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Schedules

With schedules coming out soon, here’s a useful resource made by and for TJ students, but as the doc says itself, everyone has different experiences and it is important to keep an open mind! Good luck in the upcoming year! -The RTTJ Team

Link to the TJHSST Teachers doc

(We do not endorse all of the viewpoints or wording presented in this document.).

A lot happened to me throughout high school (like personal things) and so my GPA and SAT scores were very mid (like they weren't bad, but not good either). I'm planning on transferring to another college during my sophomore or junior year (I know college isn't everything, but I want to prove something to myself...).

Do you think it would be better for me to go to Penn State and transfer or George Mason? I'm asking because I feel like Penn State is more widely known so it may be easier, but is more expensive, while George Mason is not really well-known (I may be wrong), but really cheap. What are your suggestions?

Response from Shacklebolt:

Depends on what you can afford and what's good for your major! Both universities are good—but if you're merely seeking to transfer out, it may be better to go with the more affordable option so that you aren't in as much student loan debt. Whether that ends up being Penn State or Mason depends on your aid package.

does design and tech count as our fine arts credit?

Response from Fawkes:

Design and Tech counts as a fine arts credit for the TJ/Virginia/FCPS diploma! Fine Arts and Technical Ed (CTE) are counted as the same credit. For more info, see footnote 10: https://tjhsst.fcps.edu/node/3141

*sidebar: when applying to UC schools, design and tech will also satisfy the UC fine arts requirement!

#course selection

Two questions, (1) which of French II, Design + Tech, Biology I, English 9 do not have finals, and (2) are colleges given access to quarter of semester grades, do they request them, or ignore them?

Response from Padma:

Any finals (along with how much they count for your grade) will be mentioned in your class syllabus, which should be easily accessible somewhere on Schoology/handed to you at the start of the year.

Colleges only see your final grades from freshman-junior year and your first semester senior year grades. They do not have access to your quarter grades.

is the rising leaders cohort thing any good?? do a lot of people do it or is it actually selective and helpful? I don’t rly know what I got myself into for the next two years😭

Response from Padma:

I don't think any of us have heard of this specific opportunity -- can you submit another ask with who sponsors the program?

Is it possible to take AP Psychology online as 8th course in freshman? genuinely interested in learning about human behavior, brain functioning, etc., so will be taking it at some point. At the same time, would like to spread out ap course load.

Response from Padma:

I've never heard of anyone doing it, and I honestly wouldn't recommend it because freshman year is hard enough without adding an extra AP course into your workload.

I'm taking online AP Econ 1st period. On Anchor Days, can I chill in the library during 1st period or do I need to leave campus?

Response from Penelope:

Pretty sure admin doesn't want you doing that (they didn't want us doing that when I was there, and I find it hard to believe they've softened since then), so I'd say just get there during second period. Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, though.

#online

how do i maximize my chances of getting into vt? ik about ea but is there anything else (not planning on eding if that is an option bc of financial stuff)

Response from Penelope:

Don't worry, because ED at VT is gone anyway. Historically, they cared about demonstrated interest — for a school that prides itself greatly on the Hokie Nation, they want you to have a real passion for the school and what they strive for. I'm obviously not speaking on behalf of anyone in particular LOL but from the multitude of people I personally know that work at VT and went to VT, this kind of thing is important to a lot of people there.

I think if you can consider what Ut Prosim means to you right now in many different ways + express that in your essays, that's probably one of the most impactful ways you can showcase your interest in attending VT and the impact you can have there.

Good luck!

#vt

question about SAT - Will all colleges able to look at all SAT test attempts although you self report on the highest score? Which are the colleges off the top if any of you are aware if am looking to apply for pre med around VA, East Coast and few BS/MDs, that look for track record of all SAT scores? Would it look bad if I took it the 3rd time? I have a 1560 now, however see that BS/MD applicants usually have like a 1580 :(. Am pressed for time being a senior however weighing in my options, +/-s

Response from Penelope:

It depends on the school! I am unfamiliar with BS/MD schools specifically (as it seems like is true for the rest of the RTTJ team), but I think if you Google each individual school, the internet may be of some help to you.

To be honest, I don't think that 20 point bump will serve you well compared to the amount of time you study for the exam. What if you end up doing worse? 1560 is already a very high score and that could be entirely plausible. You are incredibly correct that you are very pressed for time.

I think your best bet is to make those essays absolutely FIRE — like I've said over and over again here, this is really the only thing you have left in your control. For something as competitive as BS/MD, this could totally make or break your application.

#sat #bsmd

Any recommendations for a tutor for RS 2 and 3.

Response from Padma:

Try TJ Peer Tutoring :)

I’m a freshman with a not so good algebra background, how can I still get an A in Math 3? I heard there was no textbook and I have Ebrahim.

Response from Padma:

I don't think any of us have taken Math 3, but it's definitely doable! There are a lot of resources online for Math 3/Algebra II that you can look at. I think?? you have to do Aleks to build your Algebra background at the start of the year anyway so you should be fine. You got this anon! :)

#math 3

Is doing Nhs in junior and senior year as good as growing sophomore up to senior?

Response from Padma:

I feel like NHS is one of those extracurriculars that everybody does - unless you're aiming for a leadership position, it probably won't be an extracurricular that makes colleges think you're super amazing. Remember you need to volunteer to get into NHS and to maintain membership - if you focus on a specific volunteering project and have that as an extracurricular, that's definitely better than doing a bunch of random volunteering hours for the sake of NHS membership. Good luck, anon! :)

#nhs

How is AP Lang and who is the best teacher for that ? And AP Gov

Also how’s Research Stats 2 and 3 and who teaches that the best aka easy marking.

Also the same for Geosystems.

Are these courses hard? Can I get an A in them

Response from Padma:

The best teachers are the ones you have! :)

But seriously, you can't control who you get as a teacher, and it's more of a waste of your energy to find out who's the "best" teacher and then feel bad if you don't have them. Instead, focus your energy on doing your best with the teacher you have.

You can probably get an A in all these courses if you put in enough effort. Good luck, anon!

Hi-does anyone know if I switch to AB from BC calc, will my transcripts show that I was in BC 1qtr and then AB for 2nd-4th qtr? Or will it just show AB as my final grade at the end of the year? I'm a junior. Thx!

Response from Padma:

This is definitely a question for your counselor, but I *think* if you switch during first quarter it shouldn't show on your transcript. Not sure about if you switch during second.

do you have any tips for studying for ap bio reading quizzes? specifically del cerro if possible? tysm!!

Response from Padma:

I had Holman for AP Bio, but these are just good textbook reading practices that should help in general! I did *not* do well at all in my reading quizzes at the start of the year because I was just reading the textbook aimlessly and trying to remember everything, which I obviously couldn't. The strategy that worked for me was doing mind maps while reading - i'd highlight key vocabulary words that might come up on the reading quiz, re-draw diagrams that seemed relevant, and focus more on the overlying concepts instead of trying to understand all the nitpicky details. I'd try to read a bit every night instead of all at once, and before class I'd just review my notes and go back in the textbook if I didn't understand something from my notes. This strategy also helped boost my test grades by A LOT so definitely try this out and see if it works for you! Good luck, anon :)

#ap bio

How hard is physics 1? Based on tj vents from the past im assuming it’s pretty difficult…

Response from Padma:

Any Physics class will definitely be hard, just because Physics is one of those subjects. However, if you put in effort to understand the underlying concepts and practice, you can definitely achieve an A. There are a *lot* of resources online to help with Physics that you can check out. Flipping Physics was a lifesaver for me last year. Good luck, anon! :)

#physics 1

Is Bionanotechnology still offered? How is the course structured?

Response from Padma:

I haven't heard of anyone taking it this year, but I'm pretty sure Dr. Morrow is the one who usually teaches it, so shoot her a email! She's super friendly and will definitely answer any questions you have :)

#bionanotech

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