GDS Incoming 9th Grade to be much smaller

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04/26/2023 22:15

Subject: GDS Incoming 9th Grade to be much smaller

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Anonymous

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Anonymous wrote:In case you all want one more mind blowing thing about GDS college process - they dont use naviance or SCOIR to show you or your kid data on GPA/test scores that have historically worked for GDS kids who got admitted.

Basically every other peer school uses some form of data to inform list building. GDS uses zero data. They have the data, but the CCO refuses to share w/ kids or parents.

Instead they always say that the "kids should trust their hearts" or they use really oblique language like "I'd think about some other choices if you want" - 17 year olds dont hear that well

One of the key things you need as a parent is guidance from the CCO as to what test scores and GPAs have worked in the last 2-3 years from GDS to that particular university. And GDS is unique - and I mean unique in DC,NYC, and everywhere else I know private school or boarding school parents - in sharing zero data to inform the list making

So it becomes another thing where they think they are being more equitable by not making it all about numbers and making it "holistic" but in reality this stresses kids out more, leaves them in the dark, and worst case has them have lopsided lists that are too safety focused or too reachy and entirely lacking data

I get the data is less good these days with test optional but other than URM and very hooked VIP kids, almost all other GDS kids are expected by the colleges to take SAT/ACT and not submitting implies scores were bad.

Anyway couple the lack of data on list building with capping at 10 and you will know why 1/3rd of the senior class parents are done w/ the college office. Rot starts at the top there

Just wait when you start having the 10th grade zooms where they tell you to relax and that it's all gonna be ok and the kids hearts will help them find the right path

And then every parent goes and hires outside counselors, essay readers, test tutors.

The one thing you cant hire on the outside is actual data on GPA and test scores that got admitted post-pandemic

And don't get me started on their mixed messaging on AP tests. They dropped the courses - we all know that. But they do offer the tests and until just 4 mos ago, the college office never talked about who should actually sit for AP tests

That was too late for the current seniors.

And then guess what? The GDS college profile they sent this year to all colleges for all applicants included top of the page in big font the AP test results from last year! After the college office told everyone to not bother to take the APs.

Awful awful communication and the worst part is they think they are helping de-stress.

Like so many things GDS, there is a culture of "safety-ism" - let me protect you from some un-named harm by not being transparent. They are the opposite of transparent and think they are doing god's work to help the kids and parents. Awful mix of factors

Posting all this so you 9th grade parents know what's coming

Thank you for posting this and the prior information about the 10 cap. Sidwell CCO gave families total access to SCOIR scattergrams mid-junior year, and they were extremely helpful in identifying which schools "liked" Sidwell and which didn't. Brown was ruled out after looking at how much they "disliked" Sidwell whereas Mich, UChicago, etc came into consideration. Obviously they aren't everything, but they are a very useful tool and hiding them is such a poor idea. I'm sorry you and your family had such a rough experience and would be furious if I were in your shoes too.

I don't understand this. Brown and Chicago are really different schools. Why would your child's opinion of them change based on Naviance data? It's always a reach for schools at that caliber.

It’s not that their opinion of the school changes, its that they develop a more pragmatic approach to deciding where to apply. You may love Brown, but if the data shows you that no one from your school gets in, you learn to love something else. If you see a lot of green dots for UChicago in your GPA range, you will at least give it a look, where maybe you would not have before. That’s all. At some of these private schools, some colleges are greater reaches than others, and there are some colleges where for one reason or another there is a good record of students being accepted. The data helps. I have gone through this at GDS and another school, and I found havoing data much less stressful than not having data. The GDS process does feel like a black box.

Understood. However, someone above stated that Brown doesn’t “like” Sidwell students. In reality, Sidwell has sent at least 2 graduates/year to Brown for the past few years. Presumably, more than 2 Sidwell students are admitted each year. My point is that people should do their own research and take these posts with a huge grain of salt.

Yes, fair enough. These all seem like reasonable extrapolations. I am the PP who claimed that Brown doesn't "like" Sidwell and that UChicago "likes" Sidwell. What I said is grounded in the scattergrams - it is well known among senior families that Sidwell does not do well at Brown compared to many of the other ivies. Looking at the number of matriculants alone won't show that, but it's true.

Brown is extremely popular to apply to among students since it's regarded as a phenomenal academic institution, but also a ton of fun with a laid-back culture. Hence, lots of applicants each year. Last year, ~15 kids applied ED to Brown, and not a single person got in - the one matriculant was deferred and got in RD. Each year, a very large amount of kids go and few get in. FWIW, one of the two matriculating this year is extreme legacy (think 3 generations and lots of donations).

When I say Brown "dislikes" Sidwell and Chicago "likes" Sidwell I mean that the conversion rate of application to acceptance is higher or lower than expected, respectively. I understand that you can't believe everything you read on hear and respect the critical thinking, but these assertions are definitely grounded in quantifiable data.