any chance with straight Bs?
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Anonymous
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My 8th grader is applying to an elite private school with acceptance rate <10% (Not in DC area).
He is smart but lazy and does not apply himself. Part of this, I feel, is because he is at a very traditional school and does not like it. He has the potential to do so much better. The new school is a much better fit (much less rigid, innovative school), and if admitted, I know he would thrive. The problem is that it is super competitive and he has straight Bs on his report card. For those "in-the-know," is there still a chance he can get accepted? Or is it pretty much impossible with these grades? Outside of school, he is pretty well-rounded and is involved in many activities, although is pretty non-committal with all of them (has natural talent but won't put in the time to excel). |
Anonymous
| It sounds like he would benefit from a school that is a better fit than where he is now. But you may want to avoid a super competitive school. |
Anonymous
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The does-not-apply themselves type unlikely to get in.
Has he been tested before for anything underlying that? |
Anonymous
This is EXACTLY the type that many local schools market to. Parents switching late to private always say their kids would be great if they just applied themselves and they think that small class sizes and a smaller school will do just that. OP, at this stage it’s about who has openings and can you pay full tuition. |
Anonymous
This is not true of the “elite” privates, at least in this area. OP, why not apply to some additional privates where your child has a better shot of getting admitted? |
Anonymous
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He needs to write a really personal essay saying how the new environment is a place where he sees himself thriving.
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Anonymous
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Op asked this in another thread and mentioned it’s a competitive school that accepts fewer than 10% of applicants.
I agree there could be a school out there for him, but unfortunately, it won’t be a school that’s super competitive. I’m also unsure that won’t be a good fit for him either. |
Anonymous
| Doubtful |
Anonymous
| It's easy to be declined from an elite school with all A's, so I would not expect to get in with all B's. But that's ok; there probably are other less rigid, innovative schools out there where he would shine. |
Anonymous
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The thing is, no independent school worth its salt will want to accept a student who won't have academic success. So the "b" student will need to demonstrate why the new school is the right place for them to excel and hope that their perception matches the reality that the admissions office understands.
Also, for those really competitive schools, if they can choose from a pool of applicants with demonstrated academic success, then there needs to be something really special about a 'b' applicant for them to gain acceptance, be it a personality, a sport, a talent, something. |
Anonymous
| Or a sibling. See GDS thread. Doesn’t seem to be the case here though. |
Anonymous
| The answer is yes, B students are admitted all the time. The parents of A students don't want to hear it though. |
Anonymous
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Look at Field, Burke and the non-competitive Catholic schools.
They all routinely take students without stellar grades. Also, families we know are pretty happy there. More relaxed vibe makes for a more enjoyable student experience. |
Anonymous
| Not likely OP but you already know that. He isn't going to " get through the front door", but if you know a Board Member or could make a big donation, you might be able to "back door it"... still not likely. |
Anonymous
Not too private schools in DC, LA or NYC. Coddling kids who need more attention is not for college prep schools. That’s basic private schools all over this country, for kids with problems. |