What makes Whitman such a (reputation of a) "pressure cooker?"

[Transplant_1]

I am wondering what makes Whitman such a "pressure cooker?" It would seem that regardless of which "W + BCC" school you go to, if you're aiming for a selective college, you still need a certain number of high AP scores. So whether you go to, for example you go to Whitman, BCC, or Walter Johnson, you'll probably be evaluated the same way by a college. So in any of those schools, the amount of pressure will be on yourself and the college you're aiming for. So what makes Whitman such a "pressure cooker?" In thinking it through, I would think that the pressure comes from the non-AP classes, where getting an "A" means competing against the other students. Is that the case? Is that where the pressure comes from? And again, I imagine the pressure comes from extra-curriculars, and perhaps there is an arms race for how many / quality of extra-curriculars. I welcome sincere observations. Thank you. Please, no derailing of conversations. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Transplant_1 wrote:I am wondering what makes Whitman such a "pressure cooker?" It would seem that regardless of which "W + BCC" school you go to, if you're aiming for a selective college, you still need a certain number of high AP scores. So whether you go to, for example you go to Whitman, BCC, or Walter Johnson, you'll probably be evaluated the same way by a college. So in any of those schools, the amount of pressure will be on yourself and the college you're aiming for. So what makes Whitman such a "pressure cooker?" In thinking it through, I would think that the pressure comes from the non-AP classes, where getting an "A" means competing against the other students. Is that the case? Is that where the pressure comes from? And again, I imagine the pressure comes from extra-curriculars, and perhaps there is an arms race for how many / quality of extra-curriculars. I welcome sincere observations. Thank you. Please, no derailing of conversations. Thank you.

No clue because most of these schools are pretty similar. Yes, the communities vary, but there's not much difference within specific groups like high-achievers. Although the bulk statistics may show some difference, ironically, Wootton or WJ seem to have more outliers. My biggest concern with Whitman is the lack of diversity and the routine racial incidents.

[Anonymous]

My kid had a friend at Whitman whose mother made him practice SAT tests from 7th grade onwards, every single year with the aim being a perfect score.

He had another friend who was taking multiple sciences in 9th grade in order to take all the sciences as APs early while also doing a w'end class in neuroscience with somewhere like Yale.

Nothing to do with EC or sports though of course, those are included. The kid taking the neuroscience class had 2 serious sports, one they got up for at 5am and the other they did after school.

[Anonymous]

I think it's the cumulative effect of trying to be the absolute best at everything. Not only to have 12 APs and perfect grades, but also to be concert master in the orchestra and found a nonprofit that pairs orphans with kittens.

The amount of wealth for external coaching/training/lessons means that it's not enough to just really love singing or playing the cello or playing soccer. Because everyone else is getting extensive private coaching, there's no room for a hobbyist, which means creates an arms race.

[Anonymous]

I don't think BCC belongs in the same category as the Ws anymore, honestly. Its FARMS rate is almost 20% now, and it is projected to surpass that in another 2 years. It's an affluent school yes, but not at the same level as the Ws. It's more like RM/Sherwood level of affluence now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's the cumulative effect of trying to be the absolute best at everything. Not only to have 12 APs and perfect grades, but also to be concert master in the orchestra and found a nonprofit that pairs orphans with kittens.

The amount of wealth for external coaching/training/lessons means that it's not enough to just really love singing or playing the cello or playing soccer. Because everyone else is getting extensive private coaching, there's no room for a hobbyist, which means creates an arms race.

All so true. Also where is the time for socializing in all this? Practically none.

[Transplant_1]

Even if BCC has a high FARMs rate, the UMC students will still have to put the same "pressure" on themselves to be competitive for selective colleges. And there's probably a large cohort of them creating "competition" and "pressure." So I keep wondering, what makes Whitman a pressure cooker. I appreciate the example of the child practicing SATs since 7th grade. And the reality of the amount of external coaching/training/lessons. But wouldn't that wealth factor exist in BCC as well? It draws from one of the wealthiest areas in the country.

[Anonymous]

Transplant_1 wrote:Even if BCC has a high FARMs rate, the UMC students will still have to put the same "pressure" on themselves to be competitive for selective colleges. And there's probably a large cohort of them creating "competition" and "pressure." So I keep wondering, what makes Whitman a pressure cooker. I appreciate the example of the child practicing SATs since 7th grade. And the reality of the amount of external coaching/training/lessons. But wouldn't that wealth factor exist in BCC as well? It draws from one of the wealthiest areas in the country.

Well, the average farms rate for the county is just shy of 40% so BCC is far below the average.

[Anonymous]

Transplant_1 wrote:Even if BCC has a high FARMs rate, the UMC students will still have to put the same "pressure" on themselves to be competitive for selective colleges. And there's probably a large cohort of them creating "competition" and "pressure." So I keep wondering, what makes Whitman a pressure cooker. I appreciate the example of the child practicing SATs since 7th grade. And the reality of the amount of external coaching/training/lessons. But wouldn't that wealth factor exist in BCC as well? It draws from one of the wealthiest areas in the country.

Every school has such a cohort. There isn't anything special about Whitman. Sure, it's a fine school but RMIB makes it look easy by comparison.

[Transplant_1]

Yes, I have heard of RMIB's magnet being extremely competitive / high pressure. I appreciate this perspective. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Had three kids graduate from Whitman. You have to try out for everything. In other MCPS high schools, some sports need players or are “no-cut.” Not Whitman with the exception of the football team. Swimming, cross country are all cut teams. Want to work on the Tv show, you need to try out. Many positions on the newspaper and yearbook are highly competitive. For the high average kids, it just wears them down because they feel like they don’t have a decent shot at anything. Whitman showcases a big club night but most of these “ clubs” never amount to anything except resume value for the organizer. All the top kids are always competing with each other and it makes for a pressure cooker environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Had three kids graduate from Whitman. You have to try out for everything. In other MCPS high schools, some sports need players or are “no-cut.” Not Whitman with the exception of the football team. Swimming, cross country are all cut teams. Want to work on the Tv show, you need to try out. Many positions on the newspaper and yearbook are highly competitive. For the high average kids, it just wears them down because they feel like they don’t have a decent shot at anything. Whitman showcases a big club night but most of these “ clubs” never amount to anything except resume value for the organizer. All the top kids are always competing with each other and it makes for a pressure cooker environment.

They are cut teams as there are so many interested/club kids. You don't see that in other parts, mainly for the cost and time involved. We only have a few club swimmers and its very hard to swim just winter as a HS student with no conditioning.

[Anonymous]

The parents.

[Anonymous]

Absentee parents. With the money to fix any problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Had three kids graduate from Whitman. You have to try out for everything. In other MCPS high schools, some sports need players or are “no-cut.” Not Whitman with the exception of the football team. Swimming, cross country are all cut teams. Want to work on the Tv show, you need to try out. Many positions on the newspaper and yearbook are highly competitive. For the high average kids, it just wears them down because they feel like they don’t have a decent shot at anything. Whitman showcases a big club night but most of these “ clubs” never amount to anything except resume value for the organizer. All the top kids are always competing with each other and it makes for a pressure cooker environment.

This was our exact experience and it was such a disappointment.