Sidwell "pop quiz"

[Anonymous]

I think the point is, if you don't know, false and misleading speculation is counterproductive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the point is, if you don't know, false and misleading speculation is counterproductive.

Speculation is speculation. If you know it's false, it's not speculation, it's a lie.

If you don't know, and you can't speculate, then at least half (and that's speculation) of the traffic around here will stop instantly (and what fun is that).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some parents complained. They felt as if they were ambushed and that the essays were designed to test them. They were right on both counts. Sidwell wants smart parents, because smart parents beget smark children. The pop quiz reflected a parent's thought process, writing ability, and ability to work well under pressure. But enough rich, powerful parents who were embarassed at their woefully inept work product complained loudly enough. And hence, now an open book exam which only elicits drivel. Polished drivel. But drivel nonetheless.

The only complaining that was done was done here on these boards. Sidwell's AD and his staff monitored these boards and last year even responded. All the schools' admissions offices monitor these boards. I would not be surprised if they are the ones posting certain leading questions or if they are the ones bumping threads about certain schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some parents complained. They felt as if they were ambushed and that the essays were designed to test them. They were right on both counts. Sidwell wants smart parents, because smart parents beget smark children. The pop quiz reflected a parent's thought process, writing ability, and ability to work well under pressure. But enough rich, powerful parents who were embarassed at their woefully inept work product complained loudly enough. And hence, now an open book exam which only elicits drivel. Polished drivel. But drivel nonetheless.

The only complaining that was done was done here on these boards. Sidwell's AD and his staff monitored these boards and last year even responded. All the schools' admissions offices monitor these boards. I would not be surprised if they are the ones posting certain leading questions or if they are the ones bumping threads about certain schools.

They are a clever and ruthless bunch after all . . .

[Anonymous]

Don't all the schools have a parent statement? There is nothing unique about the questions Sidwell asks relative to the others.

[Anonymous]

It was the former popness of the quiz that was unusual, not the questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...if you don't mind ending up with lots of U.S-born lawyers and not so many foreign-born physicists!

LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All the schools' admissions offices monitor these boards. I would not be surprised if they are the ones posting certain leading questions or if they are the ones bumping threads about certain schools.

Yeah, you're right. The admissions staffs of these schools spend a *lot* of time trying to steer and control anonymous discussions on the DCUM board. That's a big focus of theirs. They have nothing else to do and the chit-chat on the boards is *so* important that they really have no choice.

[Anonymous]

17:22...I don't think all schools have statements. I just did one for NCS and while my daughter had to answer questions, the parents did not have to write a statement. It was clear to me that NCS was very much interested in the applicant's writing ability and not her parent's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:17:22...I don't think all schools have statements. I just did one for NCS and while my daughter had to answer questions, the parents did not have to write a statement. It was clear to me that NCS was very much interested in the applicant's writing ability and not her parent's.

Even those applying for 4th grade?

[Anonymous]

Yes, our application was for 4th grade and the girls have to answer 8 questions and it specifically says the answers must be their own thoughts and in their own writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, our application was for 4th grade and the girls have to answer 8 questions and it specifically says the answers must be their own thoughts and in their own writing.

Was this done at home, or during the interview/visit?

[Anonymous]

At home for the application questions. But she was also interviewed during her visit and had to write answers to other questions.