Stupid question about elite private high schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know from personal experience that public school students do not struggle at top schools. I went to an Ivy from a very mediocre high school and felt a bit intimidated for my first couple of weeks. However, by about week 3, I realized that I could handle the work as well as my peers.

Those from private schools and good public schools did not seem to have the same qualms those first few weeks, but it all evened out very quickly. After graduating, I went on to an Ivy law school. Top colleges only accept those they feel sure sill be able to succeed at their school. So I think it’s ridiculous to say that public school students struggle at top colleges.

Of course it’s ridiculous. It’s ridiculous to claim that 2/3s of these schools’ classes are struggling and continue to struggle after graduation.

Even more than being ridiculous, though, it’s poor reasoning and reflects badly on the people making the claims.

Nobody said that. However where are the bottom 30% of college students at the ivies coming from? Mostly public. How are their careers after college? Middling.

Actually, they did say that. This was on page 4, in response to a comment saying that plenty of public school grads do well:

“Not really. Most non-magnet public school students at top colleges struggle and don’t have good outcomes afterwards.”

And then on page 6 there was the comment along the lines of, “if you actually went to a top college, you would know how public school grads struggle there and afterwards.”

With over 60% of the student body at these colleges coming from public high schools—and with the outcomes from these colleges being very strong—this is terrible logic and absurd.

And to your latest point, no, the bottom 30% of Ivy grads don’t have middling careers. This is like Make Up Numbers Day, or something.

Yes they do. Lots of duds actually.

No, a middling career is starting out as a management trainee in the management training program at Enterprise. A third of Ivy grads are not ending up with careers like that. Maybe 5-10% max.

I knew a few people who didn’t do well after elite college and/or law school. Typically the problem was a major cultural mismatch (the girl who was trying to sell Mary Kay products to the upper middle class girls in the dorms…), mental health issues (the girl who talked about her “sex addiction” during on-campus interviews in law school), or a decision to pursue obscure projects with little value or interest to others (weird art, that kind of thing). Two out of three of these issues have nothing to do with public vs private. In fact one of the students who pursued mediocre art/music/writing went to Exeter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know from personal experience that public school students do not struggle at top schools. I went to an Ivy from a very mediocre high school and felt a bit intimidated for my first couple of weeks. However, by about week 3, I realized that I could handle the work as well as my peers.

Those from private schools and good public schools did not seem to have the same qualms those first few weeks, but it all evened out very quickly. After graduating, I went on to an Ivy law school. Top colleges only accept those they feel sure sill be able to succeed at their school. So I think it’s ridiculous to say that public school students struggle at top colleges.

Of course it’s ridiculous. It’s ridiculous to claim that 2/3s of these schools’ classes are struggling and continue to struggle after graduation.

Even more than being ridiculous, though, it’s poor reasoning and reflects badly on the people making the claims.

Nobody said that. However where are the bottom 30% of college students at the ivies coming from? Mostly public. How are their careers after college? Middling.

Actually, they did say that. This was on page 4, in response to a comment saying that plenty of public school grads do well:

“Not really. Most non-magnet public school students at top colleges struggle and don’t have good outcomes afterwards.”

And then on page 6 there was the comment along the lines of, “if you actually went to a top college, you would know how public school grads struggle there and afterwards.”

With over 60% of the student body at these colleges coming from public high schools—and with the outcomes from these colleges being very strong—this is terrible logic and absurd.

And to your latest point, no, the bottom 30% of Ivy grads don’t have middling careers. This is like Make Up Numbers Day, or something.

Yes they do. Lots of duds actually.

No, a middling career is starting out as a management trainee in the management training program at Enterprise. A third of Ivy grads are not ending up with careers like that. Maybe 5-10% max.

I knew a few people who didn’t do well after elite college and/or law school. Typically the problem was a major cultural mismatch (the girl who was trying to sell Mary Kay products to the upper middle class girls in the dorms…), mental health issues (the girl who talked about her “sex addiction” during on-campus interviews in law school), or a decision to pursue obscure projects with little value or interest to others (weird art, that kind of thing). Two out of three of these issues have nothing to do with public vs private. In fact one of the students who pursued mediocre art/music/writing went to Exeter.

Yeah, I mean it definitely happens, it’s just not 30%. Nor is it a public-only thing, as you mentioned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bought a superior education, but more importantly, I bought a peer group and social currency.

Is that what you really wanted to know OP?

College admit is not the highest concern.

There is SO MUCH more to it than a top tier college admit.

You’re delusional. 5 years (or even less) out of college and barely anybody cares what college you went to. And certainly nobody gives a damn what high school you went to!

My spouse works with elite Ivy League grads and nobody ever, ever talks about what freakin high school they went to. It’s not on their professional bios, not on their LinkedIn profiles, not in their conversations. Nothing.

False. You must be looking at LinkedIn profiles from a bunch of public school graduates (who most likely do NOT put their high schools on their LinkedIn profiles).

Tip: 1. Go to LinkedIn; 2. Type in individual (one name/search) names of elite independent high schools (eg, Noble and Greenough, Horace Mann, HW, Sidwell Friends, St. John's (Houston), etc); 3. Come back and tell us what you find. 😝

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know from personal experience that public school students do not struggle at top schools. I went to an Ivy from a very mediocre high school and felt a bit intimidated for my first couple of weeks. However, by about week 3, I realized that I could handle the work as well as my peers.

Those from private schools and good public schools did not seem to have the same qualms those first few weeks, but it all evened out very quickly. After graduating, I went on to an Ivy law school. Top colleges only accept those they feel sure sill be able to succeed at their school. So I think it’s ridiculous to say that public school students struggle at top colleges.

And not to mention many Ivy students come from high performing public schools with stellar academics.

We are looking at private high schools but we are not using it as a route to the Ivy league, if anything it would probably be easier from a good urban magnet, which is the backup. We have other reasons for wanting a private high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What makes you think we send kids to private school for college placement?

College placement is not a great measure of education but it tracks with test scores and grades.

The instruction in critical thinking, writing, and problem solving are not the same. Standardized tests don't measure these very well but they matter for life outcome.

Furthermore, the friends and connections you form in high school matter. They can help land a first job, get that promotion, or help with life down the road.

I can offer a recent example. My son had a friend from high school who after college suddenly lost a job. With one phone call I got him an interview for his current job that more than doubled his salary.

Public school parents tend to focus on college outcome, while private school parents focus more on life outcome.

I’ll take my time Harvard network (and from a public school) over your Visi and JMU network any day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What makes you think we send kids to private school for college placement?

College placement is not a great measure of education but it tracks with test scores and grades.

The instruction in critical thinking, writing, and problem solving are not the same. Standardized tests don't measure these very well but they matter for life outcome.

Furthermore, the friends and connections you form in high school matter. They can help land a first job, get that promotion, or help with life down the road.

I can offer a recent example. My son had a friend from high school who after college suddenly lost a job. With one phone call I got him an interview for his current job that more than doubled his salary.

Public school parents tend to focus on college outcome, while private school parents focus more on life outcome.

I’ll take my time Harvard network (and from a public school) over your Visi and JMU network any day.

I also went to Harvard and you sound insufferable.

[Anonymous]

Threads like these continue because people take the worse they hear about public school and assume that is the overall experience of every student. It’s not. Same as thinking all private school students are somehow brilliant or snobby. Their not. The reality is top public school students go onto top colleges and when they don’t it usually has more to do with finances than anything else. Top private school kids go onto to top colleges as well. The difference here is that the private school curated the class.

That’s it. Everything else is parental jockeying for attention for trying to claim being better than someone else.

Teach your kids manners, self advocacy, networking, and build their confidence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bought a superior education, but more importantly, I bought a peer group and social currency.

Is that what you really wanted to know OP?

College admit is not the highest concern.

There is SO MUCH more to it than a top tier college admit.

You’re delusional. 5 years (or even less) out of college and barely anybody cares what college you went to. And certainly nobody gives a damn what high school you went to!

My spouse works with elite Ivy League grads and nobody ever, ever talks about what freakin high school they went to. It’s not on their professional bios, not on their LinkedIn profiles, not in their conversations. Nothing.

False. You must be looking at LinkedIn profiles from a bunch of public school graduates (who most likely do NOT put their high schools on their LinkedIn profiles).

Tip: 1. Go to LinkedIn; 2. Type in individual (one name/search) names of elite independent high schools (eg, Noble and Greenough, Horace Mann, HW, Sidwell Friends, St. John's (Houston), etc); 3. Come back and tell us what you find. 😝

Anyone including their HS on their LinkedIn profile better be either still in HS or at most a Freshman in college. 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bought a superior education, but more importantly, I bought a peer group and social currency.

Is that what you really wanted to know OP?

College admit is not the highest concern.

There is SO MUCH more to it than a top tier college admit.

You’re delusional. 5 years (or even less) out of college and barely anybody cares what college you went to. And certainly nobody gives a damn what high school you went to!

My spouse works with elite Ivy League grads and nobody ever, ever talks about what freakin high school they went to. It’s not on their professional bios, not on their LinkedIn profiles, not in their conversations. Nothing.

False. You must be looking at LinkedIn profiles from a bunch of public school graduates (who most likely do NOT put their high schools on their LinkedIn profiles).

Tip: 1. Go to LinkedIn; 2. Type in individual (one name/search) names of elite independent high schools (eg, Noble and Greenough, Horace Mann, HW, Sidwell Friends, St. John's (Houston), etc); 3. Come back and tell us what you find. 😝

Anyone including their HS on their LinkedIn profile better be either still in HS or at most a Freshman in college. 🙄

For graduates of elite high school it would be normal. They have strong alumni networks and some view it as more impressive than attending an elite college. You are clearly not in the know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bought a superior education, but more importantly, I bought a peer group and social currency.

Is that what you really wanted to know OP?

College admit is not the highest concern.

There is SO MUCH more to it than a top tier college admit.

You’re delusional. 5 years (or even less) out of college and barely anybody cares what college you went to. And certainly nobody gives a damn what high school you went to!

My spouse works with elite Ivy League grads and nobody ever, ever talks about what freakin high school they went to. It’s not on their professional bios, not on their LinkedIn profiles, not in their conversations. Nothing.

False. You must be looking at LinkedIn profiles from a bunch of public school graduates (who most likely do NOT put their high schools on their LinkedIn profiles).

Tip: 1. Go to LinkedIn; 2. Type in individual (one name/search) names of elite independent high schools (eg, Noble and Greenough, Horace Mann, HW, Sidwell Friends, St. John's (Houston), etc); 3. Come back and tell us what you find. 😝

Anyone including their HS on their LinkedIn profile better be either still in HS or at most a Freshman in college. 🙄

For graduates of elite high school it would be normal. They have strong alumni networks and some view it as more impressive than attending an elite college. You are clearly not in the know.

Maybe more clubby but not more impressive.

Getting in an elite high school takes being bright + having wealthy parents.

Getting in an elite college takes some actual demonstrated abilities at something.

This thread is super judgy. I suspect the well-educated elite college graduates with "middling" careers are happier and certainly more secure than most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bought a superior education, but more importantly, I bought a peer group and social currency.

Is that what you really wanted to know OP?

College admit is not the highest concern.

There is SO MUCH more to it than a top tier college admit.

You’re delusional. 5 years (or even less) out of college and barely anybody cares what college you went to. And certainly nobody gives a damn what high school you went to!

My spouse works with elite Ivy League grads and nobody ever, ever talks about what freakin high school they went to. It’s not on their professional bios, not on their LinkedIn profiles, not in their conversations. Nothing.

False. You must be looking at LinkedIn profiles from a bunch of public school graduates (who most likely do NOT put their high schools on their LinkedIn profiles).

Tip: 1. Go to LinkedIn; 2. Type in individual (one name/search) names of elite independent high schools (eg, Noble and Greenough, Horace Mann, HW, Sidwell Friends, St. John's (Houston), etc); 3. Come back and tell us what you find. 😝

Anyone including their HS on their LinkedIn profile better be either still in HS or at most a Freshman in college. 🙄

For graduates of elite high school it would be normal. They have strong alumni networks and some view it as more impressive than attending an elite college. You are clearly not in the know.

Maybe more clubby but not more impressive.

Getting in an elite high school takes being bright + having wealthy parents.

Getting in an elite college takes some actual demonstrated abilities at something.

This thread is super judgy. I suspect the well-educated elite college graduates with "middling" careers are happier and certainly more secure than most.

Admissions at elite colleges have become more about diversity and demographics than about abilities. It really isn’t about tests and grades anymore. The FA programs make it accessible to anyone off the streets.


While admission to elite high schools is more about tests and abilities, and the majority of these kids have an elite background. These admissions offices are doing a better job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bought a superior education, but more importantly, I bought a peer group and social currency.

Is that what you really wanted to know OP?

College admit is not the highest concern.

There is SO MUCH more to it than a top tier college admit.

You’re delusional. 5 years (or even less) out of college and barely anybody cares what college you went to. And certainly nobody gives a damn what high school you went to!

My spouse works with elite Ivy League grads and nobody ever, ever talks about what freakin high school they went to. It’s not on their professional bios, not on their LinkedIn profiles, not in their conversations. Nothing.

False. You must be looking at LinkedIn profiles from a bunch of public school graduates (who most likely do NOT put their high schools on their LinkedIn profiles).

Tip: 1. Go to LinkedIn; 2. Type in individual (one name/search) names of elite independent high schools (eg, Noble and Greenough, Horace Mann, HW, Sidwell Friends, St. John's (Houston), etc); 3. Come back and tell us what you find. 😝

Anyone including their HS on their LinkedIn profile better be either still in HS or at most a Freshman in college. 🙄

For graduates of elite high school it would be normal. They have strong alumni networks and some view it as more impressive than attending an elite college. You are clearly not in the know.

Maybe more clubby but not more impressive.

Getting in an elite high school takes being bright + having wealthy parents.

Getting in an elite college takes some actual demonstrated abilities at something.

This thread is super judgy. I suspect the well-educated elite college graduates with "middling" careers are happier and certainly more secure than most.

Admissions at elite colleges have become more about diversity and demographics than about abilities. It really isn’t about tests and grades anymore. The FA programs make it accessible to anyone off the streets.


While admission to elite high schools is more about tests and abilities, and the majority of these kids have an elite background. These admissions offices are doing a better job.

This is the copium people tell themselves when the rejection letters start rolling in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bought a superior education, but more importantly, I bought a peer group and social currency.

Is that what you really wanted to know OP?

College admit is not the highest concern.

There is SO MUCH more to it than a top tier college admit.

You’re delusional. 5 years (or even less) out of college and barely anybody cares what college you went to. And certainly nobody gives a damn what high school you went to!

My spouse works with elite Ivy League grads and nobody ever, ever talks about what freakin high school they went to. It’s not on their professional bios, not on their LinkedIn profiles, not in their conversations. Nothing.

False. You must be looking at LinkedIn profiles from a bunch of public school graduates (who most likely do NOT put their high schools on their LinkedIn profiles).

Tip: 1. Go to LinkedIn; 2. Type in individual (one name/search) names of elite independent high schools (eg, Noble and Greenough, Horace Mann, HW, Sidwell Friends, St. John's (Houston), etc); 3. Come back and tell us what you find. 😝

Anyone including their HS on their LinkedIn profile better be either still in HS or at most a Freshman in college. 🙄

For graduates of elite high school it would be normal. They have strong alumni networks and some view it as more impressive than attending an elite college. You are clearly not in the know.

Maybe more clubby but not more impressive.

Getting in an elite high school takes being bright + having wealthy parents.

Getting in an elite college takes some actual demonstrated abilities at something.

This thread is super judgy. I suspect the well-educated elite college graduates with "middling" careers are happier and certainly more secure than most.

Admissions at elite colleges have become more about diversity and demographics than about abilities. It really isn’t about tests and grades anymore. The FA programs make it accessible to anyone off the streets.


While admission to elite high schools is more about tests and abilities, and the majority of these kids have an elite background. These admissions offices are doing a better job.

This is the copium people tell themselves when the rejection letters start rolling in.

Not really. When your kids get admitted to the T10 colleges, look at who their peers would be. The admissions offices are letting in a circus cast of characters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bought a superior education, but more importantly, I bought a peer group and social currency.

Is that what you really wanted to know OP?

College admit is not the highest concern.

There is SO MUCH more to it than a top tier college admit.

You’re delusional. 5 years (or even less) out of college and barely anybody cares what college you went to. And certainly nobody gives a damn what high school you went to!

My spouse works with elite Ivy League grads and nobody ever, ever talks about what freakin high school they went to. It’s not on their professional bios, not on their LinkedIn profiles, not in their conversations. Nothing.

False. You must be looking at LinkedIn profiles from a bunch of public school graduates (who most likely do NOT put their high schools on their LinkedIn profiles).

Tip: 1. Go to LinkedIn; 2. Type in individual (one name/search) names of elite independent high schools (eg, Noble and Greenough, Horace Mann, HW, Sidwell Friends, St. John's (Houston), etc); 3. Come back and tell us what you find. 😝

Anyone including their HS on their LinkedIn profile better be either still in HS or at most a Freshman in college. 🙄

For graduates of elite high school it would be normal. They have strong alumni networks and some view it as more impressive than attending an elite college. You are clearly not in the know.

Maybe more clubby but not more impressive.

Getting in an elite high school takes being bright + having wealthy parents.

Getting in an elite college takes some actual demonstrated abilities at something.

This thread is super judgy. I suspect the well-educated elite college graduates with "middling" careers are happier and certainly more secure than most.

Admissions at elite colleges have become more about diversity and demographics than about abilities. It really isn’t about tests and grades anymore. The FA programs make it accessible to anyone off the streets.


While admission to elite high schools is more about tests and abilities, and the majority of these kids have an elite background. These admissions offices are doing a better job.

This is the copium people tell themselves when the rejection letters start rolling in.

Not really. When your kids get admitted to the T10 colleges, look at who their peers would be. The admissions offices are letting in a circus cast of characters.

Those schools still have a majority of students submitting test scores—some are even back to test required—and the middle 50 percent range of scores are all 98th or 99th percentile. Not sure who your kids are hanging out with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bought a superior education, but more importantly, I bought a peer group and social currency.

Is that what you really wanted to know OP?

College admit is not the highest concern.

There is SO MUCH more to it than a top tier college admit.

You’re delusional. 5 years (or even less) out of college and barely anybody cares what college you went to. And certainly nobody gives a damn what high school you went to!

My spouse works with elite Ivy League grads and nobody ever, ever talks about what freakin high school they went to. It’s not on their professional bios, not on their LinkedIn profiles, not in their conversations. Nothing.

False. You must be looking at LinkedIn profiles from a bunch of public school graduates (who most likely do NOT put their high schools on their LinkedIn profiles).

Tip: 1. Go to LinkedIn; 2. Type in individual (one name/search) names of elite independent high schools (eg, Noble and Greenough, Horace Mann, HW, Sidwell Friends, St. John's (Houston), etc); 3. Come back and tell us what you find. 😝

Anyone including their HS on their LinkedIn profile better be either still in HS or at most a Freshman in college. 🙄

Wrong again. There are hundreds (if not thousands) of Ivy+/T20 grads, working on Wall Street, Silicon Valley, consulting, etc) with their elite independent high school still listed on their LinkedIn profiles. I’m talking, 10+ years AFTER graduating from college.