of good schools in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:rational people should agree that TJ is one of a number of good schools in this area.

Exactly; it's not all about TJ. There are a number of good schools in this area.