Let's think of ALL the ways that families might game the new TJ admissions process

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know it wil happen! I'll start!

We already know that TJ attracts families from all across the globe and that they move here to attend TJ.

Given that this year is virtual, how about a parent living in another country "rents" an apartment in one of the low-yield regions. They then "enroll" their child virtually, have them attend classes and then put their child's name in the hat to see what happens? MANY children are logging into FCPS classes from outside of the area, so this is not a new thing. If they are worried about getting caught, they can always just use a VPN.

Okay, I can actually see this happening. If you have spent anytime at Carson, you will know that some kids discuss that they will go back to their home country if they do not get into TJ.

So, I can see families living outside of the county (and the country) renting an apartment/room from afar, saying that their child is being “homeschooled” and throwing their hat into the ring. If the child wins the lottery, they then actually come to the US. If they don’t win the lottery, no harm no foul.

Those folks likely will not be placed into the merit lottery.

Why not?

If they can produce documentation for residency (lease) and GPA (homeschool GPA) and Algebra I (homeschool ciriculum), they can 100% throw their child’s name into the lottery.

FCPS is going to be swamped with international applications pretending to be Fairfax County residents. A free education at the #1 high school in America! So easy to just lie a little and give your child a shot!

[Anonymous]

Good luck proving residence while attending an international school

[Anonymous]

White families have already gamed it. Now their subpar kids will get in over Asian families. Blacks and Hispanics are already not interested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck proving residence while attending an international school

Why would this be hard? Everything is done virtually! All you need is a lease agreement and you are good to go. It’s illegal, but I’m guessing that the risk of being caught is extremely low this year given that everything is virtual.

https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-admissions/eligibility-requirements/proof-residency-private-home-school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know it wil happen! I'll start!

We already know that TJ attracts families from all across the globe and that they move here to attend TJ.

Given that this year is virtual, how about a parent living in another country "rents" an apartment in one of the low-yield regions. They then "enroll" their child virtually, have them attend classes and then put their child's name in the hat to see what happens? MANY children are logging into FCPS classes from outside of the area, so this is not a new thing. If they are worried about getting caught, they can always just use a VPN.

Okay, I can actually see this happening. If you have spent anytime at Carson, you will know that some kids discuss that they will go back to their home country if they do not get into TJ.

So, I can see families living outside of the county (and the country) renting an apartment/room from afar, saying that their child is being “homeschooled” and throwing their hat into the ring. If the child wins the lottery, they then actually come to the US. If they don’t win the lottery, no harm no foul.

Those folks likely will not be placed into the merit lottery.

Why not?

If they can produce documentation for residency (lease) and GPA (homeschool GPA) and Algebra I (homeschool ciriculum), they can 100% throw their child’s name into the lottery.

FCPS is going to be swamped with international applications pretending to be Fairfax County residents. A free education at the #1 high school in America! So easy to just lie a little and give your child a shot!

The admissions office will decide who is in the lottery. It will be a small subset of who applies in each region and may very well have higher standards in some cases than the original TJ selection process did because there are fewer barriers to application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know it wil happen! I'll start!

We already know that TJ attracts families from all across the globe and that they move here to attend TJ.

Given that this year is virtual, how about a parent living in another country "rents" an apartment in one of the low-yield regions. They then "enroll" their child virtually, have them attend classes and then put their child's name in the hat to see what happens? MANY children are logging into FCPS classes from outside of the area, so this is not a new thing. If they are worried about getting caught, they can always just use a VPN.

Okay, I can actually see this happening. If you have spent anytime at Carson, you will know that some kids discuss that they will go back to their home country if they do not get into TJ.

So, I can see families living outside of the county (and the country) renting an apartment/room from afar, saying that their child is being “homeschooled” and throwing their hat into the ring. If the child wins the lottery, they then actually come to the US. If they don’t win the lottery, no harm no foul.

Those folks likely will not be placed into the merit lottery.

Why not?

If they can produce documentation for residency (lease) and GPA (homeschool GPA) and Algebra I (homeschool ciriculum), they can 100% throw their child’s name into the lottery.

FCPS is going to be swamped with international applications pretending to be Fairfax County residents. A free education at the #1 high school in America! So easy to just lie a little and give your child a shot!

The #1 ranking is earned by the current students and their teachers. The random lottery kids won't be nearly as good. TJ will be just another neighborhood academy, which is fine, if that's the new mission of TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know it wil happen! I'll start!

We already know that TJ attracts families from all across the globe and that they move here to attend TJ.

Given that this year is virtual, how about a parent living in another country "rents" an apartment in one of the low-yield regions. They then "enroll" their child virtually, have them attend classes and then put their child's name in the hat to see what happens? MANY children are logging into FCPS classes from outside of the area, so this is not a new thing. If they are worried about getting caught, they can always just use a VPN.

Okay, I can actually see this happening. If you have spent anytime at Carson, you will know that some kids discuss that they will go back to their home country if they do not get into TJ.

So, I can see families living outside of the county (and the country) renting an apartment/room from afar, saying that their child is being “homeschooled” and throwing their hat into the ring. If the child wins the lottery, they then actually come to the US. If they don’t win the lottery, no harm no foul.

Those folks likely will not be placed into the merit lottery.

Why not?

If they can produce documentation for residency (lease) and GPA (homeschool GPA) and Algebra I (homeschool ciriculum), they can 100% throw their child’s name into the lottery.

FCPS is going to be swamped with international applications pretending to be Fairfax County residents. A free education at the #1 high school in America! So easy to just lie a little and give your child a shot!

The admissions office will decide who is in the lottery. It will be a small subset of who applies in each region and may very well have higher standards in some cases than the original TJ selection process did because there are fewer barriers to application.

Wrong. Anyone that meets the criteria (GPA, Algebra 1, some sort of essay) will be placed into the lottery pool. The criteria will be clear and anyone that meets it must be in the lottery.

The admissions staff will not be given broad authority to pick and choose who is in the lottery pool.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who thinks that this new process will not be gamed is a fool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know it wil happen! I'll start!

We already know that TJ attracts families from all across the globe and that they move here to attend TJ.

Given that this year is virtual, how about a parent living in another country "rents" an apartment in one of the low-yield regions. They then "enroll" their child virtually, have them attend classes and then put their child's name in the hat to see what happens? MANY children are logging into FCPS classes from outside of the area, so this is not a new thing. If they are worried about getting caught, they can always just use a VPN.

Okay, I can actually see this happening. If you have spent anytime at Carson, you will know that some kids discuss that they will go back to their home country if they do not get into TJ.

So, I can see families living outside of the county (and the country) renting an apartment/room from afar, saying that their child is being “homeschooled” and throwing their hat into the ring. If the child wins the lottery, they then actually come to the US. If they don’t win the lottery, no harm no foul.

Those folks likely will not be placed into the merit lottery.

Why not?

If they can produce documentation for residency (lease) and GPA (homeschool GPA) and Algebra I (homeschool ciriculum), they can 100% throw their child’s name into the lottery.

FCPS is going to be swamped with international applications pretending to be Fairfax County residents. A free education at the #1 high school in America! So easy to just lie a little and give your child a shot!

The admissions office will decide who is in the lottery. It will be a small subset of who applies in each region and may very well have higher standards in some cases than the original TJ selection process did because there are fewer barriers to application.

Wrong. Anyone that meets the criteria (GPA, Algebra 1, some sort of essay) will be placed into the lottery pool. The criteria will be clear and anyone that meets it must be in the lottery.

The admissions staff will not be given broad authority to pick and choose who is in the lottery pool.

they will have to make decisions with respect to homeschool GPAs and what accreditation to require

[Anonymous]

I think they are well on the road to closing TJ as it is today, and going back to the old Jefferson - that is what it seems, and I hope I am right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know it wil happen! I'll start!

We already know that TJ attracts families from all across the globe and that they move here to attend TJ.

Given that this year is virtual, how about a parent living in another country "rents" an apartment in one of the low-yield regions. They then "enroll" their child virtually, have them attend classes and then put their child's name in the hat to see what happens? MANY children are logging into FCPS classes from outside of the area, so this is not a new thing. If they are worried about getting caught, they can always just use a VPN.

Okay, I can actually see this happening. If you have spent anytime at Carson, you will know that some kids discuss that they will go back to their home country if they do not get into TJ.

So, I can see families living outside of the county (and the country) renting an apartment/room from afar, saying that their child is being “homeschooled” and throwing their hat into the ring. If the child wins the lottery, they then actually come to the US. If they don’t win the lottery, no harm no foul.

Those folks likely will not be placed into the merit lottery.

Why not?

If they can produce documentation for residency (lease) and GPA (homeschool GPA) and Algebra I (homeschool ciriculum), they can 100% throw their child’s name into the lottery.

FCPS is going to be swamped with international applications pretending to be Fairfax County residents. A free education at the #1 high school in America! So easy to just lie a little and give your child a shot!

The admissions office will decide who is in the lottery. It will be a small subset of who applies in each region and may very well have higher standards in some cases than the original TJ selection process did because there are fewer barriers to application.

Wrong. Anyone that meets the criteria (GPA, Algebra 1, some sort of essay) will be placed into the lottery pool. The criteria will be clear and anyone that meets it must be in the lottery.

The admissions staff will not be given broad authority to pick and choose who is in the lottery pool.

they will have to make decisions with respect to homeschool GPAs and what accreditation to require

Evaluating various “Homeschooling” is not something the admissions office is equipped to do. They will have to take parents at their word.

This has tremendous potential for abuse.

Noone thought that it would be possible for one prep company to get 28% of the class. Well, they did. So, don’t underestimate what parents around the globe might do to get a FREE education at the #1 high school in the USA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know it wil happen! I'll start!

We already know that TJ attracts families from all across the globe and that they move here to attend TJ.

Given that this year is virtual, how about a parent living in another country "rents" an apartment in one of the low-yield regions. They then "enroll" their child virtually, have them attend classes and then put their child's name in the hat to see what happens? MANY children are logging into FCPS classes from outside of the area, so this is not a new thing. If they are worried about getting caught, they can always just use a VPN.

Okay, I can actually see this happening. If you have spent anytime at Carson, you will know that some kids discuss that they will go back to their home country if they do not get into TJ.

So, I can see families living outside of the county (and the country) renting an apartment/room from afar, saying that their child is being “homeschooled” and throwing their hat into the ring. If the child wins the lottery, they then actually come to the US. If they don’t win the lottery, no harm no foul.

Those folks likely will not be placed into the merit lottery.

Why not?

If they can produce documentation for residency (lease) and GPA (homeschool GPA) and Algebra I (homeschool ciriculum), they can 100% throw their child’s name into the lottery.

FCPS is going to be swamped with international applications pretending to be Fairfax County residents. A free education at the #1 high school in America! So easy to just lie a little and give your child a shot!

The admissions office will decide who is in the lottery. It will be a small subset of who applies in each region and may very well have higher standards in some cases than the original TJ selection process did because there are fewer barriers to application.

Except for blacks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know it wil happen! I'll start!

We already know that TJ attracts families from all across the globe and that they move here to attend TJ.

Given that this year is virtual, how about a parent living in another country "rents" an apartment in one of the low-yield regions. They then "enroll" their child virtually, have them attend classes and then put their child's name in the hat to see what happens? MANY children are logging into FCPS classes from outside of the area, so this is not a new thing. If they are worried about getting caught, they can always just use a VPN.

Okay, I can actually see this happening. If you have spent anytime at Carson, you will know that some kids discuss that they will go back to their home country if they do not get into TJ.

So, I can see families living outside of the county (and the country) renting an apartment/room from afar, saying that their child is being “homeschooled” and throwing their hat into the ring. If the child wins the lottery, they then actually come to the US. If they don’t win the lottery, no harm no foul.

Those folks likely will not be placed into the merit lottery.

Why not?

If they can produce documentation for residency (lease) and GPA (homeschool GPA) and Algebra I (homeschool ciriculum), they can 100% throw their child’s name into the lottery.

FCPS is going to be swamped with international applications pretending to be Fairfax County residents. A free education at the #1 high school in America! So easy to just lie a little and give your child a shot!

The admissions office will decide who is in the lottery. It will be a small subset of who applies in each region and may very well have higher standards in some cases than the original TJ selection process did because there are fewer barriers to application.

Except for blacks.

Wrong. It will be a race-blind process. Public school systems cannot separate children according to race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know it wil happen! I'll start!

We already know that TJ attracts families from all across the globe and that they move here to attend TJ.

Given that this year is virtual, how about a parent living in another country "rents" an apartment in one of the low-yield regions. They then "enroll" their child virtually, have them attend classes and then put their child's name in the hat to see what happens? MANY children are logging into FCPS classes from outside of the area, so this is not a new thing. If they are worried about getting caught, they can always just use a VPN.

Okay, I can actually see this happening. If you have spent anytime at Carson, you will know that some kids discuss that they will go back to their home country if they do not get into TJ.

So, I can see families living outside of the county (and the country) renting an apartment/room from afar, saying that their child is being “homeschooled” and throwing their hat into the ring. If the child wins the lottery, they then actually come to the US. If they don’t win the lottery, no harm no foul.

Those folks likely will not be placed into the merit lottery.

Why not?

If they can produce documentation for residency (lease) and GPA (homeschool GPA) and Algebra I (homeschool ciriculum), they can 100% throw their child’s name into the lottery.

FCPS is going to be swamped with international applications pretending to be Fairfax County residents. A free education at the #1 high school in America! So easy to just lie a little and give your child a shot!

The admissions office will decide who is in the lottery. It will be a small subset of who applies in each region and may very well have higher standards in some cases than the original TJ selection process did because there are fewer barriers to application.

Except for blacks.

Wrong. It will be a race-blind process. Public school systems cannot separate children according to race.

Please let fcps know immediately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know it wil happen! I'll start!

We already know that TJ attracts families from all across the globe and that they move here to attend TJ.

Given that this year is virtual, how about a parent living in another country "rents" an apartment in one of the low-yield regions. They then "enroll" their child virtually, have them attend classes and then put their child's name in the hat to see what happens? MANY children are logging into FCPS classes from outside of the area, so this is not a new thing. If they are worried about getting caught, they can always just use a VPN.

Okay, I can actually see this happening. If you have spent anytime at Carson, you will know that some kids discuss that they will go back to their home country if they do not get into TJ.

So, I can see families living outside of the county (and the country) renting an apartment/room from afar, saying that their child is being “homeschooled” and throwing their hat into the ring. If the child wins the lottery, they then actually come to the US. If they don’t win the lottery, no harm no foul.

Those folks likely will not be placed into the merit lottery.

Why not?

If they can produce documentation for residency (lease) and GPA (homeschool GPA) and Algebra I (homeschool ciriculum), they can 100% throw their child’s name into the lottery.

FCPS is going to be swamped with international applications pretending to be Fairfax County residents. A free education at the #1 high school in America! So easy to just lie a little and give your child a shot!

The admissions office will decide who is in the lottery. It will be a small subset of who applies in each region and may very well have higher standards in some cases than the original TJ selection process did because there are fewer barriers to application.

Wrong. Anyone that meets the criteria (GPA, Algebra 1, some sort of essay) will be placed into the lottery pool. The criteria will be clear and anyone that meets it must be in the lottery.

The admissions staff will not be given broad authority to pick and choose who is in the lottery pool.

That's just not correct. In the town hall they confirmed that there would be a holistic review to determine who from the applicant pool would be placed in the merit lottery. That will be the job of the same people who used to get us from semifinalist pool to offers in the old system - not the admissions staff, but the admissions committee.