Is a non-STEM kid at TJ possible?

[Anonymous]

My son is very interested in applying to TJ and if he gets in, potentially going there. While he's a really good math student, he doesn't really have a strong desire to work in STEM. He's had his mind set on political science from a very young age. [We are StateDept and the exposure to our jobs have made him want to explore similar fields.] I've asked him why he wants to apply, given TJ is primarily STEM school and he keeps telling me that non-STEM students go there also. Is this really true? And, honestly, if so, why--why are they going to TJ only to go into sociology or poli-sci???

[Anonymous]

Google the learning pathways at TJ and then ask yourself that question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Google the learning pathways at TJ and then ask yourself that question.

I have looked at that and think it's just rebranding of something that a lot of high schools offers. The IBET may be unique to TJ but that doesn't really tell me much at all. My son produced a list of students who went to TJ (from social media college decision postings) showing me kids who graduated from TJ going onto poli-sci and other majors. So, maybe you can explain to me what your esoteric statement is implying--that would be super useful!

He fully intends to do independent research but would focus that on non-traditional STEM, maybe in public policy or similar area, while still using heavy stats and data science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Google the learning pathways at TJ and then ask yourself that question.

I have looked at that and think it's just rebranding of something that a lot of high schools offers. The IBET may be unique to TJ but that doesn't really tell me much at all. My son produced a list of students who went to TJ (from social media college decision postings) showing me kids who graduated from TJ going onto poli-sci and other majors. So, maybe you can explain to me what your esoteric statement is implying--that would be super useful!

He fully intends to do independent research but would focus that on non-traditional STEM, maybe in public policy or similar area, while still using heavy stats and data science.

Every student at TJ chooses one of those pathways and needs to complete a senior project in that area. So yes, kids go to TJ and go on to major in other fields but TJ is a STEM heavy school. Your kid is committing to complete a STEM project in their Senior year that will require taking extra STEM classes. Freshman have to chose between Social Studies and Computer Programming as electives, most chose Computers and will double up on Social Studies or take the fourth year during the summer. A Counselor told us only a few kids take language beyond a third year because they want to add in more STEM electives.

He will have to take Calculus, that is a graduation requirement from TJ.

So yes, he can. I don't get why you would want to do that. You can take the stats and data science classes at his base school. I know some kids go that route but it means that they are taking a space for a kid who wants the STEM subjects that you can only get at TJ to take classes that are available at pretty much every base school.

[Anonymous]

There are more non-STEM kids at TJ than you'd imagine, and the humanities department at TJ is arguably one of the strongest departments. That said, as others have pointed out, your student will have to "suffer" through the requirements needed for a TJ diploma, so it may not be worth it for them when they could fill their elective spaces with more classes tailored to their interests at a base school.

[Anonymous]

You can always apply and decide if they get in, they may not.

[Anonymous]

I would let your kid lead with it. Yes most kids there are into STEM areas. But I think the most important thing is to be very good at math and school. If your kid has those then they can hang with the academic level and focus as they want.

Yes they need to do CS and get to Calc and do the sr research project but those are not wildly more to ask of a non-STEM kid.

[Anonymous]

Apply and if you get admitted, see if your kid wants to do this stem work required. Are you asking about next year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is very interested in applying to TJ and if he gets in, potentially going there. While he's a really good math student, he doesn't really have a strong desire to work in STEM. He's had his mind set on political science from a very young age. [We are StateDept and the exposure to our jobs have made him want to explore similar fields.] I've asked him why he wants to apply, given TJ is primarily STEM school and he keeps telling me that non-STEM students go there also. Is this really true? And, honestly, if so, why--why are they going to TJ only to go into sociology or poli-sci???

Yes. He has to be good at math and he has to pick a senior research project but you can focus on the humanities from TJ. Plenty of lawyers from TJ.

[Anonymous]

Yes, he’s advanced in math and will be taking Algebra 2 HN in 8th grade. He breezed through Algebra HN and Geometry HN, and we’ll see how he does in Algebra 2 HN, but I’m not worried at the moment. Given how naturally math comes to him with minimal effort, I would expect him to have a strong affinity for it. However, he has no interest in joining any of the math competition teams at his middle school.

He’s focused on pursuing the Research Practicum path and doing independent research tied to a non-STEM, policy-related area. Based on what some parents have noted above, that seems no more implausible than students completing STEM projects and then applying to college as political science majors. So it sounds like my kid could pursue a non-STEM research project and still apply as a poli-sci major or something along those lines.

It’s also great to hear that the humanities department is so strong. That will absolutely make his day. He also plans to pursue two languages. He’ll already have three years of Spanish completed before entering TJ and hopes to study German while there.

I know his profile is very different from the stereotypical TJ student, but if students are increasingly moving into non-STEM future paths, I’m starting to better understand his perspective on why TJ may not actually be a bad fit for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, he’s advanced in math and will be taking Algebra 2 HN in 8th grade. He breezed through Algebra HN and Geometry HN, and we’ll see how he does in Algebra 2 HN, but I’m not worried at the moment. Given how naturally math comes to him with minimal effort, I would expect him to have a strong affinity for it. However, he has no interest in joining any of the math competition teams at his middle school.

He’s focused on pursuing the Research Practicum path and doing independent research tied to a non-STEM, policy-related area. Based on what some parents have noted above, that seems no more implausible than students completing STEM projects and then applying to college as political science majors. So it sounds like my kid could pursue a non-STEM research project and still apply as a poli-sci major or something along those lines.

It’s also great to hear that the humanities department is so strong. That will absolutely make his day. He also plans to pursue two languages. He’ll already have three years of Spanish completed before entering TJ and hopes to study German while there.

I know his profile is very different from the stereotypical TJ student, but if students are increasingly moving into non-STEM future paths, I’m starting to better understand his perspective on why TJ may not actually be a bad fit for him.

TJ is in theory a STEM school but its just a school for smart kids and they measure smart by their math and writing ability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, he’s advanced in math and will be taking Algebra 2 HN in 8th grade. He breezed through Algebra HN and Geometry HN, and we’ll see how he does in Algebra 2 HN, but I’m not worried at the moment. Given how naturally math comes to him with minimal effort, I would expect him to have a strong affinity for it. However, he has no interest in joining any of the math competition teams at his middle school.

He’s focused on pursuing the Research Practicum path and doing independent research tied to a non-STEM, policy-related area. Based on what some parents have noted above, that seems no more implausible than students completing STEM projects and then applying to college as political science majors. So it sounds like my kid could pursue a non-STEM research project and still apply as a poli-sci major or something along those lines.

It’s also great to hear that the humanities department is so strong. That will absolutely make his day. He also plans to pursue two languages. He’ll already have three years of Spanish completed before entering TJ and hopes to study German while there.

I know his profile is very different from the stereotypical TJ student, but if students are increasingly moving into non-STEM future paths, I’m starting to better understand his perspective on why TJ may not actually be a bad fit for him.

I highly doubt they would let him do a research practicum (the kids call it something else, I can’t remember right now) in anything other than science. I don’t think going to TJ has held anyone back from pursuing liberal arts/humanities in college (although it might make admissions to highly elite schools much harder).

Honestly, your kid should want to attend knowing that the “science and tech” part of the school is very real and very demanding. If he already knows he wants to do social sciences/policy work, this probably won’t be a great fit.

[Anonymous]

If he's play not getting into UVA and planing for grad school, then the extra rigor may serve him well in undergrad and position him well in his non-prestigious undergrad to get into a prestigious grad school.

He should check out this course: https://mru.org/mastering-econometrics-joshua-angrist and the corresponding book (mastering 'metrics) along with https://theeffectbook.net/

[Anonymous]

Also, he should major in statistics or similar with econometrics / political science / political economics courses on the side. It's very common for students aiming for top PhD programs to take and do well in PhD level courses at their undergrad institution.

This is also a good read for future social scientists: https://www.amazon.com/Regression-Stories-Analytical-Methods-Research/dp/110702398X#averageCustomerReviewsAnchor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, he should major in statistics or similar with econometrics / political science / political economics courses on the side. It's very common for students aiming for top PhD programs to take and do well in PhD level courses at their undergrad institution.

This is also a good read for future social scientists: https://www.amazon.com/Regression-Stories-Analytical-Methods-Research/dp/110702398X#averageCustomerReviewsAnchor

Thank you for the above recommendations. I'll send the links to him. I don't know if he's interested in grad school at this time, but who knows how he'll feel in a decade when he's about to get out of undergrad. He already has some idea of what he wants his senior thesis to be and it is definitely in the area of econometric modeling in political science.