2025 - TJ Admission Results Thread

[Anonymous]

At cooper, on average, how many kids get in without being on Algebra II or on the Science Olympiad team?

[Anonymous]

Algebra 2 ,all As, wait listed

[Anonymous]

Son really confused and upset. He is a full A kids in carson. With algebra 2 this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Algebra 2 ,all As, wait listed

That’s disturbing — do you mind sharing which school?

[Anonymous]

I expect that he will be pretty high on the, and the waitlist will move. Already hearing from some kids that they plan to decline.

[Anonymous]

**pretty high on the waitlist,

[Anonymous]

Congratulations on those who got in!

My child was flat-out rejected with geometry (no Algebra II offered at school and kid handles the class with ease) and 4.0 GPA. Somehow a kid in the lower track of Algebra I from the same school was waitlisted. Not sure why.

Knowing these many kids who got in are already in Algebra II, it actually might be better for my kid to pursue the STEM dream somewhere else…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congratulations on those who got in!

My child was flat-out rejected with geometry (no Algebra II offered at school and kid handles the class with ease) and 4.0 GPA. Somehow a kid in the lower track of Algebra I from the same school was waitlisted. Not sure why.

Knowing these many kids who got in are already in Algebra II, it actually might be better for my kid to pursue the STEM dream somewhere else…

Which middle school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congratulations on those who got in!

My child was flat-out rejected with geometry (no Algebra II offered at school and kid handles the class with ease) and 4.0 GPA. Somehow a kid in the lower track of Algebra I from the same school was waitlisted. Not sure why.

Knowing these many kids who got in are already in Algebra II, it actually might be better for my kid to pursue the STEM dream somewhere else…

Algebra 2 is no magic ticket. In our MS most Algebra 2 kids are waitlisted.

[Anonymous]

I know I am whining but it is crazy to compare a 4.0 of Algebra 2 kids with a 4.0 GPA of a student taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Wish TJ would consider weighted GPAs.

Yeah - I know it will inconvenience the smaller MS’ but seems like a fair way to compare.

Does the admission committee have visibility into the highest level math course taken by applicants?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know I am whining but it is crazy to compare a 4.0 of Algebra 2 kids with a 4.0 GPA of a student taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Wish TJ would consider weighted GPAs.

Yeah - I know it will inconvenience the smaller MS’ but seems like a fair way to compare.

Does the admission committee have visibility into the highest level math course taken by applicants?

I recently read an article mentioning that some STEM colleges (like MIT) complained about admitted students who memorize mathematical concepts without truly understanding them, which can hinder real understanding and problem-solving skills. --I'm not suggesting that is your child — A2 by 8th grade is in itself a remarkable accomplishment. I'm just saying there might be some level of bias against students who advance too quickly in math, but this is just my speculation. And I still think the A2 students will be first to get off the waitlist.

[Anonymous]

My kid did not go to any prep, himself asked to enroll summer geometry and got an A. He only does the minimum (aka only homework only) but still an A student for A2. What I am saying is that for some kids math advance is not too fast for them. If TJ wants the best stem kids, then it really should give extra thoughts on kids who take A2 with As.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid did not go to any prep, himself asked to enroll summer geometry and got an A. He only does the minimum (aka only homework only) but still an A student for A2. What I am saying is that for some kids math advance is not too fast for them. If TJ wants the best stem kids, then it really should give extra thoughts on kids who take A2 with As.

They won’t do this because of “equity”

[Anonymous]

Arlington middle school, geometry, accepted. Kid did some prep on his own (asked me to set up mock tests for him, which I did by searching the web for old questions). Kid likely won't go but was psyched to get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid did not go to any prep, himself asked to enroll summer geometry and got an A. He only does the minimum (aka only homework only) but still an A student for A2. What I am saying is that for some kids math advance is not too fast for them. If TJ wants the best stem kids, then it really should give extra thoughts on kids who take A2 with As.

Sounds great but what about all the middle schools who don't offer Algebra 2? That is not offered as a standard course at the large majority of middle schools therefore it can't be considered as criteria.