Chances of getting into Bullis… realistically

[Anonymous]

But like PP said, not being full pay didn't affect your acceptance to all the other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis considers full pay the most. Not a very academic place.

Same old, tired trope from the Bullis haters. Ignore it. As the parent of a Bullis graduate and a current student, Bullis provides an excellent education, the students there are happy, and you should definitely apply, but as others have said, you should also cast a wide net. Bullis had the most applicants last year in its history and the lowest acceptance rate. Being full pay definitely helps; that's just the reality of all private schools. During the admissions process, if you make it clear that Bullis is your child's first choice, that will help.

Bullis literally is less academic than many private schools in the area. The HOS wants that: “Not a hothouse,” he’s said. Look at their reported SAT scores—mediocre. Look at how many students graduate with honors—most. Yeah, some students there probably are academic, but overall, it’s not a very academic place compared to other schools. The tuition is very high though, as are admin salaries.

[Anonymous]

What does their college list look like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis considers full pay the most. Not a very academic place.

All schools do

Sad, isn't it? We're applying to a few privates for high school to see, but I'm not holding my breath and making our backup public school plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis considers full pay the most. Not a very academic place.

Same old, tired trope from the Bullis haters. Ignore it. As the parent of a Bullis graduate and a current student, Bullis provides an excellent education, the students there are happy, and you should definitely apply, but as others have said, you should also cast a wide net. Bullis had the most applicants last year in its history and the lowest acceptance rate. Being full pay definitely helps; that's just the reality of all private schools. During the admissions process, if you make it clear that Bullis is your child's first choice, that will help.

Bullis literally is less academic than many private schools in the area. The HOS wants that: “Not a hothouse,” he’s said. Look at their reported SAT scores—mediocre. Look at how many students graduate with honors—most. Yeah, some students there probably are academic, but overall, it’s not a very academic place compared to other schools. The tuition is very high though, as are admin salaries.

As a PP said, same worn trope, different day. There is "literally" a lot more to academics than high SAT scores and a pressure-filed, competitive environment. I'll take well-educated, well-prepared, and dare I say it, happy! graduates any day. Please just take your unsolicited negativity elsewhere. OP, there is a lot of Bullis hate on this forum from people who don't know the school. For those of us who actually know about the school because we have kids there, Bullis has been wonderful and you should definitely apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis considers full pay the most. Not a very academic place.

Same old, tired trope from the Bullis haters. Ignore it. As the parent of a Bullis graduate and a current student, Bullis provides an excellent education, the students there are happy, and you should definitely apply, but as others have said, you should also cast a wide net. Bullis had the most applicants last year in its history and the lowest acceptance rate. Being full pay definitely helps; that's just the reality of all private schools. During the admissions process, if you make it clear that Bullis is your child's first choice, that will help.

Bullis literally is less academic than many private schools in the area. The HOS wants that: “Not a hothouse,” he’s said. Look at their reported SAT scores—mediocre. Look at how many students graduate with honors—most. Yeah, some students there probably are academic, but overall, it’s not a very academic place compared to other schools. The tuition is very high though, as are admin salaries.

Compared to what?

Private religious schools? Bullis is way better

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis considers full pay the most. Not a very academic place.

Same old, tired trope from the Bullis haters. Ignore it. As the parent of a Bullis graduate and a current student, Bullis provides an excellent education, the students there are happy, and you should definitely apply, but as others have said, you should also cast a wide net. Bullis had the most applicants last year in its history and the lowest acceptance rate. Being full pay definitely helps; that's just the reality of all private schools. During the admissions process, if you make it clear that Bullis is your child's first choice, that will help.

Bullis literally is less academic than many private schools in the area. The HOS wants that: “Not a hothouse,” he’s said. Look at their reported SAT scores—mediocre. Look at how many students graduate with honors—most. Yeah, some students there probably are academic, but overall, it’s not a very academic place compared to other schools. The tuition is very high though, as are admin salaries.

Compared to what?

Private religious schools? Bullis is way better

Bullis is not better than NCS and STA. Although the kids are probably happier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis considers full pay the most. Not a very academic place.

All schools do

Not the top 2 to 4 (depending on how you count STA and NCS) schools. Not at 9th grade.

By 9th, the actual top schools care most about what the applicant brings to the table themselves -- with an eye on college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We knew nothing about how private school admissions worked until we decided to apply to privates on the fly when our DCPS kid was finishing fifth grade. We're not poor by any means but didn't think we could make it work without some aid at least, so we thought we'd see if we got in and what aid might be offered. Our kid is a very good but not perfect student.

We didn't apply to the so-called "Big 3" or other really top privates because we also didn't want that kind of environment AT ALL. Too much of a dramatic leap. So we applied to places like Bullis, WIS, Sheridan, Lowell, etc.

Our kid got into all of them but one, where they were waitlisted. Each offered various amounts of token aid, which really wasn't enough. The one wait-list school eventually told us point blank that they'd make room for us in a heartbeat if we'd full pay.

In the end we went with a public charter.

Based on our experience, being full pay makes a big difference when it comes to admissions.

Your final comment is somewhat confusing...you were accepted to all the schools and offered some aid, but you decided you couldn't afford it. It doesn't appear being full pay made any difference for your acceptance, but it did in terms of your ability to attend.

Well, like I said, one school told us point blank if we were full pay we’re in.

And all the others admitted you even though you were clear you could not pay the tuition. You ... were admitted. Despite not being able to pay in full. Explain the "big difference"? How much more "yes" can you get ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An average kid full pay is exactly what Bullis looks for. An average kid needing aid is going to be really tough absent some other compelling quality. You should still try — you lose nothing.

Sorry

+1. I think it has always been an easy admit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An average kid full pay is exactly what Bullis looks for. An average kid needing aid is going to be really tough absent some other compelling quality. You should still try — you lose nothing.

Sorry

+1. I think it has always been an easy admit

Well, you'd be wrong. It's not 2002 anymore, in case you've been asleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We knew nothing about how private school admissions worked until we decided to apply to privates on the fly when our DCPS kid was finishing fifth grade. We're not poor by any means but didn't think we could make it work without some aid at least, so we thought we'd see if we got in and what aid might be offered. Our kid is a very good but not perfect student.

We didn't apply to the so-called "Big 3" or other really top privates because we also didn't want that kind of environment AT ALL. Too much of a dramatic leap. So we applied to places like Bullis, WIS, Sheridan, Lowell, etc.

Our kid got into all of them but one, where they were waitlisted. Each offered various amounts of token aid, which really wasn't enough. The one wait-list school eventually told us point blank that they'd make room for us in a heartbeat if we'd full pay.

In the end we went with a public charter.

Based on our experience, being full pay makes a big difference when it comes to admissions.

Your final comment is somewhat confusing...you were accepted to all the schools and offered some aid, but you decided you couldn't afford it. It doesn't appear being full pay made any difference for your acceptance, but it did in terms of your ability to attend.

Well, like I said, one school told us point blank if we were full pay we’re in.

And all the others admitted you even though you were clear you could not pay the tuition. You ... were admitted. Despite not being able to pay in full. Explain the "big difference"? How much more "yes" can you get ?

We have a good income. We were offered a pittance in aid. I think the schools assumed we'd make it work. If we made less money I bet we'd be rejected. That's just my sense.

[Anonymous]

I know this has been discussed ad nauseum, but I'm not sure why people with heavy aid needs feel like they're getting screwed by the system. Obviously, private school is a luxury item that many are fortunate to be able to afford, and many cannot.

But there seems to be a sense of entitlement that people are getting shafted if they can't afford it and the school doesn't pony up 50-100% of the tab. Financial aid comes from the donations and support of the rest of the school community - the previous and existing parents who pay full tuition and then, on top of that, donate. The school then has the unenviable task of taking those resources and allocating as fairly as they can, recognizing the financial needs of the applicant as well as the attributed of student. Said differently, there isn't an infinite money glitch that allows for free tuition for students, high salaries to attract the best and most talented teachers and amazing facilities for the kids.

It's unfortunate but not markedly different than a house or car that is out of reach. I realize that it feels different because it's a school and involves kids, but the schools are "bad guys" for not finding more money for upper middle class (or even upper class) two-income households.

[Anonymous]

*not bad guys

[Anonymous]

If you need financial aid apply to as many schools as possible. A school may be generous with aid one year and stingy the next. Your kid also has to be bringing something to the school that they are prioritizing that admission cycle. It’s a crapshoot. Good luck!