Which colleges are the B students going to from the top independent schools?

[Anonymous]

GDS sent over 50% to ivys and Ivy-like schools. Didn't you see all the other posts about it?

[Anonymous]

Keep GDS Insecure!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, I have an 3.5 student at a Big 3 with significant sports/activities and generally rigorous classes. Likely merit semifinalist and SAT 2300. Are the Ivies out of range? Even with legacy status? I want to be practical about the admissions process.

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, I have an 3.5 student at a Big 3 with significant sports/activities and generally rigorous classes. Likely merit semifinalist and SAT 2300. Are the Ivies out of range? Even with legacy status? I want to be practical about the admissions process.

It is hard to say. Lots of variables. As an initial matter, I'm guessing a 3.5 student has a lot of B+ grades, some A minus grades, some B grades?

First, is the student going to be a recruited athlete? If so, those numbers are strong (especially the test scores) and would put your child in the mix. However, if your child is active in sports as a high school activity and doesn't project as a recruited athlete, the sports don't really help. Most private school kids do a lot of sports and extracurriculars.

Second, legacy status can help, but it doesn't make someone a lock -- I think I recall reading that at a place like Princeton 35 - 40% legacies are admitted. That still means 2/3 are not. Also depends on where the legacy status is (HYP or a slightly less selective Ivy) and if it's undergrad legacy of a parent (the best) or something attenuated (grandparent or grad school).

Third, it will matter how strong the recommendations are. Will they say between the lines that the 2300 student with 3.5 GPA coasts by on talent and could be doing better, or will they rave about the kid?

Basically, you should ask your school's counselor. You can see what GPA ranges were accepted and you can ask them whether legacy status matters. It obviously can't hurt to apply (and they won't stop you, despite the urban myths on this board), but one thing to consider is to use the relatively valuable chip of Early Action/Early Decision. If it's a bit of a reach but could happen, you might do it; if it's a super long shot, then you may have to realize that is an opportunity cost there. Ultimately if you don't apply you'll never know, but make sure the rest of the college list has a range of schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS sent over 50% to ivys and Ivy-like schools. Didn't you see all the other posts about it?

This is outstanding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IMO privates are more prone to grade deflation that public schools. My kids and their friends (all smart kids) have to work for their grades, and C's are def given out. The work load is heavy, and the schools expect kids to self-advocate and work with the teachers if grades are an issue. I have three kids at three different privates, and I see this across the board.

It really depends on which privates & which publics you're comparing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, I have an 3.5 student at a Big 3 with significant sports/activities and generally rigorous classes. Likely merit semifinalist and SAT 2300. Are the Ivies out of range? Even with legacy status? I want to be practical about the admissions process.

Not with legacy status, no. Especially if the Ivy is one of the less competitive ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I have an 3.5 student at a Big 3 with significant sports/activities and generally rigorous classes. Likely merit semifinalist and SAT 2300. Are the Ivies out of range? Even with legacy status? I want to be practical about the admissions process.

Honestly, yes.

Even with legacy?

If your child is in the most accelerated math and science classes, has great recommendations and can demonstrate a real commitment to one or two activities (as opposed to having just showed up for the yearbook picture for a whole bunch of clubs), then, yes, s/he has a shot. Just keep in mind that legacy will probably help only in the early action/decision round.

[Anonymous]

So now the only students in the Ivy League, etc., will be math/science kids? What about excellent English, language, history students? Not needed anymore, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So now the only students in the Ivy League, etc., will be math/science kids? What about excellent English, language, history students? Not needed anymore, I guess.

I don't think that's what Pp meant. It's that the math/science classes tend to be more tracked than history classes so you need to be taking the most advanced ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
GDS sent over 50% to ivys and Ivy-like schools. Didn't you see all the other posts about it?

Nope

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So now the only students in the Ivy League, etc., will be math/science kids? What about excellent English, language, history students? Not needed anymore, I guess.

I don't think that's what Pp meant. It's that the math/science classes tend to be more tracked than history classes so you need to be taking the most advanced ones.

Which btw I don't totally agree with. One of DCs friends is at Harvard and they were in AP AB calc together senior year so not on the high math track.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell definitely sends about 30% to Ivies and equivalents, like MIT and Stanford . . . maybe even a little more than that this year.

But...what about equal opportunity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Pomona (and I believe Claremont McKenna) had admission rates below 10% this year, down from just over 12% last year. Williams admitted 16.8% this year. Not sure about Amherst. But given these numbers, I question the relative placement of these four schools in the proposed break-out. Seems like the Claremont colleges are growing quickly in popularity, perhaps because of the California location and weather, the strong academics, and the fact that at least two of the other 5C colleges -- Pitzer and Harvey Mudd -- also have admission rates in the low teens.

UCLA, Cal, Stanford, Cal Tech, Pomona, CMC, and Harvey Mudd. Ok -- add in the inflated USC. Very few good schools in a huge state.

[Anonymous]

Everyone knows GDS leads EVERY school in Ivy admissions --- please consider this matter settled