Agree with several PPs. Let your son find the activity he enjoys and pursue it. Most kids I know who were technologically/math/science oriented, had found those kinds of activities on their own well before middle school (my kid, for example, was doing math counts and robotics from 4th grade). That's not to say you can't have interests develop and come through later. But the danger of having them pop up in 8th grade is it can look like you're just trying to pad the application.

Why does your son want to go to TJ? What are his interests that a math/science magnet would make sense?

Anonymous wrote:Any ideas on what he could start now?

Don't start something new now, less than a year before TJ apps, unless your DC has a real passion and talent for it. Especially since most extracurriculars And academic teams are well underway for the year, and they can't try out/ join until next fall. Besides, TJ Admissions folks screen hundreds of applications, and I imagine kids who "discover" a love of STEM extracurriculars in late 7th-8th grare stand out as having no genuine interest in STEM, but being forced into activities by parents like you. Which is the type of kid TJ says they don't want. The one caveat would be summer programs. There are some nice multi week sleep away STEM programs that are enrolling now that might give them some material to work with. We've done CTY, UVA SEP and VA SPace Flight Academy-- all higH caliber and big hits.

I would say I practice what I preach. DC plays an instrument, is in the highest band level in his school, plays in jazz band, does solo & Ensenle, takes private lessons, and is trying to make district band for a sending MS year. He also loves debate, and s has Several Top 5 individual,and team awards under his bLet. These are not pure STEM. But he loves the activities, and so, many weeks puts in 30 hours a week nn the 2 after school/ weekend.. I think his passion and love of what he does will translate to,the essay, and he is better with these activities than if I forced him to a STEM activity he hates. I also,think his,suu,ervSTEM activities (CTY, SEP, etc) Will go far i demonstration his STEM interest we'll see.

Anonymous wrote:No, but your child will be better off, even for TJ, doing activities that they love and excel at. Being the 7th reserve for the MathCounts team at a midrange MS or sitting through a STEM class that doesn't produce a usable app, etc. is a lot less impressive than district & state band, a youth orchestra and jazz band for your musician, etc. They want to see dedication & commitment to one or more extracurricular with a real track record and some genuine accomplishments. STEM is better, of course, but if your child is spending the 20 hours a week on something else that they love and excel at, it's better than being mediocre at 2 hours a week of a STEM activity.

Exactly right. My TJ kid did no STEM activities outside of school and, in fact, most of his outside of school hours were spent doing a, gasp, sport. He had great grades and test scores and his teachers who saw him every day wrote recs that talked about the kind of student he was. His teachers saw his talent and his enjoyment of math and thought TJ would be a good fit for him.

There is no need for a bunch of STEM activities if the child is highly involved in one or two activities that he really loves.

What does your child like to do after school? What does he do now with his after school time? I would suggest continuing and deepening his participation in whatever he is currently doing, as long as he loves it.

Any ideas on what he could start now?

No, but your child will be better off, even for TJ, doing activities that they love and excel at. Being the 7th reserve for the MathCounts team at a midrange MS or sitting through a STEM class that doesn't produce a usable app, etc. is a lot less impressive than district & state band, a youth orchestra and jazz band for your musician, etc. They want to see dedication & commitment to one or more extracurricular with a real track record and some genuine accomplishments. STEM is better, of course, but if your child is spending the 20 hours a week on something else that they love and excel at, it's better than being mediocre at 2 hours a week of a STEM activity.

No, it is not too late.

My DC is in 7th grade , is it too late to start any STEM activities now as he wants to apply for TJ in 8th grade?