Was Told By College Admissions Officer That Sidwell Secretly Ranks Students

[Anonymous]

I spoke with a former Stanford admissions officer, and she told me that Sidwell does secretly rank students. She told me that Sidwell does not inform parents of this, largely because of how high-strung and intense the parents are in regards to college admissions.

The Stanford admissions officer claims that Sidwell college counselors will tell the admissions office which students are in the top 5, top 10, etc. to help ensure their best students get into the most desirable colleges. They do this in a number of ways. In the recommendation letter, Sidwell will oftentimes write something along the lines of "Tammy is an exceptional students, she is within the top 5 of her year." In some cases, Stanford will call Sidwell admissions officers and ask for a student's rank, which Sidwell counselors will give without hesitation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I spoke with a former Stanford admissions officer, and she told me that Sidwell does secretly rank students. She told me that Sidwell does not inform parents of this, largely because of how high-strung and intense the parents are in regards to college admissions.

The Stanford admissions officer claims that Sidwell college counselors will tell the admissions office which students are in the top 5, top 10, etc. to help ensure their best students get into the most desirable colleges. They do this in a number of ways. In the recommendation letter, Sidwell will oftentimes write something along the lines of "Tammy is an exceptional students, she is within the top 5 of her year." In some cases, Stanford will call Sidwell admissions officers and ask for a student's rank, which Sidwell counselors will give without hesitation.

Aren’t students ranked since grades dictate that? Duh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I spoke with a former Stanford admissions officer, and she told me that Sidwell does secretly rank students. She told me that Sidwell does not inform parents of this, largely because of how high-strung and intense the parents are in regards to college admissions.

The Stanford admissions officer claims that Sidwell college counselors will tell the admissions office which students are in the top 5, top 10, etc. to help ensure their best students get into the most desirable colleges. They do this in a number of ways. In the recommendation letter, Sidwell will oftentimes write something along the lines of "Tammy is an exceptional students, she is within the top 5 of her year." In some cases, Stanford will call Sidwell admissions officers and ask for a student's rank, which Sidwell counselors will give without hesitation.

The best students should get in the most desirable colleges. So, what is your point or issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I spoke with a former Stanford admissions officer, and she told me that Sidwell does secretly rank students. She told me that Sidwell does not inform parents of this, largely because of how high-strung and intense the parents are in regards to college admissions.

The Stanford admissions officer claims that Sidwell college counselors will tell the admissions office which students are in the top 5, top 10, etc. to help ensure their best students get into the most desirable colleges. They do this in a number of ways. In the recommendation letter, Sidwell will oftentimes write something along the lines of "Tammy is an exceptional students, she is within the top 5 of her year." In some cases, Stanford will call Sidwell admissions officers and ask for a student's rank, which Sidwell counselors will give without hesitation.

Aren’t students ranked since grades dictate that? Duh!

well there are grades and then there is rigor plus grades. Very different things in many cases.

[Anonymous]

So what? Every competitive aspect of life results in ranking, whether made public or not. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.

[Anonymous]

How could this possibly be a surprise to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I spoke with a former Stanford admissions officer, and she told me that Sidwell does secretly rank students. She told me that Sidwell does not inform parents of this, largely because of how high-strung and intense the parents are in regards to college admissions.

The Stanford admissions officer claims that Sidwell college counselors will tell the admissions office which students are in the top 5, top 10, etc. to help ensure their best students get into the most desirable colleges. They do this in a number of ways. In the recommendation letter, Sidwell will oftentimes write something along the lines of "Tammy is an exceptional students, she is within the top 5 of her year." In some cases, Stanford will call Sidwell admissions officers and ask for a student's rank, which Sidwell counselors will give without hesitation.

Aren’t students ranked since grades dictate that? Duh!

well there are grades and then there is rigor plus grades. Very different things in many cases.

No sh!t, Sherlock. They know the class and the grade that one makes in it. It’s called a transcript and colleges look at it. Wow!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I spoke with a former Stanford admissions officer, and she told me that Sidwell does secretly rank students. She told me that Sidwell does not inform parents of this, largely because of how high-strung and intense the parents are in regards to college admissions.

The Stanford admissions officer claims that Sidwell college counselors will tell the admissions office which students are in the top 5, top 10, etc. to help ensure their best students get into the most desirable colleges. They do this in a number of ways. In the recommendation letter, Sidwell will oftentimes write something along the lines of "Tammy is an exceptional students, she is within the top 5 of her year." In some cases, Stanford will call Sidwell admissions officers and ask for a student's rank, which Sidwell counselors will give without hesitation.

WHAT????!!!!! Colleges look at where students are ranked? How dare they try to ensure the best students get to the best colleges! The worst students should get that distinction!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I spoke with a former Stanford admissions officer, and she told me that Sidwell does secretly rank students. She told me that Sidwell does not inform parents of this, largely because of how high-strung and intense the parents are in regards to college admissions.

The Stanford admissions officer claims that Sidwell college counselors will tell the admissions office which students are in the top 5, top 10, etc. to help ensure their best students get into the most desirable colleges. They do this in a number of ways. In the recommendation letter, Sidwell will oftentimes write something along the lines of "Tammy is an exceptional students, she is within the top 5 of her year." In some cases, Stanford will call Sidwell admissions officers and ask for a student's rank, which Sidwell counselors will give without hesitation.

I bet you thought you had an earthshaking scoop when you first posted this “exposé.” 😂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I spoke with a former Stanford admissions officer, and she told me that Sidwell does secretly rank students. She told me that Sidwell does not inform parents of this, largely because of how high-strung and intense the parents are in regards to college admissions.

The Stanford admissions officer claims that Sidwell college counselors will tell the admissions office which students are in the top 5, top 10, etc. to help ensure their best students get into the most desirable colleges. They do this in a number of ways. In the recommendation letter, Sidwell will oftentimes write something along the lines of "Tammy is an exceptional students, she is within the top 5 of her year." In some cases, Stanford will call Sidwell admissions officers and ask for a student's rank, which Sidwell counselors will give without hesitation.

You mean they see students grades and where they fall in comparison? Next, you’ll tell us that they see SAT scores!
That’s it! Stop the grading scale, immediately!

[Anonymous]

Most area privates officially do not rank but most will indicate quartile or decile standings and I’m not at all surprised that they’ll say top 5 or top 10 or give a rank when asked directly by a college (although I also doubt that most AOs are bothering to take the time to call a school and ask). This is not groundbreaking information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I spoke with a former Stanford admissions officer, and she told me that Sidwell does secretly rank students. She told me that Sidwell does not inform parents of this, largely because of how high-strung and intense the parents are in regards to college admissions.

The Stanford admissions officer claims that Sidwell college counselors will tell the admissions office which students are in the top 5, top 10, etc. to help ensure their best students get into the most desirable colleges. They do this in a number of ways. In the recommendation letter, Sidwell will oftentimes write something along the lines of "Tammy is an exceptional students, she is within the top 5 of her year." In some cases, Stanford will call Sidwell admissions officers and ask for a student's rank, which Sidwell counselors will give without hesitation.

This is like when my bank notifies me when I overdraft. They have no right to know how much is in my account. The nerve!

[Anonymous]

No dog in this fight but I think OPs point is the school makes a big deal about how they do not rank…when clearly they do

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No dog in this fight but I think OPs point is the school makes a big deal about how they do not rank…when clearly they do

What schools make a big deal that they don’t rank? Never heard that before.
Also, if they give grades, they rank. What do you think grades are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No dog in this fight but I think OPs point is the school makes a big deal about how they do not rank…when clearly they do

+1

Do parents know where their child ranks?