NCS Reception

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did the counselors suggest the UK for you?

Yes, exactly. Pull some B minuses in tough classes at one of the most competitive, demanding private schools in the United States and you are banished to go abroad indefinitely. In all seriousness, I'm starting to think that the PP with the daughter who didn't get into any good schools may be a troll. But it's been nice to see how quick some are to assume the worst about an average student at a place like NCS -- hey, if it weren't for us, how could your higher achievers shine so bright? They can't give A's to everyone!

Yep, exactly, I think she is a troll. I questioned earlier why she felt the need to post and she became very defensive. I am keeping my daughter's acceptance to the class of 2020 despite attending the qoute "no frills" reception and the PP with the daughter who didn't get into any good schools.

I think you are talking past each other. The PP was simply saying that her daughter got mainly Bs at NCS and, presumably as a result, didn't get into what the parent considers good schools. How does that make her a troll? I am having a similar experience with a child at a similar school. It doesn't mean the schools are bad. But it does understandably make you question whether the school was worth the money for your particular child. And I think that it is worth knowing, as a prospective parent of a kid at a big 3 or similar school, that if your child is an average student at that school, your child may not get into the colleges that you were hoping he or she would get into.

[Anonymous]

Surely college acceptance isn't the only thing that makes a private school worth the money.

If that's the sole equation, why not go public and send Harvard a check for $100,000 junior year and again senior year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Surely college acceptance isn't the only thing that makes a private school worth the money.

If that's the sole equation, why not go public and send Harvard a check for $100,000 junior year and again senior year?

Nobody said college acceptance is the only thing. College acceptance isn't the only thing. But it isn't nothing. And it is worth having a realistic assessment of how much of a boost, if any, coming from a prestigious high school will get a child in college admissions.


I think a reasonable person could think it is worth the money regardless. But I also think a reasonable person could think it isn't worth the money if it doesn't significantly help with college admissions. Can't both views be ok?

[Anonymous]

Pp - you win the level head award.

[Anonymous]

Hit the books. Tests don't do a thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why assume the kid would play video games? Why not give the kid a chance and assume that the school would light an inspirational flame for him?

Plenty of colleges are happy to make that leap of faith. But the most selective ones are already turning away scads of academically super powered applicants so there's not a real reason for them to take the gamble on late bloomer vs. non-starter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did the counselors suggest the UK for you?

Yes, exactly. Pull some B minuses in tough classes at one of the most competitive, demanding private schools in the United States and you are banished to go abroad indefinitely. In all seriousness, I'm starting to think that the PP with the daughter who didn't get into any good schools may be a troll. But it's been nice to see how quick some are to assume the worst about an average student at a place like NCS -- hey, if it weren't for us, how could your higher achievers shine so bright? They can't give A's to everyone!

Not the disappointed parent poster, but many love the UK schools. And it is a fact that they put much more emphasis on tests (including AP results). Let's also remember that the US has scores of wonderful colleges and universities. A record that won't lead to an Ivy will still lead to excellent college choices. But people differ on what they think is acceptable and there are more than a few for who me a top 30 or top 50 college would seem very disappointing.

[Anonymous]

Do the UK schools accept ACT and SAT scores or just the British equivalent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do the UK schools accept ACT and SAT scores or just the British equivalent?

They accept U.S. tests. From what I have seen they are as or more interested in subject specific tests (such as the SAT IIs and AP exams) which they appear to see as equivalent to the British-style A levels with which they are familiar. I've seen a couple of instances of a top UK school giving a conditional offer of entry to an American high school senior, saying offer is conditional on student getting 5s on APs in subjects related to the planned UK course of studies (so, for example, asking the student to get 5s on AP Chem and AP Physics). They do not tend to care about extracurriculars terribly much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the UK schools accept ACT and SAT scores or just the British equivalent?

They accept U.S. tests. From what I have seen they are as or more interested in subject specific tests (such as the SAT IIs and AP exams) which they appear to see as equivalent to the British-style A levels with which they are familiar. I've seen a couple of instances of a top UK school giving a conditional offer of entry to an American high school senior, saying offer is conditional on student getting 5s on APs in subjects related to the planned UK course of studies (so, for example, asking the student to get 5s on AP Chem and AP Physics). They do not tend to care about extracurriculars terribly much.

This is consistent with our experience as well. Teacher recommendations are also very important. High school GPA much less important.

[Anonymous]

Fuck me. Should have applied across the pond. No such guidance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fuck me. Should have applied across the pond. No such guidance.

I love you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fuck me. Should have applied across the pond. No such guidance.

I remember in the 1980s going to our public high school guidance office and looking up average SAT scores for colleges in some big book, then copying down phone numbers and calling admissions offices and getting applications sent to me in the mail. Sometimes I feel like I grew up in the covered wagon era. But it all worked out.

[Anonymous]

Why does the prior poster think that her B daughter who didn't get into a "choice" school would have been better off at a different place than NCS? An A student from a lesser school with the same boards and extracurriculars may not have been admitted at said choice schools either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the UK schools accept ACT and SAT scores or just the British equivalent?

They accept U.S. tests. From what I have seen they are as or more interested in subject specific tests (such as the SAT IIs and AP exams) which they appear to see as equivalent to the British-style A levels with which they are familiar. I've seen a couple of instances of a top UK school giving a conditional offer of entry to an American high school senior, saying offer is conditional on student getting 5s on APs in subjects related to the planned UK course of studies (so, for example, asking the student to get 5s on AP Chem and AP Physics). They do not tend to care about extracurriculars terribly much.

This is consistent with our experience as well. Teacher recommendations are also very important. High school GPA much less important.

The UK approach (both to college admissions and once one is there) can be very good for the student who is a star in one area and hates or isn't that strong at another academic area.