Z list in action

[Anonymous]

My DC attends a test-in public school where probably 90% of kids in a given year would be considered "unhooked." Due to the excellent academic reputation, there are a handful of private school types with Z-level hooks. As it happens my DC is best friends with one of these kids, so I am seeing this in action. And it's crazy. Kid has decent stats - high SAT, more A's than B's, basic ECs. Realistically kid is probably around the 50th percentile in the grade - eg not really Ivy material.

Kid was deferred from legacy Ivy REA but supposedly someone on the admissions committee personally called their parent to assure them of admission in RD as long as their midterm grades were strong (and, I assume, that a certain check was received...). I know this is how life works in the real world but it's kind of jaw dropping to see it in action.

Private school placements definitely need to be taken with a grain of salt. A lot of those kids would never, ever be at Ivies without Daddy's checkbook. And it's not surprising to hear unhooked kids are sailing through freshman year at Yale, Harvard, etc - the "competition" at these schools isn't all that.

Good luck to the rest of us.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the last part. I was unhooked kid from a nowhere high school who attended an Ivy League school. No test prep, no special programs. Worked a job and went to school. Sailed through. Private school kids weren’t any different from the other kids there when it came to academics.

[Anonymous]

how in the world do you know this OP? I don't believe your post because I don't believe that they would tell you.

[Anonymous]

My Ivy kid certainly didn't have mommy or daddy's checkbook or any hooks or special prep, private counselors. He did have perfect grades, scores and lots of activities he was committed to (but they were fairly common--but cleared he loved them).

His roommate is a middle class public school kid (a very, very smart one).

You really shouldn't make judgements. I had people saying my kid got in on athletics...for a sport he stopped playing freshmen year of HS. People talk out of their *ss.

[Anonymous]

People are admitted for a lot of reasons. Get over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My Ivy kid certainly didn't have mommy or daddy's checkbook or any hooks or special prep, private counselors. He did have perfect grades, scores and lots of activities he was committed to (but they were fairly common--but cleared he loved them).

His roommate is a middle class public school kid (a very, very smart one).

You really shouldn't make judgements. I had people saying my kid got in on athletics...for a sport he stopped playing freshmen year of HS. People talk out of their *ss.

I am not saying ONLY hooked kids get in. That would be ridiculous. The Ivies wish they had that many billionaire donors.

DC's friend is apparently kind of embarrassed about this. Told DC that everyone will know they are far less qualified than the kids who were flat out rejected in the ED round. And isn't even really that interested in the school, but bowing to what I'm sure is immense family pressure. FWIW my DC told them they should get over it and enjoy. I'm the one who feels annoyed.

[Anonymous]

test-in public school where probably 90% of kids in a given year would be considered "unhooked."
excellent academic reputation
high SAT
more A's than B's
basic ECs
probably around the 50th percentile in the grade

- eg not really Ivy material.

High SAT and mid-rank at at a test-in school with an excellent academic reputation, and you think he wouldn't be Ivy material (with exception for the z list angle) because of rank and basic ECs? That's not how it works. Maybe his hook is ultimately gets him in, but don't pretend he isn't academically qualified, because he is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

test-in public school where probably 90% of kids in a given year would be considered "unhooked."
excellent academic reputation
high SAT
more A's than B's
basic ECs
probably around the 50th percentile in the grade

- eg not really Ivy material.

High SAT and mid-rank at at a test-in school with an excellent academic reputation, and you think he wouldn't be Ivy material (with exception for the z list angle) because of rank and basic ECs? That's not how it works. Maybe his hook is ultimately gets him in, but don't pretend he isn't academically qualified, because he is.

"Qualified" meaning can do the work - sure. In the sense of merit - no. There is no way this kid would get into Ivy without the Z list. Zero chance.

I don't have an issue with other hooks. First gen/low income - big hurdles. Athletes - the amount of work required to play a sport at that level is truly impressive.

Daddy made a phone call and wrote a check - ick.

[Anonymous]

It's the way US colleges work. Keep in mind the checks from wealthy families help pay for low income students too.

I was a full pay kid, my roommate was on full financial aid. Even Brown University, which has a large endowment, is $46 million dollars short on budget. Tough times are coming for many schools.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/12/20/brown-faces-46-million-budget-deficit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's the way US colleges work. Keep in mind the checks from wealthy families help pay for low income students too.

I was a full pay kid, my roommate was on full financial aid. Even Brown University, which has a large endowment, is $46 million dollars short on budget. Tough times are coming for many schools.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/12/20/brown-faces-46-million-budget-deficit

Maybe schools should stop paying for so many administrators and focus on what works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the last part. I was unhooked kid from a nowhere high school who attended an Ivy League school. No test prep, no special programs. Worked a job and went to school. Sailed through. Private school kids weren’t any different from the other kids there when it came to academics.

+1, DS was scared timid by the idea of going to Harvard and potentially falling behind. Instead, he was well prepared and complained a lot less than his (relatively lazy) peers, who did worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's the way US colleges work. Keep in mind the checks from wealthy families help pay for low income students too.

I was a full pay kid, my roommate was on full financial aid. Even Brown University, which has a large endowment, is $46 million dollars short on budget. Tough times are coming for many schools.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/12/20/brown-faces-46-million-budget-deficit

Maybe schools should stop paying for so many administrators and focus on what works.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:how in the world do you know this OP? I don't believe your post because I don't believe that they would tell you.

Why wouldn’t they? Rich people aren’t some shadow group that moves in secret. It’s college admission season, people will talk about college.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it works like this. Someone has to fund the endowment and pay full freight + extra.
Who's it going to be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it works like this. Someone has to fund the endowment and pay full freight + extra.
Who's it going to be?

Their alum, who are insanely wealthy?