Odds of getting into Sidwell

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- there is no 1 profile that Sidwell looks for. Of course they want students that can handle the academic rigor but also want well rounded students. If you want your child to stand out make sure they are authentic during interview and essay writing in the application.

In terms of sports I can’t help you. I would think being a highly desirable athlete is a plus.

She should apply an accentuate what passions she will bring to the community, whether the arts or athletics or whatever else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD really wants to go to Sidwell for 9th grade. I did my research and see that for 9th they typically only have 40-50 slots open and receive 300 plus applicants. I would assume only kids with high GPAs and etc apply. How can your child stand out? I was told Sidwell doesn’t care if your child is an athlete. How true is this?

Wow, Sidwell took 40-50 new kids for 9th grade now? A couple years ago they only accepted 25 or so. What is the reason Sidwell accepts more students now?

[Anonymous]

OP, as you state from the start, it’s a numbers game with any of the top schools. 10* applicants for each spot. If your child is keen on it, support her application but be realistic of the statistics, especially if you are not connected to the Sidwell community in other ways. Sidwell is not as connections dependent as Maret and GDS, but in some ways Sidwell parents are more prominent so they both don’t have to be connected but are also inherently connected just by the nature of who they are all at once. Just go for it, manage your child’s expectations, and have a good backup plan...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, as you state from the start, it’s a numbers game with any of the top schools. 10* applicants for each spot. If your child is keen on it, support her application but be realistic of the statistics, especially if you are not connected to the Sidwell community in other ways. Sidwell is not as connections dependent as Maret and GDS, but in some ways Sidwell parents are more prominent so they both don’t have to be connected but are also inherently connected just by the nature of who they are all at once. Just go for it, manage your child’s expectations, and have a good backup plan...

I may just be clueless about the private schools of this area even though my child is going to one, but I didn't realize GDS and Maret were schools that were dependent on connections. What does that mean? You get in because of who you know? Do you mean DC power players or money? I always thought of Sidwell as the school for the powerful and NCS/STA the schools for the wealthy. Wrong?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD really wants to go to Sidwell for 9th grade. I did my research and see that for 9th they typically only have 40-50 slots open and receive 300 plus applicants. I would assume only kids with high GPAs and etc apply. How can your child stand out? I was told Sidwell doesn’t care if your child is an athlete. How true is this?

Wow, Sidwell took 40-50 new kids for 9th grade now? A couple years ago they only accepted 25 or so. What is the reason Sidwell accepts more students now?

I don’t think they do. More like 30 is what we were told two years ago.

[Anonymous]

Their website says 30 are admitted for 9th grade. I.e. roughly 15 of each gender.

[Anonymous]

It's a crap shoot and there is no single profile of a kid they accept. So if you love it, apply, but don't get your hopes up. Some kids get in, some don't.

[Anonymous]

GDS may have surpassed Sidwell by now.

[Anonymous]

GDS troll

[Anonymous]

Just tell DC that they aren't getting in and are doomed to a life in retail if they don't go. You're not getting in!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Their website says 30 are admitted for 9th grade. I.e. roughly 15 of each gender.

30 plus any attrition from 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

If she can throw a spiral, she's in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she can throw a spiral, she's in.

Come on Flint Hill parent. Don’t you get tired of surfing all these threads waiting for an opportunity to throw that in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she can throw a spiral, she's in.

You aren’t say

[Anonymous]

It's not impossible. Much easier than many college statistics. Apply if your kid has good grades, has at least one area of EC where she's consistent and reasonably okay and can write a compelling essay/ conduct a compelling interview. The balancing that goes on behind the scenes (gender, need for specific orchestra player/ sports member, acceptance from a certain school, etc.) may sometimes mean that your kid is in the right place at the right time.