Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It absolutely makes sense if you have an extremely strong STEM student (Honors Algebra II/Pre-calculus level) who is not as strong of a writer. The admissions committee doesn’t look at math levels or have any way of seeing a student’s STEM ability, the only way to get in is to be able to write strong essays.

My child is in 5th rising 6th, so a while until TJ, but I clicked on this thread because I had heard they eliminated the test for TJ and was curious what studying would look like.

If I understand things correctly, I find it to be a bit disconcerting. My child is very strong and interested in STEM. She is in AAP classes and scored advanced in both math and science SOLs. Writing is not and has never been her strong suit. As a STEM magnet school, why aren't they actually looking at how prepared a child is for STEM coursework vs. an essay and lottery system. I must be misunderstanding something, because that is completely asinine.

STEM is accounted for, the kids have to take Honors Science and Math in 7th and 8th grade. They can take Honors English or History but they only need one of those subjects to be honors. They have to have completed Honors Algebra 1 to attend TJ, the vast majority will have completed Geometry. The kids can write about the STEM activities in the essays, I suspect that most do just that. But STEM kids need to understand how to communicate effectively, to include how to write.

You know who makes big money? STEM people who can write and present STEM ideas to non-STEM folks. Those people make a lot of money because they are rare. Writing and public speaking skills are important and will help a STEM kid in life. They are looking for well rounded kids.

My kid is not a great writer; I am using his desire to apply to TJ as the reason to work with a writing tutor this summer. Work with your daughter on her writing. Remind her that knowledge in science and math is great but you have to be able to communicate what you know with people who don't understand what you are talking about. That is why writing is important.

Anonymous wrote:Completely unscientific, but we are at center school where a large group used the same test prep class. The ones that used the Prep did not get in. The ones that did not, got in. I suspect, everyone wrote the same answer. No original thought process to show you belong at TJ.

Anonymous wrote:Please excuse the stupidity of my question but I’m not in social circles with many parents of kids interested in pursuing TJ. We don’t have any plans for DC to take courses to prepare, but are there workbooks or sample questions I should get for DC to practice?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It absolutely makes sense if you have an extremely strong STEM student (Honors Algebra II/Pre-calculus level) who is not as strong of a writer. The admissions committee doesn’t look at math levels or have any way of seeing a student’s STEM ability, the only way to get in is to be able to write strong essays.

My child is in 5th rising 6th, so a while until TJ, but I clicked on this thread because I had heard they eliminated the test for TJ and was curious what studying would look like.

If I understand things correctly, I find it to be a bit disconcerting. My child is very strong and interested in STEM. She is in AAP classes and scored advanced in both math and science SOLs. Writing is not and has never been her strong suit. As a STEM magnet school, why aren't they actually looking at how prepared a child is for STEM coursework vs. an essay and lottery system. I must be misunderstanding something, because that is completely asinine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It absolutely makes sense if you have an extremely strong STEM student (Honors Algebra II/Pre-calculus level) who is not as strong of a writer. The admissions committee doesn’t look at math levels or have any way of seeing a student’s STEM ability, the only way to get in is to be able to write strong essays.

My child is in 5th rising 6th, so a while until TJ, but I clicked on this thread because I had heard they eliminated the test for TJ and was curious what studying would look like.

If I understand things correctly, I find it to be a bit disconcerting. My child is very strong and interested in STEM. She is in AAP classes and scored advanced in both math and science SOLs. Writing is not and has never been her strong suit. As a STEM magnet school, why aren't they actually looking at how prepared a child is for STEM coursework vs. an essay and lottery system. I must be misunderstanding something, because that is completely asinine.

Anonymous wrote:
It absolutely makes sense if you have an extremely strong STEM student (Honors Algebra II/Pre-calculus level) who is not as strong of a writer. The admissions committee doesn’t look at math levels or have any way of seeing a student’s STEM ability, the only way to get in is to be able to write strong essays.

Anonymous wrote:In retrospect my kid would have made it in had the kid done a prep class. He was waitlisted but we are very confident he would have made it. Nonetheless, not losing sleep over it. [In other words, if you and your kid are really passionate about TJ, then its not a harm to do the prep]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. While I appreciate the advice from early elementary on, my kid is a rising 8th grader who has always done very well academically, hence the interest in TJ.

I’m specifically looking for info on whether or not the TJ admissions test is something the majority of students prep for. We’re at a highly competitive MS, so I know many do, but I wasn’t sure if this is a test that students can go in cold and still do well, or if it is recommended/expected that students prep.

From some of these responses, It sounds like DC should spend time thinking about the essays, and google sample questions so they can work on timing. DC has always done fine on timed tests so I’m not overly concerned on that front. Thanks for the input.

Yes, students can definitely prep for the essays. You can go the prep program route or just prepare on your own. All of the students that I know who were accepted to TJ prepared for the essays ahead of time. It is good to have at least a general idea of something to write about that relates to the portrait of a graduate skills.

Makes no sense to prep for essay alone when the preparation should be stem subjects all through middle school to survive at TJ.

It absolutely makes sense if you have an extremely strong STEM student (Honors Algebra II/Pre-calculus level) who is not as strong of a writer. The admissions committee doesn’t look at math levels or have any way of seeing a student’s STEM ability, the only way to get in is to be able to write strong essays.

STEM school has no evaluation in STEM readiness?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. While I appreciate the advice from early elementary on, my kid is a rising 8th grader who has always done very well academically, hence the interest in TJ.

I’m specifically looking for info on whether or not the TJ admissions test is something the majority of students prep for. We’re at a highly competitive MS, so I know many do, but I wasn’t sure if this is a test that students can go in cold and still do well, or if it is recommended/expected that students prep.

From some of these responses, It sounds like DC should spend time thinking about the essays, and google sample questions so they can work on timing. DC has always done fine on timed tests so I’m not overly concerned on that front. Thanks for the input.

Yes, students can definitely prep for the essays. You can go the prep program route or just prepare on your own. All of the students that I know who were accepted to TJ prepared for the essays ahead of time. It is good to have at least a general idea of something to write about that relates to the portrait of a graduate skills.

Makes no sense to prep for essay alone when the preparation should be stem subjects all through middle school to survive at TJ.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. While I appreciate the advice from early elementary on, my kid is a rising 8th grader who has always done very well academically, hence the interest in TJ.

I’m specifically looking for info on whether or not the TJ admissions test is something the majority of students prep for. We’re at a highly competitive MS, so I know many do, but I wasn’t sure if this is a test that students can go in cold and still do well, or if it is recommended/expected that students prep.

From some of these responses, It sounds like DC should spend time thinking about the essays, and google sample questions so they can work on timing. DC has always done fine on timed tests so I’m not overly concerned on that front. Thanks for the input.

Yes, students can definitely prep for the essays. You can go the prep program route or just prepare on your own. All of the students that I know who were accepted to TJ prepared for the essays ahead of time. It is good to have at least a general idea of something to write about that relates to the portrait of a graduate skills.

Makes no sense to prep for essay alone when the preparation should be stem subjects all through middle school to survive at TJ.

It absolutely makes sense if you have an extremely strong STEM student (Honors Algebra II/Pre-calculus level) who is not as strong of a writer. The admissions committee doesn’t look at math levels or have any way of seeing a student’s STEM ability, the only way to get in is to be able to write strong essays.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. While I appreciate the advice from early elementary on, my kid is a rising 8th grader who has always done very well academically, hence the interest in TJ.

I’m specifically looking for info on whether or not the TJ admissions test is something the majority of students prep for. We’re at a highly competitive MS, so I know many do, but I wasn’t sure if this is a test that students can go in cold and still do well, or if it is recommended/expected that students prep.

From some of these responses, It sounds like DC should spend time thinking about the essays, and google sample questions so they can work on timing. DC has always done fine on timed tests so I’m not overly concerned on that front. Thanks for the input.

Yes, students can definitely prep for the essays. You can go the prep program route or just prepare on your own. All of the students that I know who were accepted to TJ prepared for the essays ahead of time. It is good to have at least a general idea of something to write about that relates to the portrait of a graduate skills.

Makes no sense to prep for essay alone when the preparation should be stem subjects all through middle school to survive at TJ.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. While I appreciate the advice from early elementary on, my kid is a rising 8th grader who has always done very well academically, hence the interest in TJ.

I’m specifically looking for info on whether or not the TJ admissions test is something the majority of students prep for. We’re at a highly competitive MS, so I know many do, but I wasn’t sure if this is a test that students can go in cold and still do well, or if it is recommended/expected that students prep.

From some of these responses, It sounds like DC should spend time thinking about the essays, and google sample questions so they can work on timing. DC has always done fine on timed tests so I’m not overly concerned on that front. Thanks for the input.

Yes, students can definitely prep for the essays. You can go the prep program route or just prepare on your own. All of the students that I know who were accepted to TJ prepared for the essays ahead of time. It is good to have at least a general idea of something to write about that relates to the portrait of a graduate skills.