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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Thanks OP!  My DS is on the waitlist and going back and forth on if he would want to accept if admitted later on this summer.  He is worried that he will be towards the bottom of the class vs at the top at the base school.  I am letting him make the decision.  Do you have any experiences to share wrt students that are admitted from the waitlist?

Also any tips for helping him make friends if he does go?  He is very introverted and shy, but a very kind, sweet kid.  Middle school was pretty rough socially for him at times.      [/quote]

OP here:

Students that are admitted from the waitlist are no different than other students at TJ. I know of two in my class--and they were able to participate in the same summer activities (marching band) even though they received their acceptance later than everyone else. If he wants to do a sport or marching band that begins practice in August (we'll see about this year...but for now everything's still going to start in August) then there might have to be a little emailing around since he's a late admit but it should still be able to be done. You definitely can't tell if someone's from the waitlist unless they tell you or anything. His concern about being near the bottom of the class vs. top of base school is a common concern--but I would advise him to think about what he truly wants in a high school experience. If his main goal is to make it to an Ivy or T-15 college, then yes--it would technically be easier to do well and stand out more at base school. Some people leave TJ early on because they realize that they have a better chance at a better college from base school. The college matriculation from TJ is also still really good, though. TJ's STEM opportunities (mentorship, research labs, 8th period clubs) are still unparalleled and the course offerings aren't like other high schools in the area. It's about the experience you might get at TJ vs. base school. Also, there's no harm in trying--I have a friend who went to TJ freshman year to try it out, hated it, then transferred to base school after the first quarter. I also have a different friend who went to TJ because his parents made him try it out since he was accepted, and then ended up loving it. So, it depends.

Your son personality-wise seems to fit the profile of a lot of kids at TJ as someone really genuine who could make great friends. People at TJ aren't really mean, or there's not a large collection of people who really try to put others down. If he goes to TJ, I'd try to tell him to really try to introduce himself and talk with some kids in his IBET, and stay in IBET commons for lunch and try to meet people in the early days. At the beginning of the year everyone's nervous about making friends, and genuinely kind and sweet kids, even if they're generally quiet and shy, are great friends to have. There's also a lot of IBET bonding activities that the teachers/counselors do in the beginning and throughout the year. Your IBET rotation is only about 25 kids and eventually you get to know each other pretty well, since you all share 3 classes. It adds to the sense of belonging and community for new freshman students at TJ. I can also be one of his upperclassman contacts if he would like one or has any questions for me--he can text me at my number, 571-466-7181. (Is that okay to post on this forum? Hopefully...) [/quote]

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