Big 3 Nightmare

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much did college admissions weigh in your original decision to send your child to a Big 3? Many start far before high school, so the reasons for attending the school were not mostly about a great college, were they?

The strivers start in high school. The secure wealthy folks start in K.

This is comical because most of us know that the top academic folks did not enter in K.

Big 3 Parent here. I would say it is an even mix. Approximately half (or a bit higher - say 60 percent) of of the top 20 percent (or even top ten percent) of the class began in MS/LS. Another half began in HS.

Sidwell grad parent here. Maybe MS. Probably. Most definitely not LS.

9th grade entry is for the top academics and they end up at the top of the class (along with a good number of MS admits).

That said, certainly many lifers do end up at Harvard. Because Dad and Mom founded the cosmetics company where you buy concealer. Or they're the president and first lady. Or they comment on all the things each night on CNN. But their HYP admissions don't mean their the top of the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are correct. I'm also the parent of a senior and the Big 3 results in terms of top 20 schools are worse this year than in the past for unhooked Big 3 kids.

Love them or hate them, the top private school kids are working their butts off and not seeing a correlation with high acceptance rates at competitive schools.

This is a national trend with test optional and the added impact of elite privates eliminating AP's makes it harder to compete.

So it is a bummer that yes, my kid works way harder than their sibling in public; yes, their big 3 private is more rigorous than public; yes, our kid in public may actually fare better in the admissions game. I think the money we spent on private was worth it in that it was the right fit for our kid, and I know they will be well-prepared for college.
But they sure as heck are not going to an Ivy, despite what, on paper, seem to be the right qualifications.

I disagree with the assessment that the results have been worse ofor top
20 schools, at least at my kid’s school.

So, my take on this is even if the kid in privates worked harder for their grade than a kid in public (which is questionable), what makes the kid in private more worthy of an admission? Talent? Skills? Hard work? Privilege?

A kid in public graduating with 9 or more APs is working hard and showing they are ready in integrated, inclusive settings where they have been educated with students of varying disabilities and walks of life. They probably have a larger worldview to show the readers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Big 3 senior parent. Hearing many RD bloodbath stories. Like zeroed out on targets and certainly reaches. I’m counting WL as a zero.

Have heard 5 or 6 of these just since last night.

RD was a waste this year. ED I and ED II are the only way now for a high/high middle stats kid who is unhooked or only hook is legacy. Legacy alone days are done. Legacy kids need a double hook and ED.

RD is not just a lottery but powerball lottery odds

I’m sure many here will troll this post.

What kind of schools are you talking about? Where will these kids end up attending?

All these dramatic posts are useless without actual college examples. We don't know if you're talking about top 20% kids getting shut out of Ivies or getting shut out of every top 50 school they applied to. Or worse-getting shut out period. These posts could literally mean any of the above. I'm a Big3 parent of a 10tb grader and I'd love to know what is actually meant (with examples)

OK, I'll bite. Here are some of the schools that said "Nope!" to my niece who attends either Sidwell or NCS: UCSB. UCSD. Wash U. Barnard. BU. Davidson. UVA.

This is a young woman in the top 20% or so, highest math/science track, 1500 SAT and killer ECs. White. Not VIP.

They have 2 options in the USNWR ~200 range, and one of those scammy options where you get the name of the school on your diploma but never attend class at the main campus, because you're in Amsterdam or something for $100k a year

[Anonymous]

Yikes- did your niece apply anywhere ED or was it all RD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Big 3 senior parent. Hearing many RD bloodbath stories. Like zeroed out on targets and certainly reaches. I’m counting WL as a zero.

Have heard 5 or 6 of these just since last night.

RD was a waste this year. ED I and ED II are the only way now for a high/high middle stats kid who is unhooked or only hook is legacy. Legacy alone days are done. Legacy kids need a double hook and ED.

RD is not just a lottery but powerball lottery odds

I’m sure many here will troll this post.

What kind of schools are you talking about? Where will these kids end up attending?

All these dramatic posts are useless without actual college examples. We don't know if you're talking about top 20% kids getting shut out of Ivies or getting shut out of every top 50 school they applied to. Or worse-getting shut out period. These posts could literally mean any of the above. I'm a Big3 parent of a 10tb grader and I'd love to know what is actually meant (with examples)

OK, I'll bite. Here are some of the schools that said "Nope!" to my niece who attends either Sidwell or NCS: UCSB. UCSD. Wash U. Barnard. BU. Davidson. UVA.

This is a young woman in the top 20% or so, highest math/science track, 1500 SAT and killer ECs. White. Not VIP.

They have 2 options in the USNWR ~200 range, and one of those scammy options where you get the name of the school on your diploma but never attend class at the main campus, because you're in Amsterdam or something for $100k a year

She's going to a school ranked at 200? like the University of Detroit?

She took BC calc, physics C in 11th grade?

-and she's going to someplace like University of Detroit or Robert Morris University?

I'm sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you are correct. I'm also the parent of a senior and the Big 3 results in terms of top 20 schools are worse this year than in the past for unhooked Big 3 kids.

Love them or hate them, the top private school kids are working their butts off and not seeing a correlation with high acceptance rates at competitive schools.

This is a national trend with test optional and the added impact of elite privates eliminating AP's makes it harder to compete.

So it is a bummer that yes, my kid works way harder than their sibling in public; yes, their big 3 private is more rigorous than public; yes, our kid in public may actually fare better in the admissions game. I think the money we spent on private was worth it in that it was the right fit for our kid, and I know they will be well-prepared for college.
But they sure as heck are not going to an Ivy, despite what, on paper, seem to be the right qualifications.

I disagree with the assessment that the results have been worse ofor top
20 schools, at least at my kid’s school.

So, my take on this is even if the kid in privates worked harder for their grade than a kid in public (which is questionable), what makes the kid in private more worthy of an admission? Talent? Skills? Hard work? Privilege?

A kid in public graduating with 9 or more APs is working hard and showing they are ready in integrated, inclusive settings where they have been educated with students of varying disabilities and walks of life. They probably have a larger worldview to show the readers.

Where did anybody say the private kids are more worthy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Big 3 senior parent. Hearing many RD bloodbath stories. Like zeroed out on targets and certainly reaches. I’m counting WL as a zero.

Have heard 5 or 6 of these just since last night.

RD was a waste this year. ED I and ED II are the only way now for a high/high middle stats kid who is unhooked or only hook is legacy. Legacy alone days are done. Legacy kids need a double hook and ED.

RD is not just a lottery but powerball lottery odds

I’m sure many here will troll this post.

What kind of schools are you talking about? Where will these kids end up attending?

All these dramatic posts are useless without actual college examples. We don't know if you're talking about top 20% kids getting shut out of Ivies or getting shut out of every top 50 school they applied to. Or worse-getting shut out period. These posts could literally mean any of the above. I'm a Big3 parent of a 10tb grader and I'd love to know what is actually meant (with examples)

OK, I'll bite. Here are some of the schools that said "Nope!" to my niece who attends either Sidwell or NCS: UCSB. UCSD. Wash U. Barnard. BU. Davidson. UVA.

This is a young woman in the top 20% or so, highest math/science track, 1500 SAT and killer ECs. White. Not VIP.

They have 2 options in the USNWR ~200 range, and one of those scammy options where you get the name of the school on your diploma but never attend class at the main campus, because you're in Amsterdam or something for $100k a year

There’s a list coming out in April of schools still accepting apps. Lots of small LACs on it, and known flagship state schools (known for non-academic reasons).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Big 3 senior parent. Hearing many RD bloodbath stories. Like zeroed out on targets and certainly reaches. I’m counting WL as a zero.

Have heard 5 or 6 of these just since last night.

RD was a waste this year. ED I and ED II are the only way now for a high/high middle stats kid who is unhooked or only hook is legacy. Legacy alone days are done. Legacy kids need a double hook and ED.

RD is not just a lottery but powerball lottery odds

I’m sure many here will troll this post.

What kind of schools are you talking about? Where will these kids end up attending?

All these dramatic posts are useless without actual college examples. We don't know if you're talking about top 20% kids getting shut out of Ivies or getting shut out of every top 50 school they applied to. Or worse-getting shut out period. These posts could literally mean any of the above. I'm a Big3 parent of a 10tb grader and I'd love to know what is actually meant (with examples)

OK, I'll bite. Here are some of the schools that said "Nope!" to my niece who attends either Sidwell or NCS: UCSB. UCSD. Wash U. Barnard. BU. Davidson. UVA.

This is a young woman in the top 20% or so, highest math/science track, 1500 SAT and killer ECs. White. Not VIP.

They have 2 options in the USNWR ~200 range, and one of those scammy options where you get the name of the school on your diploma but never attend class at the main campus, because you're in Amsterdam or something for $100k a year

I am sorry that your niece is unhappy. That stinks. Is she really top 15 kids (20%)? Because you are correct, those results would be out of sync with other local privates. Kids with those stats at my kid’s HS are generally into top 20, or at least top 40 with options like UVA and UNC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Big 3 senior parent. Hearing many RD bloodbath stories. Like zeroed out on targets and certainly reaches. I’m counting WL as a zero.

Have heard 5 or 6 of these just since last night.

RD was a waste this year. ED I and ED II are the only way now for a high/high middle stats kid who is unhooked or only hook is legacy. Legacy alone days are done. Legacy kids need a double hook and ED.

RD is not just a lottery but powerball lottery odds

I’m sure many here will troll this post.

What kind of schools are you talking about? Where will these kids end up attending?

All these dramatic posts are useless without actual college examples. We don't know if you're talking about top 20% kids getting shut out of Ivies or getting shut out of every top 50 school they applied to. Or worse-getting shut out period. These posts could literally mean any of the above. I'm a Big3 parent of a 10tb grader and I'd love to know what is actually meant (with examples)

OK, I'll bite. Here are some of the schools that said "Nope!" to my niece who attends either Sidwell or NCS: UCSB. UCSD. Wash U. Barnard. BU. Davidson. UVA.

This is a young woman in the top 20% or so, highest math/science track, 1500 SAT and killer ECs. White. Not VIP.

They have 2 options in the USNWR ~200 range, and one of those scammy options where you get the name of the school on your diploma but never attend class at the main campus, because you're in Amsterdam or something for $100k a year

PP here. This isn’t the list I was referring to, but Michigan State, Goucher & Belmont University in Nashville both seem to still be accepting apps: https://toptieradmissions.com/colleges-still-accepting-applications-class-of-2027/. Apparently, Penn State is rolling admissions as well.

[Anonymous]

That doesn't make any sense. you niece has a 3.8+ and didn't apply anywhere in the gap from top 30 to top 200?

No penn state? Delaware? Michigan state? Indiana? Colorado? There are a ton of schools in the 30-200 band that would take her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, the term big 3 is not helpful. These private schools are all very different and lumping them together does not produce a useful data point.

My take is that seniors at my kid’s school are doing just fine. It is definitely true that it is no longer the 1950s where a third of the class got into Harvard, Yale and Princeton. The landscape is vastly more competitive for everyone, including private schools. But I would hold my head high to be at a number of the schools where graduates plan to matriculate.

Kids (beyond athletes) have been accepted to Chicago (in droves), UVA, Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Hopkins, UNC, Notre Dame, Davidson, Williams, BC, and Tulane off the top of my head. At other privates, the list feels pretty similar for the kids I know. Also, UMD (if you are in-state) was not as difficult an admit as a PP claimed.

My kid loved high school and is excited for college. That is enough for me to consider tuition a worthwhile investment for our family.

Is this STA?
It sounds like it by the kids I know. The school is doing well.

I noticed you omitted the legacy factor and ED/full pay. These are massive boosts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yikes- did your niece apply anywhere ED or was it all RD?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think any parent considering a Big 3 (especially at the K level) needs to ask themselves...will I be OK or furious when my little Jimmy ends up at the University of Maryland.

If they are OK, then go ahead and spend the $$$s....if furious, they need to take a step back and realize that UMD (or the equivalent) is their more likely outcome...especially if you are not legacy at a top school and don't think your kid will be some great athlete.

Obviously, if you are rich and the tuition is just a rounding error..then who cares either way.

Actually, it’s tough for private school kids to get into UMDCP because there is not grade inflation a la MCPS with 50% or more of the class having a 4.0 unweighted.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who decided to pull their kid out of a big three just for senior year. Sent the kid to public for senior year to boost gpa (grade inflation) and have the chance to take all APs (further bumping gpa and appearing most rigorous). The kid was less stressed with a lower workload and fewer out of classroom requirements to graduate. The kid seemed happy. This was a while ago but I wonder if we will start seeing more people do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Big 3 senior parent. Hearing many RD bloodbath stories. Like zeroed out on targets and certainly reaches. I’m counting WL as a zero.

Have heard 5 or 6 of these just since last night.

RD was a waste this year. ED I and ED II are the only way now for a high/high middle stats kid who is unhooked or only hook is legacy. Legacy alone days are done. Legacy kids need a double hook and ED.

RD is not just a lottery but powerball lottery odds

I’m sure many here will troll this post.

What kind of schools are you talking about? Where will these kids end up attending?

All these dramatic posts are useless without actual college examples. We don't know if you're talking about top 20% kids getting shut out of Ivies or getting shut out of every top 50 school they applied to. Or worse-getting shut out period. These posts could literally mean any of the above. I'm a Big3 parent of a 10tb grader and I'd love to know what is actually meant (with examples)

OK, I'll bite. Here are some of the schools that said "Nope!" to my niece who attends either Sidwell or NCS: UCSB. UCSD. Wash U. Barnard. BU. Davidson. UVA.

This is a young woman in the top 20% or so, highest math/science track, 1500 SAT and killer ECs. White. Not VIP.

They have 2 options in the USNWR ~200 range, and one of those scammy options where you get the name of the school on your diploma but never attend class at the main campus, because you're in Amsterdam or something for $100k a year

She's going to a school ranked at 200? like the University of Detroit?

She took BC calc, physics C in 11th grade?

-and she's going to someplace like University of Detroit or Robert Morris University?

I'm sorry.

Oh FFS, there are plenty of good schools in the top 400!! There are 4,000 colleges and universities in the US!