Applying to NCS (7th grade entry) from public

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Several years ago the parents of my daughter’s happy and high performing BFF pulled her out of Arlington schools for NCS (after not getting her into TJ) starting in sixth grade. She did very well at NCS academically and social although she continued to center her social life around her neighborhood friends, who were far more convenient and life long friends, all of whom stayed in the public schools.

In the end she was waitlisted or rejected by every Ivy League school she applied to (no hooks) and ended up at UVA with my daughter - who, I will say, is also smart and accomplished but would be the first to say she’s not really in her BFF’s league.

Had the girl stayed in Arlington, I have no doubt she would have been a true star in her class and would have had better luck with top 10 colleges. I don’t think the parents have any regrets, because money really is not an issue for them, but it appears to be an issue for you.

It is about college preparation, not college admissions.

Exactly. I would be thrilled if she ended up at UVA or even a school of less rank. I truly just want a well rounded kid that can write.

You mean a well round kid “who” can write.

Haha, PP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has been through this process (applying out from public in 7th grade), I would recommend the following:
1. Make sure your kid keeps her grades up. She will need all A’s to get into the top schools, as well as great extracurriculars, stellar teacher recommendations.
2. Start the appl process early next Fall. Schedule tours and shadow days (some schools don’t do these until after admittance)
3. Cast a wide net. I know you have your eyes set on NCS, but privates are extremely competitive in a post-COVID world. Apply to 4-4 schools that may interest you.
4. Maybe ask your question on the private board, you’ll get more feedback from people who have gone through the process at NCS.

Good luck OP!

Thank you! My daughter is in 5th grade right now and I am somewhat apprehensive about starting 6th grade in public and then making the switch for 7th. Honestly, I wish there was a 6th grade entry. Is that common?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Several years ago the parents of my daughter’s happy and high performing BFF pulled her out of Arlington schools for NCS (after not getting her into TJ) starting in sixth grade. She did very well at NCS academically and social although she continued to center her social life around her neighborhood friends, who were far more convenient and life long friends, all of whom stayed in the public schools.

In the end she was waitlisted or rejected by every Ivy League school she applied to (no hooks) and ended up at UVA with my daughter - who, I will say, is also smart and accomplished but would be the first to say she’s not really in her BFF’s league.

Had the girl stayed in Arlington, I have no doubt she would have been a true star in her class and would have had better luck with top 10 colleges. I don’t think the parents have any regrets, because money really is not an issue for them, but it appears to be an issue for you.

It is about college preparation, not college admissions.

Exactly. I would be thrilled if she ended up at UVA or even a school of less rank. I truly just want a well rounded kid that can write.

You mean a well round kid “who” can write.

Haha, PP!

Yep that's why I want to give my bright kid a private school education. I know my deficiencies!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Several years ago the parents of my daughter’s happy and high performing BFF pulled her out of Arlington schools for NCS (after not getting her into TJ) starting in sixth grade. She did very well at NCS academically and social although she continued to center her social life around her neighborhood friends, who were far more convenient and life long friends, all of whom stayed in the public schools.

In the end she was waitlisted or rejected by every Ivy League school she applied to (no hooks) and ended up at UVA with my daughter - who, I will say, is also smart and accomplished but would be the first to say she’s not really in her BFF’s league.

Had the girl stayed in Arlington, I have no doubt she would have been a true star in her class and would have had better luck with top 10 colleges. I don’t think the parents have any regrets, because money really is not an issue for them, but it appears to be an issue for you.

It is about college preparation, not college admissions.

Exactly. I would be thrilled if she ended up at UVA or even a school of less rank. I truly just want a well rounded kid that can write.

You mean a well round kid “who” can write.

Haha, PP!

Yep that's why I want to give my bright kid a private school education. I know my deficiencies!

Except I learned “who” in public school . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has been through this process (applying out from public in 7th grade), I would recommend the following:
1. Make sure your kid keeps her grades up. She will need all A’s to get into the top schools, as well as great extracurriculars, stellar teacher recommendations.
2. Start the appl process early next Fall. Schedule tours and shadow days (some schools don’t do these until after admittance)
3. Cast a wide net. I know you have your eyes set on NCS, but privates are extremely competitive in a post-COVID world. Apply to 4-4 schools that may interest you.
4. Maybe ask your question on the private board, you’ll get more feedback from people who have gone through the process at NCS.

Good luck OP!

Thank you! My daughter is in 5th grade right now and I am somewhat apprehensive about starting 6th grade in public and then making the switch for 7th. Honestly, I wish there was a 6th grade entry. Is that common?

Sorry I mean my daughter will be a rising 5th grader next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Several years ago the parents of my daughter’s happy and high performing BFF pulled her out of Arlington schools for NCS (after not getting her into TJ) starting in sixth grade. She did very well at NCS academically and social although she continued to center her social life around her neighborhood friends, who were far more convenient and life long friends, all of whom stayed in the public schools.

In the end she was waitlisted or rejected by every Ivy League school she applied to (no hooks) and ended up at UVA with my daughter - who, I will say, is also smart and accomplished but would be the first to say she’s not really in her BFF’s league.

Had the girl stayed in Arlington, I have no doubt she would have been a true star in her class and would have had better luck with top 10 colleges. I don’t think the parents have any regrets, because money really is not an issue for them, but it appears to be an issue for you.

It is about college preparation, not college admissions.

Exactly. I would be thrilled if she ended up at UVA or even a school of less rank. I truly just want a well rounded kid that can write.

You mean a well round kid “who” can write.

Haha, PP!

Yep that's why I want to give my bright kid a private school education. I know my deficiencies!

Except I learned “who” in public school . . .

I was joking...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Several years ago the parents of my daughter’s happy and high performing BFF pulled her out of Arlington schools for NCS (after not getting her into TJ) starting in sixth grade. She did very well at NCS academically and social although she continued to center her social life around her neighborhood friends, who were far more convenient and life long friends, all of whom stayed in the public schools.

In the end she was waitlisted or rejected by every Ivy League school she applied to (no hooks) and ended up at UVA with my daughter - who, I will say, is also smart and accomplished but would be the first to say she’s not really in her BFF’s league.

Had the girl stayed in Arlington, I have no doubt she would have been a true star in her class and would have had better luck with top 10 colleges. I don’t think the parents have any regrets, because money really is not an issue for them, but it appears to be an issue for you.

It is about college preparation, not college admissions.

Exactly. I would be thrilled if she ended up at UVA or even a school of less rank. I truly just want a well rounded kid that can write.

You mean a well round kid “who” can write.

Haha, PP!

Yep that's why I want to give my bright kid a private school education. I know my deficiencies!

Except I learned “who” in public school . . .

Quit. OP is being a good sport. That’s rare.

[Anonymous]

APS middle school English classes demand about 2-3 written assignments per semester. Written assignment is defined as a paragraph made up of 5 sentences. It is a joke. Put you’ll be fine in life either way, it just depends what you are aiming for

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has been through this process (applying out from public in 7th grade), I would recommend the following:
1. Make sure your kid keeps her grades up. She will need all A’s to get into the top schools, as well as great extracurriculars, stellar teacher recommendations.
2. Start the appl process early next Fall. Schedule tours and shadow days (some schools don’t do these until after admittance)
3. Cast a wide net. I know you have your eyes set on NCS, but privates are extremely competitive in a post-COVID world. Apply to 4-4 schools that may interest you.
4. Maybe ask your question on the private board, you’ll get more feedback from people who have gone through the process at NCS.

Good luck OP!

Thank you! My daughter is in 5th grade right now and I am somewhat apprehensive about starting 6th grade in public and then making the switch for 7th. Honestly, I wish there was a 6th grade entry. Is that common?

I think some schools also have 6th. Potomac does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has been through this process (applying out from public in 7th grade), I would recommend the following:
1. Make sure your kid keeps her grades up. She will need all A’s to get into the top schools, as well as great extracurriculars, stellar teacher recommendations.
2. Start the appl process early next Fall. Schedule tours and shadow days (some schools don’t do these until after admittance)
3. Cast a wide net. I know you have your eyes set on NCS, but privates are extremely competitive in a post-COVID world. Apply to 4-4 schools that may interest you.
4. Maybe ask your question on the private board, you’ll get more feedback from people who have gone through the process at NCS.

Good luck OP!

Thank you! My daughter is in 5th grade right now and I am somewhat apprehensive about starting 6th grade in public and then making the switch for 7th. Honestly, I wish there was a 6th grade entry. Is that common?

My daughter started NCS in 6th grade. There is definitely a cohort of new girls in 6th. Maybe 10?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Several years ago the parents of my daughter’s happy and high performing BFF pulled her out of Arlington schools for NCS (after not getting her into TJ) starting in sixth grade. She did very well at NCS academically and social although she continued to center her social life around her neighborhood friends, who were far more convenient and life long friends, all of whom stayed in the public schools.

In the end she was waitlisted or rejected by every Ivy League school she applied to (no hooks) and ended up at UVA with my daughter - who, I will say, is also smart and accomplished but would be the first to say she’s not really in her BFF’s league.

Had the girl stayed in Arlington, I have no doubt she would have been a true star in her class and would have had better luck with top 10 colleges. I don’t think the parents have any regrets, because money really is not an issue for them, but it appears to be an issue for you.

It is about college preparation, not college admissions.

Exactly. I would be thrilled if she ended up at UVA or even a school of less rank. I truly just want a well rounded kid that can write.

You mean a well round kid “who” can write.

Haha, PP!

Yep that's why I want to give my bright kid a private school education. I know my deficiencies!

Except I learned “who” in public school . . .

Pronouns are canceled; just put an X

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Several years ago the parents of my daughter’s happy and high performing BFF pulled her out of Arlington schools for NCS (after not getting her into TJ) starting in sixth grade. She did very well at NCS academically and social although she continued to center her social life around her neighborhood friends, who were far more convenient and life long friends, all of whom stayed in the public schools.

In the end she was waitlisted or rejected by every Ivy League school she applied to (no hooks) and ended up at UVA with my daughter - who, I will say, is also smart and accomplished but would be the first to say she’s not really in her BFF’s league.

Had the girl stayed in Arlington, I have no doubt she would have been a true star in her class and would have had better luck with top 10 colleges. I don’t think the parents have any regrets, because money really is not an issue for them, but it appears to be an issue for you.

It is about college preparation, not college admissions.

Exactly. I would be thrilled if she ended up at UVA or even a school of less rank. I truly just want a well rounded kid that can write.

You mean a well round kid “who” can write.

Haha, PP!

Yep that's why I want to give my bright kid a private school education. I know my deficiencies!

Except I learned “who” in public school . . .

Except intelligent people know that prescriptive grammar is BS and that language evolves with changes in common usage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has been through this process (applying out from public in 7th grade), I would recommend the following:
1. Make sure your kid keeps her grades up. She will need all A’s to get into the top schools, as well as great extracurriculars, stellar teacher recommendations.
2. Start the appl process early next Fall. Schedule tours and shadow days (some schools don’t do these until after admittance)
3. Cast a wide net. I know you have your eyes set on NCS, but privates are extremely competitive in a post-COVID world. Apply to 4-4 schools that may interest you.
4. Maybe ask your question on the private board, you’ll get more feedback from people who have gone through the process at NCS.

Good luck OP!

Thank you! My daughter is in 5th grade right now and I am somewhat apprehensive about starting 6th grade in public and then making the switch for 7th. Honestly, I wish there was a 6th grade entry. Is that common?

My daughter started NCS in 6th grade. There is definitely a cohort of new girls in 6th. Maybe 10?

NCS adds 15 in 6th -- a 4th Homeroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Several years ago the parents of my daughter’s happy and high performing BFF pulled her out of Arlington schools for NCS (after not getting her into TJ) starting in sixth grade. She did very well at NCS academically and social although she continued to center her social life around her neighborhood friends, who were far more convenient and life long friends, all of whom stayed in the public schools.

In the end she was waitlisted or rejected by every Ivy League school she applied to (no hooks) and ended up at UVA with my daughter - who, I will say, is also smart and accomplished but would be the first to say she’s not really in her BFF’s league.

Had the girl stayed in Arlington, I have no doubt she would have been a true star in her class and would have had better luck with top 10 colleges. I don’t think the parents have any regrets, because money really is not an issue for them, but it appears to be an issue for you.

It's extremely hard to compete with the best of the best whether you are at the top publics or the top privates. The average student may be less competitive at a large public school, but the top students are still remarkable, and those top students are really the people you are competing against for T10 spots. Also, Ivy League admissions is a crapshoot these days and top students from either public or private who would have been certain admits to top 10 schools 10 years ago are having trouble now. There is an increasing element of randomness. That said, I think you should just pick a school that is the best fit for the student and family. If a top private is the dream, then I say go for it if you can truly afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter came from public in 7th; NCS is definitely very open to admitting girls from public school.
I'm very grateful that she made the move in 7th vs 9th. She was a top public school student but the academic jump was significant. She had friends that joined in 9th and they struggled (and those grades count for college)

Agreed. I think 7th grade is a great transition year. Lots of girls from public join. But changing in 9th would be hard - my daughter had a big adjustment freshman year and she was there in middle.