Benefits of being a high school graduate in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak anecdotally, but it seems like DCPS kids (I only know JR and Walls) seem to punch above their weight in college admissions.

I hear horror stories from parents in VA about how their kid was rejected by VT or UVA and their kids have incredible grades, stats, etc...and then I look at the kids I know from JR and Walls getting accepted into those schools with scores, stats, etc. that are nothing incredible. I don't know what majors kids are applying for which could impact it or what...that is why it is all anecdotal.

We also know a number of parents with kids at SJC and JR and they will make the same comment...that kids that have been friends (or even siblings) and were similar at Deal and have similar classes at JR and SJC and similar test scores...the JR kids seem to get "better" college acceptances.

Perhaps DCPS schools are all considered challenged...I honestly don't know.

One final comment on DC TAG...if you look beyond the expensive state flagships (UVA very expensive OOS...Michigan and Cal schools also expensive OOS), then DC TAG can be meaningful. There are a number of state flagships like University of Nebraska, University of South Carolina and others that offer in-state tuition as merit inducement for OOS candidates. In that instance, you receive in-state tuition, plus DC TAG and can attend those schools for very little out-of-pocket $$$s on a net basis.

Going to a large DC public school creates a different type of student that one who attended SJC. I wouldn’t assume that they are a lesser choice or less qualified. They’ve had a very different experience and bring that with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DcTag also has an income threshold so make sure you'll actually eligible for it.

Second, the education in the burbs will be superior to the education you get in DC.

I dispute your second point if we are talking about college prep kids taking APs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do these parents do this? Out of state tuition is insanely expensive. It has us questioning when we should move out of DC.

Ours chose a private college with merit, which brought tuition below in state tuition at huge state colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do these parents do this? Out of state tuition is insanely expensive. It has us questioning when we should move out of DC.

Sometimes it is. But SUNY schools charge about $17k per year for out of state, so the $10k DCTAG goes a long way https://www.suny.edu/smarttrack/tuition-and-fees/

Other schools do guaranteed aid for certain GPA/test score combos https://blog.collegevine.com/which-colleges-award-automatic-scholarships-based-on-sat-scores

If your kid wants to go to a MD or VA state school and has a good chance of getting in, it might make sense to move (for example, Alexandria HS grads with GPAs above a certain level get automatic enrollment to GMU) but there are lots of other options too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak anecdotally, but it seems like DCPS kids (I only know JR and Walls) seem to punch above their weight in college admissions.

I hear horror stories from parents in VA about how their kid was rejected by VT or UVA and their kids have incredible grades, stats, etc...and then I look at the kids I know from JR and Walls getting accepted into those schools with scores, stats, etc. that are nothing incredible. I don't know what majors kids are applying for which could impact it or what...that is why it is all anecdotal.

We also know a number of parents with kids at SJC and JR and they will make the same comment...that kids that have been friends (or even siblings) and were similar at Deal and have similar classes at JR and SJC and similar test scores...the JR kids seem to get "better" college acceptances.

Perhaps DCPS schools are all considered challenged...I honestly don't know.

One final comment on DC TAG...if you look beyond the expensive state flagships (UVA very expensive OOS...Michigan and Cal schools also expensive OOS), then DC TAG can be meaningful. There are a number of state flagships like University of Nebraska, University of South Carolina and others that offer in-state tuition as merit inducement for OOS candidates. In that instance, you receive in-state tuition, plus DC TAG and can attend those schools for very little out-of-pocket $$$s on a net basis.

Going to a large DC public school creates a different type of student that one who attended SJC. I wouldn’t assume that they are a lesser choice or less qualified. They’ve had a very different experience and bring that with them.

A lot of universities don’t want to deal with students who are able to think critically and thus Catholic school students are often disfavored.

[Anonymous]

I think it's dangerous to make choices for your own family based on what you see as being the "average" outcomes for DC students.

- Many kids in the JR triangle or who attend one of the application high schools or charters have very well off parents who can be full pay for any number of out of state publics or private schools. Even if the parents themselves don't seem that well off, often grandparents are helping to fund education. Don't assume that the public school kids who are getting into places like Michigan, UVA, Tulane, Boston College, etc., are getting ANY scholarships, including merit scholarships. There are a lot of wealthy families with kids in public school in this area.

- DC has a large number of at risk minority students. There are a lot of programs targeted specifically at this demographic in terms funding and assistance for college. Everything from full ride scholarships to counseling programs that help with applications to special programs designed to boost diversity in certain programs. If your kid is a MC or UMC white kid whose parents were born in the US, do not assume that they will have access to the same programs even coming from the same high schools. Many of these programs require nominations or income qualifications, and MC white kids whose parents are US citizens will not qualify (this is not a criticism of any of these programs, just a reality check for the average DCUM poster whose kids won't qualify for that assistance).

- Just as there are lots of DC parents who can be full pay for even pricy colleges, there are also lots of parents here who are legacies for well known schools or who have strong connections with certain schools. This not only helps in terms of legacy admissions, but can also just help those families navigate the college application process. If you have a friend who is an admissions dean at a competitive school, you can't ethically get an admissions boost at that school, but you can get an inside scoop on admissions generally and some guidance on crafting applications or word on scholarships that might be less well known, etc.

- Along the same lines, many wealthy parents in DC pay professionals to help get their kids into college, in terms of finding the right colleges to apply for, helping with applications and essays, you name it. This can be a very pricy services and it's effective if you get the right person. College admissions is definitely a game and knowing how to play, where to play, and where NOT to play can make a big difference. This info is not publicly given out to all DC public school families.

Don't compare your kid to kids with families like the above. You are not in the same position and will not have the same experience. Context is everything when it comes to education in DC.

[Anonymous]

This is a thing? Sounds like some kind of post hoc rationalization or I just paid for a decade of private school self-pity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak anecdotally, but it seems like DCPS kids (I only know JR and Walls) seem to punch above their weight in college admissions.

I hear horror stories from parents in VA about how their kid was rejected by VT or UVA and their kids have incredible grades, stats, etc...and then I look at the kids I know from JR and Walls getting accepted into those schools with scores, stats, etc. that are nothing incredible. I don't know what majors kids are applying for which could impact it or what...that is why it is all anecdotal.

We also know a number of parents with kids at SJC and JR and they will make the same comment...that kids that have been friends (or even siblings) and were similar at Deal and have similar classes at JR and SJC and similar test scores...the JR kids seem to get "better" college acceptances.

Perhaps DCPS schools are all considered challenged...I honestly don't know.

One final comment on DC TAG...if you look beyond the expensive state flagships (UVA very expensive OOS...Michigan and Cal schools also expensive OOS), then DC TAG can be meaningful. There are a number of state flagships like University of Nebraska, University of South Carolina and others that offer in-state tuition as merit inducement for OOS candidates. In that instance, you receive in-state tuition, plus DC TAG and can attend those schools for very little out-of-pocket $$$s on a net basis.

Going to a large DC public school creates a different type of student that one who attended SJC. I wouldn’t assume that they are a lesser choice or less qualified. They’ve had a very different experience and bring that with them.

A lot of universities don’t want to deal with students who are able to think critically and thus Catholic school students are often disfavored.

Lololololol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak anecdotally, but it seems like DCPS kids (I only know JR and Walls) seem to punch above their weight in college admissions.

I hear horror stories from parents in VA about how their kid was rejected by VT or UVA and their kids have incredible grades, stats, etc...and then I look at the kids I know from JR and Walls getting accepted into those schools with scores, stats, etc. that are nothing incredible. I don't know what majors kids are applying for which could impact it or what...that is why it is all anecdotal.

We also know a number of parents with kids at SJC and JR and they will make the same comment...that kids that have been friends (or even siblings) and were similar at Deal and have similar classes at JR and SJC and similar test scores...the JR kids seem to get "better" college acceptances.

Perhaps DCPS schools are all considered challenged...I honestly don't know.

One final comment on DC TAG...if you look beyond the expensive state flagships (UVA very expensive OOS...Michigan and Cal schools also expensive OOS), then DC TAG can be meaningful. There are a number of state flagships like University of Nebraska, University of South Carolina and others that offer in-state tuition as merit inducement for OOS candidates. In that instance, you receive in-state tuition, plus DC TAG and can attend those schools for very little out-of-pocket $$$s on a net basis.

Going to a large DC public school creates a different type of student that one who attended SJC. I wouldn’t assume that they are a lesser choice or less qualified. They’ve had a very different experience and bring that with them.

A lot of universities don’t want to deal with students who are able to think critically and thus Catholic school students are often disfavored.

You replied to my post and I disagree with you. But a college/uni isn’t going to take *all* the SJC kids who apply. They will take some. Just as it won’t take all the JR kids who apply. It’s ludicrous to me that folks feel entitled to admissions to any college. This is not how life works!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's dangerous to make choices for your own family based on what you see as being the "average" outcomes for DC students.

- Many kids in the JR triangle or who attend one of the application high schools or charters have very well off parents who can be full pay for any number of out of state publics or private schools. Even if the parents themselves don't seem that well off, often grandparents are helping to fund education. Don't assume that the public school kids who are getting into places like Michigan, UVA, Tulane, Boston College, etc., are getting ANY scholarships, including merit scholarships. There are a lot of wealthy families with kids in public school in this area.

- DC has a large number of at risk minority students. There are a lot of programs targeted specifically at this demographic in terms funding and assistance for college. Everything from full ride scholarships to counseling programs that help with applications to special programs designed to boost diversity in certain programs. If your kid is a MC or UMC white kid whose parents were born in the US, do not assume that they will have access to the same programs even coming from the same high schools. Many of these programs require nominations or income qualifications, and MC white kids whose parents are US citizens will not qualify (this is not a criticism of any of these programs, just a reality check for the average DCUM poster whose kids won't qualify for that assistance).

- Just as there are lots of DC parents who can be full pay for even pricy colleges, there are also lots of parents here who are legacies for well known schools or who have strong connections with certain schools. This not only helps in terms of legacy admissions, but can also just help those families navigate the college application process. If you have a friend who is an admissions dean at a competitive school, you can't ethically get an admissions boost at that school, but you can get an inside scoop on admissions generally and some guidance on crafting applications or word on scholarships that might be less well known, etc.

- Along the same lines, many wealthy parents in DC pay professionals to help get their kids into college, in terms of finding the right colleges to apply for, helping with applications and essays, you name it. This can be a very pricy services and it's effective if you get the right person. College admissions is definitely a game and knowing how to play, where to play, and where NOT to play can make a big difference. This info is not publicly given out to all DC public school families.

Don't compare your kid to kids with families like the above. You are not in the same position and will not have the same experience. Context is everything when it comes to education in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crap, liberal arts colleges cost $65K a year now?

Uh, yeah. What rock have you been living under?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will only speak to your last point. DCtag gives you something like 10,000 a year for state schools but not the full difference between in school and out of state tuition.

This baffles me every time I see it posted here. I graduated from DCPS back in 2000, the first year of the DC TAG. It was $10k back then. How in the world has it not gone up a single cent in 23 years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crap, liberal arts colleges cost $65K a year now?

Try USC at 92K a year. My second tier SLAC is 86K and not worth it. So even with DC TAG, it is 76K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will only speak to your last point. DCtag gives you something like 10,000 a year for state schools but not the full difference between in school and out of state tuition.

This baffles me every time I see it posted here. I graduated from DCPS back in 2000, the first year of the DC TAG. It was $10k back then. How in the world has it not gone up a single cent in 23 years?

The legislators you vote into office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will only speak to your last point. DCtag gives you something like 10,000 a year for state schools but not the full difference between in school and out of state tuition.

This baffles me every time I see it posted here. I graduated from DCPS back in 2000, the first year of the DC TAG. It was $10k back then. How in the world has it not gone up a single cent in 23 years?

The legislators you vote into office.

Wrong! DCTAG was created by an act of the U.S. Congress. DC residents have absolutely NO vote in the matter!