I sense your pain, but I cant offer much but feel sorry for you. You need to get used to the prepped students there, most of them Asians. Overtime you'll get used to the sight, until then you could contain the abhorrence within yourself and endure it. Sorry. A friend's dad went through similar process, but now he focuses on the NBA game instead of griping about the majority players from the dominant race.

Do people who get into HYP prep for the SATs?

"I do worry that we have done him a disservice a by not pushing for a more STEM focused resume and signing up for TJ prep. I tell him to be himself, and if he is not accepted it's because TJ is not a good fit. But it's hard to be a parent in this area and not try to game the system."

This is exactly how I feel.

Anonymous wrote:Geez, why is it so hard? Let the kid do the things he or she wants to do because that is the focus not getting into a particular high school!

This is why I feel so alone in this area.

You are not alone. The Quest for the Holy TJ is maddening but not all parents are contributing to the madness.

Geez, why is it so hard? Let the kid do the things he or she wants to do because that is the focus not getting into a particular high school!

This is why I feel so alone in this area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ mom here -- everybody prepped in 6th & 7th grade.

Another TJ mom here. My child did not prep and we know many other kids who did not prep. We knew some kids who prepped in sixth and seventh grade when my child was in middle school, but I would not say that everyone at TJ prepped.

My kid didn't prep. He did do lots of STEM clubs by choice not through parental pressure.

I hope you're right. I have a DS who is a semi finalist this year & wants it. He sat through the practice test on the website & did well in math (49/50), but meh in English (40/50). He is a top ranked member of an academic team, but not one with a pure STEM focus (like MathCounts) and has been active with his instrument (school jazz band, solo & ensemble, district band etc). He has done a lot of STEM summer & school year enrichment, but because he wants to. So not a traditional TJ resume. Great grades (all As and one A- in one of the top TJ feeders). The one teacher who has already written a recommendation for him said it was very strong and he stands out. I do worry that we have done him a disservice a by not pushing for a more STEM focused resume and signing up for TJ prep. I tell him to be himself, and if he is not accepted it's because TJ is not a good fit. But it's hard to be a parent in this area and not try to game the system.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ mom here -- everybody prepped in 6th & 7th grade.

Another TJ mom here. My child did not prep and we know many other kids who did not prep. We knew some kids who prepped in sixth and seventh grade when my child was in middle school, but I would not say that everyone at TJ prepped.

My kid didn't prep. He did do lots of STEM clubs by choice not through parental pressure.

My DD's BFF is wanting to spend all her free time at our house. Why? Well, at home she is having to practice her SIS all day (8th grader).

This child does not really want to go into STEM. I am in STEM (science) and have talked to her about it. She gets punished if she gets a B....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would put my kid through all the preps needed to get into these kinds of programs - even if he did not make it, or choose not to go for it.

Why? Because I think that any kind of educational prep and practice is never wasted. It will be helpful in some form or another. I also do not think there is anything wrong in prepping for academics or exercising to become fit and healthy. Same thing.

Exactly the opposite. Every hour 6th graders in our neighborhood spend at Sunday afternoon TJ prep is an hour they are not spending jumping on the trampoline or playing capture the flag with the other neighborhood kids.

+1 from a math teacher. Every year I hear sad stories from at least a couple students. They tell me how their parents want them them to go to TJ but they want to stay and go to our high school. Stop with the prep classes. They will be accepted if they are meant to go to TJ.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would put my kid through all the preps needed to get into these kinds of programs - even if he did not make it, or choose not to go for it.

Why? Because I think that any kind of educational prep and practice is never wasted. It will be helpful in some form or another. I also do not think there is anything wrong in prepping for academics or exercising to become fit and healthy. Same thing.

Exactly the opposite. Every hour 6th graders in our neighborhood spend at Sunday afternoon TJ prep is an hour they are not spending jumping on the trampoline or playing capture the flag with the other neighborhood kids.

Yep. The operative word here is "playing." Kids this age need to play more than they need to prep. Plenty of that comes down the road with high school. Take it from someone with older kids who's seen her share of early burnouts and college meltdowns. Too much drilling at young ages is not healthy over the long-term.

Anonymous wrote:I would put my kid through all the preps needed to get into these kinds of programs - even if he did not make it, or choose not to go for it.

Why? Because I think that any kind of educational prep and practice is never wasted. It will be helpful in some form or another. I also do not think there is anything wrong in prepping for academics or exercising to become fit and healthy. Same thing.

Exactly the opposite. Every hour 6th graders in our neighborhood spend at Sunday afternoon TJ prep is an hour they are not spending jumping on the trampoline or playing capture the flag with the other neighborhood kids.

I would put my kid through all the preps needed to get into these kinds of programs - even if he did not make it, or choose not to go for it.

Why? Because I think that any kind of educational prep and practice is never wasted. It will be helpful in some form or another. I also do not think there is anything wrong in prepping for academics or exercising to become fit and healthy. Same thing.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I am not nasty like you!

NP here. I didn't read PP as being nasty. Just pointing out what a lot of us think --- there is too much craziness and anxiety about getting kids into certain schools and programs. It starts too early, is often useless or counterproductive and is destroying childhood.

Op here. I am not nasty like you!

Anonymous wrote:My DD told me that few of her classmates won't be able to have playdates with her since they have started attending TJ prep classes every weekend. And it lasts for a year. I never thought of putting my DD to any tutoring centers or TJ prep, but to be honest, I felt a bit pressure after my DD conversation. Do you?

Sounds like a prep center trying to get kids in as early as 6th grade.

If you are not, please don't start the craziness again. So far it was AAP, now working people up for TJ .