How important is TJ for college?

[Anonymous]

Found the link for the article by the UVA Dean. Great explanation of what TJ does— and does not— do for a student’s college success.

http://onlyconnectparke.blogspot.com/2014/01/what-does-it-mean-to-attend-one-of-best.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ to get you into a better college only works for the top TJ students. And that is because anyone with a better than 4.4 GPA at TJ are really special. To put it another way, my DD is doing really well at her base...4.3 GPA through the junior year. She would be at best a middle of the pack student at TJ. (I base that because her BFF, who helps DD in some classes is middle of the pack at TJ).

My DD will not get into an elite school. She is hoping for William and Mary. If she went to TJ, that probably would not be an option.

Boys have an easier time getting into WM than girls, but a 4.0W with a 1500 SAT (which most kids have easily) will get you in. And PP is right, WM takes 80-85% of TJ applicants each year.

I had a chance run in with the dean who reviews TJ apps, and he basically said they take TJ kids unless there is a a red flag in the application. UVA is a heavier lift. But most kids also get into VT.

I've heard TJ graduates do significantly better than average at UVA. I suspect they have intentionally started to admit fewer to try to get more of the better ones to attend. The admit rate used to be significantly higher.

TJ grads tend to be in the top 10% of the colleges they attend including schools with grade deflation such as MIT, Berkeley and Chicago.

Almost no schools have grade deflation. They might be characterized as tough schools, but not experiencing grade deflation. Almost all schools have grade inflation over time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Found the link for the article by the UVA Dean. Great explanation of what TJ does— and does not— do for a student’s college success.

http://onlyconnectparke.blogspot.com/2014/01/what-does-it-mean-to-attend-one-of-best.html

I think this was written as a former dean now working as a consultant. If I recall correctly, UVA used to admit a higher percentage of TJ graduates than it does now. You could argue this is because UVA is getting more selective, but you could also argue that it is because they now look at TJ differently for some reason. Parke Muth gives a few hints. One is that colleges want diversity. But the other one I see is more intriguing. Following is a quote from Parke Muth.

"I have talked to many, many TJ students over the years and for some, especially those with top gpas, schools like the great public universities within the Commonwealth of Virginia, are perceived by them as back ups at best. The expectation of these students is that not only should they get in to the State schools, but that the ‘deserve’ to be a part of the honors programs."

It could be UVA thinks too many TJ grads are taking it for granted and/or are likely to go elsewhere (yield protection). Either way, it probably suggests a high stat kid isn't improving chances at UVA by going to TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Found the link for the article by the UVA Dean. Great explanation of what TJ does— and does not— do for a student’s college success.

http://onlyconnectparke.blogspot.com/2014/01/what-does-it-mean-to-attend-one-of-best.html

I think this was written as a former dean now working as a consultant. If I recall correctly, UVA used to admit a higher percentage of TJ graduates than it does now. You could argue this is because UVA is getting more selective, but you could also argue that it is because they now look at TJ differently for some reason. Parke Muth gives a few hints. One is that colleges want diversity. But the other one I see is more intriguing. Following is a quote from Parke Muth.

"I have talked to many, many TJ students over the years and for some, especially those with top gpas, schools like the great public universities within the Commonwealth of Virginia, are perceived by them as back ups at best. The expectation of these students is that not only should they get in to the State schools, but that the ‘deserve’ to be a part of the honors programs."

It could be UVA thinks too many TJ grads are taking it for granted and/or are likely to go elsewhere (yield protection). Either way, it probably suggests a high stat kid isn't improving chances at UVA by going to TJ.

I think TJ probably helps with admission for top students to top schools (HYPSM etc.), but adds nothing for Virginia schools and may hurt for UVA if they are engaging in "yield protection".