What are the big 3?

[Anonymous]

20 years ago: Sidwell, StA, NCS

2000s: Sidwell, StA, NCS, GDS, Maret

DC has changed dramatically in the last 30 years, so what may have been true when we were growing up no longer is the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20 years ago: Sidwell, StA, NCS

2000s: Sidwell, StA, NCS, GDS, Maret

DC has changed dramatically in the last 30 years, so what may have been true when we were growing up no longer is the case.

You just named more than three schools. Big 3 by definition means three schools. Those three schools are Sidwell, StA and NCS. You may think that GDS and Maret are now in the same league as the Big 3 schools, but they are not what people are referencing when they say "Big 3."

[Anonymous]

Lafayette, Janey, and Murch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 years ago: Sidwell, StA, NCS

2000s: Sidwell, StA, NCS, GDS, Maret

DC has changed dramatically in the last 30 years, so what may have been true when we were growing up no longer is the case.

You just named more than three schools. Big 3 by definition means three schools. Those three schools are Sidwell, StA and NCS. You may think that GDS and Maret are now in the same league as the Big 3 schools, but they are not what people are referencing when they say "Big 3."

Fine, then: Sidwell, GDS, the Cathedral Schools. Maret is close, but still a notch below GDS. Another variation, as NCS does not have as strong a reputation as StA: Sidwell, GDS, StA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 years ago: Sidwell, StA, NCS

2000s: Sidwell, StA, NCS, GDS, Maret

DC has changed dramatically in the last 30 years, so what may have been true when we were growing up no longer is the case.

You just named more than three schools. Big 3 by definition means three schools. Those three schools are Sidwell, StA and NCS. You may think that GDS and Maret are now in the same league as the Big 3 schools, but they are not what people are referencing when they say "Big 3."

Fine, then: Sidwell, GDS, the Cathedral Schools. Maret is close, but still a notch below GDS. Another variation, as NCS does not have as strong a reputation as StA: Sidwell, GDS, StA.

Yeah, an earlier PP here: is NCS there on its own merit? Also, how can 2/3 of the big three respectively exclude half the population?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20 years ago: Sidwell, StA, NCS

2000s: Sidwell, StA, NCS, GDS, Maret

DC has changed dramatically in the last 30 years, so what may have been true when we were growing up no longer is the case.

This is just false. GDS and Maret, while lovely schools are still a tier below Sidwell, STA, and NCS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 years ago: Sidwell, StA, NCS

2000s: Sidwell, StA, NCS, GDS, Maret

DC has changed dramatically in the last 30 years, so what may have been true when we were growing up no longer is the case.

This is just false. GDS and Maret, while lovely schools are still a tier below Sidwell, STA, and NCS.

Not according to college admissions.

[Anonymous]

Isn't there already a 50-page thread as a sticky that has hashed and re-hashed and re-hashed this?

Any reason for a brand new thread, especially since Jeff already pointed out it exists?

[Anonymous]

This whole idea of so-called "Big 3", "Big 5", "Big anything" is just so sad and pathetic. It exists only in the minds of a certain type of DCUM poster. This area is blessed with many, many fine independent schools that are excellent fits for all sorts of successful and happy students who have great educations, go on to excellent colleges and didn't even think of applying to any of these so called "Big Anything" schools. The whole concept seems to exist for people who most likely didn't go to a private school themselves and seem to need to shout from the highest mountain about how wonderful their progeny (and by extension, they) are. Really, really sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This whole idea of so-called "Big 3", "Big 5", "Big anything" is just so sad and pathetic. It exists only in the minds of a certain type of DCUM poster. This area is blessed with many, many fine independent schools that are excellent fits for all sorts of successful and happy students who have great educations, go on to excellent colleges and didn't even think of applying to any of these so called "Big Anything" schools. The whole concept seems to exist for people who most likely didn't go to a private school themselves and seem to need to shout from the highest mountain about how wonderful their progeny (and by extension, they) are. Really, really sad.

Agree with everything but last comment. From what I can tell most folks arguing about which schools comprise Big 3/5 indicate they are alum of one of them.

[Anonymous]

DeMatha, St. Johns, Mackin

[Anonymous]

It's all a makeup bunch of crapola. Try identifying what makes a school one of these 3."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 years ago: Sidwell, StA, NCS

2000s: Sidwell, StA, NCS, GDS, Maret

DC has changed dramatically in the last 30 years, so what may have been true when we were growing up no longer is the case.

This is just false. GDS and Maret, while lovely schools are still a tier below Sidwell, STA, and NCS.

Well, if we're speaking only truth, STA and NCS are no longer in Sidwell's league....

[Anonymous]

The only clear answer here is "it's debatable."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lafayette, Janey, and Murch.

How dare you note include Key or Eaton!