<p>Hi my family's moving to VA soon and I'm applying to Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Tech this June.</p>
<p>PSAT 2006: 159
PSAT 2007: 193
SAT March 2008: 2020 (V+M: 1380)
SAT May 2008: (Going to get back my scores on Thurs. Hoping for above 2100 maybe even 2200!)</p>
<p>I'll send all my scores so they can see I'm dedicated and willing to work my butt off (I hope improvement counts should I send all my scores or not?)</p>
<p>Extra-curriculars:
1. FBLA - Won 3rd place Regionals.
2. Forensics - Made it to states. Won 2nd place Regionals.
3. Poetry contest - Getting published in the NJ society of poets this summer.
4. National Spelling Bee in 8th grade.
5. Officially Certified by Microsoft as a Word Specialist.</p>
<p>Now the really crushing question: They only accept 1 to 2 juniors every year. What is the average SAT score for admission? Do you think I have any chance?</p>
<p>(I wish someone who's going to TJ would answer this...
thanks!)</p>
<p>Note: I'm currently a SOPHOMORE. Applying for a JUNIOR.
Just thought I'd make that clear.
(I plan to take at least 4/5 APs next year, so I'm ready to cope with TJ's intense academic program.)</p>
<p>Dude, that school is REALLY hard to get into.
I don't know what their average SAT score for admissions is... but I do know their average SAT score is the highest nationwide and they send the most number of students to Ivies... like their average Junior score (not for admissions, I think) is 2150 or something (MANY score a perfect 2400)... so I don't know if you have a chance at all.</p>
<p>Sorry if I'm not much help; I'm sure other people over here know about this too.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Thnx guys. I just posted this in the SAT section because I want to know the average SAT requirement for admission as a junior. So if anyone know about that please reply! </p>
<p>Feed you've scared me. I hope their average junior score is indeed different from their average junior admission score. Because then I don't think I'm getting in. :((((</p>
<p>Feed is right - TJ is very hard to get into as a freshman (D and several of her friends applied, I was amazed none succeeded). One my D's classmates is trying again as a transfer (rising sophomore), and it's almost impossible for a junior. </p>
<p>Which high school will you attend if you didn't go to TJ? You have a very good Plan B - Fairfax County does very well getting their students into well-respected schools. As a small example, S is a senior at one of the "regular" Fairfax high schools. He's graduating with 8-10 AP classes (forget how many), and a quick off the top of my head review of his best friends (attending various county high schools, NONE from Langley or McLean) include: 4 will be at UVA (1 from TJ), 3 at Virginia Tech (2 Early Decision), 2 at JMU, 1 to Georgia Tech (ED), UNC, Purdue (ED, from one of the lower-ranking HS), Yale (from a middle of the pack high school), and Princeton (TJ). </p>
<p>Also, to do well coming out of TJ, you need to do well at TJ - the workload is intense, the students are very driven, and colleges will interpret a B average from TJ (which might be an A at other county schools) as a B average. </p>
<p>Best of luck with your application, and I do hope you make it, but plan on attending and making the most of the opportunities at your "base" high school.</p>
<p>Yes, I supposed you're right, but I really want to do that mentorship program thay have at TJHSST. </p>
<p>Thanks for the kind words although some of them weren't so kind. "it's almost impossible for a junior" :'(</p>
<p>I'm currently attending Oakton High School which in my opinion isn't that great of a school. I wish I had attended McLean or Langley at least. They're in the top 100 schools. </p>
<p>So does anyone know anything about the SAT scores for TJ?
FOR SURE? (Feed wasn't sure?)</p>
<p>hah i go to oakton high school actually, and while it's not in the top 100, it's still definitely one of the more highly regarded schools in fairfax county. the truth is, if you're motivated, you can really stand out here which would be near impossible at TJ. the top kids here do decently with college admissions (assuming that's what you're worried about); around 30 or 40 get into uva and/or william & mary, a few get into cornell, georgetown, chicago, duke, other highly ranked schools. as for other factors, PM me if there's anything you'd like to know.</p>
<p>I'm a student at TJHSST. As of last year, the averages for all of the students at TJ are as follows (from the Fairfax County Public Schools Report)</p>
<p>CR - 713
M - 743
W - 699</p>
<p>CR + M = 1456
Composite = 2155</p>
<p>I don't know if they really have an "average" accepted for juniors since there are so few applying, but this is probably a rough guide to know where you stand in comparison to the average student there. Since the new format of the SAT, the CR has dropped 20 points or so from before.</p>
<p>TJ's a great place, and I hope you can get in, but keep in mind that you can get mentorship through other opportunities. Quite honestly, the mentorship program isn't incredibly helpful at the school; usually, students find their own and the Mentorship Office just approves it/arranges it for scheduling and for graduation requirements. However, the Technology Research Lab program is great, especially with the new Neurobiology Lab (although it's small).</p>
<p>As a freshman, its not THAT hard to get into...but if your a rising junior, it will be very hard. If you know that you will be stressed the entire time at TJ, might as well stay at Oakton. Pretty much any FCPS schools are very reputable in my opinion. If you think you have a good chance, try and apply. Staying @ Oakton is a good option tho, especially b/c as a junior, you might have a hard time adapting to all the intense courseload.</p>
<p>Turn on me, lol, I see your a loyal cougar. I thought you said 'retarded' when you said 'regarded'. Anyway, I'm not saying it's a bad school, I just don't think it's one of the best schools at FCPS. </p>
<p>Guitarckr, thnx for the figures man! Really helped keep my hopes up. :)
I heard TJ is intense and I'm sure it is, but I wanna be a part of that. See, one of the reasons I mentioned before is that I'm moving to VA (didn't clarify that I'm moving to Annandale - which is like halfway between Oakton and TJ, so why not TJ?). It's complicated why I'm moving so don't ask.
Are you a sophomore?</p>
<p>powerbomb, yea they only take like 1 or 2 juniors (and the most qualified ones), but that also means very less people apply because nobody wants to like switch high schools at this point unless they're like as messed up as I am. I'll also be stressed if I just stayed at Oakton, but , let's see how this goes. Keeping my fingers crossed.</p>
<p>This forum is very helpful btw! Im so glad I stumbled on it.
Thanks guys. :)</p>
<p>Wish me luck!
I'm sending my application next week.
Just one last question: Do you think I should send ALL my PSAT/SAT scores? Or just the best one? </p>
<p>They don't just base your admission on these though, there are other factors like science/math/tech experience/interest and recommendations and extra cirriculars.</p>
<p>^ Yea, well, good luck man.
I think you might have a chance after GuitarRck posted those SAT scores.</p>
<p>Oakton isn't that bad of a school at all!
I know a lot of people from there. Yea, I know the courseload isn't hard or anything but they do offer APs and stuff. Shrug, I mean it's a normal FCPS school. I don't see what's the big deal (except that since you're moving... you might as well give it a shot).</p>
<p>Btw, your ECs aren't THAT... great.
Like you don't have anything in Science/Math ... Tech yea (I guess). But TJ is more interested in Science and Math skills. Why didn't you participate in a science fair or something?
I heard those really help.
Just putting in my two cents.</p>
<p>Either way, good luck!</p>
<p>P.S. I think you should send all your scores. It can't hurt you... it might make an impression showing that you're determined or something.</p>
<p>Hey, I'm a froshmore (freshman accepted as a sophomore) at tjhsst. I got in with all As previously and a 200 PSAT (my sophomore PSAT is 205, which is around median, I think), but I know there were other froshmores with higher and lower PSAT scores. Straight As to get in is pretty much absolute, though.
With your scores, I'd say getting in is iffy, but you definitely have a shot as long as your grades are good.</p>
<p>By the way, I know that nobody at all was accepted as a junior this year.
Best of luck, and if you want to ask about TJ, send me a message any time, especially since the experience is so much different for people not accepted freshman year.</p>
<p>NarutoHunter, I'll go out on a limb and bet that they will take you, assuming that your grades are good (i.e., A's). No special insider knowledge, though. You took the PSAT again this year, but don't have the score yet?</p>
<p>Hey…
I was reading this thread because I saw that you were a froshmore at TJ. Can you describe what it’s like. I’m thinking of applying and have a lot of friends there but I want the positives and the negatives before I make a concrete decision. I just want to know things like what are the people like in general, the teachers, curriculum, school functions, and all that stuff that makes school…school. Thanks!</p>
<p>teachers: most are really amazing and helpful, some will make you work hard, the teachers are probably the best thing about the school… although i feel that since ive been going here, its gotten worse - many teachers have been replaced, and even the principal seems worse than the old one, he seems like a politician-wants to be liked by all, but doesnt ataully do anything… however i never had the old principal… so… just saying…
curriculum: from my experience, it really hasnt been that hard, but apparently it is veryVERY different from normal schools (my friend just switched from TJ to another NOVA highschool). there is usually lots of busywork, but there are definitely slacker classes and hard classes,
school functions: i guess the whole student body is usually really involved in stuff there are dances and other stuff… yeah i dont really get the question… theres also JDay! -like a field day where we eat and play games after having a half day of school-- this raises money for clubs…</p>
<p>also, you didnt ask but::
students: id say each year the school has increasingly gone downhill in general.
one of the main reasons is the students
basically, there is a HUGE group of really dumb and annoying “cool” people who aren’t actaully smart-- for example, so you dont think im calling an average person dumb, this is what i mean:
people from this group have: bragged to me about getting into TJ (im in TJ too, i dont think i should brag to others, ESPECIALLY when they go to TJ too…)
ive had people brag to me about taking a certain class – when i happen to be in their class…
basically theres a lot of people who brag about being great, when in reality they are the result of rich parents who can afford to buy them all those test prep books etc…
–i remember within the last few weeks, a classmate during their project said: the price increased from 38% to 49% --maybe i just don’t understand English, but this seemed to be wrong to me and not make sense…
there are also a lot of moochers and cheaters
however on the other side… there are some REALLY amazing, nice people with incredible talents that will love to help you…</p>
<p>it really just depends on who gets accepted that year… hopefully there arent so many of the rich test-prepared kids who in the classroom cant think at all – i think the increase in them is due to the increases in the reputation of the school… unfortunately :[</p>
<p>Dude you do have a chance of getting in. I went to Langley school in mclean and out of our class of 40 6 people got in and 2 went. They make it seem like it is crazy hard to get in. Its hard but you can do it</p>
<p>TJ admissions are really unpredictable; one kid who was in the top 2 eigth graders in the county for a math competition didn’t get in, and I’ve heard of kids with bad grades, test scores etc getting in. Also for all of the ranking stuff if you are using the washington post or newsweek rankings they are based off how many kids take AP’s/IB’s not how many pass. </p>