Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 18:04     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
I know of 2 fairly recent TJ grads (not URM or recruiter athlete) at Stanford (engineering) that did NOT take AP Physics (only the regular “honors” physics) - so perhaps not necessarily the most rigorous course schedule. Maybe there is hope for OP’s child.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:52     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
Anonymous wrote:So basically would’ve had better chance if went to base FCPS HS like sibling? DC will finish HS with higher math and STEM classes and probably more academically prepared, but the TJ factor (greater competition among very exceptional classmates) will make a rejection more likely?


Correct
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:51     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. DC likes both and can see themselves happy at both although very different. Wants to study CS or engineering and both are in top ten for undergraduate CS programs. Currently has As at TJ. Typical rigor, not exceptional rigor (MVC and LA will be highest math, 7 AP/post AP through junior year) ED not realistic because DC will require need based financial aid and from older sibling saw that FA was surprisingly different even among peer schools. Will encourage DC to research and spend more time thinking about target/safety schools. Don’t know if maybe TJ kids are generally more successful with Princeton or Stanford / which is considered “hardest” to get into


Princeton alum here- I’ve regularly interviewed a number of incredibly qualified TJ students with astounding stats for the last decade and none have been accepted. Unless your child either is truly top of his/her class, has incredible (press worthy) extracurriculars, is a URM, or is a well connected legacy don’t waste the early application.


This could have been written almost any alumni interviewer for a top 10 National University (other than the University of Chicago and Johns Hopkins).


Pp here and I don’t disagree. It happens that the op specifically asked about Princeton, which I have particular insight on, but given the stats it seems op’s child should generally be targeting a lower school bracket.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:51     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
So basically would’ve had better chance if went to base FCPS HS like sibling? DC will finish HS with higher math and STEM classes and probably more academically prepared, but the TJ factor (greater competition among very exceptional classmates) will make a rejection more likely?
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:50     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
You’re delusional.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:45     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
They ain’t getting in
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:41     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
Anonymous wrote:DC mentioned that the number of AP/Post AP classes they have so far is considered pretty rigorous although they know some others more advanced in math. Other sibling took more AP classes at a base FCPS but not as many AP classes are available at TJ and there are some restrictions not present at base FCPS schools like juniors can’t take AP English at TJ.


Unless he/she has a major hook that you haven’t shared there is no way your DC is going to get into Princeton/Stanford having not taken the most rigorous classes available at TJ, even if they have stellar grades and amazing test scores. (The competition is far greater than other Fairfax public schools so silly to compare to your older child.) Sorry to burst your bubble but please don’t encourage your child to waste their application on something completely unrealistic.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:33     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. DC likes both and can see themselves happy at both although very different. Wants to study CS or engineering and both are in top ten for undergraduate CS programs. Currently has As at TJ. Typical rigor, not exceptional rigor (MVC and LA will be highest math, 7 AP/post AP through junior year) ED not realistic because DC will require need based financial aid and from older sibling saw that FA was surprisingly different even among peer schools. Will encourage DC to research and spend more time thinking about target/safety schools. Don’t know if maybe TJ kids are generally more successful with Princeton or Stanford / which is considered “hardest” to get into


Princeton alum here- I’ve regularly interviewed a number of incredibly qualified TJ students with astounding stats for the last decade and none have been accepted. Unless your child either is truly top of his/her class, has incredible (press worthy) extracurriculars, is a URM, or is a well connected legacy don’t waste the early application.


This could have been written almost any alumni interviewer for a top 10 National University (other than the University of Chicago and Johns Hopkins).
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:27     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
Take advantage of sibling legacy. Not to discourage you but TJ admission results are not as promising as before.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:24     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
Anonymous wrote:OP here. DC likes both and can see themselves happy at both although very different. Wants to study CS or engineering and both are in top ten for undergraduate CS programs. Currently has As at TJ. Typical rigor, not exceptional rigor (MVC and LA will be highest math, 7 AP/post AP through junior year) ED not realistic because DC will require need based financial aid and from older sibling saw that FA was surprisingly different even among peer schools. Will encourage DC to research and spend more time thinking about target/safety schools. Don’t know if maybe TJ kids are generally more successful with Princeton or Stanford / which is considered “hardest” to get into


Princeton alum here- I’ve regularly interviewed a number of incredibly qualified TJ students with astounding stats for the last decade and none have been accepted. Unless your child either is truly top of his/her class, has incredible (press worthy) extracurriculars, is a URM, or is a well connected legacy don’t waste the early application.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:09     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
DC mentioned that the number of AP/Post AP classes they have so far is considered pretty rigorous although they know some others more advanced in math. Other sibling took more AP classes at a base FCPS but not as many AP classes are available at TJ and there are some restrictions not present at base FCPS schools like juniors can’t take AP English at TJ.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:04     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
OP here. DC likes both and can see themselves happy at both although very different. Wants to study CS or engineering and both are in top ten for undergraduate CS programs. Currently has As at TJ. Typical rigor, not exceptional rigor (MVC and LA will be highest math, 7 AP/post AP through junior year) ED not realistic because DC will require need based financial aid and from older sibling saw that FA was surprisingly different even among peer schools. Will encourage DC to research and spend more time thinking about target/safety schools. Don’t know if maybe TJ kids are generally more successful with Princeton or Stanford / which is considered “hardest” to get into
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:03     Subject: Re:Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:These are radically different schools. If child doesn’t have a clear cut preference they have no business applying early to either.


Depends upon why OP's child is attracted to both schools. If attracted by superior academics and brilliant, high-achieving, ambitious classmates, then the schools are quite similar.


If those attributes are their only criteria then there are at minimum dozens of other schools that will equally fit the bill. Maybe save Stanford/Princeton for those students with more discerning standards beyond just seeking a high ranking school …and are doing the research/selection process themselves rather than relying on mommy and daddy.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 17:02     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
A true candidate for admission at one of these schools would be unlikely to use dcum to get information.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2023 16:56     Subject: Early Action: Stanford or Princeton
Anonymous wrote:hard to decide whether response should be LOL or an eye roll


Neither. The sibling is at one of Harvard, Yale, and MIT so talk of the impossible is not as convincing as it might otherwise be.