Out of over 2,000 applicants to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology from across Northern Virginia, 550 were admitted, 38 of whom are from Carson.

The admissions decisions were released on Friday, April 12, at 6 p.m.

“I couldn’t believe that I got in,” said Jagruthi Narra, an eighth-grader on the Voyagers team who was admitted to TJ.

TJ is a STEM-focused high school for academically ambitious students from five counties in Northern Virginia. It’s currently ranked the best high school in Virginia by US News and has a history of placing high in national rankings.

“[TJ has] a lot of really cool opportunities that even colleges don’t possess,” Jagruthi said. “You have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in high school.”

In order to attain these opportunities, students must submit an application made up of several essays about Portrait of a Graduate attributes, one math and science problem solving essay, and other factors such as GPA.

“I got the answer, but I didn’t have enough time to write a full essay,” said Sufia Yahyapur, an eighth-grader on the Explorers team who was admitted to TJ. “I thought I’d be on the waitlist, so I was kind of surprised I got in.”

The admissions process used to only be based on an exam, but this changed in 2020. While some students are simply relieved to be admitted, others disapprove of the changes.

“They should go back to what it was before,” Jagruthi said. “When TJ was number one [on national high school rankings], they had a different admissions process. It filtered through the best people, and right now, it’s a little more lenient.”

Admitted students submitted their decisions and course lists on April 26. In the upcoming months, some waitpooled students will replace admitted students who declined.

“I’ve always loved math and engineering,” Sufia said. “I’m excited to learn more at TJ.”