Rich, legacy, and athletes dominate from a wealthy area like McLean |
Competion varies by school of majors, Psychology vs. Computer Science? |
Many TJ families turn down Ivy or Top 20 offers in favor of in-state options because of financial considerations. Base school students do the same. |
+1. Much harder to standout to a college AO coming out of TJ. Much harder. |
UVA has CS in both Arts & Sciences and Engineering. |
Especially if expecting to graduate TJ at bottom of class with lowest course rigor, when that same course selection could make student be in top of class at their base school. |
+1 much better to stay back at top of class at Herndon, Justice or Mount Vernon when same effort results in consant struggle at TJ |
What do you mean by bottom of the class? If it bottom 50% then it is more than 250 kids. Top 20% (100) would possibly get multiple offers from various state flagships (VA, MD,DC,GA, NC,TX, CA, PA, IL, MA, MO, IN, NJ, NY, WA etc being the most common states). |
The advise to stay at the base HS start popping up now. Maybe because the announcement is coming up.
Parents please be wise. The discouragement maybe because some wants more chance for them. For me, it is not about the destination (college) but the journey along the way and so far my freshmen kid very enjoy his first year journey at TJ. I also learnt that in general, not speaking about TJ, college admissions this year is bloodbath. So many top students from top schools with very impressive stats is rejected left and right, with no clear reasons. So, please take the advise here carefully. |
The bottom of the TJ class won't be in the top of the class at their base school. Class 2025, the kids were picked for TJ from our middle school were on normal math level, the advanced math level kids left at base high school, and they have committed top 10 colleges. |
How about you let the kids decide? And get a life. |
It's still a public school dude. The wealthy legacies in McLean go to Potomac. |
This is true but so is the advice. Don't go to TJ for college prospects because only the top 10-20% actually improve their college prospects by attending TJ. Go to TJ because it will prepare you for a rigorous college program better than your base school. |
It's more FCPS school board members decide for you. ![]() |
+1 100% to the point. Completely agree. |