Is it worth applying to TJ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's basically a lottery these days

Nonsense.

From my experience it really is. Based on the large number who get waitlisted they have way more qualified applicants than they do spots. Hence, the lottery.

DP .. From my experience it really is based on merit. DS in a freshman in TJ and I know a lot of kids from who are in TJ. I also know a few kids from his MS who were really good and sure shot to get into TJ but for whatever reason they did not do well in the test. So PP .. it is not a lottery. Sour grapes .. sure

New poster - I agree it’s not a lottery, but it is definitely not the elective process it previously was. The old testing is eliminated and, most importantly, spots from every middle school are reserved for some kids. Let’s look at how it works:

Thoreau: 17 apply, 5 spots guaranteed, 4 kids actually have the best academic package from all of FCPS applicants

Cooper: 40 apply, 5 spots guaranteed, 15 kids actually have the best academic package from all of FCPS applicants

Luther Jackson: 5 apply, 5 spots guaranteed, 2 kids have the best academic package from all of FCPS applicants

LJ’s getting 3 weaker kids in guarantees above cooper and Thoreau’s More qualified kids. So, I agree lottery isn’t the right word. But it definitely is not purely merit based like it was. The reason it has survived in the courts is because the process does not say URMs get spots over other kids. This process is race blind BUT it guarantees every school gets spots even: if they didn’t do that before AND if that means less qualified kids get in versus only admitting the most qualified.

The admissions process is much more watered down now.

And no sour grapes. I did not want my kids to attend TJ, they didn’t even apply.

At least they eliminated all the test buying that was giving some an unfair advantage with selection.

By this logic, no standard measurement of academic performance can be trusted... including the math essay and a student's GPA. Not like it matters much when applicants receive unearned points from experience factors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ oh, and the results were that more URMs were admitted through this process and less Asians were admitted. That was why they were sued. It accomplished a goal without appearing racially motivated.

- I’m not Asian, but not am I blind.

Because of the changes, more poor Asians (Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, and Cambodian) from pyramids like Annandale, Falls Church, Lewis were accepted than before. Why do you see that as a negative? Do only wealthy Koreans and Indians from Chantilly, Langley, and McLean deserve to be accepted?

You raised wealth, not me. Yes, it allows more diverse students in, but it did not allow the highest performing students in. The latter is what I see as a negative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ oh, and the results were that more URMs were admitted through this process and less Asians were admitted. That was why they were sued. It accomplished a goal without appearing racially motivated.

- I’m not Asian, but not am I blind.

Because of the changes, more poor Asians (Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, and Cambodian) from pyramids like Annandale, Falls Church, Lewis were accepted than before. Why do you see that as a negative? Do only wealthy Koreans and Indians from Chantilly, Langley, and McLean deserve to be accepted?

You raised wealth, not me. Yes, it allows more diverse students in, but it did not allow the highest performing students in. The latter is what I see as a negative.

Which, coincidentally, were Asian American. And TJ's reputation has fallen as a direct result.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ oh, and the results were that more URMs were admitted through this process and less Asians were admitted. That was why they were sued. It accomplished a goal without appearing racially motivated.

- I’m not Asian, but not am I blind.

Because of the changes, more poor Asians (Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, and Cambodian) from pyramids like Annandale, Falls Church, Lewis were accepted than before. Why do you see that as a negative? Do only wealthy Koreans and Indians from Chantilly, Langley, and McLean deserve to be accepted?

You raised wealth, not me. Yes, it allows more diverse students in, but it did not allow the highest performing students in. The latter is what I see as a negative.

Which, coincidentally, were Asian American. And TJ's reputation has fallen as a direct result.

Reputation with you, maybe. But in the US News rankings, those are all based off the last class under the old admissions system. You'll have to wait until next year to see how the new cohort does.

[Anonymous]

Jeez guys every single thread???? How is it so impossible to just have a discussion on the topic an OP poses without rehashing the exact same talking points each time about the new admissions policy? 🙄

[Anonymous]

Stop calling us poor. I choose to live in falls church bc of the community. Tone deaf. Let Asians have a voice. If we share that it’s bias then we appreciate if you listen. Merit vs lottery.



quote=Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ oh, and the results were that more URMs were admitted through this process and less Asians were admitted. That was why they were sued. It accomplished a goal without appearing racially motivated.

- I’m not Asian, but not am I blind.

Because of the changes, more poor Asians (Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, and Cambodian) from pyramids like Annandale, Falls Church, Lewis were accepted than before. Why do you see that as a negative? Do only wealthy Koreans and Indians from Chantilly, Langley, and McLean deserve to be accepted?

You raised wealth, not me. Yes, it allows more diverse students in, but it did not allow the highest performing students in. The latter is what I see as a negative.

[Anonymous]

Answer to OP.

No.

You can get the exact same courses at ur local HS and shine out as a super star. At TJ courses and exams are just hard and stress the kids out.

TJ parents are too embarrassed to admit this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Answer to OP.

No.

You can get the exact same courses at ur local HS and shine out as a super star. At TJ courses and exams are just hard and stress the kids out.

TJ parents are too embarrassed to admit this.

TJ parent here. I fully agree that if the main motivation for a kid considering TJ is either taking high level courses (with a few exceptions) or tippy top college placement then they should stay at the base school. It will absolutely be an easier road. For many TJ kids though they love the school because they enjoy being at a school of “their people” - as in mostly all other kids that also care about school and doing well and being very involved in it.

[Anonymous]

No - I honestly dont think you have a chance. But what do I know? I'm not on the committee.

[Anonymous]

It's so worth it, especially now that the toxicity is under control since the selection changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Answer to OP.

No.

You can get the exact same courses at ur local HS and shine out as a super star. At TJ courses and exams are just hard and stress the kids out.

TJ parents are too embarrassed to admit this.

TJ parent here. I fully agree that if the main motivation for a kid considering TJ is either taking high level courses (with a few exceptions) or tippy top college placement then they should stay at the base school. It will absolutely be an easier road. For many TJ kids though they love the school because they enjoy being at a school of “their people” - as in pool

Most kids care about this in most of FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Answer to OP.

No.

You can get the exact same courses at ur local HS and shine out as a super star. At TJ courses and exams are just hard and stress the kids out.

TJ parents are too embarrassed to admit this.

TJ parent here. I fully agree that if the main motivation for a kid considering TJ is either taking high level courses (with a few exceptions) or tippy top college placement then they should stay at the base school. It will absolutely be an easier road. For many TJ kids though they love the school because they enjoy being at a school of “their people” - as in pool

Most kids care about this in most of FCPS.

Really? Most kids want to get into a very good college yes. But I’m not so convinced all are gunning for a top 10 or 15 one. Maybe my area is an exception though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Answer to OP.

No.

You can get the exact same courses at ur local HS and shine out as a super star. At TJ courses and exams are just hard and stress the kids out.

TJ parents are too embarrassed to admit this.

TJ parent here. I fully agree that if the main motivation for a kid considering TJ is either taking high level courses (with a few exceptions) or tippy top college placement then they should stay at the base school. It will absolutely be an easier road. For many TJ kids though they love the school because they enjoy being at a school of “their people” - as in mostly all other kids that also care about school and doing well and being very involved in it.

Maybe 25% of the kids at TJ enjoy being part of “their people”

But the remaining 75% are just working their ass off and barely keeping up.

Also Its a myth to say the only at TJ kids can find “their people”. My younger one is at base school and is just as academic driven and has a better group of friends in terms of social fun and academics.

I honestly cant find any reason for the 75% of the kids to be at TJ. They would have been much better off at their base school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Answer to OP.

No.

You can get the exact same courses at ur local HS and shine out as a super star. At TJ courses and exams are just hard and stress the kids out.

TJ parents are too embarrassed to admit this.

TJ parent here. I fully agree that if the main motivation for a kid considering TJ is either taking high level courses (with a few exceptions) or tippy top college placement then they should stay at the base school. It will absolutely be an easier road. For many TJ kids though they love the school because they enjoy being at a school of “their people” - as in mostly all other kids that also care about school and doing well and being very involved in it.

TJ is hardly the only high school in FCPS where most of the kids care about school and are doing well. You are either really pretentious or you must live in one of the low-performing pyramids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Answer to OP.

No.

You can get the exact same courses at ur local HS and shine out as a super star. At TJ courses and exams are just hard and stress the kids out.

TJ parents are too embarrassed to admit this.

TJ parent here. I fully agree that if the main motivation for a kid considering TJ is either taking high level courses (with a few exceptions) or tippy top college placement then they should stay at the base school. It will absolutely be an easier road. For many TJ kids though they love the school because they enjoy being at a school of “their people” - as in mostly all other kids that also care about school and doing well and being very involved in it.

TJ is hardly the only high school in FCPS where most of the kids care about school and are doing well. You are either really pretentious or you must live in one of the low-performing pyramids.

This. And…FWIW, it’s crazy competitive in much of FCPS.