Disappointed by TJ decision?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The capacity has increased too, which in a way ensures that there is room for error, while top kids would still get in.

If the top kids were getting in while a few weaker ones got thru over some better candidates, it would not be a big deal.
Instead the top kids are mostly not getting in. Not sure how it is at the top feeder schools, but the schools I've seen in Loudoun, Academies of Loudoun is mostly taking the top kids, while TJ is putting them on waitlist or rejecting them.

On the other hand, the top students are mostly getting opportunities for Academies of Loudoun, while the ones accepted to TJ under the current process would have had neither possibility under the old process.

TJ serves mainly fx county.

You keep saying the top kids are going elsewhere, but how can you determine who’s better than the other?

DP. They can't, plain and simple. They know what their kids grades are, and what their kids do with their time, and they assume that the other kids who do the same things (STEM competitions, events, etc) are the "top" kids. But unless they're exceedingly creepy, they have no idea what the other kids do with their time, or what their grades are, and so forth.

It's a bit of circular logic. I make my kid do these activities because they are the activities that TJ admissions should want - therefore my kids and the kids who also do those activities are the top kids, and if TJ admissions is not selecting those kids, then they're not selecting the "top" kids.

Makes you wonder how they expected their kids to get into a place like TJ when that's the level of intellect that the parents are working with.

You are doing the same circular logic- TJ has accepted them, therefore they are the top kids.
I can also use the same argument that these are top kids because they were accepted by Academies of Loudoun, while the kids accepted to TJ were not accepted.
Perhaps you are at a school that sends lots of students, but there are not that many people going to TJ from our school, and kids know who are the top students and if certain students are not good students. They are all good students, but it is relative.
I am hearing the same thing from other schools nearby. And then there is the matter of some superstars who were rejected, not even waitlisted, including some from Fairfax.

That's not true the committee that has access to the actual student data selected them. They are able to make an informed determination, unlike some randoparent who just guesses about others and likely doesn't even understand the criteria.

Propose to change the "Science and Technology" in the name to "Storytelling and Theatre", more aligned to the goal.

DP. The Storytelling and Theater that I'm seeing are the poster/posters who are confident that they know who the "top students" are and that only "less-than-top students" were admitted from multiple schools and multiple school districts.

I mean, really?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The capacity has increased too, which in a way ensures that there is room for error, while top kids would still get in.

If the top kids were getting in while a few weaker ones got thru over some better candidates, it would not be a big deal.
Instead the top kids are mostly not getting in. Not sure how it is at the top feeder schools, but the schools I've seen in Loudoun, Academies of Loudoun is mostly taking the top kids, while TJ is putting them on waitlist or rejecting them.

On the other hand, the top students are mostly getting opportunities for Academies of Loudoun, while the ones accepted to TJ under the current process would have had neither possibility under the old process.

TJ serves mainly fx county.

You keep saying the top kids are going elsewhere, but how can you determine who’s better than the other?

DP. They can't, plain and simple. They know what their kids grades are, and what their kids do with their time, and they assume that the other kids who do the same things (STEM competitions, events, etc) are the "top" kids. But unless they're exceedingly creepy, they have no idea what the other kids do with their time, or what their grades are, and so forth.

It's a bit of circular logic. I make my kid do these activities because they are the activities that TJ admissions should want - therefore my kids and the kids who also do those activities are the top kids, and if TJ admissions is not selecting those kids, then they're not selecting the "top" kids.

Makes you wonder how they expected their kids to get into a place like TJ when that's the level of intellect that the parents are working with.

You are doing the same circular logic- TJ has accepted them, therefore they are the top kids.
I can also use the same argument that these are top kids because they were accepted by Academies of Loudoun, while the kids accepted to TJ were not accepted.
Perhaps you are at a school that sends lots of students, but there are not that many people going to TJ from our school, and kids know who are the top students and if certain students are not good students. They are all good students, but it is relative.
I am hearing the same thing from other schools nearby. And then there is the matter of some superstars who were rejected, not even waitlisted, including some from Fairfax.

That's not true the committee that has access to the actual student data selected them. They are able to make an informed determination, unlike some randoparent who just guesses about others and likely doesn't even understand the criteria.

They have access to a small subset of student data.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The capacity has increased too, which in a way ensures that there is room for error, while top kids would still get in.

If the top kids were getting in while a few weaker ones got thru over some better candidates, it would not be a big deal.
Instead the top kids are mostly not getting in. Not sure how it is at the top feeder schools, but the schools I've seen in Loudoun, Academies of Loudoun is mostly taking the top kids, while TJ is putting them on waitlist or rejecting them.

On the other hand, the top students are mostly getting opportunities for Academies of Loudoun, while the ones accepted to TJ under the current process would have had neither possibility under the old process.

TJ serves mainly fx county.

You keep saying the top kids are going elsewhere, but how can you determine who’s better than the other?

DP. They can't, plain and simple. They know what their kids grades are, and what their kids do with their time, and they assume that the other kids who do the same things (STEM competitions, events, etc) are the "top" kids. But unless they're exceedingly creepy, they have no idea what the other kids do with their time, or what their grades are, and so forth.

It's a bit of circular logic. I make my kid do these activities because they are the activities that TJ admissions should want - therefore my kids and the kids who also do those activities are the top kids, and if TJ admissions is not selecting those kids, then they're not selecting the "top" kids.

Makes you wonder how they expected their kids to get into a place like TJ when that's the level of intellect that the parents are working with.

You are doing the same circular logic- TJ has accepted them, therefore they are the top kids.
I can also use the same argument that these are top kids because they were accepted by Academies of Loudoun, while the kids accepted to TJ were not accepted.
Perhaps you are at a school that sends lots of students, but there are not that many people going to TJ from our school, and kids know who are the top students and if certain students are not good students. They are all good students, but it is relative.
I am hearing the same thing from other schools nearby. And then there is the matter of some superstars who were rejected, not even waitlisted, including some from Fairfax.

That's not true the committee that has access to the actual student data selected them. They are able to make an informed determination, unlike some randoparent who just guesses about others and likely doesn't even understand the criteria.

Propose to change the "Science and Technology" in the name to "Storytelling and Theatre", more aligned to the goal.

DP. The Storytelling and Theater that I'm seeing are the poster/posters who are confident that they know who the "top students" are and that only "less-than-top students" were admitted from multiple schools and multiple school districts.

I mean, really?

This is clearly true, given that students selected to TJ were not selected to Academies of Loudoun and vice versa. So by one measure almost all of these students are less than top. At least with TJ, we can say there weren't as many spots available. However, the students selected as the top in their school by TJ, say top 6, were not considered in the top 12 by Loudoun.
From what I've seen, Loudoun did a better job, with a top student outright rejected by TJ, while accepting students who were either waitlist or rejected by Academies of Loudoun, both AOS and AET.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The capacity has increased too, which in a way ensures that there is room for error, while top kids would still get in.

If the top kids were getting in while a few weaker ones got thru over some better candidates, it would not be a big deal.
Instead the top kids are mostly not getting in. Not sure how it is at the top feeder schools, but the schools I've seen in Loudoun, Academies of Loudoun is mostly taking the top kids, while TJ is putting them on waitlist or rejecting them.

On the other hand, the top students are mostly getting opportunities for Academies of Loudoun, while the ones accepted to TJ under the current process would have had neither possibility under the old process.

TJ serves mainly fx county.

You keep saying the top kids are going elsewhere, but how can you determine who’s better than the other?

DP. They can't, plain and simple. They know what their kids grades are, and what their kids do with their time, and they assume that the other kids who do the same things (STEM competitions, events, etc) are the "top" kids. But unless they're exceedingly creepy, they have no idea what the other kids do with their time, or what their grades are, and so forth.

It's a bit of circular logic. I make my kid do these activities because they are the activities that TJ admissions should want - therefore my kids and the kids who also do those activities are the top kids, and if TJ admissions is not selecting those kids, then they're not selecting the "top" kids.

Makes you wonder how they expected their kids to get into a place like TJ when that's the level of intellect that the parents are working with.

You are doing the same circular logic- TJ has accepted them, therefore they are the top kids.
I can also use the same argument that these are top kids because they were accepted by Academies of Loudoun, while the kids accepted to TJ were not accepted.
Perhaps you are at a school that sends lots of students, but there are not that many people going to TJ from our school, and kids know who are the top students and if certain students are not good students. They are all good students, but it is relative.
I am hearing the same thing from other schools nearby. And then there is the matter of some superstars who were rejected, not even waitlisted, including some from Fairfax.

That's not true the committee that has access to the actual student data selected them. They are able to make an informed determination, unlike some randoparent who just guesses about others and likely doesn't even understand the criteria.

Propose to change the "Science and Technology" in the name to "Storytelling and Theatre", more aligned to the goal.

DP. The Storytelling and Theater that I'm seeing are the poster/posters who are confident that they know who the "top students" are and that only "less-than-top students" were admitted from multiple schools and multiple school districts.

I mean, really?

This is clearly true, given that students selected to TJ were not selected to Academies of Loudoun and vice versa. So by one measure almost all of these students are less than top. At least with TJ, we can say there weren't as many spots available. However, the students selected as the top in their school by TJ, say top 6, were not considered in the top 12 by Loudoun.
From what I've seen, Loudoun did a better job, with a top student outright rejected by TJ, while accepting students who were either waitlist or rejected by Academies of Loudoun, both AOS and AET.

It appears to be happening at multiple schools. I have heard this from parents elsewhere, with some students I know are top students not getting in, while the parents tell me some of the ones who got in were mediocre. This isn't a matter of jealousy, I have heard this from parents whose kids got in. At one school, the parent saying the kid they most would have expected didn't get in. In other cases it is students I am familiar with who have some substantial accomplishments.
A student posted early in this thread his or her experience with being accepted. It appears to be a student in Fairfax, but initially I thought it was someone from our school who I've met, it was very similar situation being described.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The capacity has increased too, which in a way ensures that there is room for error, while top kids would still get in.

If the top kids were getting in while a few weaker ones got thru over some better candidates, it would not be a big deal.
Instead the top kids are mostly not getting in. Not sure how it is at the top feeder schools, but the schools I've seen in Loudoun, Academies of Loudoun is mostly taking the top kids, while TJ is putting them on waitlist or rejecting them.

On the other hand, the top students are mostly getting opportunities for Academies of Loudoun, while the ones accepted to TJ under the current process would have had neither possibility under the old process.

TJ serves mainly fx county.

You keep saying the top kids are going elsewhere, but how can you determine who’s better than the other?

DP. They can't, plain and simple. They know what their kids grades are, and what their kids do with their time, and they assume that the other kids who do the same things (STEM competitions, events, etc) are the "top" kids. But unless they're exceedingly creepy, they have no idea what the other kids do with their time, or what their grades are, and so forth.

It's a bit of circular logic. I make my kid do these activities because they are the activities that TJ admissions should want - therefore my kids and the kids who also do those activities are the top kids, and if TJ admissions is not selecting those kids, then they're not selecting the "top" kids.

Makes you wonder how they expected their kids to get into a place like TJ when that's the level of intellect that the parents are working with.

You are doing the same circular logic- TJ has accepted them, therefore they are the top kids.
I can also use the same argument that these are top kids because they were accepted by Academies of Loudoun, while the kids accepted to TJ were not accepted.
Perhaps you are at a school that sends lots of students, but there are not that many people going to TJ from our school, and kids know who are the top students and if certain students are not good students. They are all good students, but it is relative.
I am hearing the same thing from other schools nearby. And then there is the matter of some superstars who were rejected, not even waitlisted, including some from Fairfax.

That's not true the committee that has access to the actual student data selected them. They are able to make an informed determination, unlike some randoparent who just guesses about others and likely doesn't even understand the criteria.

Propose to change the "Science and Technology" in the name to "Storytelling and Theatre", more aligned to the goal.

DP. The Storytelling and Theater that I'm seeing are the poster/posters who are confident that they know who the "top students" are and that only "less-than-top students" were admitted from multiple schools and multiple school districts.

I mean, really?

This is clearly true, given that students selected to TJ were not selected to Academies of Loudoun and vice versa. So by one measure almost all of these students are less than top. At least with TJ, we can say there weren't as many spots available. However, the students selected as the top in their school by TJ, say top 6, were not considered in the top 12 by Loudoun.
From what I've seen, Loudoun did a better job, with a top student outright rejected by TJ, while accepting students who were either waitlist or rejected by Academies of Loudoun, both AOS and AET.

It appears to be happening at multiple schools. I have heard this from parents elsewhere, with some students I know are top students not getting in, while the parents tell me some of the ones who got in were mediocre. This isn't a matter of jealousy, I have heard this from parents whose kids got in. At one school, the parent saying the kid they most would have expected didn't get in. In other cases it is students I am familiar with who have some substantial accomplishments.
A student posted early in this thread his or her experience with being accepted. It appears to be a student in Fairfax, but initially I thought it was someone from our school who I've met, it was very similar situation being described.

Top students rejected, mediocre students admitted, sounds like LoCo is going to stop aiming for TJ.

Good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think my kid should have gotten in - TJ is a perfect fit for that kid and the kid exceeded all of the qualifications - but was waitpooled from a competitive middle school.

Sounds like they weren't in the top 1.5% of their school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The capacity has increased too, which in a way ensures that there is room for error, while top kids would still get in.

If the top kids were getting in while a few weaker ones got thru over some better candidates, it would not be a big deal.
Instead the top kids are mostly not getting in. Not sure how it is at the top feeder schools, but the schools I've seen in Loudoun, Academies of Loudoun is mostly taking the top kids, while TJ is putting them on waitlist or rejecting them.

On the other hand, the top students are mostly getting opportunities for Academies of Loudoun, while the ones accepted to TJ under the current process would have had neither possibility under the old process.

TJ serves mainly fx county.

You keep saying the top kids are going elsewhere, but how can you determine who’s better than the other?

DP. They can't, plain and simple. They know what their kids grades are, and what their kids do with their time, and they assume that the other kids who do the same things (STEM competitions, events, etc) are the "top" kids. But unless they're exceedingly creepy, they have no idea what the other kids do with their time, or what their grades are, and so forth.

It's a bit of circular logic. I make my kid do these activities because they are the activities that TJ admissions should want - therefore my kids and the kids who also do those activities are the top kids, and if TJ admissions is not selecting those kids, then they're not selecting the "top" kids.

Makes you wonder how they expected their kids to get into a place like TJ when that's the level of intellect that the parents are working with.

You are doing the same circular logic- TJ has accepted them, therefore they are the top kids.
I can also use the same argument that these are top kids because they were accepted by Academies of Loudoun, while the kids accepted to TJ were not accepted.
Perhaps you are at a school that sends lots of students, but there are not that many people going to TJ from our school, and kids know who are the top students and if certain students are not good students. They are all good students, but it is relative.
I am hearing the same thing from other schools nearby. And then there is the matter of some superstars who were rejected, not even waitlisted, including some from Fairfax.

That's not true the committee that has access to the actual student data selected them. They are able to make an informed determination, unlike some randoparent who just guesses about others and likely doesn't even understand the criteria.

Propose to change the "Science and Technology" in the name to "Storytelling and Theatre", more aligned to the goal.

DP. The Storytelling and Theater that I'm seeing are the poster/posters who are confident that they know who the "top students" are and that only "less-than-top students" were admitted from multiple schools and multiple school districts.

I mean, really?

This is clearly true, given that students selected to TJ were not selected to Academies of Loudoun and vice versa. So by one measure almost all of these students are less than top. At least with TJ, we can say there weren't as many spots available. However, the students selected as the top in their school by TJ, say top 6, were not considered in the top 12 by Loudoun.
From what I've seen, Loudoun did a better job, with a top student outright rejected by TJ, while accepting students who were either waitlist or rejected by Academies of Loudoun, both AOS and AET.

It appears to be happening at multiple schools. I have heard this from parents elsewhere, with some students I know are top students not getting in, while the parents tell me some of the ones who got in were mediocre. This isn't a matter of jealousy, I have heard this from parents whose kids got in. At one school, the parent saying the kid they most would have expected didn't get in. In other cases it is students I am familiar with who have some substantial accomplishments.
A student posted early in this thread his or her experience with being accepted. It appears to be a student in Fairfax, but initially I thought it was someone from our school who I've met, it was very similar situation being described.

Top students rejected, mediocre students admitted, sounds like LoCo is going to stop aiming for TJ.

Good.

I'm so glad they fixed admissions and are now admitting the top students unlike the corrupt system where many bought their way in.

[Anonymous]

Instead of fighting each other over who gets in, you should fight the government to fund better education for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The capacity has increased too, which in a way ensures that there is room for error, while top kids would still get in.

If the top kids were getting in while a few weaker ones got thru over some better candidates, it would not be a big deal.
Instead the top kids are mostly not getting in. Not sure how it is at the top feeder schools, but the schools I've seen in Loudoun, Academies of Loudoun is mostly taking the top kids, while TJ is putting them on waitlist or rejecting them.

On the other hand, the top students are mostly getting opportunities for Academies of Loudoun, while the ones accepted to TJ under the current process would have had neither possibility under the old process.

TJ serves mainly fx county.

You keep saying the top kids are going elsewhere, but how can you determine who’s better than the other?

DP. They can't, plain and simple. They know what their kids grades are, and what their kids do with their time, and they assume that the other kids who do the same things (STEM competitions, events, etc) are the "top" kids. But unless they're exceedingly creepy, they have no idea what the other kids do with their time, or what their grades are, and so forth.

It's a bit of circular logic. I make my kid do these activities because they are the activities that TJ admissions should want - therefore my kids and the kids who also do those activities are the top kids, and if TJ admissions is not selecting those kids, then they're not selecting the "top" kids.

Makes you wonder how they expected their kids to get into a place like TJ when that's the level of intellect that the parents are working with.

You are doing the same circular logic- TJ has accepted them, therefore they are the top kids.
I can also use the same argument that these are top kids because they were accepted by Academies of Loudoun, while the kids accepted to TJ were not accepted.
Perhaps you are at a school that sends lots of students, but there are not that many people going to TJ from our school, and kids know who are the top students and if certain students are not good students. They are all good students, but it is relative.
I am hearing the same thing from other schools nearby. And then there is the matter of some superstars who were rejected, not even waitlisted, including some from Fairfax.

That's not true the committee that has access to the actual student data selected them. They are able to make an informed determination, unlike some randoparent who just guesses about others and likely doesn't even understand the criteria.

Propose to change the "Science and Technology" in the name to "Storytelling and Theatre", more aligned to the goal.

DP. The Storytelling and Theater that I'm seeing are the poster/posters who are confident that they know who the "top students" are and that only "less-than-top students" were admitted from multiple schools and multiple school districts.

I mean, really?

This is clearly true, given that students selected to TJ were not selected to Academies of Loudoun and vice versa. So by one measure almost all of these students are less than top. At least with TJ, we can say there weren't as many spots available. However, the students selected as the top in their school by TJ, say top 6, were not considered in the top 12 by Loudoun.
From what I've seen, Loudoun did a better job, with a top student outright rejected by TJ, while accepting students who were either waitlist or rejected by Academies of Loudoun, both AOS and AET.

It appears to be happening at multiple schools. I have heard this from parents elsewhere, with some students I know are top students not getting in, while the parents tell me some of the ones who got in were mediocre. This isn't a matter of jealousy, I have heard this from parents whose kids got in. At one school, the parent saying the kid they most would have expected didn't get in. In other cases it is students I am familiar with who have some substantial accomplishments.
A student posted early in this thread his or her experience with being accepted. It appears to be a student in Fairfax, but initially I thought it was someone from our school who I've met, it was very similar situation being described.

Top students rejected, mediocre students admitted, sounds like LoCo is going to stop aiming for TJ.

Good.

If the essay if these top students didn’t make it with this process, why do you think it would make it in the old process?

The kids still had to go through that round regardless of the initial selection criteria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The capacity has increased too, which in a way ensures that there is room for error, while top kids would still get in.

If the top kids were getting in while a few weaker ones got thru over some better candidates, it would not be a big deal.
Instead the top kids are mostly not getting in. Not sure how it is at the top feeder schools, but the schools I've seen in Loudoun, Academies of Loudoun is mostly taking the top kids, while TJ is putting them on waitlist or rejecting them.

On the other hand, the top students are mostly getting opportunities for Academies of Loudoun, while the ones accepted to TJ under the current process would have had neither possibility under the old process.

TJ serves mainly fx county.

You keep saying the top kids are going elsewhere, but how can you determine who’s better than the other?

DP. They can't, plain and simple. They know what their kids grades are, and what their kids do with their time, and they assume that the other kids who do the same things (STEM competitions, events, etc) are the "top" kids. But unless they're exceedingly creepy, they have no idea what the other kids do with their time, or what their grades are, and so forth.

It's a bit of circular logic. I make my kid do these activities because they are the activities that TJ admissions should want - therefore my kids and the kids who also do those activities are the top kids, and if TJ admissions is not selecting those kids, then they're not selecting the "top" kids.

Makes you wonder how they expected their kids to get into a place like TJ when that's the level of intellect that the parents are working with.

You are doing the same circular logic- TJ has accepted them, therefore they are the top kids.
I can also use the same argument that these are top kids because they were accepted by Academies of Loudoun, while the kids accepted to TJ were not accepted.
Perhaps you are at a school that sends lots of students, but there are not that many people going to TJ from our school, and kids know who are the top students and if certain students are not good students. They are all good students, but it is relative.
I am hearing the same thing from other schools nearby. And then there is the matter of some superstars who were rejected, not even waitlisted, including some from Fairfax.

That's not true the committee that has access to the actual student data selected them. They are able to make an informed determination, unlike some randoparent who just guesses about others and likely doesn't even understand the criteria.

Propose to change the "Science and Technology" in the name to "Storytelling and Theatre", more aligned to the goal.

DP. The Storytelling and Theater that I'm seeing are the poster/posters who are confident that they know who the "top students" are and that only "less-than-top students" were admitted from multiple schools and multiple school districts.

I mean, really?

This is clearly true, given that students selected to TJ were not selected to Academies of Loudoun and vice versa. So by one measure almost all of these students are less than top. At least with TJ, we can say there weren't as many spots available. However, the students selected as the top in their school by TJ, say top 6, were not considered in the top 12 by Loudoun.
From what I've seen, Loudoun did a better job, with a top student outright rejected by TJ, while accepting students who were either waitlist or rejected by Academies of Loudoun, both AOS and AET.

It appears to be happening at multiple schools. I have heard this from parents elsewhere, with some students I know are top students not getting in, while the parents tell me some of the ones who got in were mediocre. This isn't a matter of jealousy, I have heard this from parents whose kids got in. At one school, the parent saying the kid they most would have expected didn't get in. In other cases it is students I am familiar with who have some substantial accomplishments.
A student posted early in this thread his or her experience with being accepted. It appears to be a student in Fairfax, but initially I thought it was someone from our school who I've met, it was very similar situation being described.

Top students rejected, mediocre students admitted, sounds like LoCo is going to stop aiming for TJ.

Good.

I know one top student admitted by both, who opted for Loudoun. Several more who are turning it down who are weaker candidates and probably TJ would be too hard for them. Too bad they can't do a swap system between the admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The capacity has increased too, which in a way ensures that there is room for error, while top kids would still get in.

If the top kids were getting in while a few weaker ones got thru over some better candidates, it would not be a big deal.
Instead the top kids are mostly not getting in. Not sure how it is at the top feeder schools, but the schools I've seen in Loudoun, Academies of Loudoun is mostly taking the top kids, while TJ is putting them on waitlist or rejecting them.

On the other hand, the top students are mostly getting opportunities for Academies of Loudoun, while the ones accepted to TJ under the current process would have had neither possibility under the old process.

TJ serves mainly fx county.

You keep saying the top kids are going elsewhere, but how can you determine who’s better than the other?

DP. They can't, plain and simple. They know what their kids grades are, and what their kids do with their time, and they assume that the other kids who do the same things (STEM competitions, events, etc) are the "top" kids. But unless they're exceedingly creepy, they have no idea what the other kids do with their time, or what their grades are, and so forth.

It's a bit of circular logic. I make my kid do these activities because they are the activities that TJ admissions should want - therefore my kids and the kids who also do those activities are the top kids, and if TJ admissions is not selecting those kids, then they're not selecting the "top" kids.

Makes you wonder how they expected their kids to get into a place like TJ when that's the level of intellect that the parents are working with.

You are doing the same circular logic- TJ has accepted them, therefore they are the top kids.
I can also use the same argument that these are top kids because they were accepted by Academies of Loudoun, while the kids accepted to TJ were not accepted.
Perhaps you are at a school that sends lots of students, but there are not that many people going to TJ from our school, and kids know who are the top students and if certain students are not good students. They are all good students, but it is relative.
I am hearing the same thing from other schools nearby. And then there is the matter of some superstars who were rejected, not even waitlisted, including some from Fairfax.

That's not true the committee that has access to the actual student data selected them. They are able to make an informed determination, unlike some randoparent who just guesses about others and likely doesn't even understand the criteria.

Propose to change the "Science and Technology" in the name to "Storytelling and Theatre", more aligned to the goal.

DP. The Storytelling and Theater that I'm seeing are the poster/posters who are confident that they know who the "top students" are and that only "less-than-top students" were admitted from multiple schools and multiple school districts.

I mean, really?

This is clearly true, given that students selected to TJ were not selected to Academies of Loudoun and vice versa. So by one measure almost all of these students are less than top. At least with TJ, we can say there weren't as many spots available. However, the students selected as the top in their school by TJ, say top 6, were not considered in the top 12 by Loudoun.
From what I've seen, Loudoun did a better job, with a top student outright rejected by TJ, while accepting students who were either waitlist or rejected by Academies of Loudoun, both AOS and AET.

It appears to be happening at multiple schools. I have heard this from parents elsewhere, with some students I know are top students not getting in, while the parents tell me some of the ones who got in were mediocre. This isn't a matter of jealousy, I have heard this from parents whose kids got in. At one school, the parent saying the kid they most would have expected didn't get in. In other cases it is students I am familiar with who have some substantial accomplishments.
A student posted early in this thread his or her experience with being accepted. It appears to be a student in Fairfax, but initially I thought it was someone from our school who I've met, it was very similar situation being described.

Top students rejected, mediocre students admitted, sounds like LoCo is going to stop aiming for TJ.

Good.

If the essay if these top students didn’t make it with this process, why do you think it would make it in the old process?

The kids still had to go through that round regardless of the initial selection criteria.

There was more in the previous admissions process that would give the committee more data, like teacher recommendations.
However, you are right that it is confusing how certain students who should have been locks for admission were rejected.
One theory is that if students listed achievements in the essay, as was thought to be the way to stand out, were instead graded down.
Also, the essays were different under the old process I think.
By the way, I am told essay is a poor choice of words, and that these were short answer questions, like a single paragraph.

[Anonymous]

There are 2 components to the new TJ test. One is SPS or Student Portrait Sheets where students are asked 4 questions and they have to formulate responses, there's a word limit to each response. Second one is PSE or Problem Solving Essay where they have to solve a math or science related problem and explain steps in detail.
I believe these were already part of the old test but as second part of the evaluation.

For SPS, the key is you have to give good responses in the word limit and time limit and it has to stand out. I would presume 99% of kids would list STEM accomplishments, those are important but you need to ensure that you are actually answering the question. A kid from DC's school, who is a math superstar and listed his math achievements on the SPS, was rejected. I was talking to the parents and they mentioned that he inserted his accomplishments on all responses without really ensuring that it was in alignment with what was being asked. DC wrote about skits on STEM they wrote and performed for younger kids to raise awareness and liking for STEM.

Similarly the PSE is not that difficult but any out of box thinking, logic would stand out. DC had the problem in which the farmer had offers of 2 leases. DC mentioned almost all their friends chose none as the option as status quo seemed to give the farmer more money. DC went with one lease and justified it well. So DC's answer was different from most people but there was good logic and justification.

DC was accepted to both TJ and AOS/AET.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The capacity has increased too, which in a way ensures that there is room for error, while top kids would still get in.

If the top kids were getting in while a few weaker ones got thru over some better candidates, it would not be a big deal.
Instead the top kids are mostly not getting in. Not sure how it is at the top feeder schools, but the schools I've seen in Loudoun, Academies of Loudoun is mostly taking the top kids, while TJ is putting them on waitlist or rejecting them.

So are you saying that Loudoun Co. is not sending their best?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The capacity has increased too, which in a way ensures that there is room for error, while top kids would still get in.

If the top kids were getting in while a few weaker ones got thru over some better candidates, it would not be a big deal.
Instead the top kids are mostly not getting in. Not sure how it is at the top feeder schools, but the schools I've seen in Loudoun, Academies of Loudoun is mostly taking the top kids, while TJ is putting them on waitlist or rejecting them.

So are you saying that Loudoun Co. is not sending their best?

The schools I've seen, yes. I would also expect Loudoun will be under its quota, as I've heard several who are turning down spots. Last year I knew of one. The waitlist is across all students, and not limited to Loudoun, so likely these spots will be taken by Fairfax kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The capacity has increased too, which in a way ensures that there is room for error, while top kids would still get in.

If the top kids were getting in while a few weaker ones got thru over some better candidates, it would not be a big deal.
Instead the top kids are mostly not getting in. Not sure how it is at the top feeder schools, but the schools I've seen in Loudoun, Academies of Loudoun is mostly taking the top kids, while TJ is putting them on waitlist or rejecting them.

On the other hand, the top students are mostly getting opportunities for Academies of Loudoun, while the ones accepted to TJ under the current process would have had neither possibility under the old process.

TJ serves mainly fx county.

You keep saying the top kids are going elsewhere, but how can you determine who’s better than the other?

DP. They can't, plain and simple. They know what their kids grades are, and what their kids do with their time, and they assume that the other kids who do the same things (STEM competitions, events, etc) are the "top" kids. But unless they're exceedingly creepy, they have no idea what the other kids do with their time, or what their grades are, and so forth.

It's a bit of circular logic. I make my kid do these activities because they are the activities that TJ admissions should want - therefore my kids and the kids who also do those activities are the top kids, and if TJ admissions is not selecting those kids, then they're not selecting the "top" kids.

Makes you wonder how they expected their kids to get into a place like TJ when that's the level of intellect that the parents are working with.

You are doing the same circular logic- TJ has accepted them, therefore they are the top kids.
I can also use the same argument that these are top kids because they were accepted by Academies of Loudoun, while the kids accepted to TJ were not accepted.
Perhaps you are at a school that sends lots of students, but there are not that many people going to TJ from our school, and kids know who are the top students and if certain students are not good students. They are all good students, but it is relative.
I am hearing the same thing from other schools nearby. And then there is the matter of some superstars who were rejected, not even waitlisted, including some from Fairfax.

I'm actually not making any sort of claim as to knowing who the best kids are. All I'm doing is telling you that YOU don't know who they are.

There is literally no incentive whatsoever for the folks working in TJ admissions to bring in kids who are going to come in and fail and return to their base schools. That's why the numbers of kids leaving really hasn't changed that much - once you account for Covid - from where they were 5, 10, 15 years ago.

When faced with the choice between who to trust on who's getting in to TJ, I'm probably going to trust the folks who have been doing this for years - there hasn't been any turnover in that office for a long time - over some rando with an agenda who comes on to an anonymous website spewing hateful garbage.