The four D's of top private schools

[Anonymous]

I found this in the archives. But it was too funny to let sink into oblivion!

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why anyone would find the original post humorous ... I actually think it is very accurate. I would not for one moment make decisions for my child or family on the basis of this information, yet it is informative for those who are wondering if they should apply to top schools and what their chances might be for getting in. Informative, but certainly not decisive.

[Anonymous]

Parent of one of the schools cited in the OP. Both kids went to daycare. No one asked for a donation before or during the process.

The OP is basically full of crap at least where our childrens school is concerned.

Oh, and for the person who was concerned about the "impressive" letterhead supporting applicants. Most ADs will advise you that it IS about the child, not the letterhead. The don't need something from a Senator who has never met your kids.

[Anonymous]

My DC went to Beauvoir with quite a few kids from day care that I can think of off the top of my head. We never donated to DC's preschool, and didn't donate to beauvoir until after DC was there. Never asked about colleges of parents. No consultants, no letterheads, no nothing on our part.

[Anonymous]

Last fall I toured a preschool in McLean that few DCUMs have probably even heard of. I was really, really surprised that the application asked what colleges each parent attended! Perhaps I'm naive, but it seemed a pretty ridiculous query and just didn't sit well with me. I tossed that application (we were on the fence about the school anyway). And, don't get me wrong, I'm very proud of my degrees and the schools I attended (my Master's is from an Ivy, granted it's one of the "more accessible" Ivies!).

If there happens to be any preschool/private school admissions person reading this post who can comment on the purpose of including questions about the parents' education on applications, I would be most interested in reading your post!

[Anonymous]

It is not unusual for the teacher recommendation form to include a question regarding the family's involvement during the preschool year. A willingness of the family to contribute school supplies (wipes, paper towels, kleenex) and to volunteer time (party set-up, fundraisers, open house tours) are a reasonable proxie for their willingness to contribute time and/or money to their child's school in the coming years. I believe this is the kind of support the OP was indicating --- not advance financial contributions to the scholarship endowment!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is not unusual for the teacher recommendation form to include a question regarding the family's involvement during the preschool year. A willingness of the family to contribute school supplies (wipes, paper towels, kleenex) and to volunteer time (party set-up, fundraisers, open house tours) are a reasonable proxie for their willingness to contribute time and/or money to their child's school in the coming years. I believe this is the kind of support the OP was indicating --- not advance financial contributions to the scholarship endowment!!

The OP mentioned money. That's the kind of support the OP was indicating.