TJ admissions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Hello! Our child is currently in the 7th grade, and recently told us about TJ. We have realized that the competition there is strong. She goes to Franklin middle, and we figured out less than 10 students from Franklin get admitted. Our daughter is passionate about stem as she is participating in the AMC 8, did a stem-bootcamp 8 week course, and will be on track of taking geometry next year. We are aware this is not enough. Please let us know the admission process, and what we need to do to hopefully get her accepted to TJ. Thank you!

There is an application you have to fill out.
You will want to keep up your grades. The most common GAP among entering students is 4.0

Look at previous essay questions and think about how you would answer them (not the math question but the other essay questions)

One of the biggest hurdles on the essayt exam is competing the exam. Most kids run out of time so practicing the essays so that you get a sense of the timing will be helpful.

After that it seems a bit random.

It's not random at all. In fact, only the top 1.5% who apply
from each school are accepted.

False. The top kids aren’t necessarily admitted, the 1.5% floor is based on the number of 8th graders at a middle school (not the number of TJ applicants), and some middle schools like Carson continue to send more than 1.5% of their 8th graders to TJ.

Nope they select the very top kids using objective measures. Sure, you may feel differently but they use actual metrics instead of your feelings.

Essays are hardly objective.

Don't bother. The PP is a troll or bot who will ignore everything you say and just keep repeating the same nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a math essay that we should prepare for? Would you recommend prep classes or just focus on school?

There is a math and/or science essay. Usually not difficult but may have tricky wording or multiple steps. The answer includes explaining the answer, including all the steps.

Hi OP. My son is a freshman at TJ.

There is exactly ONE math based word-problem to solve as part of the admissions process. Last year, my son reported the problem was easy, but poorly-worded. Some of his classmates from AAP did not manage to finish the problem and they may have been unnecessarily confused. You can find past examples of the question on YouTube.

There is a “Portrait of a Graduate” worksheet to complete. My son is an active Scout and is active in charity through our church. Not sure if that helped.

40% of the admissions decision is “experience factors.” It’s difficult to define exactly what that means, but it apparently includes FARMS / being poor, being BIPOC, or being SPED.

Try hard to be a minority (but only URM) or poor or Special Needs. It helps.

My son came from a “high admission” / top-3 MS: Longfellow.

He has always been involved with the Math Counts league. Longfellow only accepts the top 30 kids into their MathCounts team. My son was between 20 and 30 on the team. It is likely that TJ values Science Olympiad, but the local team commitment was way too demanding so we did not pursue it.

TJ is over 80% minority students. My son is among the 19% white kids.

He is loving his TJ experience so far and is doing well. He really, really wanted to go.

If I may ask, did your son do any prep classes? What level of math was he on at the time? If you recommend any prep classes or what to study for the test, please let us know!

OP is this you again? Every poster has already told you - the new system is designed to cut down or even eliminate the need for prep for the application process.

Study the portrait of a graduate stuff and make sure your kid thinks ahead of time about how they relate to them. Beyond that, getting As in the classes your child is taking is what’s needed. Don’t skip to algebra two as it will be harder to get As and there are not bonus points for being doubly advanced in math. It is a process highly open to luck and chance. So prepare your kid that it may not happen.

Many of these posts are self-serving. People will lie to give their kids an advantage. I wouldn't trust what they are writing. For example, the new process is fairly objective, especially compared to the old process, which was easily gamed.

Yes I agree… that’s why I’m skeptical about whoever says my kid shouldn’t study, because some start studying in 5th grade. This is a highly competitive school.

To be fair, though, that was in the old system that used actual tests. Your kid really shouldn't study, because that won't help. You could, however, look into a prep program or tutor to help your child with essay writing. For the math/science essay, it sounds like the biggest issue is running out of time or failing to explain things clearly. For the portrait of a graduate ones, it would be ideal to think of compelling anecdotes or examples for each bullet point, and then be ready to explain them in an essay if the prompt fits.

You should be able to do a google search to find examples of the TJ essay prompts.

[Anonymous]

Most of the enrichment that people did was to get kids into Algebra 1 by 7th grade or to get them through Geometry in the summer easily. You are too late for most of that. RSM, Curie, and AoPS will offer summer classes, maybe over winter break, that might be useful for writing the TJ essay.

Your child is taking Algebra 1 in 7th grade, she is where she needs to be for math for TJ. She needs to get A’s in all of her classes this year and have A’s for the first quarter or two next year. That is about it.

Read the TJ admission page and look for the TJ info sessions in the fall. Go on YouTube and look for the essay prompts if you want.

Franklin does not have a lot of kids applying. If she is a straight A student and has thought about the essays in advance she should have a solid chance. The reason why Franklin’s TJ numbers are lower is because most of the kids interested in TJ from Franklin are at Carson.

DS is at Carson. Like the Longfellow poster, the TJ interested kids tried out for Mathcounts and Science Olympiad. I am sure that those are referenced in their portrait of a student essay. The kids who make those teams at Carson and Longfellow are the more advanced kids in math and science at the school. They probably have been doing some type of enrichment in STEM for a while. The Mathcounts and Science Olympiad are competitive, I know Carsons Mathcounts club has about 120 kids try out for 30 spots. I heard that Science Olympiad is the same. It sounds like Longfellow has a similar situation.

You have said she wants to do geometry this summer because her friends at Carson are doing it. I would have her ask of her friends at Carson have already been exposed to Geometry, ie have they done AoPS, RSM, Curie Geometry or a lot of math competition prep. Those kids will do fine in summer geometry because they have already learned most of the material. It is still a grind because of the amount of work kids need to do in a 5 week period and there is no leeway. Kids without prior exposure can do well in the class but it is hard. A good number of kids drop it fast because of the pace and difficulty. Others complete it but expunge the grade and retake it. DS is not taking Geometry this summer because he had camps he wants to do. He has been previously exposed to the subject and would probably get an A but he just isn’t interested in giving up the majority of his summer to take a math class. He has classmates who are taking it and are surprised that he is not. Different priorities, which is totally fine. Just make sure that she is aware of what the class requires before planning your entire summer around the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Hello! Our child is currently in the 7th grade, and recently told us about TJ. We have realized that the competition there is strong. She goes to Franklin middle, and we figured out less than 10 students from Franklin get admitted. Our daughter is passionate about stem as she is participating in the AMC 8, did a stem-bootcamp 8 week course, and will be on track of taking geometry next year. We are aware this is not enough. Please let us know the admission process, and what we need to do to hopefully get her accepted to TJ. Thank you!

There is an application you have to fill out.
You will want to keep up your grades. The most common GAP among entering students is 4.0

Look at previous essay questions and think about how you would answer them (not the math question but the other essay questions)

One of the biggest hurdles on the essayt exam is competing the exam. Most kids run out of time so practicing the essays so that you get a sense of the timing will be helpful.

After that it seems a bit random.

It's not random at all. In fact, only the top 1.5% who apply
from each school are accepted.

This is wrong. Each MS is allotted enough seats for the top 1.5% of students at their school. Kids who are eligible, based on the criteria posted on the TJ Admissions page, and not in that top 1.5% enter into an open pool where kids are selected from across FCPS. That is how schools like Carson, Rocky Run, Longfellow, and Cooper end up with a number of students that far exceeds the 1.5% allottment for their school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Hello! Our child is currently in the 7th grade, and recently told us about TJ. We have realized that the competition there is strong. She goes to Franklin middle, and we figured out less than 10 students from Franklin get admitted. Our daughter is passionate about stem as she is participating in the AMC 8, did a stem-bootcamp 8 week course, and will be on track of taking geometry next year. We are aware this is not enough. Please let us know the admission process, and what we need to do to hopefully get her accepted to TJ. Thank you!

There is an application you have to fill out.
You will want to keep up your grades. The most common GAP among entering students is 4.0

Look at previous essay questions and think about how you would answer them (not the math question but the other essay questions)

One of the biggest hurdles on the essayt exam is competing the exam. Most kids run out of time so practicing the essays so that you get a sense of the timing will be helpful.

After that it seems a bit random.

It's not random at all. In fact, only the top 1.5% who apply
from each school are accepted.

This is wrong. Each MS is allotted enough seats for the top 1.5% of students at their school. Kids who are eligible, based on the criteria posted on the TJ Admissions page, and not in that top 1.5% enter into an open pool where kids are selected from across FCPS. That is how schools like Carson, Rocky Run, Longfellow, and Cooper end up with a number of students that far exceeds the 1.5% allottment for their school.

And there's still tons of kids from those schools who aren't admitted that will run circles around admits from the other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Hello! Our child is currently in the 7th grade, and recently told us about TJ. We have realized that the competition there is strong. She goes to Franklin middle, and we figured out less than 10 students from Franklin get admitted. Our daughter is passionate about stem as she is participating in the AMC 8, did a stem-bootcamp 8 week course, and will be on track of taking geometry next year. We are aware this is not enough. Please let us know the admission process, and what we need to do to hopefully get her accepted to TJ. Thank you!

There is an application you have to fill out.
You will want to keep up your grades. The most common GAP among entering students is 4.0

Look at previous essay questions and think about how you would answer them (not the math question but the other essay questions)

One of the biggest hurdles on the essayt exam is competing the exam. Most kids run out of time so practicing the essays so that you get a sense of the timing will be helpful.

After that it seems a bit random.

It's not random at all. In fact, only the top 1.5% who apply
from each school are accepted.

This is wrong. Each MS is allotted enough seats for the top 1.5% of students at their school. Kids who are eligible, based on the criteria posted on the TJ Admissions page, and not in that top 1.5% enter into an open pool where kids are selected from across FCPS. That is how schools like Carson, Rocky Run, Longfellow, and Cooper end up with a number of students that far exceeds the 1.5% allottment for their school.

And there's still tons of kids from those schools who aren't admitted that will run circles around admits from the other schools.

That is a different conversation that has taken over every other TJ admissions thread. Can we let there be one thread on TJ admissions that is just about the process and not turn into the generic “TJ Admissions sucks” thread?

[Anonymous]

I have a TJ graduate so before all the admissions changes. They did no prep other than to do a practice essay. As things have changed so drastically since they were admitted, I'd urge you to read and follow:

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-tjhsst-admissions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Hello! Our child is currently in the 7th grade, and recently told us about TJ. We have realized that the competition there is strong. She goes to Franklin middle, and we figured out less than 10 students from Franklin get admitted. Our daughter is passionate about stem as she is participating in the AMC 8, did a stem-bootcamp 8 week course, and will be on track of taking geometry next year. We are aware this is not enough. Please let us know the admission process, and what we need to do to hopefully get her accepted to TJ. Thank you!

There is an application you have to fill out.
You will want to keep up your grades. The most common GAP among entering students is 4.0

Look at previous essay questions and think about how you would answer them (not the math question but the other essay questions)

One of the biggest hurdles on the essayt exam is competing the exam. Most kids run out of time so practicing the essays so that you get a sense of the timing will be helpful.

After that it seems a bit random.

It's not random at all. In fact, only the top 1.5% who apply
from each school are accepted.

This is wrong. Each MS is allotted enough seats for the top 1.5% of students at their school. Kids who are eligible, based on the criteria posted on the TJ Admissions page, and not in that top 1.5% enter into an open pool where kids are selected from across FCPS. That is how schools like Carson, Rocky Run, Longfellow, and Cooper end up with a number of students that far exceeds the 1.5% allottment for their school.

And there's still tons of kids from those schools who aren't admitted that will run circles around admits from the other schools.

That is a different conversation that has taken over every other TJ admissions thread. Can we let there be one thread on TJ admissions that is just about the process and not turn into the generic “TJ Admissions sucks” thread?

Yes please!! I have found good information on this conversaition, but many are just debating over TJ admissons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a TJ graduate so before all the admissions changes. They did no prep other than to do a practice essay. As things have changed so drastically since they were admitted, I'd urge you to read and follow:

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-tjhsst-admissions

Similar here- all my child did was to read the information on the website and do the practice questions there. If your child is meant to go to TJ, they’ll be admitted. Worrying in advance won’t change anything, and could work against you by making your child nervous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a TJ graduate so before all the admissions changes. They did no prep other than to do a practice essay. As things have changed so drastically since they were admitted, I'd urge you to read and follow:

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-tjhsst-admissions

Similar here- all my child did was to read the information on the website and do the practice questions there. If your child is meant to go to TJ, they’ll be admitted. Worrying in advance won’t change anything, and could work against you by making your child nervous.

Everyone says practice questions there... respectfully, where? Is it on google? could you maybe send me a link? I really don't know much, so please fill me in. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I have checked this site :
https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/registration/...gy-tjhsst-admissions are you saying practice questions are on there? I have seen the process though, so thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a math essay that we should prepare for? Would you recommend prep classes or just focus on school?

There is a math and/or science essay. Usually not difficult but may have tricky wording or multiple steps. The answer includes explaining the answer, including all the steps.

Hi OP. My son is a freshman at TJ.

There is exactly ONE math based word-problem to solve as part of the admissions process. Last year, my son reported the problem was easy, but poorly-worded. Some of his classmates from AAP did not manage to finish the problem and they may have been unnecessarily confused. You can find past examples of the question on YouTube.

There is a “Portrait of a Graduate” worksheet to complete. My son is an active Scout and is active in charity through our church. Not sure if that helped.

40% of the admissions decision is “experience factors.” It’s difficult to define exactly what that means, but it apparently includes FARMS / being poor, being BIPOC, or being SPED.

Try hard to be a minority (but only URM) or poor or Special Needs. It helps.

My son came from a “high admission” / top-3 MS: Longfellow.

He has always been involved with the Math Counts league. Longfellow only accepts the top 30 kids into their MathCounts team. My son was between 20 and 30 on the team. It is likely that TJ values Science Olympiad, but the local team commitment was way too demanding so we did not pursue it.

TJ is over 80% minority students. My son is among the 19% white kids.

He is loving his TJ experience so far and is doing well. He really, really wanted to go.

If I may ask, did your son do any prep classes? What level of math was he on at the time? If you recommend any prep classes or what to study for the test, please let us know!

Sped at TJ is 1%, Farms is 13% and URM (especially Black) is also very very low. Alot of poster in this forum emphasis this over and over as this is the only way to get in (only poor, urm or disabled that can get in).
In fact, they ignore that majority of TJ is still Asian, Wealthy and Non Sped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a TJ graduate so before all the admissions changes. They did no prep other than to do a practice essay. As things have changed so drastically since they were admitted, I'd urge you to read and follow:

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-tjhsst-admissions

Similar here- all my child did was to read the information on the website and do the practice questions there. If your child is meant to go to TJ, they’ll be admitted. Worrying in advance won’t change anything, and could work against you by making your child nervous.

Everyone says practice questions there... respectfully, where? Is it on google? could you maybe send me a link? I really don't know much, so please fill me in. Thank you!

Here's a place to start:
https://www.youtube.com/@EduAvenues
https://academy4enrichment.com/tjhsst_essays_exam_5_13579.php?loc=Ashburn
https://www.path2tj.com/old-prompts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a math essay that we should prepare for? Would you recommend prep classes or just focus on school?

There is a math and/or science essay. Usually not difficult but may have tricky wording or multiple steps. The answer includes explaining the answer, including all the steps.

Hi OP. My son is a freshman at TJ.

There is exactly ONE math based word-problem to solve as part of the admissions process. Last year, my son reported the problem was easy, but poorly-worded. Some of his classmates from AAP did not manage to finish the problem and they may have been unnecessarily confused. You can find past examples of the question on YouTube.

There is a “Portrait of a Graduate” worksheet to complete. My son is an active Scout and is active in charity through our church. Not sure if that helped.

40% of the admissions decision is “experience factors.” It’s difficult to define exactly what that means, but it apparently includes FARMS / being poor, being BIPOC, or being SPED.

Try hard to be a minority (but only URM) or poor or Special Needs. It helps.

My son came from a “high admission” / top-3 MS: Longfellow.

He has always been involved with the Math Counts league. Longfellow only accepts the top 30 kids into their MathCounts team. My son was between 20 and 30 on the team. It is likely that TJ values Science Olympiad, but the local team commitment was way too demanding so we did not pursue it.

TJ is over 80% minority students. My son is among the 19% white kids.

He is loving his TJ experience so far and is doing well. He really, really wanted to go.

If I may ask, did your son do any prep classes? What level of math was he on at the time? If you recommend any prep classes or what to study for the test, please let us know!

Sped at TJ is 1%, Farms is 13% and URM (especially Black) is also very very low. Alot of poster in this forum emphasis this over and over as this is the only way to get in (only poor, urm or disabled that can get in).
In fact, they ignore that majority of TJ is still Asian, Wealthy and Non Sped.

Sorry, I meant to respond to the poster that you asked, not you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a TJ graduate so before all the admissions changes. They did no prep other than to do a practice essay. As things have changed so drastically since they were admitted, I'd urge you to read and follow:

https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-tjhsst-admissions

Similar here- all my child did was to read the information on the website and do the practice questions there. If your child is meant to go to TJ, they’ll be admitted. Worrying in advance won’t change anything, and could work against you by making your child nervous.

Everyone says practice questions there... respectfully, where? Is it on google? could you maybe send me a link? I really don't know much, so please fill me in. Thank you!

Here's a place to start:
https://www.youtube.com/@EduAvenues
https://academy4enrichment.com/tjhsst_essays_exam_5_13579.php?loc=Ashburn
https://www.path2tj.com/old-prompts

Thanks!!