TJ results

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Today, my 8th-grade child, who attends an AAP center middle school, came home from school and shared something troubling. She said that several very strong students she knows—students who are hardworking, highly capable, and genuinely interested in STEM—were either rejected or placed on the waitlist for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

At the same time, she heard that at least three other students received offers of admission even though, according to their classmates, they put very little effort into their essays, are not interested in studying, do not enjoy math or science, and do not perform strongly in those subjects. Some even said they were surprised they were admitted and did not understand why they were accepted.

Because they received offers, they now feel that they must be smarter than students who were rejected or waitlisted, despite having average or below-average grades in math and science and little interest in STEM. Meanwhile, students with excellent SOL scores, strong academic records, and a genuine passion for math and science feel deeply disappointed and confused. They cannot understand why students who seem less prepared or less interested in STEM were admitted, while highly qualified and motivated students were not.

For many families and students, this feels unfair and difficult to understand.

First, a C is an average grade. You cannot apply to TJ with a C. The kids that your child is complaining about has A’s. Your kid has no idea about their SOL scores.

Second, your child has their perception of the kids who were accepted and those who were not. Those perceptions could be wrong. No one has a clue what those kids wrote on their essays. Htey could have written brilliant essays and being saying that they didn’t because they don’t want to be seen as a nerd outside of the TJ applying crowd.

Third, what does little effort even mean? Maybe they didn’t practice writing prompts or attend a class to prepare, that is fine. Maybe they wrote strong essays without practice or a class. Maybe they didn’t need to put in the effort because they were strong writers.

Fourth, humans can have multiple interest and not show that interest to everyone. Maybe the kids have strong interests in extra curricular activities that they find more interesting to discuss then math and science. Maybe they are academically interested in math and science but they didn’t join clubs because they were also interested in sports or theatre or whatever.

I do agree, kids are not better if they were accepted at TJ. The competition to attend is fierce. The majority of the kids who apply and are not admitted are smart, motivated, and engaged students. Not making it into TJ doesn’t change any of that or elevate the kids who were admitted.

Your job as a parent is to hammer home that last bit and gently correct the other points.

I am baffled at all these kids who know so much about other kids grades and scores because my kid doesn’t care. He doesn’t ask other kids their scores or grades, it’s none of his business. His friends mostly seem to feel the same way. My kid came home and told me people were talking about TJ, one kid he knew was waitlisted, he didn’t ask the others who had applied because he didn’t want to pry. He knows a few kids who got in that he hangs out with. We did remind him to be careful with how he discussed being admitted. Using words like excited and happy are great but to be careful if a friend didn’t get in because that hurt and he wants to be a good friend and not make it worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Today, my 8th-grade child, who attends an AAP center middle school, came home from school and shared something troubling. She said that several very strong students she knows—students who are hardworking, highly capable, and genuinely interested in STEM—were either rejected or placed on the waitlist for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

At the same time, she heard that at least three other students received offers of admission even though, according to their classmates, they put very little effort into their essays, are not interested in studying, do not enjoy math or science, and do not perform strongly in those subjects. Some even said they were surprised they were admitted and did not understand why they were accepted.

Because they received offers, they now feel that they must be smarter than students who were rejected or waitlisted, despite having average or below-average grades in math and science and little interest in STEM. Meanwhile, students with excellent SOL scores, strong academic records, and a genuine passion for math and science feel deeply disappointed and confused. They cannot understand why students who seem less prepared or less interested in STEM were admitted, while highly qualified and motivated students were not.

For many families and students, this feels unfair and difficult to understand.

C may be the average grade possible, but in no school, up through college, is a C the average grade given.
I don’t know what the average grade in FCPS middle schools is. Pretty sure it is a lot closer to an A than a C. Anyone with a C is probably bottom of the class.

First, a C is an average grade. You cannot apply to TJ with a C. The kids that your child is complaining about has A’s. Your kid has no idea about their SOL scores.

Second, your child has their perception of the kids who were accepted and those who were not. Those perceptions could be wrong. No one has a clue what those kids wrote on their essays. Htey could have written brilliant essays and being saying that they didn’t because they don’t want to be seen as a nerd outside of the TJ applying crowd.

Third, what does little effort even mean? Maybe they didn’t practice writing prompts or attend a class to prepare, that is fine. Maybe they wrote strong essays without practice or a class. Maybe they didn’t need to put in the effort because they were strong writers.

Fourth, humans can have multiple interest and not show that interest to everyone. Maybe the kids have strong interests in extra curricular activities that they find more interesting to discuss then math and science. Maybe they are academically interested in math and science but they didn’t join clubs because they were also interested in sports or theatre or whatever.

I do agree, kids are not better if they were accepted at TJ. The competition to attend is fierce. The majority of the kids who apply and are not admitted are smart, motivated, and engaged students. Not making it into TJ doesn’t change any of that or elevate the kids who were admitted.

Your job as a parent is to hammer home that last bit and gently correct the other points.

I am baffled at all these kids who know so much about other kids grades and scores because my kid doesn’t care. He doesn’t ask other kids their scores or grades, it’s none of his business. His friends mostly seem to feel the same way. My kid came home and told me people were talking about TJ, one kid he knew was waitlisted, he didn’t ask the others who had applied because he didn’t want to pry. He knows a few kids who got in that he hangs out with. We did remind him to be careful with how he discussed being admitted. Using words like excited and happy are great but to be careful if a friend didn’t get in because that hurt and he wants to be a good friend and not make it worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand kids and parents not understanding. I am sure the admission process could be improved. I dont know what the answer is but I do think a demonstrated interest in STEM would be an interesting addition. My kid has applied to a few competitive summer STEM programs and they do all contain an essay asking you about your interest and involvement in STEM.

My kid really ra

Two of the essays do just that. Kids are supposed to write about their STEM interests as it pertains to one of the FCPS portrait of a student characteristics. At least, that is what my kid told me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand kids and parents not understanding. I am sure the admission process could be improved. I dont know what the answer is but I do think a demonstrated interest in STEM would be an interesting addition. My kid has applied to a few competitive summer STEM programs and they do all contain an essay asking you about your interest and involvement in STEM.

My kid really ra

Two of the essays do just that. Kids are supposed to write about their STEM interests as it pertains to one of the FCPS portrait of a student characteristics. At least, that is what my kid told me.

Ah. Okay. I didnt ask my kid the specific questions lol. I know that sometimes they ask what drew you to TJ. Thanks!

Anyway, I honestly dont think any admission test is perfect. I do wish more neighborhood schools offered some of the opportunities TJ has. My current neighborhood HS has been struggling to find a chemistry teacher.

Really wish Arlington tech had more of a hard science focus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Today, my 8th-grade child, who attends an AAP center middle school, came home from school and shared something troubling. She said that several very strong students she knows—students who are hardworking, highly capable, and genuinely interested in STEM—were either rejected or placed on the waitlist for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

At the same time, she heard that at least three other students received offers of admission even though, according to their classmates, they put very little effort into their essays, are not interested in studying, do not enjoy math or science, and do not perform strongly in those subjects. Some even said they were surprised they were admitted and did not understand why they were accepted.

Because they received offers, they now feel that they must be smarter than students who were rejected or waitlisted, despite having average or below-average grades in math and science and little interest in STEM. Meanwhile, students with excellent SOL scores, strong academic records, and a genuine passion for math and science feel deeply disappointed and confused. They cannot understand why students who seem less prepared or less interested in STEM were admitted, while highly qualified and motivated students were not.

For many families and students, this feels unfair and difficult to understand.

There’s a lot of projection and assumption going on here. Some students are disappointed they were waitlisted, some are surprised they were accepted (given the competition, especially at a center). Acceptance to TJ is never a given for anyone and the reality is that there are always more qualified students applying than there are seats available. It is essentially a lottery at some center schools. These kids have no idea what was written in their peers’ essays, nor do they know the full details of the accepted students’ grades, efforts, etc. I’m sure some kids are also playing down their acceptance, simply because they know some of their peers are disappointed right now[b]. I think you should try to focus on your own child and help them manage their disappointment rather than putting down other students with incomplete information.

This is not uncommon among TJ students. My kid is one of them. He is belong to TJ and enjoy every pieces of TJ, but still feel guilty with his acceptance and think that some kids deserve more than him. He was one of the kid who got mocked behind his back for getting in (he told everybody how he was not finished his PSE)… I gently remind him to be mindful what he said because it can blow back on him, he said he didn’t care and it doesn’t matter.. if he get in, he get in.
He is though, a very strong writer, never prep, and has an awareness of his passion (beside 4.0 and geometry student and got some awards recognition).
His circle of friends is similar, they don’t show and brags about their love or achievements stems and nobody care about other’s SOL score.
Alot of them are lowkey smart students. They have sympathy and empathys

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand kids and parents not understanding. I am sure the admission process could be improved. I dont know what the answer is but I do think a demonstrated interest in STEM would be an interesting addition. My kid has applied to a few competitive summer STEM programs and they do all contain an essay asking you about your interest and involvement in STEM.

My kid really ra

Two of the essays do just that. Kids are supposed to write about their STEM interests as it pertains to one of the FCPS portrait of a student characteristics. At least, that is what my kid told me.

Ah. Okay. I didnt ask my kid the specific questions lol. I know that sometimes they ask what drew you to TJ. Thanks!

Anyway, I honestly dont think any admission test is perfect. I do wish more neighborhood schools offered some of the opportunities TJ has. My current neighborhood HS has been struggling to find a chemistry teacher.

Really wish Arlington tech had more of a hard science focus

Like TJ, Arlington Tech is a Governor’s school . It requires parents to proactively apply, and admission is not guaranteed.

But the similarities end there.

Arlington Tech claims it is a STEM Academy. However, Arlington strongly implemented equity-concepts into the original curriculum.

For example, they offer “Automotive Tech I and II,” because . . . Maybe you could conceivably call an auto mechanic an “engineer?”

For STEM Health Sciences, they offer Physical Occupational Therapy I&II, plus a senior capstone in physical therapy. I mean, why can’t physical therapists be STEM too? Hmm?

My point is: while Arlington Tech pretends to be the Arlington-created version of TJ (even asserting on the website it is a “Governors STEM Academy”), it is in truth more of a vocational-tech high school.

Arlington students are eligible to apply to TJ, alternatively.

[Anonymous]

Meant to add:

- I am 100% in favor of public schools across the USA bringing back vocational tech high schools. There is a greater need now than ever before for this category of public education.

What I oppose it Arlington’s misleading attempt to pass off their vo-tech academy as the equivalent of TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meant to add:

- I am 100% in favor of public schools across the USA bringing back vocational tech high schools. There is a greater need now than ever before for this category of public education.

What I oppose it Arlington’s misleading attempt to pass off their vo-tech academy as the equivalent of TJ.

Yea, this is the previous poster. I agree 100%. I dont mind Arlington tech, APS juat needs to be clear about its focus.

[Anonymous]

[mastodon]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Out of curiosity, did any students with Algebra II get waitlisted or rejected? I’m wondering how much higher level math is a predictor of acceptance.

Along the same lines, I am wondering whether the two years of language credits make a meaningful difference, if any. The admissions process appears to be deliberately ambiguous. We are aware of at least three children who were waitlisted that are exceptionally gifted. It is difficult to believe that these students performed poorly on the essay portions to such an extent.

Me too. I know plenty of kids who got waitlisted who are very very smart, while some average kids got in. I just wish they would explain how they choose people instead of shoving a decision in your face and telling you it was a "holistic review"

It’s great practice for the randomness of college admissions. Tons of kids with perfect GPAs and amazing test scores are rejected by top colleges every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand kids and parents not understanding. I am sure the admission process could be improved. I dont know what the answer is but I do think a demonstrated interest in STEM would be an interesting addition. My kid has applied to a few competitive summer STEM programs and they do all contain an essay asking you about your interest and involvement in STEM.

My kid really ra

Two of the essays do just that. Kids are supposed to write about their STEM interests as it pertains to one of the FCPS portrait of a student characteristics. At least, that is what my kid told me.

Ah. Okay. I didnt ask my kid the specific questions lol. I know that sometimes they ask what drew you to TJ. Thanks!

Anyway, I honestly dont think any admission test is perfect. I do wish more neighborhood schools offered some of the opportunities TJ has. My current neighborhood HS has been struggling to find a chemistry teacher.

Really wish Arlington tech had more of a hard science focus

Like TJ, Arlington Tech is a Governor’s school . It requires parents to proactively apply, and admission is not guaranteed.

But the similarities end there.

Arlington Tech claims it is a STEM Academy. However, Arlington strongly implemented equity-concepts into the original curriculum.

For example, they offer “Automotive Tech I and II,” because . . . Maybe you could conceivably call an auto mechanic an “engineer?”

For STEM Health Sciences, they offer Physical Occupational Therapy I&II, plus a senior capstone in physical therapy. I mean, why can’t physical therapists be STEM too? Hmm?

My point is: while Arlington Tech pretends to be the Arlington-created version of TJ (even asserting on the website it is a “Governors STEM Academy”), it is in truth more of a vocational-tech high school.

Arlington students are eligible to apply to TJ, alternatively.

What are TJ‘s stem electives? I think you’re being a little disingenuous by leaving out the other STEM electives Arlington tech has.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand kids and parents not understanding. I am sure the admission process could be improved. I dont know what the answer is but I do think a demonstrated interest in STEM would be an interesting addition. My kid has applied to a few competitive summer STEM programs and they do all contain an essay asking you about your interest and involvement in STEM.

My kid really ra

Two of the essays do just that. Kids are supposed to write about their STEM interests as it pertains to one of the FCPS portrait of a student characteristics. At least, that is what my kid told me.

Ah. Okay. I didnt ask my kid the specific questions lol. I know that sometimes they ask what drew you to TJ. Thanks!

Anyway, I honestly dont think any admission test is perfect. I do wish more neighborhood schools offered some of the opportunities TJ has. My current neighborhood HS has been struggling to find a chemistry teacher.

Really wish Arlington tech had more of a hard science focus

Like TJ, Arlington Tech is a Governor’s school . It requires parents to proactively apply, and admission is not guaranteed.

But the similarities end there.

Arlington Tech claims it is a STEM Academy. However, Arlington strongly implemented equity-concepts into the original curriculum.

For example, they offer “Automotive Tech I and II,” because . . . Maybe you could conceivably call an auto mechanic an “engineer?”

For STEM Health Sciences, they offer Physical Occupational Therapy I&II, plus a senior capstone in physical therapy. I mean, why can’t physical therapists be STEM too? Hmm?

My point is: while Arlington Tech pretends to be the Arlington-created version of TJ (even asserting on the website it is a “Governors STEM Academy”), it is in truth more of a vocational-tech high school.

Arlington students are eligible to apply to TJ, alternatively.

What are TJ‘s stem electives? I think you’re being a little disingenuous by leaving out the other STEM electives Arlington tech has.

Flow Chart of Science and Technology Courses at TJ | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology https://share.google/J8hr5g9OsUoMuS1Uh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Out of curiosity, did any students with Algebra II get waitlisted or rejected? I’m wondering how much higher level math is a predictor of acceptance.

Yep, I know multiple Algebra II kids with 4.0 GPAs who tried really hard on the essays and really wanted to go. Three got rejected to my knowledge so far and one got waitlisted. Only one kid got accepted out of the class of 25 algebra two kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Out of curiosity, did any students with Algebra II get waitlisted or rejected? I’m wondering how much higher level math is a predictor of acceptance.

Yep, I know multiple Algebra II kids with 4.0 GPAs who tried really hard on the essays and really wanted to go. Three got rejected to my knowledge so far and one got waitlisted. Only one kid got accepted out of the class of 25 algebra two kids.

A lot of my DD's algebra 2 classmates got waitlisted and rejected, but a decent chunk also got in.