A prime example of college counseling steering

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The original Phillips in Massachusetts does the same. I had a friend whose son went there and they steered him to UIUC. Oh a girl from DC’s class who attended ended up at UC Davis. I believe she is a Harvard legacy. Wonder if she was even allowed to apply to Harvard if she ended up at Davis.

Attending a prestigious boarding school to end up at UC Davis is kind of crazy to me. Not that it’s a bad school, but it’s not particularly sought after even for those from ordinary California public schools.

It’s a bold choice but if they’re interested in agriculture or are pre-vet, well done. Kids from our very well-off competitive area who go to UC Davis are usually prepping to be fancy organic farmers, pre-vet, or are planning to go into the wine industry in various ways, often because it’s a family business (either distribution or running a vineyard/winery). Or they’re recruited athletes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The original Phillips in Massachusetts does the same. I had a friend whose son went there and they steered him to UIUC. Oh a girl from DC’s class who attended ended up at UC Davis. I believe she is a Harvard legacy. Wonder if she was even allowed to apply to Harvard if she ended up at Davis.

Attending a prestigious boarding school to end up at UC Davis is kind of crazy to me. Not that it’s a bad school, but it’s not particularly sought after even for those from ordinary California public schools.

It’s a bold choice but if they’re interested in agriculture or are pre-vet, well done. Kids from our very well-off competitive area who go to UC Davis are usually prepping to be fancy organic farmers, pre-vet, or are planning to go into the wine industry in various ways, often because it’s a family business (either distribution or running a vineyard/winery). Or they’re recruited athletes.

I don't think so. You can do all those things without going to UC Davis. And I'm from CA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The original Phillips in Massachusetts does the same. I had a friend whose son went there and they steered him to UIUC. Oh a girl from DC’s class who attended ended up at UC Davis. I believe she is a Harvard legacy. Wonder if she was even allowed to apply to Harvard if she ended up at Davis.

Attending a prestigious boarding school to end up at UC Davis is kind of crazy to me. Not that it’s a bad school, but it’s not particularly sought after even for those from ordinary California public schools.

It’s a bold choice but if they’re interested in agriculture or are pre-vet, well done. Kids from our very well-off competitive area who go to UC Davis are usually prepping to be fancy organic farmers, pre-vet, or are planning to go into the wine industry in various ways, often because it’s a family business (either distribution or running a vineyard/winery). Or they’re recruited athletes.

I don't think so. You can do all those things without going to UC Davis. And I'm from CA.

I’m not from CA so it’s probably why UC Davis attracts these grads from my area. I’m sure that you have more breadth of opportunity for your H.S. grads in these areas and they probably feel more confident about not needing to specifically apply to UC Davis for certain things. But where I am UC Davis is very popular for a specific breed of kid and also ticks the “glamorous CA”/“OOS” boxes.

Having lived in CA and now living elsewhere I fully understand that the nuances of the UC system are perceived very differently by CA residents than outsiders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The original Phillips in Massachusetts does the same. I had a friend whose son went there and they steered him to UIUC. Oh a girl from DC’s class who attended ended up at UC Davis. I believe she is a Harvard legacy. Wonder if she was even allowed to apply to Harvard if she ended up at Davis.

Attending a prestigious boarding school to end up at UC Davis is kind of crazy to me. Not that it’s a bad school, but it’s not particularly sought after even for those from ordinary California public schools.

It’s a bold choice but if they’re interested in agriculture or are pre-vet, well done. Kids from our very well-off competitive area who go to UC Davis are usually prepping to be fancy organic farmers, pre-vet, or are planning to go into the wine industry in various ways, often because it’s a family business (either distribution or running a vineyard/winery). Or they’re recruited athletes.

I don't think so. You can do all those things without going to UC Davis. And I'm from CA.

I’m not from CA so it’s probably why UC Davis attracts these grads from my area. I’m sure that you have more breadth of opportunity for your H.S. grads in these areas and they probably feel more confident about not needing to specifically apply to UC Davis for certain things. But where I am UC Davis is very popular for a specific breed of kid and also ticks the “glamorous CA”/“OOS” boxes.

Having lived in CA and now living elsewhere I fully understand that the nuances of the UC system are perceived very differently by CA residents than outsiders.

UC Davis has that college town in a rural area environment that is more familiar to east coasters. It’s popular in Northern California and the Bay Area but less so in Southern California. UC Irvine is the SoCal equivalent of Davis but very different environment. CA parents have a hard time with UC Davis, UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara because these were safeties for B students back when they went to college. So many parents of perfect stat students in wealthy areas are absolutely shocked when they get rejected.

Californians also seem to struggle outside their normal weather and culture environments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The original Phillips in Massachusetts does the same. I had a friend whose son went there and they steered him to UIUC. Oh a girl from DC’s class who attended ended up at UC Davis. I believe she is a Harvard legacy. Wonder if she was even allowed to apply to Harvard if she ended up at Davis.

Attending a prestigious boarding school to end up at UC Davis is kind of crazy to me. Not that it’s a bad school, but it’s not particularly sought after even for those from ordinary California public schools.

It’s a bold choice but if they’re interested in agriculture or are pre-vet, well done. Kids from our very well-off competitive area who go to UC Davis are usually prepping to be fancy organic farmers, pre-vet, or are planning to go into the wine industry in various ways, often because it’s a family business (either distribution or running a vineyard/winery). Or they’re recruited athletes.

I don't think so. You can do all those things without going to UC Davis. And I'm from CA.

I’m not from CA so it’s probably why UC Davis attracts these grads from my area. I’m sure that you have more breadth of opportunity for your H.S. grads in these areas and they probably feel more confident about not needing to specifically apply to UC Davis for certain things. But where I am UC Davis is very popular for a specific breed of kid and also ticks the “glamorous CA”/“OOS” boxes.

Having lived in CA and now living elsewhere I fully understand that the nuances of the UC system are perceived very differently by CA residents than outsiders.

I totally get what you are saying and agree, but I disagree that kids from Exeter and Andover are choosing Davis because of their vet or agriculture program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The original Phillips in Massachusetts does the same. I had a friend whose son went there and they steered him to UIUC. Oh a girl from DC’s class who attended ended up at UC Davis. I believe she is a Harvard legacy. Wonder if she was even allowed to apply to Harvard if she ended up at Davis.

Attending a prestigious boarding school to end up at UC Davis is kind of crazy to me. Not that it’s a bad school, but it’s not particularly sought after even for those from ordinary California public schools.

It’s a bold choice but if they’re interested in agriculture or are pre-vet, well done. Kids from our very well-off competitive area who go to UC Davis are usually prepping to be fancy organic farmers, pre-vet, or are planning to go into the wine industry in various ways, often because it’s a family business (either distribution or running a vineyard/winery). Or they’re recruited athletes.

I don't think so. You can do all those things without going to UC Davis. And I'm from CA.

I’m not from CA so it’s probably why UC Davis attracts these grads from my area. I’m sure that you have more breadth of opportunity for your H.S. grads in these areas and they probably feel more confident about not needing to specifically apply to UC Davis for certain things. But where I am UC Davis is very popular for a specific breed of kid and also ticks the “glamorous CA”/“OOS” boxes.

Having lived in CA and now living elsewhere I fully understand that the nuances of the UC system are perceived very differently by CA residents than outsiders.

I totally get what you are saying and agree, but I disagree that kids from Exeter and Andover are choosing Davis because of their vet or agriculture program.

LO.l..she probably was a rider and wanted to go to school in CA. You can bring your horse to UC Davis.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think Exeter draws as much extreme wealth as some other boarding schools do (Andover, Deerfield, Groton, etc.). Lots of people like Mark Zuckerberg who is a child of a dentist. A lot of students end up disappointed where they go to college, but a fair number have success transferring in somewhere more competitive.

I will say boarding schools can help a lot post-college grad - alumni networks are tight knit. My sibling got a job at a hedge fund in part from a prep school connection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think Exeter draws as much extreme wealth as some other boarding schools do (Andover, Deerfield, Groton, etc.). Lots of people like Mark Zuckerberg who is a child of a dentist. A lot of students end up disappointed where they go to college, but a fair number have success transferring in somewhere more competitive.

I will say boarding schools can help a lot post-college grad - alumni networks are tight knit. My sibling got a job at a hedge fund in part from a prep school connection.

For those of us who don't know the differences between these schools, why would Exeter attract fewer rich kids than Andover?

[Anonymous]

A good school. Exeter math is impressive—they have their own curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A good school. Exeter math is impressive—they have their own curriculum.

If I’m not mistaken, they teach real math (all proof-based) in their most advanced class, whereas the parents on here are bragging about the multi-variable calc/diff eq/linear alg classes their kids are taking!

[Anonymous]

I bet my kids' connections from their private feeder NYC school will be as valuable as their connections from HYP. If they want to reach out to a "dad of a friend" to get that internship in a hedge fund, etc, it will be coming from their high school buddies. They know the parents, the parents know them. Much more willing to help etc.

Which is the better combo long term: Andover + UC Davis or good suburban high school + Princeton. Possibly the first. If it were Trinity + UC Davis, def Trinity. The day school kids have a ton of connections among other top tier privates and all those parents.

[Anonymous]

UC Davis technology graduates often end up over the hill in Silicon Valley. They do well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bet my kids' connections from their private feeder NYC school will be as valuable as their connections from HYP. If they want to reach out to a "dad of a friend" to get that internship in a hedge fund, etc, it will be coming from their high school buddies. They know the parents, the parents know them. Much more willing to help etc.

Which is the better combo long term: Andover + UC Davis or good suburban high school + Princeton. Possibly the first. If it were Trinity + UC Davis, def Trinity. The day school kids have a ton of connections among other top tier privates and all those parents.

I think it depends on the kid and situation. Personally DH and I are bosses to those who went to boarding schools mentioned on this board. They went to non ivy colleges and non ivy law schools. DH and I are both public HS, ivy and ivy law. We don’t sit around talking about our Ivy connections but my observation over the years is that the boarding school grads talk about their HS school experience often but professionally we have been more successful (we all started off at the same level years ago) I’m sure it can go the other way too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.instagram.com/phillipsexeter26decisions/?g=5
You won't find a cluster of more than 2, 3 kids for a same school. They are steered to a WIDE range of ivy league and plus and top lac schools.
No rat race, everyone finds somewhere they are happy.
Well done!

We know the Exeter college process well. this isn't true whatsoever. About 50 kids apply for Harvard each year. About 10 will be admitted, but it's not the best 10 applicants. Usually, it is a combination of legacies, athletes, URMs, FGLI, etc. Exeter is wealthier than most colleges, so they have many scholarship students with great personal stories. During college admissions season, they are heavily encouraged to lean on these stories in their applications.

The counseling process looks very different for hooked and unhooked kids. A low-income black student with a B+ average could be encouraged to ED to Penn. I've seen Exeter black kids with C's or worse in math class get into Yale over the years. Meanwhile, an unhooked kid with a 10/11 GPA (very strong at Exeter) will be encouraged to shoot for Cornell or Dartmouth ED.

I guarantee you that many of these kid admitted to places like Colby, Tufts, or Wesleyan had Ivy ambitions which were shot down by their college counseling office and they were encouraged to aim lower. Most of the kids are not happy with their outcomes, and many kids feel like they would've had better odds applying from their local public school because the pool is much less competitive. Instead of competing against 50 driven Exonians, they might be competing against 4 kids that aren't that impressive.

I graduated from Exeter in 98, and got in everywhere I applied except deferred at Brown. I was a strong, but not top student, with an A- average from a middle class immigrant Indian family. My choices were skewed bc I wanted a large school in a great city or college town. Ended up at nyu stern, and transferred later to Barnard. A great place for me!

I turned down Penn (didn’t get into Wharton program), Michigan and Berkeley.)

Lol at the people here who think everyone at Exeter is a billionaire scion or is connected. My parents were IBMers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.instagram.com/phillipsexeter26decisions/?g=5
You won't find a cluster of more than 2, 3 kids for a same school. They are steered to a WIDE range of ivy league and plus and top lac schools.
No rat race, everyone finds somewhere they are happy.
Well done!

We know the Exeter college process well. this isn't true whatsoever. About 50 kids apply for Harvard each year. About 10 will be admitted, but it's not the best 10 applicants. Usually, it is a combination of legacies, athletes, URMs, FGLI, etc. Exeter is wealthier than most colleges, so they have many scholarship students with great personal stories. During college admissions season, they are heavily encouraged to lean on these stories in their applications.

The counseling process looks very different for hooked and unhooked kids. A low-income black student with a B+ average could be encouraged to ED to Penn. I've seen Exeter black kids with C's or worse in math class get into Yale over the years. Meanwhile, an unhooked kid with a 10/11 GPA (very strong at Exeter) will be encouraged to shoot for Cornell or Dartmouth ED.

I guarantee you that many of these kid admitted to places like Colby, Tufts, or Wesleyan had Ivy ambitions which were shot down by their college counseling office and they were encouraged to aim lower. Most of the kids are not happy with their outcomes, and many kids feel like they would've had better odds applying from their local public school because the pool is much less competitive. Instead of competing against 50 driven Exonians, they might be competing against 4 kids that aren't that impressive.

I graduated from Exeter in 98, and got in everywhere I applied except deferred at Brown. I was a strong, but not top student, with an A- average from a middle class immigrant Indian family. My choices were skewed bc I wanted a large school in a great city or college town. Ended up at nyu stern, and transferred later to Barnard. A great place for me!

I turned down Penn (didn’t get into Wharton program), Michigan and Berkeley.)

Lol at the people here who think everyone at Exeter is a billionaire scion or is connected. My parents were IBMers.

My understanding it that, because of their size, Andover and Exeter have always been a little more meritocratic than some of the other schools. When I applied to Andover back in the 80's there was a strong international presence there, one that would be normal today but was noteworthy back then.

Sure, both E and A have always attracted some old money (see: Bush family), but has never been on the level of St. Paul's or Hotchkiss. And these days, Deerfield seems to be the preferred school of the billionaire crowd.