Waitlisted at TJ - now what?

[Anonymous]

I've heard that for the second year in a row, kids who qualified for JMO and were among the top 100 mathematicians in their grade level across the entire country didn't get into TJ. Those kids would benefit SO MUCH from TJ, but instead they put in kids who won't get beyond the courses that would have been available at their base school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that for the second year in a row, kids who qualified for JMO and were among the top 100 mathematicians in their grade level across the entire country didn't get into TJ. Those kids would benefit SO MUCH from TJ, but instead they put in kids who won't get beyond the courses that would have been available at their base school.

Not being mean, but in case you didn’t get the memo TESTS no longer matter. SAT, ACT , JMO oh and being a National Merit Finalist all don’t matter. They say if you can prep it, it means nothing. Even though AP tests are somehow still counted. Merit based tests are discounted, but subjective holistic approaches are the way of the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that for the second year in a row, kids who qualified for JMO and were among the top 100 mathematicians in their grade level across the entire country didn't get into TJ. Those kids would benefit SO MUCH from TJ, but instead they put in kids who won't get beyond the courses that would have been available at their base school.

Not being mean, but in case you didn’t get the memo TESTS no longer matter. SAT, ACT , JMO oh and being a National Merit Finalist all don’t matter. They say if you can prep it, it means nothing. Even though AP tests are somehow still counted. Merit based tests are discounted, but subjective holistic approaches are the way of the future.

Someone should give MiT and Harvard the memo, then. JMO qualification counts pretty heavily in their admissions process, since only kids who are exceptionally gifted in math can achieve it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD waitlisted for class of 2026. She applied without putting much thought into it to have the option to figure out later. Now it's later and she needs to decide whether to stay on the list or not. Wondering if there's a deadline for admitted students to decide, and therefore how long she might be on the waitlist before a final yay or nay? Is there any kind of open house for admitted students to help inform their decisions? Certainly they can't fill a whole grade without kids visiting or learning more about the school in person, perhaps from current freshmen? Wondering what her options are to inform her decision now? Thanks for any advice, particularly from current 9th grade parents since I think the admissions process was similar last year and this.

She is not getting in so I wouldn't worry about it at this point. Basically everyone who gets rejected gets waitlisted.

[Anonymous]

There was movement from the waitlist last year until the late summer. It depends highly on your student's ranking within their school and overall.

[Anonymous]

For moving off the waitlist, Will TJ Admission Office check achievements made by the students after January? Most National awards came out in May.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new system has no way to measure STEM achievement or interest. It prioritized diversity of geography, disadvantaged students, special ed and English language learners. It does not distinguish between center middle schools and base middle schools thereby making it harder for kids who chose to accept aap center placement and the most rigorous curriculum to get into TJ.

There isn’t anything wrong if we allocate a portion of seats to economically disadvantaged, provided its properly identified. However, I have always been critical about how the new process discriminated against center schools.

What I really want is to correctly identify the stem intersect/talent with whatever selection process there is. It should ‘never’ be case where you (especially kids themselves) cannot explain why some got in while others who appears to be more deserving couldn’t. My kid is damn sure that he would have gotten in if his teachers had any input.

On the whole, I would say my kid is probably more surprised than disappointed by the wait list. He says there are quite a few in the similar situation as his and would have plenty of company at his base school. He just asked me if TJ exclusive course work is more important than college admissions. I said absolutely not and not even by a long shot. He seems to be happy with it and moved on with his stuff.

Last year I was a little skeptical about the efficiency of TJ admissions, but now that I have had first hand experience with my kid and his friends (I have accompanied/interacted with them to several events) , I am sure the new process is screwed up. If you haven’t already gotten it by now, I am sure it will be abundantly clear in 4 years when we learn where TJ stacks up among other schools. All I hope is this is what we really want with TJ. That’s all I have to say! Please feel to disagree and bold any sentence in my post and offer your valuable criticism.

haha. This is what my kid said about two kids (no other experience factors) who received offers from a feeder school - X got in because of race and Y must have lied about being poor otherwise there is no way X or Y could get the offer while there are many others with better grades and clearly smarter got wait listed. When I said race isn't factor my kid said it must be a lottery then as there is no other explanation.

I am sure kids who received offers are definitely above average, but its not like it used to be where we used to know well ahead that who might get into TJ and who might not. It used to be that we were rarely surprised with the kids who got into TJ though there were a very few missed out. Now, kids have no clue and its really really sad. It's like when you get a promotion and everyone thinks you must have offered personal favors. We all know promotions should always be a formality and not a surprise to anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD waitlisted for class of 2026. She applied without putting much thought into it to have the option to figure out later. Now it's later and she needs to decide whether to stay on the list or not. Wondering if there's a deadline for admitted students to decide, and therefore how long she might be on the waitlist before a final yay or nay? Is there any kind of open house for admitted students to help inform their decisions? Certainly they can't fill a whole grade without kids visiting or learning more about the school in person, perhaps from current freshmen? Wondering what her options are to inform her decision now? Thanks for any advice, particularly from current 9th grade parents since I think the admissions process was similar last year and this.

I don’t understand your question. She applied without putting much thought into it, bc she’d figure it out later. What real decision does she need to make now. It’s possible, but unlikely, she’ll get off the wait list. She really doesn’t need any additional information as of now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new system has no way to measure STEM achievement or interest. It prioritized diversity of geography, disadvantaged students, special ed and English language learners. It does not distinguish between center middle schools and base middle schools thereby making it harder for kids who chose to accept aap center placement and the most rigorous curriculum to get into TJ.

There isn’t anything wrong if we allocate a portion of seats to economically disadvantaged, provided its properly identified. However, I have always been critical about how the new process discriminated against center schools.

What I really want is to correctly identify the stem intersect/talent with whatever selection process there is. It should ‘never’ be case where you (especially kids themselves) cannot explain why some got in while others who appears to be more deserving couldn’t. My kid is damn sure that he would have gotten in if his teachers had any input.

On the whole, I would say my kid is probably more surprised than disappointed by the wait list. He says there are quite a few in the similar situation as his and would have plenty of company at his base school. He just asked me if TJ exclusive course work is more important than college admissions. I said absolutely not and not even by a long shot. He seems to be happy with it and moved on with his stuff.

Last year I was a little skeptical about the efficiency of TJ admissions, but now that I have had first hand experience with my kid and his friends (I have accompanied/interacted with them to several events) , I am sure the new process is screwed up. If you haven’t already gotten it by now, I am sure it will be abundantly clear in 4 years when we learn where TJ stacks up among other schools. All I hope is this is what we really want with TJ. That’s all I have to say! Please feel to disagree and bold any sentence in my post and offer your valuable criticism.

haha. This is what my kid said about two kids (no other experience factors) who received offers from a feeder school - X got in because of race and Y must have lied about being poor otherwise there is no way X or Y could get the offer while there are many others with better grades and clearly smarter got wait listed. When I said race isn't factor my kid said it must be a lottery then as there is no other explanation.

I am sure kids who received offers are definitely above average, but its not like it used to be where we used to know well ahead that who might get into TJ and who might not. It used to be that we were rarely surprised with the kids who got into TJ though there were a very few missed out. Now, kids have no clue and its really really sad. It's like when you get a promotion and everyone thinks you must have offered personal favors. We all know promotions should always be a formality and not a surprise to anyone.

My kid just texted me about one of his bus buddy got in, who is taking algebra I in 8th and with with GPA barely enough to qualify. Owns SF home in the same community as ours, so must not be disadvantaged. This is a center school, with majority AAP and most kids taking Geo HN in 8th with not so insignificant number taking even Algebra 2 as well. Now, my kid is absolutely certain that race is a factor, otherwise there is no way his bus buddy would have gotten in - his buddy himself shocked that he got in apparently. Can anyone explain this with out race being a factor? What the hell is going on??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new system has no way to measure STEM achievement or interest. It prioritized diversity of geography, disadvantaged students, special ed and English language learners. It does not distinguish between center middle schools and base middle schools thereby making it harder for kids who chose to accept aap center placement and the most rigorous curriculum to get into TJ.

There isn’t anything wrong if we allocate a portion of seats to economically disadvantaged, provided its properly identified. However, I have always been critical about how the new process discriminated against center schools.

What I really want is to correctly identify the stem intersect/talent with whatever selection process there is. It should ‘never’ be case where you (especially kids themselves) cannot explain why some got in while others who appears to be more deserving couldn’t. My kid is damn sure that he would have gotten in if his teachers had any input.

On the whole, I would say my kid is probably more surprised than disappointed by the wait list. He says there are quite a few in the similar situation as his and would have plenty of company at his base school. He just asked me if TJ exclusive course work is more important than college admissions. I said absolutely not and not even by a long shot. He seems to be happy with it and moved on with his stuff.

Last year I was a little skeptical about the efficiency of TJ admissions, but now that I have had first hand experience with my kid and his friends (I have accompanied/interacted with them to several events) , I am sure the new process is screwed up. If you haven’t already gotten it by now, I am sure it will be abundantly clear in 4 years when we learn where TJ stacks up among other schools. All I hope is this is what we really want with TJ. That’s all I have to say! Please feel to disagree and bold any sentence in my post and offer your valuable criticism.

haha. This is what my kid said about two kids (no other experience factors) who received offers from a feeder school - X got in because of race and Y must have lied about being poor otherwise there is no way X or Y could get the offer while there are many others with better grades and clearly smarter got wait listed. When I said race isn't factor my kid said it must be a lottery then as there is no other explanation.

I am sure kids who received offers are definitely above average, but its not like it used to be where we used to know well ahead that who might get into TJ and who might not. It used to be that we were rarely surprised with the kids who got into TJ though there were a very few missed out. Now, kids have no clue and its really really sad. It's like when you get a promotion and everyone thinks you must have offered personal favors. We all know promotions should always be a formality and not a surprise to anyone.

My kid just texted me about one of his bus buddy got in, who is taking algebra I in 8th and with with GPA barely enough to qualify. Owns SF home in the same community as ours, so must not be disadvantaged. This is a center school, with majority AAP and most kids taking Geo HN in 8th with not so insignificant number taking even Algebra 2 as well. Now, my kid is absolutely certain that race is a factor, otherwise there is no way his bus buddy would have gotten in - his buddy himself shocked that he got in apparently. Can anyone explain this with out race being a factor? What the hell is going on??

Did his parents check yes to either of the meals questions?

[Anonymous]

The new admission is considered as discrimination by the judge. The school district insists on staying with it for 2026 students. I hope the government could pay for the loss the 2025 and 2026 students suffered. Their illegal wrong policy could affect these kids life long.

[Anonymous]

Is there a breakdown available of how many students applied from each school?

[Anonymous]

My child (4.0 GPA, Algebra II Honors, Center school, IEP) did not get in. We’re fine with that because I’m not sure TJ would be a good environment for him.

However, if we were going to appeal, I would dig in DEEP on those meals questions. Including involving the school board.

TJ has a one-page data sheet on each applicant that they will share if you ask. This includes the GPA and school and what experience factors they recieved.

The poorly worded meals questions this year not only screwed over the kids that are actually poor, but also those with IEPs. By giving the 90 points for that experimace factor to anyone who wanted it, the TJ admissions office completely corrupted the process.

I would push HARD on an appeal if your child is on the waitlist and you would like for them to attend. Don’t be afraid of backlash - the admissions office is totally separate from the school and they cannot come after you or your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was movement from the waitlist last year until the late summer. It depends highly on your student's ranking within their school and overall.

I think it was less than 15 kids got off of the massive waitlist and it wasn’t until almost right before school

If you child is on the waitlist and you want them to attend, submit an appeal now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new system has no way to measure STEM achievement or interest. It prioritized diversity of geography, disadvantaged students, special ed and English language learners. It does not distinguish between center middle schools and base middle schools thereby making it harder for kids who chose to accept aap center placement and the most rigorous curriculum to get into TJ.

There isn’t anything wrong if we allocate a portion of seats to economically disadvantaged, provided its properly identified. However, I have always been critical about how the new process discriminated against center schools.

What I really want is to correctly identify the stem intersect/talent with whatever selection process there is. It should ‘never’ be case where you (especially kids themselves) cannot explain why some got in while others who appears to be more deserving couldn’t. My kid is damn sure that he would have gotten in if his teachers had any input.

On the whole, I would say my kid is probably more surprised than disappointed by the wait list. He says there are quite a few in the similar situation as his and would have plenty of company at his base school. He just asked me if TJ exclusive course work is more important than college admissions. I said absolutely not and not even by a long shot. He seems to be happy with it and moved on with his stuff.

Last year I was a little skeptical about the efficiency of TJ admissions, but now that I have had first hand experience with my kid and his friends (I have accompanied/interacted with them to several events) , I am sure the new process is screwed up. If you haven’t already gotten it by now, I am sure it will be abundantly clear in 4 years when we learn where TJ stacks up among other schools. All I hope is this is what we really want with TJ. That’s all I have to say! Please feel to disagree and bold any sentence in my post and offer your valuable criticism.

haha. This is what my kid said about two kids (no other experience factors) who received offers from a feeder school - X got in because of race and Y must have lied about being poor otherwise there is no way X or Y could get the offer while there are many others with better grades and clearly smarter got wait listed. When I said race isn't factor my kid said it must be a lottery then as there is no other explanation.

I am sure kids who received offers are definitely above average, but its not like it used to be where we used to know well ahead that who might get into TJ and who might not. It used to be that we were rarely surprised with the kids who got into TJ though there were a very few missed out. Now, kids have no clue and its really really sad. It's like when you get a promotion and everyone thinks you must have offered personal favors. We all know promotions should always be a formality and not a surprise to anyone.

My kid just texted me about one of his bus buddy got in, who is taking algebra I in 8th and with with GPA barely enough to qualify. Owns SF home in the same community as ours, so must not be disadvantaged. This is a center school, with majority AAP and most kids taking Geo HN in 8th with not so insignificant number taking even Algebra 2 as well. Now, my kid is absolutely certain that race is a factor, otherwise there is no way his bus buddy would have gotten in - his buddy himself shocked that he got in apparently. Can anyone explain this with out race being a factor? What the hell is going on??

Did his parents check yes to either of the meals questions?

Race has nothing to do with it!