Disappointed by TJ decision?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No one is going to post names here I think. It has already been posted on here that kids who made USAJMO in 7th grade were not accepted in previous years. I know one student who was rejected this year, not waitlisted, who will be representing Virginia at a well known national STEM contest. I have heard the same happened with winners in another prominent STEM contest, but do not know names. It would be easy for me to find out, but again I wouldn't be posting them.

JMO is cool. But we all know that science fairs are just parent frauds. Plus, I will put a question mark on all the contest winners in the past 2 years as those contests were most likely remote. And people do cheat.

Eh, Remember the TJ essay's for the last 2 years were remote from home too. That too without Cameras or Microphone!!! No proof that the essays etc. (major criteria for selection) were written by the candidate.

I wonder which cohort would be MOST likely to have their parents cheat on an essay submission....

One of my kids friends who got in didn't even know about the essay. Apparently, their parents took care of it for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No one is going to post names here I think. It has already been posted on here that kids who made USAJMO in 7th grade were not accepted in previous years. I know one student who was rejected this year, not waitlisted, who will be representing Virginia at a well known national STEM contest. I have heard the same happened with winners in another prominent STEM contest, but do not know names. It would be easy for me to find out, but again I wouldn't be posting them.

JMO is cool. But we all know that science fairs are just parent frauds. Plus, I will put a question mark on all the contest winners in the past 2 years as those contests were most likely remote. And people do cheat.

Eh, Remember the TJ essay's for the last 2 years were remote from home too. That too without Cameras or Microphone!!! No proof that the essays etc. (major criteria for selection) were written by the candidate.

I wonder which cohort would be MOST likely to have their parents cheat on an essay submission....

One of my kids friends who got in didn't even know about the essay. Apparently, their parents took care of it for them.

BS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard some superstars, who were winning STEM awards at the state level, were getting rejected. And it had nothing to do with bad grades as others here like to claim.

This was true at our feeder school.

Same here. All kids know it. 7th graders are even told not to mention any STEM achievements in essays. The so called “top 1.5%” is fake when there is no clear standards.

+1. Also know a kid from traditional feeder school who is a STEM super star with multiple awards at regional, state, and national level. Was put to "wait pool".

That didn't happen. But congrats on driving your narrative.

NP here. It did happen at two feeders I know about. Seriously, what is TJ admissions doing? They are sabotaging the school. From the outside, it looks intentional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ is becoming a bit like the Ivies. Everyone knows the strongest kids aren’t necessarily going there any longer, but we still want a standard of excellence so we continue to pay attention even when it no longer warrants it. I do understand, though, if your alternative is a school like Lewis or Mount Vernon that it might look good. But otherwise it’s starting to get kind of tacky, like an overpriced handbag or car that’s no better than plenty of other lower cost alternatives.

And yet we are 17 pages into commentary about it.

That was PP’s point. People post constantly about TJ because they are used to doing so, even though it’s not that special now. Carry on for another 17 pages.

I would argue that it's more special now that they've eliminated the people who wouldn't have been able to get in without all the test buying.

From what others have said, something like 33% of the students in the past had early access to the admission test.

At least now there's a level playing field.

True, but there are a lot of parents who resent these changes and will continue to foster a false narrative. They preferred a system that favored those who could buy their way into TJ.

Suggesting the most qualified kids are getting into TJ now is an even more false narrative.

They pick the top 1.5% based on a rubric that includes grades, standardized test scores, and essays. This is similar to college admissions. From this they determine the top kids and invite them. It's simple. Sure, some people would instead define merit as those who can buy access to the test from a prep center but most of us think this new system yields better results than the previous pay to play system.

I know it's a rigorous process and many parents resent these changes because they are less able to game it like they did with the test buying.

So this rigorous process has to be mysterious so that parents are not able to game it? Then how to make sure this rigorous process is sticked with and not manipulated by admission office? Now some applicants excel in every aspects and have no idea where they fail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard some superstars, who were winning STEM awards at the state level, were getting rejected. And it had nothing to do with bad grades as others here like to claim.

This was true at our feeder school.

Same here. All kids know it. 7th graders are even told not to mention any STEM achievements in essays. The so called “top 1.5%” is fake when there is no clear standards.

+1. Also know a kid from traditional feeder school who is a STEM super star with multiple awards at regional, state, and national level. Was put to "wait pool".

That didn't happen. But congrats on driving your narrative.

NP here. It did happen at two feeders I know about. Seriously, what is TJ admissions doing? They are sabotaging the school. From the outside, it looks intentional.

Absolutely, I heard kids are saying that those very top students are rejected on purpose so that those Unqualified but admitted won’ t look so bad at TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ is becoming a bit like the Ivies. Everyone knows the strongest kids aren’t necessarily going there any longer, but we still want a standard of excellence so we continue to pay attention even when it no longer warrants it. I do understand, though, if your alternative is a school like Lewis or Mount Vernon that it might look good. But otherwise it’s starting to get kind of tacky, like an overpriced handbag or car that’s no better than plenty of other lower cost alternatives.

And yet we are 17 pages into commentary about it.

That was PP’s point. People post constantly about TJ because they are used to doing so, even though it’s not that special now. Carry on for another 17 pages.

I would argue that it's more special now that they've eliminated the people who wouldn't have been able to get in without all the test buying.

From what others have said, something like 33% of the students in the past had early access to the admission test.

At least now there's a level playing field.

True, but there are a lot of parents who resent these changes and will continue to foster a false narrative. They preferred a system that favored those who could buy their way into TJ.

Suggesting the most qualified kids are getting into TJ now is an even more false narrative.

They pick the top 1.5% based on a rubric that includes grades, standardized test scores, and essays. This is similar to college admissions. From this they determine the top kids and invite them. It's simple. Sure, some people would instead define merit as those who can buy access to the test from a prep center but most of us think this new system yields better results than the previous pay to play system.

I know it's a rigorous process and many parents resent these changes because they are less able to game it like they did with the test buying.

So this rigorous process has to be mysterious so that parents are not able to game it? Then how to make sure this rigorous process is sticked with and not manipulated by admission office? Now some applicants excel in every aspects and have no idea where they fail.

totally agreed your point

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No one is going to post names here I think. It has already been posted on here that kids who made USAJMO in 7th grade were not accepted in previous years. I know one student who was rejected this year, not waitlisted, who will be representing Virginia at a well known national STEM contest. I have heard the same happened with winners in another prominent STEM contest, but do not know names. It would be easy for me to find out, but again I wouldn't be posting them.

JMO is cool. But we all know that science fairs are just parent frauds. Plus, I will put a question mark on all the contest winners in the past 2 years as those contests were most likely remote. And people do cheat.

Eh, Remember the TJ essay's for the last 2 years were remote from home too. That too without Cameras or Microphone!!! No proof that the essays etc. (major criteria for selection) were written by the candidate.

I wonder which cohort would be MOST likely to have their parents cheat on an essay submission....

This is a lie. The essay was in person, at a school. Proctored by school staff.


One of my kids friends who got in didn't even know about the essay. Apparently, their parents took care of it for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No one is going to post names here I think. It has already been posted on here that kids who made USAJMO in 7th grade were not accepted in previous years. I know one student who was rejected this year, not waitlisted, who will be representing Virginia at a well known national STEM contest. I have heard the same happened with winners in another prominent STEM contest, but do not know names. It would be easy for me to find out, but again I wouldn't be posting them.

JMO is cool. But we all know that science fairs are just parent frauds. Plus, I will put a question mark on all the contest winners in the past 2 years as those contests were most likely remote. And people do cheat.

Eh, Remember the TJ essay's for the last 2 years were remote from home too. That too without Cameras or Microphone!!! No proof that the essays etc. (major criteria for selection) were written by the candidate.

I wonder which cohort would be MOST likely to have their parents cheat on an essay submission....

One of my kids friends who got in didn't even know about the essay. Apparently, their parents took care of it for them.

This is a lie. The essay was in person, at a school. Proctored by school staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ is becoming a bit like the Ivies. Everyone knows the strongest kids aren’t necessarily going there any longer, but we still want a standard of excellence so we continue to pay attention even when it no longer warrants it. I do understand, though, if your alternative is a school like Lewis or Mount Vernon that it might look good. But otherwise it’s starting to get kind of tacky, like an overpriced handbag or car that’s no better than plenty of other lower cost alternatives.

And yet we are 17 pages into commentary about it.

That was PP’s point. People post constantly about TJ because they are used to doing so, even though it’s not that special now. Carry on for another 17 pages.

I would argue that it's more special now that they've eliminated the people who wouldn't have been able to get in without all the test buying.

From what others have said, something like 33% of the students in the past had early access to the admission test.

At least now there's a level playing field.

True, but there are a lot of parents who resent these changes and will continue to foster a false narrative. They preferred a system that favored those who could buy their way into TJ.

Suggesting the most qualified kids are getting into TJ now is an even more false narrative.

They pick the top 1.5% based on a rubric that includes grades, standardized test scores, and essays. This is similar to college admissions. From this they determine the top kids and invite them. It's simple. Sure, some people would instead define merit as those who can buy access to the test from a prep center but most of us think this new system yields better results than the previous pay to play system.

Either the poster is a math illiterate or intentionally lying or ill-informed or more likely all of them.

1. There are no standardized test scores in the new process. The tests are what have been eliminated. There are no new standardized tests introduced.

2. Grades would seemingly be a good one to use. But in middle school for 1 year and with grade inflation they are going to a student pool where more than 2x the number of seats available have a GPA of 4. Hard to differentiate between 4.0 vs 4.0.

3. Essays. What a joke! They are so contrived and narrowly defined ("portrait of a graduate") that everyone has canned answers for these.

The result is it is really hard to differentiate between students. So it becomes closer to a lottery. Which is the intent.

I agree completely that many changes are needed to admissions. I think Curie is a useless waste of money and children's time. It kills children's passion.

But the admissions changes were not carefully thought out. Easy things like teacher recommendations would have fixed a vast portion of this problem. But FCPS did not really want to identify children who would benefit from TJ. They just wanted to show their woke credentials. All those who support them in this are those who should be kept far far away from children.

Do they look at SOLs and MAP scores?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The “fourth tier” posters remind me of Trump. People say it. Many, many people. Fourth tier. The real superstars are staying at Carson. Spread the word. (I look forward to your justifications in four years about how Harvard is a dump for the stupidest people, the very stupidest. Fifth tier, they say. None of the top shelf students got in.

Nah, it's the person who talks about test buying- 'I hire all the best people.'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ is becoming a bit like the Ivies. Everyone knows the strongest kids aren’t necessarily going there any longer, but we still want a standard of excellence so we continue to pay attention even when it no longer warrants it. I do understand, though, if your alternative is a school like Lewis or Mount Vernon that it might look good. But otherwise it’s starting to get kind of tacky, like an overpriced handbag or car that’s no better than plenty of other lower cost alternatives.

And yet we are 17 pages into commentary about it.

That was PP’s point. People post constantly about TJ because they are used to doing so, even though it’s not that special now. Carry on for another 17 pages.

I would argue that it's more special now that they've eliminated the people who wouldn't have been able to get in without all the test buying.

From what others have said, something like 33% of the students in the past had early access to the admission test.

At least now there's a level playing field.

True, but there are a lot of parents who resent these changes and will continue to foster a false narrative. They preferred a system that favored those who could buy their way into TJ.

Suggesting the most qualified kids are getting into TJ now is an even more false narrative.

They pick the top 1.5% based on a rubric that includes grades, standardized test scores, and essays. This is similar to college admissions. From this they determine the top kids and invite them. It's simple. Sure, some people would instead define merit as those who can buy access to the test from a prep center but most of us think this new system yields better results than the previous pay to play system.

What is the standardized test scores in 7-8th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “fourth tier” posters remind me of Trump. People say it. Many, many people. Fourth tier. The real superstars are staying at Carson. Spread the word. (I look forward to your justifications in four years about how Harvard is a dump for the stupidest people, the very stupidest. Fifth tier, they say. None of the top shelf students got in.

Nah, it's the person who talks about test buying- 'I hire all the best people.'

Except the test buying happened. It's well-documented in many threads here, but sure some would like to keep these inconvenient facts under wraps and pretend the old system was based on merit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No one is going to post names here I think. It has already been posted on here that kids who made USAJMO in 7th grade were not accepted in previous years. I know one student who was rejected this year, not waitlisted, who will be representing Virginia at a well known national STEM contest. I have heard the same happened with winners in another prominent STEM contest, but do not know names. It would be easy for me to find out, but again I wouldn't be posting them.

JMO is cool. But we all know that science fairs are just parent frauds. Plus, I will put a question mark on all the contest winners in the past 2 years as those contests were most likely remote. And people do cheat.

Eh, Remember the TJ essay's for the last 2 years were remote from home too. That too without Cameras or Microphone!!! No proof that the essays etc. (major criteria for selection) were written by the candidate.

I wonder which cohort would be MOST likely to have their parents cheat on an essay submission....

One of my kids friends who got in didn't even know about the essay. Apparently, their parents took care of it for them.

This is a lie. The essay was in person, at a school. Proctored by school staff.

This was when it was online. It was common for parents to do this. Now kids need to take essay prep classes at Curie but I think that will set you back $5k.

[Anonymous]

At my child's school, it does seem like those who took the essay prep classes and/or had tutors to help them with the essays fared better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my child's school, it does seem like those who took the essay prep classes and/or had tutors to help them with the essays fared better.

It's always the case but I suspect that's only widespread at the more competitive wealthy schools.