Anonymous
01/12/2026 21:27
Subject: Older TJ kids: is there regret w/college app results
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No matter what the TJ admissions process happens to be, no matter how "rigorous", half of the students will be in the bottom half. Same is true for Stuy and always has been. It is just math.
And for all of these magnets, the top 20-30% always will have better college admissions than the bottom 50%.
And for virtually all if these magnets, many in the bottom 50% would have better college admissions from their base HS (even if they might get a better education at their magnet).
Life is about choices and tradeoffs. TJ is a big choice.
The bottom half of the graduating class pre-2024 has different results than the most recent graduating class.
Like?
don't get sucked in by this person. It's just someone who probably doesn't even have kids at TJ presently that's still pissed off about the TJ admission process changes made 5 years ago. Time to get over it but some remain obsessed with it.
NP: so there aren’t changes in college results from that year to the next - I think they said ‘24 compared to ‘25? I am confused if there were changes or if it is more someone is making stuff up.
The differences are pretty significant.
Class of 2024 was the last graduating class that was admitted under the old system that used GPA, a standardized test, teacher recommendations and essays
https://www.instagram.com/tj2024destinations
Class of 2025 destinations was the first class that used the new system which allocated spots to very middle school and selected kids based on their GPA and essays. Eliminating standardized tests, teacher recommendations and a application fee.
https://www.instagram.com/tj2025destinations
Eliminating the application fee was the only good thing about the reform.
Look at the class of 2024 instagram vs the class of 2025 instagram
The new process also gives large preferences to English Language Learners, Free/Reduced Meal recipients,
Why would there be such a big difference in one year and what are you saying is the cause of the difference year over year?
Look at the class of 2024 instagram vs the class of 2025 instagram
Why would there be such a big difference in one year and what are you saying is the cause of the difference year over year?
The new process also gives large preferences to English Language Learners, Special Ed, Free/Reduced Meal recipients.
This was all designed to achieve a particular racial mix at the school.
Ok …. And? Plz let’s not drag this thread down the same tired rehash of the admissions changes. Go find one of the umpteen million other AAP threads that already are about arguing that.
Point is if OP’s kid is well qualified to attend then your critique about the lower 50% doesn’t really have a bearing on whether TJ would be a good spot for them or not. In fact, with a slightly more mixed student body, now it should be easier for just “great” not “stellar” kids at TJ to shine and do well in admissions.
That's probably not true unless TJ is grading on a curve, which it is not.
A curve. 😂 Bahahaha, good one.
Anonymous
01/12/2026 21:12
Subject: Older TJ kids: is there regret w/college app results
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No matter what the TJ admissions process happens to be, no matter how "rigorous", half of the students will be in the bottom half. Same is true for Stuy and always has been. It is just math.
And for all of these magnets, the top 20-30% always will have better college admissions than the bottom 50%.
And for virtually all if these magnets, many in the bottom 50% would have better college admissions from their base HS (even if they might get a better education at their magnet).
Life is about choices and tradeoffs. TJ is a big choice.
The bottom half of the graduating class pre-2024 has different results than the most recent graduating class.
Like?
don't get sucked in by this person. It's just someone who probably doesn't even have kids at TJ presently that's still pissed off about the TJ admission process changes made 5 years ago. Time to get over it but some remain obsessed with it.
NP: so there aren’t changes in college results from that year to the next - I think they said ‘24 compared to ‘25? I am confused if there were changes or if it is more someone is making stuff up.
The differences are pretty significant.
Class of 2024 was the last graduating class that was admitted under the old system that used GPA, a standardized test, teacher recommendations and essays
https://www.instagram.com/tj2024destinations
Class of 2025 destinations was the first class that used the new system which allocated spots to very middle school and selected kids based on their GPA and essays. Eliminating standardized tests, teacher recommendations and a application fee.
https://www.instagram.com/tj2025destinations
Eliminating the application fee was the only good thing about the reform.
Look at the class of 2024 instagram vs the class of 2025 instagram
The new process also gives large preferences to English Language Learners, Free/Reduced Meal recipients,
Why would there be such a big difference in one year and what are you saying is the cause of the difference year over year?
Look at the class of 2024 instagram vs the class of 2025 instagram
Why would there be such a big difference in one year and what are you saying is the cause of the difference year over year?
The new process also gives large preferences to English Language Learners, Special Ed, Free/Reduced Meal recipients.
This was all designed to achieve a particular racial mix at the school.
Ok …. And? Plz let’s not drag this thread down the same tired rehash of the admissions changes. Go find one of the umpteen million other AAP threads that already are about arguing that.
Point is if OP’s kid is well qualified to attend then your critique about the lower 50% doesn’t really have a bearing on whether TJ would be a good spot for them or not. In fact, with a slightly more mixed student body, now it should be easier for just “great” not “stellar” kids at TJ to shine and do well in admissions.
That's probably not true unless TJ is grading on a curve, which it is not.
Anonymous
01/12/2026 20:44
Subject: Older TJ kids: is there regret w/college app results
ONLY for the class of 2025 the bonus points given for experience factors was way too high, after that the FARMS rate dropped from 20% to 10% or lower. If you look at the actual students enrolled at TJ I believe there were 2 language learners in the school out of the more than 2,000 kids.
Class of 2026 and later (especially since Mukai took over) will have better college results. Students are being sent back to their base schools even after 11th grade if they don’t have the minimum required GPA. The school fills the slots with very qualified 10th graders.
Class of 2026 and later (especially since Mukai took over) will have better college results. Students are being sent back to their base schools even after 11th grade if they don’t have the minimum required GPA. The school fills the slots with very qualified 10th graders.
Anonymous
01/12/2026 19:05
Subject: Older TJ kids: is there regret w/college app results
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No matter what the TJ admissions process happens to be, no matter how "rigorous", half of the students will be in the bottom half. Same is true for Stuy and always has been. It is just math.
And for all of these magnets, the top 20-30% always will have better college admissions than the bottom 50%.
And for virtually all if these magnets, many in the bottom 50% would have better college admissions from their base HS (even if they might get a better education at their magnet).
Life is about choices and tradeoffs. TJ is a big choice.
The bottom half of the graduating class pre-2024 has different results than the most recent graduating class.
Like?
don't get sucked in by this person. It's just someone who probably doesn't even have kids at TJ presently that's still pissed off about the TJ admission process changes made 5 years ago. Time to get over it but some remain obsessed with it.
NP: so there aren’t changes in college results from that year to the next - I think they said ‘24 compared to ‘25? I am confused if there were changes or if it is more someone is making stuff up.
The differences are pretty significant.
Class of 2024 was the last graduating class that was admitted under the old system that used GPA, a standardized test, teacher recommendations and essays
https://www.instagram.com/tj2024destinations
Class of 2025 destinations was the first class that used the new system which allocated spots to very middle school and selected kids based on their GPA and essays. Eliminating standardized tests, teacher recommendations and a application fee.
https://www.instagram.com/tj2025destinations
Eliminating the application fee was the only good thing about the reform.
Look at the class of 2024 instagram vs the class of 2025 instagram
The new process also gives large preferences to English Language Learners, Free/Reduced Meal recipients,
Why would there be such a big difference in one year and what are you saying is the cause of the difference year over year?
Look at the class of 2024 instagram vs the class of 2025 instagram
Why would there be such a big difference in one year and what are you saying is the cause of the difference year over year?
The new process also gives large preferences to English Language Learners, Special Ed, Free/Reduced Meal recipients.
This was all designed to achieve a particular racial mix at the school.
Ok …. And? Plz let’s not drag this thread down the same tired rehash of the admissions changes. Go find one of the umpteen million other AAP threads that already are about arguing that.
Point is if OP’s kid is well qualified to attend then your critique about the lower 50% doesn’t really have a bearing on whether TJ would be a good spot for them or not. In fact, with a slightly more mixed student body, now it should be easier for just “great” not “stellar” kids at TJ to shine and do well in admissions.
NP this is all part of this thread. Regretting tj as it relates to college. A legit answer is the top has less top college acceptances since the admissions criteria changed. It is jist as legit as:
- The bottom half will not do great in college admissions
- The last comment makes TJ a bad choice for my kid OR we didn’t pick TJ for college options so this doesn’t matter to us.
Anonymous
01/12/2026 18:21
Subject: Older TJ kids: is there regret w/college app results
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No matter what the TJ admissions process happens to be, no matter how "rigorous", half of the students will be in the bottom half. Same is true for Stuy and always has been. It is just math.
And for all of these magnets, the top 20-30% always will have better college admissions than the bottom 50%.
And for virtually all if these magnets, many in the bottom 50% would have better college admissions from their base HS (even if they might get a better education at their magnet).
Life is about choices and tradeoffs. TJ is a big choice.
The bottom half of the graduating class pre-2024 has different results than the most recent graduating class.
Like?
don't get sucked in by this person. It's just someone who probably doesn't even have kids at TJ presently that's still pissed off about the TJ admission process changes made 5 years ago. Time to get over it but some remain obsessed with it.
NP: so there aren’t changes in college results from that year to the next - I think they said ‘24 compared to ‘25? I am confused if there were changes or if it is more someone is making stuff up.
The differences are pretty significant.
Class of 2024 was the last graduating class that was admitted under the old system that used GPA, a standardized test, teacher recommendations and essays
https://www.instagram.com/tj2024destinations
Class of 2025 destinations was the first class that used the new system which allocated spots to very middle school and selected kids based on their GPA and essays. Eliminating standardized tests, teacher recommendations and a application fee.
https://www.instagram.com/tj2025destinations
Eliminating the application fee was the only good thing about the reform.
Look at the class of 2024 instagram vs the class of 2025 instagram
The new process also gives large preferences to English Language Learners, Free/Reduced Meal recipients,
Why would there be such a big difference in one year and what are you saying is the cause of the difference year over year?
Look at the class of 2024 instagram vs the class of 2025 instagram
Why would there be such a big difference in one year and what are you saying is the cause of the difference year over year?
The new process also gives large preferences to English Language Learners, Special Ed, Free/Reduced Meal recipients.
This was all designed to achieve a particular racial mix at the school.
Ok …. And? Plz let’s not drag this thread down the same tired rehash of the admissions changes. Go find one of the umpteen million other AAP threads that already are about arguing that.
Point is if OP’s kid is well qualified to attend then your critique about the lower 50% doesn’t really have a bearing on whether TJ would be a good spot for them or not. In fact, with a slightly more mixed student body, now it should be easier for just “great” not “stellar” kids at TJ to shine and do well in admissions.