Official TJ Admissions Decisions Results for the Class of 2025

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yeah.I really think this is some unnecessary hand wringing about the future. Calculus in 10th grade isn’t super unusual even at the base schools. Somehow they all figure it out.

Is there a list somewhere of GMU courses that are accepted by FCPS for high school credit? I was under the impression that kids were only allowed to receive high school credit for the DE classes, but not just any higher level GMU math class.

Regarding the bolded: That all depends on the specific base school. The schools where it isn't super unusual (Langley, McLean, and perhaps a few others) are likely to have more advanced offerings in place for the kids taking calc in 10th. My kid's middle school only has around 50 kids taking Geometry in 8th out of about 600 8th graders and absolutely no algebra II classes. It would be highly unusual for kids at the base high school to take Calc before 11th grade, so there are no extra offerings. Mine will take it in 9th, meaning he will completely exhaust the base school's offerings after 10th grade.

As it is now he could take honors Precalculus, calculus AB, calculus BC, Honors AP Statistics, Computer Science
AP Computer Science Principles, and multi variable calc and linear algebra. And he can continue to study outside of school as well.

Honors precalc will be taken in 8th. Calc AB for a highly gifted kid is absurd. That leaves:
9th: Calc BC
10th: multivariable/linear algebra
11th: AP stats
12th: AP comp sci

This path is not reasonable. AP stats is a significant step down from AP calc. AP comp sci may fulfill a math requirement, but it isn't really a math class. TJ has adequate math classes, but they are exclusive to TJ. There is no option for base school kids to enroll in these classes or even enroll in the equivalent GMU classes but receive FCPS credit.

Is your point somehow that TJ should base its admissions process on exhausting the number of highly advanced math students before approaching the rest of the population? Because that would create even MORE of a one-dimensional environment.

Here’s the beauty part - because so many of the kids who are hyper-advanced in math are concentrated in a limited number of schools (thank you self-segregation), the base schools there are going to adjust because they will have a reason to adjust. They will begin offering advanced math because there will be a significant demand for it, opening up more opportunities at those base schools. It’s not like base school math teachers are limited to Calc BC.

Win-win-win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do FCPS math credits matter? If someone does Calc in 10th grade and doesn't take any more math, will FCPS refuse to give a diploma? If so, FCPS is even more screwed up than I thought.
AP Stats is worthless after Calc; you should take a Calc-based Stats course. AP CS isn't math.

I agree. My understanding is that TJ kids can take GMU math 214 (DiffEQ) and GMU Math 411 (complex analysis) at TJ for both GMU and FCPS credit. Kids at base schools can take the same classes at GMU at their own expense for GMU credit, but they won't have the cost waived (like TJ kids get), nor will FCPS grant any credits for it. This system is pretty absurd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do FCPS math credits matter? If someone does Calc in 10th grade and doesn't take any more math, will FCPS refuse to give a diploma? If so, FCPS is even more screwed up than I thought.
AP Stats is worthless after Calc; you should take a Calc-based Stats course. AP CS isn't math.

I agree. My understanding is that TJ kids can take GMU math 214 (DiffEQ) and GMU Math 411 (complex analysis) at TJ for both GMU and FCPS credit. Kids at base schools can take the same classes at GMU at their own expense for GMU credit, but they won't have the cost waived (like TJ kids get), nor will FCPS grant any credits for it. This system is pretty absurd.

This is absurd.

Elaine Tholen is (was?) working on ideas to expand class offerings to all FCPS HS students. Please email her and advocate! Every student that qualifies should have access to classes only offered at TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yeah.I really think this is some unnecessary hand wringing about the future. Calculus in 10th grade isn’t super unusual even at the base schools. Somehow they all figure it out.

Is there a list somewhere of GMU courses that are accepted by FCPS for high school credit? I was under the impression that kids were only allowed to receive high school credit for the DE classes, but not just any higher level GMU math class.

Regarding the bolded: That all depends on the specific base school. The schools where it isn't super unusual (Langley, McLean, and perhaps a few others) are likely to have more advanced offerings in place for the kids taking calc in 10th. My kid's middle school only has around 50 kids taking Geometry in 8th out of about 600 8th graders and absolutely no algebra II classes. It would be highly unusual for kids at the base high school to take Calc before 11th grade, so there are no extra offerings. Mine will take it in 9th, meaning he will completely exhaust the base school's offerings after 10th grade.

As it is now he could take honors Precalculus, calculus AB, calculus BC, Honors AP Statistics, Computer Science
AP Computer Science Principles, and multi variable calc and linear algebra. And he can continue to study outside of school as well.

Honors precalc will be taken in 8th. Calc AB for a highly gifted kid is absurd. That leaves:
9th: Calc BC
10th: multivariable/linear algebra
11th: AP stats
12th: AP comp sci

This path is not reasonable. AP stats is a significant step down from AP calc. AP comp sci may fulfill a math requirement, but it isn't really a math class. TJ has adequate math classes, but they are exclusive to TJ. There is no option for base school kids to enroll in these classes or even enroll in the equivalent GMU classes but receive FCPS credit.

Hmm. I don’t think calc AB plus BC is completely absurd for a highly gifted kid when it’s started in 9th. I have a kid accelerated the same. It allows for further exploration and enrichment during those two years. The kid can focus on contest math preparation. You still are ready for physics. Something to consider if you are worried about having a gap before college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Is your point somehow that TJ should base its admissions process on exhausting the number of highly advanced math students before approaching the rest of the population? Because that would create even MORE of a one-dimensional environment.

Here’s the beauty part - because so many of the kids who are hyper-advanced in math are concentrated in a limited number of schools (thank you self-segregation), the base schools there are going to adjust because they will have a reason to adjust. They will begin offering advanced math because there will be a significant demand for it, opening up more opportunities at those base schools. It’s not like base school math teachers are limited to Calc BC.

Win-win-win.

I think the very highly gifted kids are the ones who most need and deserve TJ admissions. I think the old system identified them quite well. I'm not confident that GPA and one essay are adequate to identify them now. I'm 100% fine with keeping the school based minimum quota (which would incidentally help my kid more than hurt him), but I would also love to reintroduce some sort of testing, teacher recommendations, and some nod to math level in the process of finding the top 1.5% from each school. While I don't think all of the highly advanced students should be automatically granted admission to TJ, I think the ability of the kid's specific base school to meet the kid's needs should be considered.

Regardless of how you view the priorities of TJ admission, my point is that if FCPS hyper accelerates kids or even allows for them to be overly accelerated via summer geometry, FCPS needs to have some appropriate math path through 12th grade. If they are not going to deliver appropriate coursework through TJ, then FCPS needs to offer increased classes at the base school, offer more virtual classes, allow for some math courses at TJ to be given academy style for all who qualify, or revise their Dual Enrollment system.

My kid is in a middling FCPS high school. They are unlikely to expand the math offerings.

[Anonymous]

To families with applicants in the waitpool:

TJ Admissions sent an email yesterday that they are in the process of finalizing the first round of waitpool offers and that emails will be sent to waitpool applicants and families that receive an offer in the coming week. Has anyone received an offer?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do FCPS math credits matter? If someone does Calc in 10th grade and doesn't take any more math, will FCPS refuse to give a diploma? If so, FCPS is even more screwed up than I thought.
AP Stats is worthless after Calc; you should take a Calc-based Stats course. AP CS isn't math.

I agree. My understanding is that TJ kids can take GMU math 214 (DiffEQ) and GMU Math 411 (complex analysis) at TJ for both GMU and FCPS credit. Kids at base schools can take the same classes at GMU at their own expense for GMU credit, but they won't have the cost waived (like TJ kids get), nor will FCPS grant any credits for it. This system is pretty absurd.

This is absurd.

Elaine Tholen is (was?) working on ideas to expand class offerings to all FCPS HS students. Please email her and advocate! Every student that qualifies should have access to classes only offered at TJ.

How does this help kids who don't own cars or have parents able to drive them to math classes in the middle of the day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yeah.I really think this is some unnecessary hand wringing about the future. Calculus in 10th grade isn’t super unusual even at the base schools. Somehow they all figure it out.

Is there a list somewhere of GMU courses that are accepted by FCPS for high school credit? I was under the impression that kids were only allowed to receive high school credit for the DE classes, but not just any higher level GMU math class.

Regarding the bolded: That all depends on the specific base school. The schools where it isn't super unusual (Langley, McLean, and perhaps a few others) are likely to have more advanced offerings in place for the kids taking calc in 10th. My kid's middle school only has around 50 kids taking Geometry in 8th out of about 600 8th graders and absolutely no algebra II classes. It would be highly unusual for kids at the base high school to take Calc before 11th grade, so there are no extra offerings. Mine will take it in 9th, meaning he will completely exhaust the base school's offerings after 10th grade.

As it is now he could take honors Precalculus, calculus AB, calculus BC, Honors AP Statistics, Computer Science
AP Computer Science Principles, and multi variable calc and linear algebra. And he can continue to study outside of school as well.

No poster here

AP Statistics send AP Computer Science courses are not really in the post Calc BC progression. Yes, those are in the "Math" section, but I would treat those as side ventures. I believe the person was talking about his/her child taking Calculus in 9th grade. They would run out of mathematics courses by the end of 10th or after the 1st semester of 11th grade. FCPS offers multivar, linear algebra and Differential Equations, but only TJ seems to offer Complex Variables

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To families with applicants in the waitpool:

TJ Admissions sent an email yesterday that they are in the process of finalizing the first round of waitpool offers and that emails will be sent to waitpool applicants and families that receive an offer in the coming week. Has anyone received an offer?

Thanks!

There are 1031 kids in the waitpool. Don’t hold your breath.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
AP Statistics send AP Computer Science courses are not really in the post Calc BC progression. Yes, those are in the "Math" section, but I would treat those as side ventures. I believe the person was talking about his/her child taking Calculus in 9th grade. They would run out of mathematics courses by the end of 10th or after the 1st semester of 11th grade. FCPS offers multivar, linear algebra and Differential Equations, but only TJ seems to offer Complex Variables

GMU says that Diff Eq is only for the TJ kids. https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/fcps-math-dual-enrollment.
A kid who takes AP Calc in 9th would run out of math courses by the end of 10th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To families with applicants in the waitpool:

TJ Admissions sent an email yesterday that they are in the process of finalizing the first round of waitpool offers and that emails will be sent to waitpool applicants and families that receive an offer in the coming week. Has anyone received an offer?

Thanks!

There are 1031 kids in the waitpool. Don’t hold your breath.

They do not share the number of that list so may I ask how you found out? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To families with applicants in the waitpool:

TJ Admissions sent an email yesterday that they are in the process of finalizing the first round of waitpool offers and that emails will be sent to waitpool applicants and families that receive an offer in the coming week. Has anyone received an offer?

Thanks!

There are 1031 kids in the waitpool. Don’t hold your breath.

They do not share the number of that list so may I ask how you found out? Thanks!

Not the PP, but this was posted in another thread here. I believe they had obtained the data via FOIA request.
https://www.tjtestprep.com/data

You can download the data at the end of Section 3 (in file format Data) to get all the waitlist numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To families with applicants in the waitpool:

TJ Admissions sent an email yesterday that they are in the process of finalizing the first round of waitpool offers and that emails will be sent to waitpool applicants and families that receive an offer in the coming week. Has anyone received an offer?

Thanks!

There are 1031 kids in the waitpool. Don’t hold your breath.

They do not share the number of that list so may I ask how you found out? Thanks!

Not the PP, but this was posted in another thread here. I believe they had obtained the data via FOIA request.
https://www.tjtestprep.com/data

You can download the data at the end of Section 3 (in file format Data) to get all the waitlist numbers.

Thanks, I found it. My calculation shows 1,083 in the waitpool list and that does not include the schools that have under 10 offered.
Looks like they just put everyone that did not get the offer but made it to the minimum requirement of their holistic evaluation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Is your point somehow that TJ should base its admissions process on exhausting the number of highly advanced math students before approaching the rest of the population? Because that would create even MORE of a one-dimensional environment.

Here’s the beauty part - because so many of the kids who are hyper-advanced in math are concentrated in a limited number of schools (thank you self-segregation), the base schools there are going to adjust because they will have a reason to adjust. They will begin offering advanced math because there will be a significant demand for it, opening up more opportunities at those base schools. It’s not like base school math teachers are limited to Calc BC.

Win-win-win.

I think the very highly gifted kids are the ones who most need and deserve TJ admissions. I think the old system identified them quite well. I'm not confident that GPA and one essay are adequate to identify them now. I'm 100% fine with keeping the school based minimum quota (which would incidentally help my kid more than hurt him), but I would also love to reintroduce some sort of testing, teacher recommendations, and some nod to math level in the process of finding the top 1.5% from each school. While I don't think all of the highly advanced students should be automatically granted admission to TJ, I think the ability of the kid's specific base school to meet the kid's needs should be considered.

Regardless of how you view the priorities of TJ admission, my point is that if FCPS hyper accelerates kids or even allows for them to be overly accelerated via summer geometry, FCPS needs to have some appropriate math path through 12th grade. If they are not going to deliver appropriate coursework through TJ, then FCPS needs to offer increased classes at the base school, offer more virtual classes, allow for some math courses at TJ to be given academy style for all who qualify, or revise their Dual Enrollment system.

My kid is in a middling FCPS high school. They are unlikely to expand the math offerings.

It’s a problem both you and the school have created. Like others have said, your child isn’t entitled to advanced education. If TJ doesn’t work out I’m sure it will all get figured out. Is he a Davidson young scholar? They have great counseling services. You can either slow down in highschool by taking AB and BC or take statistics and computer science. You can always take more classes outside school like he’s doing now.

[Anonymous]

You would think that an admit to TJ is equivalent to Harvard and Yale, but after viewing the TJ college matriculation list, a ticket to RIT, JMU, GMU, or CWR does not warrant all this sturm und drang.