Reply to Jay Mathews: Did money keep student out of top school? [TJ]

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Reply to "Jay Mathews: Did money keep student out of top school? [TJ]"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I've had 2 kids admitted to TJ. They took no prep classes, never had a tutor or attended a fancy computer/science/tech camp. Both took advantage of clubs in middle school (math, drama, tech) and both designed science fair projects that did well in the district and state science fairs. I don't know why Robbie didn't get into TJ, but I don't think it has anything to do with money.

Ben Moore has a huge chip on his shoulder - I mean who files a FOIA for SAT scores? I hope he can get over it because it sounds like his son is doing great.[/quote]

I read the article and Robbie sounds like a fabulous kid. Forget about whether anyone else paid for tutors, etc. Robbie could not participate in the *free* clubs offered at his middle school b/c he had to come home right after school to babysit his sisters and take care of the house. That's a money issue. And if the activities portion is such a large part of the application, he gets screwed. And who knows how the whole teacher recommendation process works and since his parents were too busy studying to become a nurse and putting food on the table, they didn't have time to "learn the system" and/or get friendly with the teachers at the middle school.  So, yes, I can see why the dad has a bit of a chip on his shoulder and I don't blame him. But it sounds like Robbie has done very well for himself and will hopefully get enough merit money or financial aid to go to a great college. TJ's loss. Herndon's gain and I'm sure that Robbie will be an honored alum one day.[/quote]

I never learned any "system" and had nothing to do with the kids getting recommendations from their teachers. My kids decided which teachers to ask and asked them, and I only met their teachers at back-to-school night. The year Robbie applied to TJ the student information sheet was completed at home and asked very broad questions - things like "what's your favorite subject in school and why" and "if you could study one thing what would it be" - topics that don't require money to write a decent answer to. They're looking for kids with a passion for math and science, not just kids who can get 800s on SATs.

My kids, particularly the oldest, had to be home after school most days to watch her younger sister, and she also made her share of dinners. In fact she just reminded me that in one of her essays she wrote about teaching her sister how to play Math Dice. Again, it's not lack of money that's the issue, although that makes a great headline.[/quote]

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