Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My top 5 area private (not sure what big 3 is definitely--I can argue seven schools in the big 3--Sidwell, NCS/Albans, GDS, Maret, Holton, and Potomac) had a B plus average and got into Colby, Tulane, and William and Mary. Rejected Michigan, UVA, and others I can't recall that he had no shot at. Good ACT, very good ECs, etc. So only GPA was low.

In 2023?

No sorry that was a couple years back. Kid is now a Junior in College.

This illustrates what parents are saying, 2 or 3 years ago this kid could get into Colby, Tulane or W&M. Maybe Wisconsin. It is just not happening this year. They aren’t even getting into Boulder or Vermont.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's actually the reverse---the Big3 clout isn't working because they have grade deflation. The next rung of schools is actually doing better this year because they have more reasonable grading---i.e. As are actually attainable to kids who do the work. Landon is a good example---they appear to be doing quite well this year because the academic standard is decent but not unattainable. In contrast you have NCS who often gives the strongest students Bs. They (by all reports) are having a horrible admissions year, especially at state schools.

This is extremely accurate. Lots of people right now at my Big 3 who suspect attending has significantly hampered their child's college oulook. The whole Big 3 grade deflation thing is starting to really hurt them

How so if the school get the sheet that describes their grading?

It used to be that colleges just knew that a B at NCS was an A elsewhere.

I tbink it's the mid-range and lower students who are hurt. The very top students are still known by the top colleges that have taken the top students from the "big 5" and know the schools are their rigor well. The rest of the students, who are more frequently than before looking at big state schools or the "up and coming" (like Elon, no thank you) that just don't understand these schools as well and have way too many applications for holistic admissions. The top students would never even think about Boulder, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Penn State, but the students are great fits for these schools can't get in because of the grade deflation. I am one of those who wish I had never send my average kids to such an intense private.

This. Sure, there's a School Profile describing the grading scale, but that does not indicate important differences in grading, i.e. how "hard" the grading is, how rigorous the work. No matter how much people (including college admission offices) treat grades as if they are some sort of standardized metric, they are not, even among students in the same high school. Clearly this issue - treating GPA as if it were a standardized metric (all while saying the context of the high school is considered) has been significantly exacerbated by test optional policies and ensuing upheaval in college admissions.

I don't have a kid at a Big 3, but more generally, it seems to me that more testing could be useful for students in the bottom half of the class at a hard-grading high school. With subject tests gone, that leaves AP exams, though the reputation is that colleges - of the sort being discussed in this thread - don't care much about those either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's actually the reverse---the Big3 clout isn't working because they have grade deflation. The next rung of schools is actually doing better this year because they have more reasonable grading---i.e. As are actually attainable to kids who do the work. Landon is a good example---they appear to be doing quite well this year because the academic standard is decent but not unattainable. In contrast you have NCS who often gives the strongest students Bs. They (by all reports) are having a horrible admissions year, especially at state schools.

This is extremely accurate. Lots of people right now at my Big 3 who suspect attending has significantly hampered their child's college oulook. The whole Big 3 grade deflation thing is starting to really hurt them

How so if the school get the sheet that describes their grading?

It used to be that colleges just knew that a B at NCS was an A elsewhere.

I tbink it's the mid-range and lower students who are hurt. The very top students are still known by the top colleges that have taken the top students from the "big 5" and know the schools are their rigor well. The rest of the students, who are more frequently than before looking at big state schools or the "up and coming" (like Elon, no thank you) that just don't understand these schools as well and have way too many applications for holistic admissions. The top students would never even think about Boulder, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Penn State, but the students are great fits for these schools can't get in because of the grade deflation. I am one of those who wish I had never send my average kids to such an intense private.

This. Sure, there's a School Profile describing the grading scale, but that does not indicate important differences in grading, i.e. how "hard" the grading is, how rigorous the work. No matter how much people (including college admission offices) treat grades as if they are some sort of standardized metric, they are not, even among students in the same high school. Clearly this issue - treating GPA as if it were a standardized metric (all while saying the context of the high school is considered) has been significantly exacerbated by test optional policies and ensuing upheaval in college admissions.

I don't have a kid at a Big 3, but more generally, it seems to me that more testing could be useful for students in the bottom half of the class at a hard-grading high school. With subject tests gone, that leaves AP exams, though the reputation is that colleges - of the sort being discussed in this thread - don't care much about those either.

I think this board may vastly overstate the concept that these big state schools are familiar with private school rigor. Yes, conceptually, of course. But in terms of getting 75,0000+ applications, I don't think they really care and a 3.7 at a rigorous private just does not draw the same attention that a more hum-drum 4.4 does at a public with weighting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tulane
Elon
Gettysburg

Not Tulane in 2023

Hmmm. Yes, I still think Tulane. Maybe B student with high test scores. For a Big 3, no A student is going to Tulane - middle of the road or lower tier at Big 3 go to Tulane. For public school or normal private, agree that student must be A to A-. IMO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tulane
Elon
Gettysburg

Not Tulane in 2023

Anyone with knowledge/ insight as to what is going on with Tulane admissions from this area, this year? DC is currently a freshman at Tulane. Had a B+ average from a DMV private, OK to good ECs and a high 1400s (can't remember exact number) SAT. Again, this was last year - 2022.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My top 5 area private (not sure what big 3 is definitely--I can argue seven schools in the big 3--Sidwell, NCS/Albans, GDS, Maret, Holton, and Potomac) had a B plus average and got into Colby, Tulane, and William and Mary. Rejected Michigan, UVA, and others I can't recall that he had no shot at. Good ACT, very good ECs, etc. So only GPA was low.

In 2023?

No sorry that was a couple years back. Kid is now a Junior in College.

This illustrates what parents are saying, 2 or 3 years ago this kid could get into Colby, Tulane or W&M. Maybe Wisconsin. It is just not happening this year. They aren’t even getting into Boulder or Vermont.

Fair. I have three in college from the last three years. Irish twins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's actually the reverse---the Big3 clout isn't working because they have grade deflation. The next rung of schools is actually doing better this year because they have more reasonable grading---i.e. As are actually attainable to kids who do the work. Landon is a good example---they appear to be doing quite well this year because the academic standard is decent but not unattainable. In contrast you have NCS who often gives the strongest students Bs. They (by all reports) are having a horrible admissions year, especially at state schools.

This is extremely accurate. Lots of people right now at my Big 3 who suspect attending has significantly hampered their child's college oulook. The whole Big 3 grade deflation thing is starting to really hurt them

How so if the school get the sheet that describes their grading?

It used to be that colleges just knew that a B at NCS was an A elsewhere.

I tbink it's the mid-range and lower students who are hurt. The very top students are still known by the top colleges that have taken the top students from the "big 5" and know the schools are their rigor well. The rest of the students, who are more frequently than before looking at big state schools or the "up and coming" (like Elon, no thank you) that just don't understand these schools as well and have way too many applications for holistic admissions. The top students would never even think about Boulder, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Penn State, but the students are great fits for these schools can't get in because of the grade deflation. I am one of those who wish I had never send my average kids to such an intense private.

This. Sure, there's a School Profile describing the grading scale, but that does not indicate important differences in grading, i.e. how "hard" the grading is, how rigorous the work. No matter how much people (including college admission offices) treat grades as if they are some sort of standardized metric, they are not, even among students in the same high school. Clearly this issue - treating GPA as if it were a standardized metric (all while saying the context of the high school is considered) has been significantly exacerbated by test optional policies and ensuing upheaval in college admissions.

I don't have a kid at a Big 3, but more generally, it seems to me that more testing could be useful for students in the bottom half of the class at a hard-grading high school. With subject tests gone, that leaves AP exams, though the reputation is that colleges - of the sort being discussed in this thread - don't care much about those either.

I think this board may vastly overstate the concept that these big state schools are familiar with private school rigor. Yes, conceptually, of course. But in terms of getting 75,0000+ applications, I don't think they really care and a 3.7 at a rigorous private just does not draw the same attention that a more hum-drum 4.4 does at a public with weighting.

I get what you're saying, but that's where the college counselors at private schools come in. Some privates have multiple counselors who develop pretty decent relationships with a multitude of schools. They generally write better letters of recommendation for students and if necessary, a thorough write up of the academic rigor of their private high school. Not all privates have multiple counselors, and not all of the counselors are as thorough, or advocate as passionately for their students, as some of their colleagues do. But privates with robust, energetic, knowledgeable and caring college counseling services can really provide some additional value for their students (and their parents) that counselors at other schools just cannot replicate.

At least, that's what I tell myself as I spin all this through my head at night.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

[Anonymous]

B student - Oregon, very excited!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you that they don’t go to the University of Tennessee. My B student, 33 ACT was WL at Tennessee last night.

My B+ from one of the so-called "Big 3" was also waitlisted last night. I am somewhat relieved. Already accepted into two schools that to me are better choices, but Tennessee was their first choice. Taking it surprisingly well. It's all very confusing.

It really isn't that confusing. Big state schools are using algorithms to admit students. How many Big 3 kids actually attend a school like University of Tennessee if they get in. Not many. The algorithm determined that your kid was not likely to accept. If a big State U is your kid's dream, you are better off at a public school OR a more academically comprehensive private (not an elite prep school).

GDS sends a lot of kids to Wisconsin. Not sure you can generalize like this.

My kid and multiple friends were all rejected at Wisconsin this year. Not at GDS, but at another Big3.

NP. I swear there was a thread a few months ago BOASTING about all the wonderful acceptances for the Big 3??

Likely from a parent whose child got into an Ivy ED. They don't really care about anyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see someone like that getting in to Hamilton/Colby these days when they are rejecting kids with 4.0 GPAs and scores in 1500s unless the big 3 hold that much weight...

It's not the Big 3. It's being able to pay the Big Bucks.

Oh, and being male helps too, on any of these schools.

No. These schools only accept a handful of kids. They are tiny. Many full pay males with great resumes are rejected. A number of very similar applicants from one school will apply and 1 or zero will get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tulane
Elon
Gettysburg

Not Tulane in 2023

Anyone with knowledge/ insight as to what is going on with Tulane admissions from this area, this year? DC is currently a freshman at Tulane. Had a B+ average from a DMV private, OK to good ECs and a high 1400s (can't remember exact number) SAT. Again, this was last year - 2022.

I’m in Baltimore and that is still the profile of kids being admitted ED/EA from private school. Seems to be same rate of admission as recent past.

[Anonymous]

I’m confused as to why people are expecting to get into big state schools with deflated gpas. Most of these schools do not do holistic admissions. Aren’t your schools pushing SLACs?

[Anonymous]

I get the sense there are one or two posters accounting for the majority of the negative posts. At our school, the B students are still getting into Tulane, NE, and VM ED, as well as into a number of well respected slacs (I have kids at 2 different private schools). If anything, there are more early acceptances than last year, because counselors really encouraged early applications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like you all should wait for RD before you claim how schools have done with admissions goes this year. There is a marked shift in ED/EA - with many more defers (and rejections) than in the past - but none of us knows how those EA/ED deferrals will play out in in the RD round or how all the submitted RD applications will go.

+1 My \DC was in this position last year. All the WL schools came through except for two highly overenrolled schools (glad to have dodged that in hindsight). Keep a very close eye on your email. Some came through before the RD enrollment deadline; all of them had very quick turn arounds. The email said things like -- we are about to take a select few from the WL, so let us know within __ that you are still interested. One was a 24 hour turn around DC almost missed. Stay on top of it.

[Anonymous]

Same at our NYC private school. B/B+ students did great in ED round at Tulane.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tulane
Elon
Gettysburg

Not Tulane in 2023

Anyone with knowledge/ insight as to what is going on with Tulane admissions from this area, this year? DC is currently a freshman at Tulane. Had a B+ average from a DMV private, OK to good ECs and a high 1400s (can't remember exact number) SAT. Again, this was last year - 2022.

I’m in Baltimore and that is still the profile of kids being admitted ED/EA from private school. Seems to be same rate of admission as recent past.