Analysis of Percentage of National Merit Semifinalists at Different Schools

[Anonymous]

Why would anyone have a problem with that observation? If the facts were otherwise, it would be weird. TJ's ONLY admissions hurdle is an academic test (unless I am mistaken). The best scorers get in. All the private schools are looking at more than just academics -- athletics, connections, money, personality, etc. So, of course, TJ will have more NMSF. I'd like to see a spreadsheet of percentage of millionaire parents at the various schools. I'm sure that there is a much larger percentage of millionaire parents at St. Alban's, etc. than at TJ.

[Anonymous]

Why would anyone have a problem with that observation? If the facts were otherwise, it would be weird. TJ's ONLY admissions hurdle is an academic test (unless I am mistaken). The best scorers get in. All the private schools are looking at more than just academics -- athletics, connections, money, personality, etc. So, of course, TJ will have more NMSF. I'd like to see a spreadsheet of percentage of millionaire parents at the various schools. I'm sure that there is a much larger percentage of millionaire parents at St. Alban's, etc. than at TJ.

Rest my case. What's all the fuss about? Who said the NMF make a man?

[Anonymous]

No one can deny that TJ has great NMSF results. As PP noted they are screening kids based on similar tests 2 years before. It would be surprising if they didn't have great results. I don't think one can conclude that somehow TJ has molded them into great test takers in the 2 years they are there before they take the PSATs. They are great test takers when they come in.

[Anonymous]

No one can deny that TJ has great NMSF results. As PP noted they are screening kids based on similar tests 2 years before. It would be surprising if they didn't have great results. I don't think one can conclude that somehow TJ has molded them into great test takers in the 2 years they are there before they take the PSATs. They are great test takers when they come in.

Who on this board has concluded "TJ has molded them into great test takers in the 2 years they are there before they take the PSATs"? What hat did you pull that remark from?

[Anonymous]

that's from the STA thread where you were so concerned about the "product"

[Anonymous]

I would hesitate to describe TJ students as just great test takers. These students on aggregate are superb, broadly and deeply educated with great exmissions. To simply dismiss them as great test takers is foolish. Pound for pound the private product ARE NOT BETTER.

[Anonymous]

that's from the STA thread where you were so concerned about the "product"

Who are you referring to? What are you talking about? I do not see the connection to the statement you just made?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would hesitate to describe TJ students as just great test takers. These students on aggregate are superb, broadly and deeply educated with great exmissions. To simply dismiss them as great test takers is foolish. Pound for pound the private product ARE NOT BETTER.

You said "just". I said they were great test takers. I didn't say they were or weren't good at other things. I am sure they are. But the NMSF is based only on test taking success.

Hey - are you also the crazy new englander? I am sensing a pattern here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would hesitate to describe TJ students as just great test takers. These students on aggregate are superb, broadly and deeply educated with great exmissions. To simply dismiss them as great test takers is foolish. Pound for pound the private product ARE NOT BETTER.

Publicized SAT II averages and AP subject scores would provide us a clearer picture of the depth of a STA education.

[Anonymous]

Only if you are the psychotic, paranoid schizophrenic lady.

[Anonymous]

Publicized SAT II averages and AP subject scores would provide us a clearer picture of the depth of a STA education.

I agree. I doubt this information will be made public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would hesitate to describe TJ students as just great test takers. These students on aggregate are superb, broadly and deeply educated with great exmissions. To simply dismiss them as great test takers is foolish. Pound for pound the private product ARE NOT BETTER.

OK, I'm sold. I will immediately transfer my son to TJ. But wait, we live in Bethesda. OK, I'll transfer him to Blair. But wait, he is good at math, tolerates science, is uninterested in technology, and lives for History. Do we have to settle for his current private school? Is there a solution for him?

[Anonymous]

I think the crazy ass TJ booster is actually an STA applicant family trying to reduce the application pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would hesitate to describe TJ students as just great test takers. These students on aggregate are superb, broadly and deeply educated with great exmissions. To simply dismiss them as great test takers is foolish. Pound for pound the private product ARE NOT BETTER.

BS. There are students who choose privates over TJ or never even bother applying. TJ functions as a private school - independent from the public system except for budgets and management. The TJ to UVA standard flow is a great family financial benefit. So the real issue is DOLLAR for DOLLAR some people luck out and others get FCPS crap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would hesitate to describe TJ students as just great test takers. These students on aggregate are superb, broadly and deeply educated with great exmissions. To simply dismiss them as great test takers is foolish. Pound for pound the private product ARE NOT BETTER.

OK, I'm sold. I will immediately transfer my son to TJ. But wait, we live in Bethesda. OK, I'll transfer him to Blair. But wait, he is good at math, tolerates science, is uninterested in technology, and lives for History. Do we have to settle for his current private school? Is there a solution for him?

Pfhh. Plenty of TJ students don't even major in math, science, engineering in college.