Anyone rejecting TJ admission?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is totally not stressed getting a mix of Bs and As was at risk of a few Cs at one point. I'd love it if he were more stressed but here we are.

It really is ok. Remember:

C’s earn degrees.

CS at TJ are likely As at base.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My kid would work hard and we have barely reminded about her school work during middle school. She barely did any prep for the TJ test.

I am still on the fence about it. If college outcomes are better at base school, is this really worth all the extra effort. I also wonder if base high school matters when making the choice. We are not at Langley /Mclean /oakton.

Honestly if your child is scoring 98 or 99th percentile, they will be competitive there. If they are below 95th percentile, they will likely struggle.

[Anonymous]

We left the decision to attend TJ to our child. We met w/ base school, IB program, and TJ. I did extensive projections on outcomes, class schedules, pros/cons.

We discussed all three (I was leaning a bit more to IB to be honest).

In the end, child chose TJ. Wants the best foundational education possible and their marching band is amazing. Long-term career goals do NOT require attendance at a T20, could go to a T500 and get there. Literally there for the learning and if they get into a T1 or T10 or T50 they're ok with it (and I'm pretty proud of the reasoning behind it.),

We've been able to fit in foreign language, band, and focus on courses at TJ most aligned to his interest without being stupid about it (only PE courses in the summer; not taking Advanced Math XVX or whatever.).

He's unsure of how hard foreign language 3 will be but we're exploring solutions rn.

FWIW, doesn't do great on standardized tests. Does, however, massacre everyone on timely submission of work, attention to detail, and being prepared/successful in class (homework, projects and tests).

I'll point out there's more than a few Nobel Prize winners who didn't have high IQ scores; testing isn't everything. Being "present and ready" is, however. Supporting your child all the way--and not your ego is. Setting goals--and limits--is.

Good luck to everyone out there. Whether your child goes to TJ, decides not to, or didn't make it in (your kid will do just fine--trust me, I've been in their shoes and still went to T15-20 colleges and did additional coursework at a T3? T5? school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We left the decision to attend TJ to our child. We met w/ base school, IB program, and TJ. I did extensive projections on outcomes, class schedules, pros/cons.

We discussed all three (I was leaning a bit more to IB to be honest).

In the end, child chose TJ. Wants the best foundational education possible and their marching band is amazing. Long-term career goals do NOT require attendance at a T20, could go to a T500 and get there. Literally there for the learning and if they get into a T1 or T10 or T50 they're ok with it (and I'm pretty proud of the reasoning behind it.),

We've been able to fit in foreign language, band, and focus on courses at TJ most aligned to his interest without being stupid about it (only PE courses in the summer; not taking Advanced Math XVX or whatever.).

He's unsure of how hard foreign language 3 will be but we're exploring solutions rn.

FWIW, doesn't do great on standardized tests. Does, however, massacre everyone on timely submission of work, attention to detail, and being prepared/successful in class (homework, projects and tests).

I'll point out there's more than a few Nobel Prize winners who didn't have high IQ scores; testing isn't everything. Being "present and ready" is, however. Supporting your child all the way--and not your ego is. Setting goals--and limits--is.

Good luck to everyone out there. Whether your child goes to TJ, decides not to, or didn't make it in (your kid will do just fine--trust me, I've been in their shoes and still went to T15-20 colleges and did additional coursework at a T3? T5? school).

Sounds like you raised a great kid; congrats on the decision. I hope he enjoys TJ—it seems like he chose it for the right reasons. FWIW, my TJ sophomore loves the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is totally not stressed getting a mix of Bs and As was at risk of a few Cs at one point. I'd love it if he were more stressed but here we are.

If you are OP then I would recommend not sending your kid. I think TJ tends to work best for kids that pretty easily got As in their base school.

is it the op's choice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC got in. I am worried about burn out and stress. I am wondering if this is worth it. Looking for perspectives.

Leave it to the kid. Just let them know that it is definitely going to be much more intense than at base HS. If you have to advice, go with gut feeling on how you would think your child is relative to the overall student population from an academic perspective.

We were worried just like you. We know DC is very strong and had several data points from various activities to suggest they would likely be in the top 10% at TJ. But you never know for sure. Attended TJ and ended up probably in the top 2-3%. It ended up being relatively easy and DC ended up having plenty of free time. DC got into their dream college which is one of HYPSM.

Now, having gone through the process and knowing our kid's strengths, for DC2, we would prefer if DC2 does not go to TJ. Although a strong student, we can imagine that it would be more stressful. So we would leave it up to DC2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC got in. I am worried about burn out and stress. I am wondering if this is worth it. Looking for perspectives.

Leave it to the kid. Just let them know that it is definitely going to be much more intense than at base HS. If you have to advice, go with gut feeling on how you would think your child is relative to the overall student population from an academic perspective.

We were worried just like you. We know DC is very strong and had several data points from various activities to suggest they would likely be in the top 10% at TJ. But you never know for sure. Attended TJ and ended up probably in the top 2-3%. It ended up being relatively easy and DC ended up having plenty of free time. DC got into their dream college which is one of HYPSM.

Now, having gone through the process and knowing our kid's strengths, for DC2, we would prefer if DC2 does not go to TJ. Although a strong student, we can imagine that it would be more stressful. So we would leave it up to DC2.

Would your DC1 go to Ivy+ in any case from a base, with less efforts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC got in. I am worried about burn out and stress. I am wondering if this is worth it. Looking for perspectives.

Leave it to the kid. Just let them know that it is definitely going to be much more intense than at base HS. If you have to advice, go with gut feeling on how you would think your child is relative to the overall student population from an academic perspective.

We were worried just like you. We know DC is very strong and had several data points from various activities to suggest they would likely be in the top 10% at TJ. But you never know for sure. Attended TJ and ended up probably in the top 2-3%. It ended up being relatively easy and DC ended up having plenty of free time. DC got into their dream college which is one of HYPSM.

Now, having gone through the process and knowing our kid's strengths, for DC2, we would prefer if DC2 does not go to TJ. Although a strong student, we can imagine that it would be more stressful. So we would leave it up to DC2.

Would your DC1 go to Ivy+ in any case from a base, with less efforts?

You never know how it would have turned out, but I think DC1 would have gotten into several T10's from base. I have a couple of additional data points, which I cannot share as it would identify DC1. A few I can share, (1) my DC1's friend who is very similar got into a HYPSM from base (2) teacher recommendations would have been even stronger from base (3) would have had even more time for EC's at base.

College admissions were farthest from our mind when choosing TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is totally not stressed getting a mix of Bs and As was at risk of a few Cs at one point. I'd love it if he were more stressed but here we are.

It really is ok. Remember:

C’s earn degrees.

CS at TJ are likely As at base.

I think it's funny how some want to hype this in the hope of creating waitlist movement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is totally not stressed getting a mix of Bs and As was at risk of a few Cs at one point. I'd love it if he were more stressed but here we are.

It really is ok. Remember:

C’s earn degrees.

CS at TJ are likely As at base.

I think it's funny how some want to hype this in the hope of creating waitlist movement.

A student who gets a C at TJ is likely to get a C at base HS.

It is the A- and B+ students at TJ who would get A's at base HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is totally not stressed getting a mix of Bs and As was at risk of a few Cs at one point. I'd love it if he were more stressed but here we are.

It really is ok. Remember:

C’s earn degrees.

CS at TJ are likely As at base.

I think it's funny how some want to hype this in the hope of creating waitlist movement.

A student who gets a C at TJ is likely to get a C at base HS.

It is the A- and B+ students at TJ who would get A's at base HS.

It will depend on which base HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is totally not stressed getting a mix of Bs and As was at risk of a few Cs at one point. I'd love it if he were more stressed but here we are.

My kid was high As and super stressed. We pulled her when she got accepted into a good private school. The balance is much better, the environment is healthier, and above all she's happier. Stress isn't necessarily good (or bad).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is totally not stressed getting a mix of Bs and As was at risk of a few Cs at one point. I'd love it if he were more stressed but here we are.

My kid was high As and super stressed. We pulled her when she got accepted into a good private school. The balance is much better, the environment is healthier, and above all she's happier. Stress isn't necessarily good (or bad).

We are not wealthy and neither are the top couple of hundred students at TJ. So private school is not an option, for the top quartile of the students that consider TJ their home. Bottom students tend to return to base school in first year, and private school could be an option for them.

[Anonymous]

We turned down TJ a couple of years ago after a lot of thought/research/talking to people, because 1) workload sounded super intense, 2) kid is not very interested in science, and 3) (most importantly) kid did not want to go. At all. Kid is finishing up sophomore year, doing very well academically, still has time for sport/other activities, and is very happy. Has a couple of friends same age & younger who also got in & didn’t go. All seem happy.

OP, I would let your child decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC got in. I am worried about burn out and stress. I am wondering if this is worth it. Looking for perspectives.

Leave it to the kid. Just let them know that it is definitely going to be much more intense than at base HS. If you have to advice, go with gut feeling on how you would think your child is relative to the overall student population from an academic perspective.

We were worried just like you. We know DC is very strong and had several data points from various activities to suggest they would likely be in the top 10% at TJ. But you never know for sure. Attended TJ and ended up probably in the top 2-3%. It ended up being relatively easy and DC ended up having plenty of free time. DC got into their dream college which is one of HYPSM.

Now, having gone through the process and knowing our kid's strengths, for DC2, we would prefer if DC2 does not go to TJ. Although a strong student, we can imagine that it would be more stressful. So we would leave it up to DC2.

Would your DC1 go to Ivy+ in any case from a base, with less efforts?

DP.

Top 5% at TJ probably has an edge over top 5% at base schools. The bottom 80% probably do not have much of any college admissions advantage.
But they have better study habits and time management skills that will let them succeed in college.