<p>USAMO is different.</p>
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<p>A top student at any school can load up on AP’s. The difference is that at Troy, any typical student is expected to do the same.</p>
<p>^^ Well think of it this way. Science Olympiad’s events are very limited in scope. Studying for them becomes comparatively easier. Whereas for national science olympiads you need to know everything about the subject. And from experience. I’ve gotten a first place National Science Olympiad medal, but making USABO semis was way harder. And from having taken USAPhO tests and AIME, those are way more difficult, although actually making AIME really isn’t.</p>
<p>^A lot of average people here are doing that as well due to the pressure of seeing overachieving students. idk w/e.</p>
<p>Ok, to be fair, I’ve never even been to nationals. I’ll defer to your experience.</p>
<p>Hello, I am a rising Junior at Troy High School class of 2012. A lot of people cannot handle the school’s rigorous course. If you are a student who breezed through school all your life, never needing to study for any tests in honors classes and hardly spent time on homework and still got Straight A’s be4 high school, this is the school for you. I have done 5 AP classes and gotten 5’s on all of them already as of my sophomore year and 3 800’s and 1 780 on SATII’s. If you understand a lot about college admissions and know the whole deal of the tutoring industry around, then do come to Troy. If you actually studied and tried to get A’s in middle school in an honors course, then don’t come or you will struggle till at least 12 every night and struggle to get A-'s. If you are not taking Algebra II honors in your freshman year, then I recommend you not come. I also do NOT recommend ROTC.</p>
<p>As of a life, I go to the movies almost every week, dont miss out on any dances (btw troy high dances are bomb or so i’ve heard from people who come from all around) and hang with a lot of cool people. Yes, our science olympiad team is beast but they’re not all nerds as you would expect. I know some who are very awesome, popular, and outgoing. I don’t doubt you will make a lot of friends here but as far as grades are concerned, I hope this helps.</p>
<p>Hello All, </p>
<p>I am currently a student at Troy, but I’m graduating this year, yay! The workload is tough, as was said before but I’d really like to comment on the atmosphere for you who may be considering Troy. I’ve never been a part of a group of such hardworking people. The poster above seems to have taken the chance to brag about his intelligence and scores rather than tell it like it is. Troy IS for hardworking people, and that’s the only way you’ll survive here. There is a huge sense of support, because when you have five tests and a project due Friday, so does everyone else! Cliques are almost non-existent, and the typical high school bullying is rarely seen. Everyone seems to care about their grades and acts accordingly. I’ve been lucky to be a part of NJROTC as well as our student newspaper Oracle. BOTH of which I would recommend. Although the poster above didn’t seem to like ROTC, that’s probably because it requires a certain amount of self-discipline and dedication, which is something that some people can’t handle, apparently. I hold leadership positions in both programs, and I love them with all of my heart. All in all, Troy is hard, but I don’t regret it in the least. I feel safe and welcome here, which is something that I did not experience at my home school. I’ve made the best of friends and the opportunities to succeed are endless.</p>
<p>I graduated from Troy in 09. So it’s been a few years. It was definitely tough. I mean the workload isn’t light and it’s super competitive. But I would still go there. I mean yea I didn’t get a 4.5 GPA or whatever, but it’s the best school to network and meet people. And it also instills in you time management skills and the ability to work hard. I graduated there with a 3.8. But the lessons I took most from there was working hard and managing my time. I played varsity tennis while I was there and was part of FBLA, Key Club, Chinese Culture Club, I also volunteered on my free time. I did have a social life. I went out on weekends, watched movies, went to dances, etc. It’s not your typical high school, there aren’t really cliques. Nerds aren’t made fun of.</p>
<p>If I were you, I’d go. Regardless of what kind of student you were before. If you work hard, you’ll do well. And nearly everyone you meet has the ability to do something great, whether it’s starting a company or being a CEO. It happens.</p>
<p>Going to Troy doesn’t guarantee you a spot at a Harvard or a Yale or a Princeton. In fact, most of that depends on you. Depends on how hard you want to work. But I promise that if you work hard at Troy, you’ll end up at one of those colleges.</p>
<p>I’ve had friends graduate from nearby high school Sunny Hills. Some had success in college, but most didn’t. The difference being the work ethic. If you go to a school that’s not challenging you, you’ll carry that mentality to college. It’ll get you by the first year, but when things start to kick in, it’ll hurt. But Valencia is a solid school too. If you can be self-motivated and be a self-starter, then go there.</p>