Why are Asian parents so crazy about TJ? Is TJ really good for your kid? In recently years, University of Virginia has reduced its admission of TJ graduates from more than 100 to around 70. It also increase the GPA requirement. Many very bright kids were turned town by UVA for the low GPA. I heard a story that two kids were in the same middle schools.
One went to TJ. One went Westfield HS. The one went to TJ had a tough 4 years: less sleeps, less non-academic activities, less time with friends and also lower GPA. The direct result of less sleep is that he is shorter than he should be. His friend who went to Westfield had a very balanced 4 years of high school. Local HS means less time on traffic. (TJ is located in Annandale and close to Alexander. For those who live in the northwest part of Fairfax County and Loudon County, it is easy to spend 1.5 hr- 2hr one way to school or from school. ) He can still play basketball, play music and maintain high GPA. Final results: Westfield boy got full scholarship from UVA. The TJ boy was turned down by UVA due to low GPA. Another example, a smart girl who loves liberal art who was admitted to TJ and turned it down and went to local high school. She went to Yale from Langley HS. Hope parents can make wise decision. Don’t go to TJ because it is the #1, or #4 ranking public school (different year different ranking), then my child must go there. If your child’s passion isn’t STEM, local HS might be better for him/her. If your child wants to go to Ivy League, TJ might not be a good choice. Because your GPA in TJ might not be very high due to the competition and higher standard. Your child may easily be top 10% in local high school. It is very hard to be in top 10% in TJ. Even top 25% is not that easy in TJ. If Ivy League chooses between TJ’s GPA 3.5 top 50% and McLean HS’s GPA 4.25 and top10%, which one it will choose.