TJHSST Admission Process 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the updated TJHSST admissions model adopted around 2021, which factor was given greater emphasis compared to previous years?
- SAT Subject Test scores
- Holistic review including socioeconomic and experiential factors (Correct answer)
- GPA class rank only
- Competitive science olympiad placements
Correct answer: Holistic review including socioeconomic and experiential factors
The 2021 reform shifted toward a holistic admissions model to increase diversity, reducing reliance on a single competitive exam.
Question 2: Which type of teacher recommendation is specifically required in the TJHSST application?
- A recommendation from a PE or elective teacher
- A recommendation from a math or science teacher (Correct answer)
- A recommendation from a principal only
- A recommendation from any community member
Correct answer: A recommendation from a math or science teacher
TJHSST requires a recommendation from a math or science teacher who can speak to the applicant's STEM aptitude.
Question 3: Which of the following would disqualify a student from TJHSST eligibility?
- Attending a private middle school in Fairfax County
- Being a resident of Fairfax County in 8th grade
- Having previously attended TJ as a full-time student (Correct answer)
- Receiving free or reduced lunch
Correct answer: Having previously attended TJ as a full-time student
Students who have previously enrolled at TJ as full-time students are not eligible to apply again.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of the TJHSST admissions 'experience essay'?
- To test grammar and punctuation skills
- To allow students to describe a meaningful STEM-related experience or challenge (Correct answer)
- To summarize the student's extracurricular awards
- To demonstrate knowledge of TJ's specific labs and programs
Correct answer: To allow students to describe a meaningful STEM-related experience or challenge
The experience essay lets applicants share a personal STEM experience that reveals their curiosity, problem-solving, or passion.
Question 5: How many semifinalists are typically invited from the initial applicant pool before final offers are made?
- Approximately 500
- Approximately 1,200 (Correct answer)
- All applicants who submit a complete application
- Exactly 480 — matching the incoming class size
Correct answer: Approximately 1,200
Roughly 1,200 or more semifinalists are typically identified from the applicant pool before final selections narrow the cohort further.
Question 6: Which of the following correctly describes the TJHSST application fee policy?
- A $50 non-refundable fee is required from all applicants
- There is no application fee; TJ is a public school program (Correct answer)
- Fee waivers are available only for free-lunch eligible students
- A $25 fee is required but refunded upon enrollment
Correct answer: There is no application fee; TJ is a public school program
As a public school magnet program within FCPS, TJHSST does not charge an application fee.
Question 7: When the TJHSST admissions office reviews an application holistically, which combination of materials is most commonly evaluated?
- Only GPA and standardized test scores
- Student Information Sheet, essays, teacher recommendations, and academic record (Correct answer)
- Class rank, extracurricular trophies, and parent letters
- Interview performance and portfolio of science projects
Correct answer: Student Information Sheet, essays, teacher recommendations, and academic record
Holistic review considers the Student Information Sheet, written essays, teacher recommendations, and the student's academic transcript together.
TJHSST Admission Process 3
Under the updated TJHSST admissions model adopted around 2021, which factor was given greater emphasis compared to previous years?