Reply to How important is TJ for college?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If these same kids stayed at their base schools, they’d be going to the same colleges. [/quote]

Maybe.  Maybe not. They are getting much harder math, plus senior lab pre-recs.  And doing a senior research lab. My kid is taking prototyping 1 & 2 and specialized CAD and doing engineering design. A lot of his friends do 4semesters of Post-AP CS and then do Computer Systems research or Mobile and Web App Development research.  Most kids also do a mentorship the summer between 11 and 12. These help kids with admission to top STEM programs, and especially with getting scholarships. [/quote]

Scholarships sound good. So the idea of TJ then is to get into better colleges and get scholarships? Are UVA and W&M considered top STEM programs? No, not at all. As you have stated they are mere “backups” for TJ kids. So why are so many TJ grads going to schools that aren’t top STEM programs? [/quote]

Cost. Most TJ kids hit the financial aid donut hole.

I have a junior who is not interested in engineering.  WM is DSs safety school— 85% admit rate from TJ.  Everyone with a weighted 4.0/ 1450-1500 SATs on Naviance gets in.  He should easily get in. We can pay for it without loans.  (DS is not interested in UVA).   He should get into most colleges on his list (but it is still evolving).  The wildcard isn’t admissions— it’s merit aid. He needs enough to bring the cost down to WM tuition plus R&B. We are not allowing undergrad loans. He’s not even applying to Ivys, because no merit aid and we can’t makes the finances work.  For him, the issue won’t be where he is admitted, but rather where the money works out.  So he may be at WM even though he gets into higher ranked schools. FWIW, I think WM would be a great fit and he would be happy there. I’m thankful he has such a good fit for his needs as a safety. I would not be disappointed if that’s where he ends up. I don’t think he would either.

Our situation is very common among the TJ families I know. College is expensive. [/quote]

Why wouldn't TJ grads be able to get merit aid easier from Ivys?[/quote]

Because Ivy’s don’t give merit aid. [/quote]

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