Youngkin and TJ

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is called "a healthy work-life balance". Second-generation Asian-Americans largely believe in it, because we know what happened to us and our friends as children.

PP here. I don't disagree with you. For my own kids, practicing their musical instrument 30 minutes/day is plenty. If they routinely had more than 2 hours of homework per night, I'd be encouraging them to drop down from at least AP/Honors classes. If I thought my kids would be in the bottom half of TJ, I'd discourage them from applying because it would be too much work. My kid is strongly into math contests, practices somewhat, and then loses to the Asian kids who practice more while my kid is playing video games. I'm totally fine with all of that. But, the natural result of that is that there are (primarily Asian) kids who have worked harder and are thus more advanced than mine. I don't begrudge them that, nor do I expect my kids to be selected for things like TJ or orchestra over these kids. They chose to prioritize TJ and academics. My family didn't. It's all fine.

See, and that's great for you and your family. I really appreciate your perspective on this.

What I have a problem with is an admissions process that incentivizes unhealthy behaviors and an early streamlining of academic priorities with children who are 11 and 12 years old. There are children who display exceptional natural ability at those ages in particular areas, and that's wonderful and should be nurtured.

But what I see in practice in Northern Virginia are too many parents who envy those children with those exceptional natural abilities and will spare no expense or resource to pose their child as one with those same abilities. And then I see them get to TJ and have to stay up until all hours of the night, forsake all of the things that give them joy, AND spare even greater expense in outside tutoring in order for them to still end up in the bottom third of their class, miserable with their experience, and disappointed when they end up at VCU or Ohio State.

So what I don't want is for the admissions process in its final form (which I hope it is not yet) to confer advantages to people for posing their kids as something they're not. And I've watched it happen for too long.

Where are you getting this from? My oldest went to TJ, played a travel sport, and never stayed up past midnight. He's at a T20 school. Will there be kids in the bottom 1/3rd of TJ! Of course? That's the law of numbers. But guess what? Regardless of where those kids end up, they are more than prepared to kick ass.

Also, until the state delegates parenting rights of those kids to you, you have no say in how those parents raise their kids. NONE WHATSOEVER. STFU and move on.

Oh, and here's the other point. Of course I have no say in how these parents raise their kids. You have a right to do whatever the hell you want with your kids.

But if we're here to talk about TJ in a thread entitled "Youngkin and TJ", I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT incentivize streamlining a child's path at the age of 11 for admission to the crown jewel of Virginia's public education system.

I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT have children crying inconsolably outside of Rocky Run Middle School on the day of the exam both on their way in AND on their way out.

I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT confer an advantage to a parent who decides to spend $5K on a course that teaches their child the tricks that the exam is evaluating their ability to come up with on their own.

And I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT create a cocoon of parents that seem to think that their approach to parenting is the only one that has any right to a seat at an exceptional public high school.

Don’t forget Asians pay taxes too. Oh and now they are very much motivated to vote as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Let’s look at that grade
~14000 total kids in FCPS
~3800 kids from ED families (<$50k) in FCPS

ED kids at TJ = 4

Do we think there were really only 4 gifted/science kids from ED families in all of FCPS? 4 out of 14000 kids?

Something is broken. And it’s not these kids.

How many ED kids applied that year? We can't really compare with this year's stats, since we don't know how many of this year's ED kids are real ED kids and how many are kids who simply checked the free meals box.

I would assume that savvy, gifted ED kids wouldn't be interested in TJ. They know that they'll get better financial packages if they're one of the top kids at their base school than they most likely would get at TJ. They also know that they'll have more time to possibly work a job or help their families if they aren't overloaded with homework.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let’s look at that grade
~14000 total kids in FCPS
~3800 kids from ED families (<$50k) in FCPS

ED kids at TJ = 4

Do we think there were really only 4 gifted/science kids from ED families in all of FCPS? 4 out of 14000 kids?

Something is broken. And it’s not these kids.

How many ED kids applied that year? We can't really compare with this year's stats, since we don't know how many of this year's ED kids are real ED kids and how many are kids who simply checked the free meals box.

I would assume that savvy, gifted ED kids wouldn't be interested in TJ. They know that they'll get better financial packages if they're one of the top kids at their base school than they most likely would get at TJ. They also know that they'll have more time to possibly work a job or help their families if they aren't overloaded with homework.

How many ED families know TJ exists?
How many know application criteria?
How many know how to apply?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let’s look at that grade
~14000 total kids in FCPS
~3800 kids from ED families (<$50k) in FCPS

ED kids at TJ = 4

Do we think there were really only 4 gifted/science kids from ED families in all of FCPS? 4 out of 14000 kids?

Something is broken. And it’s not these kids.

How many ED kids applied that year? We can't really compare with this year's stats, since we don't know how many of this year's ED kids are real ED kids and how many are kids who simply checked the free meals box.

I would assume that savvy, gifted ED kids wouldn't be interested in TJ. They know that they'll get better financial packages if they're one of the top kids at their base school than they most likely would get at TJ. They also know that they'll have more time to possibly work a job or help their families if they aren't overloaded with homework.

Talk about paternalism. This statement basically says "TJ isn't for poor kids". Said the quiet part out loud with that one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Re-engineering the admissions process to remove an exam that allows families to pose relatively workaday above-average kids as REALLY bright kids is setting them up for a TJ experience that has ended up miserable for them a tragic number of times. And you can't understand how sad that is without deep experience with the school.

You're imagining that the TJ admissions panel was being blindsided by these kids in the old system. If they aren't idiots, they should be able to discern that a child who has high test scores and high grades, but otherwise very pedestrian achievements and lukewarm letters of recommendation is an overly prepped, above average kid. It's likely that the old system found the truly gifted kids, and then when filling out the bottom half of the class, they had to choose between prepped kids and kids who lacked evidence of any kind that they were especially bright, motivated, or accomplished in any way. When choosing between these groups, I'd select the prepped kids, since they at least know how to work hard. Also, I'd feel less bad about letting them be screwed over in college admissions compared to the rejected kids who will be at the top of their base schools.

The new system means that all of the relatively workaday above average kids are completely indistinguishable from the highly gifted kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is called "a healthy work-life balance". Second-generation Asian-Americans largely believe in it, because we know what happened to us and our friends as children.

PP here. I don't disagree with you. For my own kids, practicing their musical instrument 30 minutes/day is plenty. If they routinely had more than 2 hours of homework per night, I'd be encouraging them to drop down from at least AP/Honors classes. If I thought my kids would be in the bottom half of TJ, I'd discourage them from applying because it would be too much work. My kid is strongly into math contests, practices somewhat, and then loses to the Asian kids who practice more while my kid is playing video games. I'm totally fine with all of that. But, the natural result of that is that there are (primarily Asian) kids who have worked harder and are thus more advanced than mine. I don't begrudge them that, nor do I expect my kids to be selected for things like TJ or orchestra over these kids. They chose to prioritize TJ and academics. My family didn't. It's all fine.

See, and that's great for you and your family. I really appreciate your perspective on this.

What I have a problem with is an admissions process that incentivizes unhealthy behaviors and an early streamlining of academic priorities with children who are 11 and 12 years old. There are children who display exceptional natural ability at those ages in particular areas, and that's wonderful and should be nurtured.

But what I see in practice in Northern Virginia are too many parents who envy those children with those exceptional natural abilities and will spare no expense or resource to pose their child as one with those same abilities. And then I see them get to TJ and have to stay up until all hours of the night, forsake all of the things that give them joy, AND spare even greater expense in outside tutoring in order for them to still end up in the bottom third of their class, miserable with their experience, and disappointed when they end up at VCU or Ohio State.

So what I don't want is for the admissions process in its final form (which I hope it is not yet) to confer advantages to people for posing their kids as something they're not. And I've watched it happen for too long.

Where are you getting this from? My oldest went to TJ, played a travel sport, and never stayed up past midnight. He's at a T20 school. Will there be kids in the bottom 1/3rd of TJ! Of course? That's the law of numbers. But guess what? Regardless of where those kids end up, they are more than prepared to kick ass.

Also, until the state delegates parenting rights of those kids to you, you have no say in how those parents raise their kids. NONE WHATSOEVER. STFU and move on.

Oh, and here's the other point. Of course I have no say in how these parents raise their kids. You have a right to do whatever the hell you want with your kids.

But if we're here to talk about TJ in a thread entitled "Youngkin and TJ", I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT incentivize streamlining a child's path at the age of 11 for admission to the crown jewel of Virginia's public education system.

I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT have children crying inconsolably outside of Rocky Run Middle School on the day of the exam both on their way in AND on their way out.

I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT confer an advantage to a parent who decides to spend $5K on a course that teaches their child the tricks that the exam is evaluating their ability to come up with on their own.

And I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT create a cocoon of parents that seem to think that their approach to parenting is the only one that has any right to a seat at an exceptional public high school.

Advocate all you want. Good luck at the next school board elections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let’s look at that grade
~14000 total kids in FCPS
~3800 kids from ED families (<$50k) in FCPS

ED kids at TJ = 4

Do we think there were really only 4 gifted/science kids from ED families in all of FCPS? 4 out of 14000 kids?

Something is broken. And it’s not these kids.

How many ED kids applied that year? We can't really compare with this year's stats, since we don't know how many of this year's ED kids are real ED kids and how many are kids who simply checked the free meals box.

I would assume that savvy, gifted ED kids wouldn't be interested in TJ. They know that they'll get better financial packages if they're one of the top kids at their base school than they most likely would get at TJ. They also know that they'll have more time to possibly work a job or help their families if they aren't overloaded with homework.

How many ED families know TJ exists?
How many know application criteria?
How many know how to apply?

Why don't you go tell them? Also have a good answer ready when they ask you why they should apply to TJ when they can get better college outcomes/high school experience by going to base school..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is called "a healthy work-life balance". Second-generation Asian-Americans largely believe in it, because we know what happened to us and our friends as children.

PP here. I don't disagree with you. For my own kids, practicing their musical instrument 30 minutes/day is plenty. If they routinely had more than 2 hours of homework per night, I'd be encouraging them to drop down from at least AP/Honors classes. If I thought my kids would be in the bottom half of TJ, I'd discourage them from applying because it would be too much work. My kid is strongly into math contests, practices somewhat, and then loses to the Asian kids who practice more while my kid is playing video games. I'm totally fine with all of that. But, the natural result of that is that there are (primarily Asian) kids who have worked harder and are thus more advanced than mine. I don't begrudge them that, nor do I expect my kids to be selected for things like TJ or orchestra over these kids. They chose to prioritize TJ and academics. My family didn't. It's all fine.

See, and that's great for you and your family. I really appreciate your perspective on this.

What I have a problem with is an admissions process that incentivizes unhealthy behaviors and an early streamlining of academic priorities with children who are 11 and 12 years old. There are children who display exceptional natural ability at those ages in particular areas, and that's wonderful and should be nurtured.

But what I see in practice in Northern Virginia are too many parents who envy those children with those exceptional natural abilities and will spare no expense or resource to pose their child as one with those same abilities. And then I see them get to TJ and have to stay up until all hours of the night, forsake all of the things that give them joy, AND spare even greater expense in outside tutoring in order for them to still end up in the bottom third of their class, miserable with their experience, and disappointed when they end up at VCU or Ohio State.

So what I don't want is for the admissions process in its final form (which I hope it is not yet) to confer advantages to people for posing their kids as something they're not. And I've watched it happen for too long.

Where are you getting this from? My oldest went to TJ, played a travel sport, and never stayed up past midnight. He's at a T20 school. Will there be kids in the bottom 1/3rd of TJ! Of course? That's the law of numbers. But guess what? Regardless of where those kids end up, they are more than prepared to kick ass.

Also, until the state delegates parenting rights of those kids to you, you have no say in how those parents raise their kids. NONE WHATSOEVER. STFU and move on.

Oh, and here's the other point. Of course I have no say in how these parents raise their kids. You have a right to do whatever the hell you want with your kids.

But if we're here to talk about TJ in a thread entitled "Youngkin and TJ", I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT incentivize streamlining a child's path at the age of 11 for admission to the crown jewel of Virginia's public education system.

I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT have children crying inconsolably outside of Rocky Run Middle School on the day of the exam both on their way in AND on their way out.

I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT confer an advantage to a parent who decides to spend $5K on a course that teaches their child the tricks that the exam is evaluating their ability to come up with on their own.

And I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT create a cocoon of parents that seem to think that their approach to parenting is the only one that has any right to a seat at an exceptional public high school.

Advocate all you want. Good luck at the next school board elections.

Sounds like you want a lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let’s look at that grade
~14000 total kids in FCPS
~3800 kids from ED families (<$50k) in FCPS

ED kids at TJ = 4

Do we think there were really only 4 gifted/science kids from ED families in all of FCPS? 4 out of 14000 kids?

Something is broken. And it’s not these kids.

How many ED kids applied that year? We can't really compare with this year's stats, since we don't know how many of this year's ED kids are real ED kids and how many are kids who simply checked the free meals box.

I would assume that savvy, gifted ED kids wouldn't be interested in TJ. They know that they'll get better financial packages if they're one of the top kids at their base school than they most likely would get at TJ. They also know that they'll have more time to possibly work a job or help their families if they aren't overloaded with homework.

How many ED families know TJ exists?
How many know application criteria?
How many know how to apply?

Why don't you go tell them? Also have a good answer ready when they ask you why they should apply to TJ when they can get better college outcomes/high school experience by going to base school..

Why does anyone apply to TJ then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is called "a healthy work-life balance". Second-generation Asian-Americans largely believe in it, because we know what happened to us and our friends as children.

PP here. I don't disagree with you. For my own kids, practicing their musical instrument 30 minutes/day is plenty. If they routinely had more than 2 hours of homework per night, I'd be encouraging them to drop down from at least AP/Honors classes. If I thought my kids would be in the bottom half of TJ, I'd discourage them from applying because it would be too much work. My kid is strongly into math contests, practices somewhat, and then loses to the Asian kids who practice more while my kid is playing video games. I'm totally fine with all of that. But, the natural result of that is that there are (primarily Asian) kids who have worked harder and are thus more advanced than mine. I don't begrudge them that, nor do I expect my kids to be selected for things like TJ or orchestra over these kids. They chose to prioritize TJ and academics. My family didn't. It's all fine.

See, and that's great for you and your family. I really appreciate your perspective on this.

What I have a problem with is an admissions process that incentivizes unhealthy behaviors and an early streamlining of academic priorities with children who are 11 and 12 years old. There are children who display exceptional natural ability at those ages in particular areas, and that's wonderful and should be nurtured.

But what I see in practice in Northern Virginia are too many parents who envy those children with those exceptional natural abilities and will spare no expense or resource to pose their child as one with those same abilities. And then I see them get to TJ and have to stay up until all hours of the night, forsake all of the things that give them joy, AND spare even greater expense in outside tutoring in order for them to still end up in the bottom third of their class, miserable with their experience, and disappointed when they end up at VCU or Ohio State.

So what I don't want is for the admissions process in its final form (which I hope it is not yet) to confer advantages to people for posing their kids as something they're not. And I've watched it happen for too long.

Where are you getting this from? My oldest went to TJ, played a travel sport, and never stayed up past midnight. He's at a T20 school. Will there be kids in the bottom 1/3rd of TJ! Of course? That's the law of numbers. But guess what? Regardless of where those kids end up, they are more than prepared to kick ass.

Also, until the state delegates parenting rights of those kids to you, you have no say in how those parents raise their kids. NONE WHATSOEVER. STFU and move on.

Oh, and here's the other point. Of course I have no say in how these parents raise their kids. You have a right to do whatever the hell you want with your kids.

But if we're here to talk about TJ in a thread entitled "Youngkin and TJ", I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT incentivize streamlining a child's path at the age of 11 for admission to the crown jewel of Virginia's public education system.

I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT have children crying inconsolably outside of Rocky Run Middle School on the day of the exam both on their way in AND on their way out.

I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT confer an advantage to a parent who decides to spend $5K on a course that teaches their child the tricks that the exam is evaluating their ability to come up with on their own.

And I'm going to advocate for an admissions process that DOES NOT create a cocoon of parents that seem to think that their approach to parenting is the only one that has any right to a seat at an exceptional public high school.

Sure..please advocate all you want. It is just that your reasons are not sound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let’s look at that grade
~14000 total kids in FCPS
~3800 kids from ED families (<$50k) in FCPS

ED kids at TJ = 4

Do we think there were really only 4 gifted/science kids from ED families in all of FCPS? 4 out of 14000 kids?

Something is broken. And it’s not these kids.

How many ED kids applied that year? We can't really compare with this year's stats, since we don't know how many of this year's ED kids are real ED kids and how many are kids who simply checked the free meals box.

I would assume that savvy, gifted ED kids wouldn't be interested in TJ. They know that they'll get better financial packages if they're one of the top kids at their base school than they most likely would get at TJ. They also know that they'll have more time to possibly work a job or help their families if they aren't overloaded with homework.

Talk about paternalism. This statement basically says "TJ isn't for poor kids". Said the quiet part out loud with that one.

I didn't say that they don't belong. I simply wondered how many even applied. If only 4 got in, but 200 applied, there's a huge problem with the selection process. If 4 got in but 10-20 applied, that may or may not be a problem. If there are bright, ED kids who aren't aware of how to apply, that's a huge issue. If bright, ED kids were deterred by the application fee, that was, but thankfully no longer is, a huge issue. If the bright, ED kids feel that TJ would be a bad choice for them, that's their prerogative. They don't need you to swoop in and try to coerce them to go to TJ just to make the numbers more palatable from an equity standpoint. You should trust them to make the decisions that are best for themselves and their families.

My parents were poor enough that they had to work 20 hours/week throughout high school. There's no way that they would have found it feasible to attend an especially rigorous school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
This is called "a healthy work-life balance". Second-generation Asian-Americans largely believe in it, because we know what happened to us and our friends as children.

PP here. I don't disagree with you. For my own kids, practicing their musical instrument 30 minutes/day is plenty. If they routinely had more than 2 hours of homework per night, I'd be encouraging them to drop down from at least AP/Honors classes. If I thought my kids would be in the bottom half of TJ, I'd discourage them from applying because it would be too much work. My kid is strongly into math contests, practices somewhat, and then loses to the Asian kids who practice more while my kid is playing video games. I'm totally fine with all of that. But, the natural result of that is that there are (primarily Asian) kids who have worked harder and are thus more advanced than mine. I don't begrudge them that, nor do I expect my kids to be selected for things like TJ or orchestra over these kids. They chose to prioritize TJ and academics. My family didn't. It's all fine.

See, and that's great for you and your family. I really appreciate your perspective on this.

What I have a problem with is an admissions process that incentivizes unhealthy behaviors and an early streamlining of academic priorities with children who are 11 and 12 years old. There are children who display exceptional natural ability at those ages in particular areas, and that's wonderful and should be nurtured.

But what I see in practice in Northern Virginia are too many parents who envy those children with those exceptional natural abilities and will spare no expense or resource to pose their child as one with those same abilities. And then I see them get to TJ and have to stay up until all hours of the night, forsake all of the things that give them joy, AND spare even greater expense in outside tutoring in order for them to still end up in the bottom third of their class, miserable with their experience, and disappointed when they end up at VCU or Ohio State.

So what I don't want is for the admissions process in its final form (which I hope it is not yet) to confer advantages to people for posing their kids as something they're not. And I've watched it happen for too long.

Where are you getting this from? My oldest went to TJ, played a travel sport, and never stayed up past midnight. He's at a T20 school. Will there be kids in the bottom 1/3rd of TJ! Of course? That's the law of numbers. But guess what? Regardless of where those kids end up, they are more than prepared to kick ass.

Also, until the state delegates parenting rights of those kids to you, you have no say in how those parents raise their kids. NONE WHATSOEVER. STFU and move on.

Sounds like your kid belonged at TJ. That's great! But the admissions process shouldn't incentivize parents to try to make kids who DON'T belong at TJ look like they do and eliminate other kids in the process.

Not everyone thinks it does - Just people whose kids didn't get in. #sourgrapes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let’s look at that grade
~14000 total kids in FCPS
~3800 kids from ED families (<$50k) in FCPS

ED kids at TJ = 4

Do we think there were really only 4 gifted/science kids from ED families in all of FCPS? 4 out of 14000 kids?

Something is broken. And it’s not these kids.

How many ED kids applied that year? We can't really compare with this year's stats, since we don't know how many of this year's ED kids are real ED kids and how many are kids who simply checked the free meals box.

I would assume that savvy, gifted ED kids wouldn't be interested in TJ. They know that they'll get better financial packages if they're one of the top kids at their base school than they most likely would get at TJ. They also know that they'll have more time to possibly work a job or help their families if they aren't overloaded with homework.

How many ED families know TJ exists?
How many know application criteria?
How many know how to apply?

Why don't you go tell them? Also have a good answer ready when they ask you why they should apply to TJ when they can get better college outcomes/high school experience by going to base school..

The fact that this is true of wealthy STEM-focused kids at TJ does not make it true of the rest of the kids at TJ. And I'll bet that it definitely won't be the case for the '25s who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Why don't you go tell them? Also have a good answer ready when they ask you why they should apply to TJ when they can get better college outcomes/high school experience by going to base school..

Why does anyone apply to TJ then?

DP. The sad reality is that if an affluent kid gets worse scholarships/financial aid or fails to get into the better in-state schools, they can still find a decent private college that will take them at full pay. Less affluent kids don't have that luxury. Affluent families like having the prestige of TJ, and they know that they can buy their way out of worse college outcomes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let’s look at that grade
~14000 total kids in FCPS
~3800 kids from ED families (<$50k) in FCPS

ED kids at TJ = 4

Do we think there were really only 4 gifted/science kids from ED families in all of FCPS? 4 out of 14000 kids?

Something is broken. And it’s not these kids.

How many ED kids applied that year? We can't really compare with this year's stats, since we don't know how many of this year's ED kids are real ED kids and how many are kids who simply checked the free meals box.

I would assume that savvy, gifted ED kids wouldn't be interested in TJ. They know that they'll get better financial packages if they're one of the top kids at their base school than they most likely would get at TJ. They also know that they'll have more time to possibly work a job or help their families if they aren't overloaded with homework.

Talk about paternalism. This statement basically says "TJ isn't for poor kids". Said the quiet part out loud with that one.

I didn't say that they don't belong. I simply wondered how many even applied. If only 4 got in, but 200 applied, there's a huge problem with the selection process. If 4 got in but 10-20 applied, that may or may not be a problem. If there are bright, ED kids who aren't aware of how to apply, that's a huge issue. If bright, ED kids were deterred by the application fee, that was, but thankfully no longer is, a huge issue. If the bright, ED kids feel that TJ would be a bad choice for them, that's their prerogative. They don't need you to swoop in and try to coerce them to go to TJ just to make the numbers more palatable from an equity standpoint. You should trust them to make the decisions that are best for themselves and their families.

My parents were poor enough that they had to work 20 hours/week throughout high school. There's no way that they would have found it feasible to attend an especially rigorous school.

So I'm glad you asked the question... sort of. Unfortunately, we don't have numbers for how many ED kids applied in previous cycles, at least as far as I'm aware. But socioeconomic situation and race do track relatively well together, and the raw number of Black and Hispanic applications for CO 2025 elevated from about 360 in 2024 to 580 for 2025. That seems like a pretty big jump to me, which suggests that the app fee was a significant deterrent.