Skip to content
Middle School Calendar view

TJ Student Portrait Sheet Winter


Class
Krishna Cart
Purchase for $675

TJHSST admissions require students to demonstrate STEM aptitude, critical thinking, and leadership through the Student Portrait Sheet (SPS). This camp helps students develop high-quality, well-structured responses that highlight their academic strengths, curiosity, and problem-solving mindset.

Coupon Code: EARLYBIRD (until March 31, 2025)

This curriculum is designed to empower students with the skills and confidence needed to create compelling and authentic responses for the TJHSST Student Portrait Sheet. Through instructional sessions, hands-on writing and revision activities, and supportive feedback mechanisms, students will be well-prepared to present themselves effectively in their TJHSST applications.

Blended:

Week 1 - In-Person at Fairfax (Dec 13, 2025)

Week 2 - Live Online (Dec 20, 2025)

Week 3 - In-Person at Fairfax (Jan 10, 2026)

Week 4 - Live Online (Jan 17, 2026 and start of one-on-one meetings)

Week 5 - Asynchronous (January 24, scheduled 1:1 meeting with students online)

Week 6-In-Person, TJ Test Simulation at Fairfax

  • Samples of successful TJHSST application essays and portrait sheets

  • Writing and revision guides focused on personal and academic writing
  • Access to online platforms for document sharing and collaborative feedback

Instructional Methods

  • Interactive focus lessons about effective Student Portrait Sheet Writing
  • Guided brainstorming sessions to help students identify and articulate their unique qualities and experiences
  • Peer review workshops to foster a supportive environment and encourage constructive feedback

  • Individualized feedback sessions with instructors to provide targeted advice for improving each student's responses

Assessment and Feedback

  • Continuous formative assessment through structured feedback at each stage of the writing process
  • Summative assessment in the form of a mock review session to simulate the application review process and provide a final evaluation of TJ Students' Portrait Sheets

 

Here is the class outline:

1. Class Link and Recordings

Class Zoom Link
Class Recordings

2. TJHSST Mission Statements and Beliefs

17 min

It is crucial to know first the mission statements and beliefs of the organization that you are applying so you can embed them in your essay drafts.

Section Duration
TJ Mission Statements & Beliefs 10 min
TJ Mission Statements & Beliefs Analysis 7 min

3. The Crucial Contents of TJ Essays

43 min

The contents of this section are essential for the TJ Admissions Committee. Please take this seriously!

Section Duration
Why are the contents crucial? 8 min
My STEM Background 20 min
Why TJ? 15 min

4. Portraits of a Graduate

1 hr, 52 min

This is the meat of your essay. Keep going!

Section Duration
What You Need to Know 3 min
Communicator 8 min
Collaborator 8 min
Creative & Critical Thinker 12 min
Ethical & Global Citizen 11 min
Goal Directed & Resilient 10 min
Innovator, Leader & Problem Solver 15 min
Samples of Successful TJ Students' Background 12 min
You Must Do This! 15 min
Self-Reflection and Samples of Successful TJ Student Background 18 min

5. Exceptional vs. Typical Activities

1 hr, 45 min

How would you know if your activities are exceptional or typical? Which activities do you need to highlight in your essay to get the attention of the admissions committee?

Section Duration
What Activities Should I Highlight in My Essay? 21 min
My 6th to 8th Activity List: Are They Exceptional or Typical? 10 min
Character Analysis Strategy 6 min
Character Analysis of the "TJ Winning Essays" 38 min
My 6th to 8th Grade Activities 30 min

6. The STEM Design Processes

27 min

When you write about the details of your activities, the TJ Admissions Committee needs to know if you have a STEM Leader mindset. You will learn these techniques here.

Section Duration
Use It Holistically! 12 min
How Might You Incorporate STEM Design Processes in Your Drafts? 15 min

7. Essay Structure: The TJ Reflective Essay Genre

4 hrs, 5 min

There are several ways to structure your TJ essay drafts, but this one will get the attention of the TJ Admissions Committee. Once you learn the strategy, you can apply it in writing an essay for internship, scholarship, college essays, and job applications. You are targeting several birds with one stone!

Section Duration
What is a Reflective Essay Genre? 10 min
Reflective Writing Handout & Reflective Language Stems 23 min
Identify the Language Stems 1 10 min
My Own Reflections 11 min
Types of Reflection 9 min
Types of Reflection: The 4L Retrospective 10 min
4Ls Retrospective
Identify the 4Ls Practice Exercise 18 min
The Structure of the Reflective Essay 3 min
Putting It All Together: Reflective Writing Samples 24 min
Reflective Writing Analysis 1 7 min
More Reflective Writing Samples 21 min
Reflective Writing Analysis 2 15 min
The DIEP Structure 24 min
Describe 20 min
Interpret 12 min
Evaluate 8 min
Plan 8 min
Reflective Writing Analysis 3 12 min

8. Writers' Techniques For TJ Essays

1 hr, 47 min

These collections of writers' crafts will add voice and personality to your TJ essay drafts. This is our students' favorite because they are tools that equip them beyond test preparation. If you don't like writing, you might enjoy writing this time!

Section Duration
Intro to Writer's Techniques 2 min
Precise Nouns & Write With Authority 3 min
Smiley Face Tricks 2 min
Magic Three 9 min
Figurative Language Discussion 9 min
Expanded Moment 6 min
Repetition for Effect 13 min
Hyphenated Modifier 11 min
Specific Details for Effect 12 min
Full-Circle Ending 9 min
Deeper Rather Than Wider 9 min
Hint of Significance 6 min
Great Beginning Strategies 8 min
Happy Ending Strategies 8 min

9. In-Depth Analysis of TJ Successful Essays

Essays on Leadership & Innovation
Essays on Communication
Essays on Collaboration
Essays on Creativity and Critical Thinking
Essays on Global Citizenship and Ethics
Essays on Goal-Directedness and Resiliency

10. TJ Retired Prompts

2 hrs

Now, it is time for you to apply what you've learned in this course.

Section Duration
TJ SPS Retired Prompt 1 15 min
TJ SPS Retired Prompt 2 15 min
TJ SPS Retired Prompt 3 15 min
TJ SPS Retired Prompt 4 15 min
TJ SPS Retired Prompt 5 15 min
TJ SPS Retired Prompt 6 15 min
TJ SPS Retired Prompt 7 15 min
TJ SPS Retired Prompt 8 15 min
TJ SPS Retired Prompt 9
TJ SPS Retired Prompt 10
TJ Retired Prompt 11
TJ Retired Prompt 12
TJ Retired Prompt 13
TJ Retired Prompt 14
TJ Retired Prompt 15
TJ Retired Prompt 16
TJ Retired Prompt 17
TJ Retired Prompt 18
TJ Retired Prompt 19
TJ Retired Prompt 20

11. TJ Essay Test-Taking Strategies

1 hr, 45 min

As the name implies, this test-taking strategy will involve a live test simulation with your writing teacher and the class members to ensure you can finish a quality essay within the prescribed time.

Section Duration
Tips to Ace the Timed Essay 27 min
TJ SPS Practice Timed Test: 30 Minutes. 30 min
Test-Taking Skills: 30-Minute Timed Test (Google Drive Option for Live or In-Person) 30 min
Revised Drafts Discussion Board 1 18 min

12. Practice on Possible Essay Topics

Additional practice on some essay topics

Potential Essay Topics

13. Strategies and Tips on How to Choose the Right Essay Angles

These are some strategies for choosing the right angles for your essay.

14. More Revising Techniques

Effective revision strategies, peer review and self-assessment sessions using the writing rubric, and compilation of a writing portfolio with reflective essays and revised works showcase students' progress and skills.

15. Final Test: One-Hour Timed-Test Simulation

5 hrs

One Hour TJ Timed-Test Simulation

Section Duration
One-Hour Timed Test Simulation 1 hr
Final TJ SPS Test for Live Online Classes 2 hrs
Revised Drafts Discussion Board 2 2 hrs
Back to top