Was Told By College Admissions Officer That Sidwell Secretly Ranks Students

[Anonymous]

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All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

DP: It's more than OK. It's essential. Had the CCO refused to answer the question when asked by a college, likely all of the kids under consideration would have bene rejected.

Also, you knowing the rank would not have changed that outcome.

I don't need to know the rank. And, by not providing this info for everyone "secretly in their CCO letter" likely does result in kids under consideration being rejected. If calculated a rigor weighted rank and provided that for all students - then it would be far more clear who the weighted top 5%-10%-20% are. Doing this for just a few people you choose to go to bat for - while claiming it is NOT done due to Quakerly values (which they absolutely claim) - is not ok. They aren't just doing this for a couple of students at the very top of rigor/gpa - they are doing for the students "they want to" (and in some cases, are probably "told to") help stand out. Of course, all those legacies with low rigor and high grades wouldn't want a blanket weighted GPA/rank floating out there.....

No doubt you and your student have benefited from the school treating people differently based on hooks (even when the school says they don’t do that). And you’ve probably touted the Quaker values in other contexts while your student has been at the school. Now you cry unfair because you are not the favored ones.

Nope to both of these. We liked the idea of Quaker values but in reality, Sidwell high school uses Quaker values as their reason for why they don't/won't do certain things. We have no hooks other than full pay - which we would be anywhere.

Be real. Everyone knows the "Quaker values" are a sham at this School for the Highly Privileged

The Quaker values also goes out the door when it comes to athletic department. Somehow it is not ok to hold anyone higher than another in the community - and fail to celebrate anyone's personal achievement because everyone is special and equal.....but then have athletic awards for individuals and hype attendance at basketball games when the school is not doing so for other sports (even when they play in a state championship game).

I have no beef against the basketball team or against athletes being celebrated or against athletic awards (In fact my DC received an athletic award that we/they had no idea was coming - only found out by attending a senior event.) But these actions are the exact opposite of their stated policy not to celebrate any achievements among non-athletes (or to hype attendance for teams other than the basketball teams).

If it's not Quakerly to celebrate other achievements, then don't celebrate the athletes either.

Agree. A school that likes to be known for its academics should recognize academic stars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

DP: It's more than OK. It's essential. Had the CCO refused to answer the question when asked by a college, likely all of the kids under consideration would have bene rejected.

Also, you knowing the rank would not have changed that outcome.

I don't need to know the rank. And, by not providing this info for everyone "secretly in their CCO letter" likely does result in kids under consideration being rejected. If calculated a rigor weighted rank and provided that for all students - then it would be far more clear who the weighted top 5%-10%-20% are. Doing this for just a few people you choose to go to bat for - while claiming it is NOT done due to Quakerly values (which they absolutely claim) - is not ok. They aren't just doing this for a couple of students at the very top of rigor/gpa - they are doing for the students "they want to" (and in some cases, are probably "told to") help stand out. Of course, all those legacies with low rigor and high grades wouldn't want a blanket weighted GPA/rank floating out there.....

No doubt you and your student have benefited from the school treating people differently based on hooks (even when the school says they don’t do that). And you’ve probably touted the Quaker values in other contexts while your student has been at the school. Now you cry unfair because you are not the favored ones.

Nope to both of these. We liked the idea of Quaker values but in reality, Sidwell high school uses Quaker values as their reason for why they don't/won't do certain things. We have no hooks other than full pay - which we would be anywhere.

Be real. Everyone knows the "Quaker values" are a sham at this School for the Highly Privileged

The Quaker values also goes out the door when it comes to athletic department. Somehow it is not ok to hold anyone higher than another in the community - and fail to celebrate anyone's personal achievement because everyone is special and equal.....but then have athletic awards for individuals and hype attendance at basketball games when the school is not doing so for other sports (even when they play in a state championship game).

I have no beef against the basketball team or against athletes being celebrated or against athletic awards (In fact my DC received an athletic award that we/they had no idea was coming - only found out by attending a senior event.) But these actions are the exact opposite of their stated policy not to celebrate any achievements among non-athletes (or to hype attendance for teams other than the basketball teams).

If it's not Quakerly to celebrate other achievements, then don't celebrate the athletes either.

Agree. A school that likes to be known for its academics should recognize academic stars.

I’m a Sidwell parent and I agree with this sentiment (btw, both of my children play Varsity sports in the US).
If you’re not going to celebrate academic achievements IN A SCHOOL, then don't celebrate athletic achievements. This shouldn’t be hard, Sidwell!

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:So, with my largely unhooked kid in 7th at Sidwell who is probably going to stay, is there anything I can do? Or just set my expectations for him not to get into a top 20 school and call it a day?
Any hope that the new head of the upper school will change some of this?

You absolutely shouldn't "expect" him to get into a Top 20 - he might, he might not. Especially if not in top 5 students. But this is based on the past 3 years - things could change in 5 years. I do think it used to be that top 20% GPA kids with rigor did get into T20 but colleges have made a big shift and they are also being flooded with applications.

The bolded statement doesn’t apply to Sidwell. Over half of Sidwell’s graduates consistently attend T25 universities/T25 SLACs. So, over 60 students per year, out of a class of 125, attend these top tier colleges/universities.

Not true for unhooked for T25 university and T5-T10 SLAC but dream on (or sit on your hooked perch with blindfolds on)

It’s true…you just don’t like that it’s true. I personally know several c/o 2024 Sidwell alums who are attending T25 universities (not to mention T25 SLACs) with absolutely no hooks.

And I know of many unhooked very high stats kids from c/o 2023 and 2024 who are not at T25 university or T10 SLAC (and wanted to go to one).

Also - T25 SLAC is NOT equivalent to T25 universities - this needs to be T5 SLAC or T10 SLAC at most.

Why—because you said so? No one cares about where you want to arbitrarily draw the line.

Btw, Sidwell consistently sends over 50% of the class to T25 universities AND T25 SLACs. If you’re an unhooked high stats kid from Sidwell and you can’t make it it into that group, then something is wrong with the applications you’re submitting (essays, reccs, ECs, etc). Or, something is wrong with the kid (and the AOs made note of it). Let’s be real, I know a few high stats Sidwell kids who are, at best, odd and lack basic social skills.

Same person from above - there is NO way a top rigor/top test scores kid who wanted to a T10/T15 is happy settling for Richmond. No matter what their parents say to them - the student body would consider that not meeting par. They are barely happy to be settling for a T25 edge like UVA or Georgetown.

Either way they get over it - but they should know going in that there is a good chance they won't get into a T25 or T5/T10 SLAC. Perpetuating this expectation that you are selling is NOT healthy for the long game of these kids.

Speak for your own (mentality warped and miserable) self. There are top stats/top rigor students who are happy AND prefer a T15-T25 SLAC. Everyone doesn’t think like you. Get over yourself.

Yes - there are. But they are not the same ones who are T25 or bust. This is what I am saying.

Then we are talking about two different things. I’m talking about T25 universities and T25 SLACs—I will not arbitrarily reduce the SLACs to T5/10/15, or whatever nonsense you’re trying to push.

My point: there are top stats Sidwell students who are happy/want/prefer/ T25 SLACs. They weren’t gunning for anything else, and they got exactly what they wanted.

Agreed on that point - but for many of the DCUM here looking for T25 chances - and because of that some nuance is needed when someone states that 50% get into T25 universities or T25 SLAC.

Of course there are students of all types (including top rigor and stats) who will prefer/choose a school outside T25 university or T10 SLAC.

But there are MANY unhooked top rigor top stats students at Sidwell who's goal is a T25 university/T5-T10 SLAC who do NOT get accepted to such a school (most, of unhooked top do not, in fact). They land in T40 university or lower SLAC. Again - this ends up being just fine - and I am not throwing judgement. But people should know this nuance in advance so they manage their expectations and their kids' expectations too. It's not healthy to build up some false narrative just to be "Sidwell proud" in some college admissions war vs other schools.

Please let this nonsense go. As a Sidwell parent (fairly recent alum and a current US student), I know at least a dozen Sidwell graduates who attended (lower ranked) T25 SLACs, then went on to graduate from Ivy+ universities for law, medical, business and graduate school. They are doing better than most, by every conventional definition of success. Relax…their Sidwell education more than prepared them for the degrees that mattered most.

I agree with you (and I resemble the scenario you describe). The point I am making is that it is more healthy for families to KNOW that there is far from a guarantee that "Sidwell will guarantee my top rigor/stats unhooked kid a T25/T5-T10". And, you can't just say that the kids that landed outside of T25 or at T10-25 SLAC were there by choice (because many of them wanted T25/T5-10 SLAC - and it's also fine that they landed there).

It is far more realistic to think of T40/T25 SLAC as reasonable guardrails/expectations for a high stats unhooked student and to go into the process with the right frame of mind (including that information you are providing about success).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, with my largely unhooked kid in 7th at Sidwell who is probably going to stay, is there anything I can do? Or just set my expectations for him not to get into a top 20 school and call it a day?
Any hope that the new head of the upper school will change some of this?

You absolutely shouldn't "expect" him to get into a Top 20 - he might, he might not. Especially if not in top 5 students. But this is based on the past 3 years - things could change in 5 years. I do think it used to be that top 20% GPA kids with rigor did get into T20 but colleges have made a big shift and they are also being flooded with applications.

The bolded statement doesn’t apply to Sidwell. Over half of Sidwell’s graduates consistently attend T25 universities/T25 SLACs. So, over 60 students per year, out of a class of 125, attend these top tier colleges/universities.

Not true for unhooked for T25 university and T5-T10 SLAC but dream on (or sit on your hooked perch with blindfolds on)

It’s true…you just don’t like that it’s true. I personally know several c/o 2024 Sidwell alums who are attending T25 universities (not to mention T25 SLACs) with absolutely no hooks.

And I know of many unhooked very high stats kids from c/o 2023 and 2024 who are not at T25 university or T10 SLAC (and wanted to go to one).

Also - T25 SLAC is NOT equivalent to T25 universities - this needs to be T5 SLAC or T10 SLAC at most.

Why—because you said so? No one cares about where you want to arbitrarily draw the line.

Btw, Sidwell consistently sends over 50% of the class to T25 universities AND T25 SLACs. If you’re an unhooked high stats kid from Sidwell and you can’t make it it into that group, then something is wrong with the applications you’re submitting (essays, reccs, ECs, etc). Or, something is wrong with the kid (and the AOs made note of it). Let’s be real, I know a few high stats Sidwell kids who are, at best, odd and lack basic social skills.

Same person from above - there is NO way a top rigor/top test scores kid who wanted to a T10/T15 is happy settling for Richmond. No matter what their parents say to them - the student body would consider that not meeting par. They are barely happy to be settling for a T25 edge like UVA or Georgetown.

Either way they get over it - but they should know going in that there is a good chance they won't get into a T25 or T5/T10 SLAC. Perpetuating this expectation that you are selling is NOT healthy for the long game of these kids.

Speak for your own (mentality warped and miserable) self. There are top stats/top rigor students who are happy AND prefer a T15-T25 SLAC. Everyone doesn’t think like you. Get over yourself.

Yes - there are. But they are not the same ones who are T25 or bust. This is what I am saying.

Then we are talking about two different things. I’m talking about T25 universities and T25 SLACs—I will not arbitrarily reduce the SLACs to T5/10/15, or whatever nonsense you’re trying to push.

My point: there are top stats Sidwell students who are happy/want/prefer/ T25 SLACs. They weren’t gunning for anything else, and they got exactly what they wanted.

Agreed on that point - but for many of the DCUM here looking for T25 chances - and because of that some nuance is needed when someone states that 50% get into T25 universities or T25 SLAC.

Of course there are students of all types (including top rigor and stats) who will prefer/choose a school outside T25 university or T10 SLAC.

But there are MANY unhooked top rigor top stats students at Sidwell who's goal is a T25 university/T5-T10 SLAC who do NOT get accepted to such a school (most, of unhooked top do not, in fact). They land in T40 university or lower SLAC. Again - this ends up being just fine - and I am not throwing judgement. But people should know this nuance in advance so they manage their expectations and their kids' expectations too. It's not healthy to build up some false narrative just to be "Sidwell proud" in some college admissions war vs other schools.

Please let this nonsense go. As a Sidwell parent (fairly recent alum and a current US student), I know at least a dozen Sidwell graduates who attended (lower ranked) T25 SLACs, then went on to graduate from Ivy+ universities for law, medical, business and graduate school. They are doing better than most, by every conventional definition of success. Relax…their Sidwell education more than prepared them for the degrees that mattered most.

I agree with you (and I resemble the scenario you describe). The point I am making is that it is more healthy for families to KNOW that there is far from a guarantee that "Sidwell will guarantee my top rigor/stats unhooked kid a T25/T5-T10". And, you can't just say that the kids that landed outside of T25 or at T10-25 SLAC were there by choice (because many of them wanted T25/T5-10 SLAC - and it's also fine that they landed there).

It is far more realistic to think of T40/T25 SLAC as reasonable guardrails/expectations for a high stats unhooked student and to go into the process with the right frame of mind (including that information you are providing about success).

You are super committed to making a point that doesn’t need to be made. You can’t control what people expect from any situation, and your hyper focus on Sidwell students who wanted a T25 undergrad university, but landed at a T25 SLAC is…odd. First world problems, indeed. Let me go look for my tiny violin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, with my largely unhooked kid in 7th at Sidwell who is probably going to stay, is there anything I can do? Or just set my expectations for him not to get into a top 20 school and call it a day?
Any hope that the new head of the upper school will change some of this?

You absolutely shouldn't "expect" him to get into a Top 20 - he might, he might not. Especially if not in top 5 students. But this is based on the past 3 years - things could change in 5 years. I do think it used to be that top 20% GPA kids with rigor did get into T20 but colleges have made a big shift and they are also being flooded with applications.

The bolded statement doesn’t apply to Sidwell. Over half of Sidwell’s graduates consistently attend T25 universities/T25 SLACs. So, over 60 students per year, out of a class of 125, attend these top tier colleges/universities.

Not true for unhooked for T25 university and T5-T10 SLAC but dream on (or sit on your hooked perch with blindfolds on)

It’s true…you just don’t like that it’s true. I personally know several c/o 2024 Sidwell alums who are attending T25 universities (not to mention T25 SLACs) with absolutely no hooks.

And I know of many unhooked very high stats kids from c/o 2023 and 2024 who are not at T25 university or T10 SLAC (and wanted to go to one).

Also - T25 SLAC is NOT equivalent to T25 universities - this needs to be T5 SLAC or T10 SLAC at most.

Why—because you said so? No one cares about where you want to arbitrarily draw the line.

Btw, Sidwell consistently sends over 50% of the class to T25 universities AND T25 SLACs. If you’re an unhooked high stats kid from Sidwell and you can’t make it it into that group, then something is wrong with the applications you’re submitting (essays, reccs, ECs, etc). Or, something is wrong with the kid (and the AOs made note of it). Let’s be real, I know a few high stats Sidwell kids who are, at best, odd and lack basic social skills.

Same person from above - there is NO way a top rigor/top test scores kid who wanted to a T10/T15 is happy settling for Richmond. No matter what their parents say to them - the student body would consider that not meeting par. They are barely happy to be settling for a T25 edge like UVA or Georgetown.

Either way they get over it - but they should know going in that there is a good chance they won't get into a T25 or T5/T10 SLAC. Perpetuating this expectation that you are selling is NOT healthy for the long game of these kids.

Speak for your own (mentality warped and miserable) self. There are top stats/top rigor students who are happy AND prefer a T15-T25 SLAC. Everyone doesn’t think like you. Get over yourself.

Yes - there are. But they are not the same ones who are T25 or bust. This is what I am saying.

Then we are talking about two different things. I’m talking about T25 universities and T25 SLACs—I will not arbitrarily reduce the SLACs to T5/10/15, or whatever nonsense you’re trying to push.

My point: there are top stats Sidwell students who are happy/want/prefer/ T25 SLACs. They weren’t gunning for anything else, and they got exactly what they wanted.

Agreed on that point - but for many of the DCUM here looking for T25 chances - and because of that some nuance is needed when someone states that 50% get into T25 universities or T25 SLAC.

Of course there are students of all types (including top rigor and stats) who will prefer/choose a school outside T25 university or T10 SLAC.

But there are MANY unhooked top rigor top stats students at Sidwell who's goal is a T25 university/T5-T10 SLAC who do NOT get accepted to such a school (most, of unhooked top do not, in fact). They land in T40 university or lower SLAC. Again - this ends up being just fine - and I am not throwing judgement. But people should know this nuance in advance so they manage their expectations and their kids' expectations too. It's not healthy to build up some false narrative just to be "Sidwell proud" in some college admissions war vs other schools.

Please let this nonsense go. As a Sidwell parent (fairly recent alum and a current US student), I know at least a dozen Sidwell graduates who attended (lower ranked) T25 SLACs, then went on to graduate from Ivy+ universities for law, medical, business and graduate school. They are doing better than most, by every conventional definition of success. Relax…their Sidwell education more than prepared them for the degrees that mattered most.

I agree with you (and I resemble the scenario you describe). The point I am making is that it is more healthy for families to KNOW that there is far from a guarantee that "Sidwell will guarantee my top rigor/stats unhooked kid a T25/T5-T10". And, you can't just say that the kids that landed outside of T25 or at T10-25 SLAC were there by choice (because many of them wanted T25/T5-10 SLAC - and it's also fine that they landed there).

It is far more realistic to think of T40/T25 SLAC as reasonable guardrails/expectations for a high stats unhooked student and to go into the process with the right frame of mind (including that information you are providing about success).

You are super committed to making a point that doesn’t need to be made. You can’t control what people expect from any situation, and your hyper focus on Sidwell students who wanted a T25 undergrad university, but landed at a T25 SLAC is…odd. First world problems, indeed. Let me go look for my tiny violin.

No violin requested - and the Sidwell focus is based on OP's topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, with my largely unhooked kid in 7th at Sidwell who is probably going to stay, is there anything I can do? Or just set my expectations for him not to get into a top 20 school and call it a day?
Any hope that the new head of the upper school will change some of this?

You absolutely shouldn't "expect" him to get into a Top 20 - he might, he might not. Especially if not in top 5 students. But this is based on the past 3 years - things could change in 5 years. I do think it used to be that top 20% GPA kids with rigor did get into T20 but colleges have made a big shift and they are also being flooded with applications.

The bolded statement doesn’t apply to Sidwell. Over half of Sidwell’s graduates consistently attend T25 universities/T25 SLACs. So, over 60 students per year, out of a class of 125, attend these top tier colleges/universities.

Not true for unhooked for T25 university and T5-T10 SLAC but dream on (or sit on your hooked perch with blindfolds on)

It’s true…you just don’t like that it’s true. I personally know several c/o 2024 Sidwell alums who are attending T25 universities (not to mention T25 SLACs) with absolutely no hooks.

And I know of many unhooked very high stats kids from c/o 2023 and 2024 who are not at T25 university or T10 SLAC (and wanted to go to one).

Also - T25 SLAC is NOT equivalent to T25 universities - this needs to be T5 SLAC or T10 SLAC at most.

Why—because you said so? No one cares about where you want to arbitrarily draw the line.

Btw, Sidwell consistently sends over 50% of the class to T25 universities AND T25 SLACs. If you’re an unhooked high stats kid from Sidwell and you can’t make it it into that group, then something is wrong with the applications you’re submitting (essays, reccs, ECs, etc). Or, something is wrong with the kid (and the AOs made note of it). Let’s be real, I know a few high stats Sidwell kids who are, at best, odd and lack basic social skills.

Same person from above - there is NO way a top rigor/top test scores kid who wanted to a T10/T15 is happy settling for Richmond. No matter what their parents say to them - the student body would consider that not meeting par. They are barely happy to be settling for a T25 edge like UVA or Georgetown.

Either way they get over it - but they should know going in that there is a good chance they won't get into a T25 or T5/T10 SLAC. Perpetuating this expectation that you are selling is NOT healthy for the long game of these kids.

Speak for your own (mentality warped and miserable) self. There are top stats/top rigor students who are happy AND prefer a T15-T25 SLAC. Everyone doesn’t think like you. Get over yourself.

Yes - there are. But they are not the same ones who are T25 or bust. This is what I am saying.

Then we are talking about two different things. I’m talking about T25 universities and T25 SLACs—I will not arbitrarily reduce the SLACs to T5/10/15, or whatever nonsense you’re trying to push.

My point: there are top stats Sidwell students who are happy/want/prefer/ T25 SLACs. They weren’t gunning for anything else, and they got exactly what they wanted.

Agreed on that point - but for many of the DCUM here looking for T25 chances - and because of that some nuance is needed when someone states that 50% get into T25 universities or T25 SLAC.

Of course there are students of all types (including top rigor and stats) who will prefer/choose a school outside T25 university or T10 SLAC.

But there are MANY unhooked top rigor top stats students at Sidwell who's goal is a T25 university/T5-T10 SLAC who do NOT get accepted to such a school (most, of unhooked top do not, in fact). They land in T40 university or lower SLAC. Again - this ends up being just fine - and I am not throwing judgement. But people should know this nuance in advance so they manage their expectations and their kids' expectations too. It's not healthy to build up some false narrative just to be "Sidwell proud" in some college admissions war vs other schools.

Please let this nonsense go. As a Sidwell parent (fairly recent alum and a current US student), I know at least a dozen Sidwell graduates who attended (lower ranked) T25 SLACs, then went on to graduate from Ivy+ universities for law, medical, business and graduate school. They are doing better than most, by every conventional definition of success. Relax…their Sidwell education more than prepared them for the degrees that mattered most.

I agree with you (and I resemble the scenario you describe). The point I am making is that it is more healthy for families to KNOW that there is far from a guarantee that "Sidwell will guarantee my top rigor/stats unhooked kid a T25/T5-T10". And, you can't just say that the kids that landed outside of T25 or at T10-25 SLAC were there by choice (because many of them wanted T25/T5-10 SLAC - and it's also fine that they landed there).

It is far more realistic to think of T40/T25 SLAC as reasonable guardrails/expectations for a high stats unhooked student and to go into the process with the right frame of mind (including that information you are providing about success).

You are super committed to making a point that doesn’t need to be made. You can’t control what people expect from any situation, and your hyper focus on Sidwell students who wanted a T25 undergrad university, but landed at a T25 SLAC is…odd. First world problems, indeed. Let me go look for my tiny violin.

No violin requested - and the Sidwell focus is based on OP's topic.

If you expect anyone to be concerned about a high stats, unhooked Sidwell student who lands at a T25 SLAC rather than a T25 university for undergrad, then I’m breaking out my tiniest violin (whether you request it or not). That’s simply not a real problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, with my largely unhooked kid in 7th at Sidwell who is probably going to stay, is there anything I can do? Or just set my expectations for him not to get into a top 20 school and call it a day?
Any hope that the new head of the upper school will change some of this?

You absolutely shouldn't "expect" him to get into a Top 20 - he might, he might not. Especially if not in top 5 students. But this is based on the past 3 years - things could change in 5 years. I do think it used to be that top 20% GPA kids with rigor did get into T20 but colleges have made a big shift and they are also being flooded with applications.

The bolded statement doesn’t apply to Sidwell. Over half of Sidwell’s graduates consistently attend T25 universities/T25 SLACs. So, over 60 students per year, out of a class of 125, attend these top tier colleges/universities.

Not true for unhooked for T25 university and T5-T10 SLAC but dream on (or sit on your hooked perch with blindfolds on)

It’s true…you just don’t like that it’s true. I personally know several c/o 2024 Sidwell alums who are attending T25 universities (not to mention T25 SLACs) with absolutely no hooks.

And I know of many unhooked very high stats kids from c/o 2023 and 2024 who are not at T25 university or T10 SLAC (and wanted to go to one).

Also - T25 SLAC is NOT equivalent to T25 universities - this needs to be T5 SLAC or T10 SLAC at most.

Why—because you said so? No one cares about where you want to arbitrarily draw the line.

Btw, Sidwell consistently sends over 50% of the class to T25 universities AND T25 SLACs. If you’re an unhooked high stats kid from Sidwell and you can’t make it it into that group, then something is wrong with the applications you’re submitting (essays, reccs, ECs, etc). Or, something is wrong with the kid (and the AOs made note of it). Let’s be real, I know a few high stats Sidwell kids who are, at best, odd and lack basic social skills.

Same person from above - there is NO way a top rigor/top test scores kid who wanted to a T10/T15 is happy settling for Richmond. No matter what their parents say to them - the student body would consider that not meeting par. They are barely happy to be settling for a T25 edge like UVA or Georgetown.

Either way they get over it - but they should know going in that there is a good chance they won't get into a T25 or T5/T10 SLAC. Perpetuating this expectation that you are selling is NOT healthy for the long game of these kids.

Speak for your own (mentality warped and miserable) self. There are top stats/top rigor students who are happy AND prefer a T15-T25 SLAC. Everyone doesn’t think like you. Get over yourself.

Yes - there are. But they are not the same ones who are T25 or bust. This is what I am saying.

Then we are talking about two different things. I’m talking about T25 universities and T25 SLACs—I will not arbitrarily reduce the SLACs to T5/10/15, or whatever nonsense you’re trying to push.

My point: there are top stats Sidwell students who are happy/want/prefer/ T25 SLACs. They weren’t gunning for anything else, and they got exactly what they wanted.

Agreed on that point - but for many of the DCUM here looking for T25 chances - and because of that some nuance is needed when someone states that 50% get into T25 universities or T25 SLAC.

Of course there are students of all types (including top rigor and stats) who will prefer/choose a school outside T25 university or T10 SLAC.

But there are MANY unhooked top rigor top stats students at Sidwell who's goal is a T25 university/T5-T10 SLAC who do NOT get accepted to such a school (most, of unhooked top do not, in fact). They land in T40 university or lower SLAC. Again - this ends up being just fine - and I am not throwing judgement. But people should know this nuance in advance so they manage their expectations and their kids' expectations too. It's not healthy to build up some false narrative just to be "Sidwell proud" in some college admissions war vs other schools.

Please let this nonsense go. As a Sidwell parent (fairly recent alum and a current US student), I know at least a dozen Sidwell graduates who attended (lower ranked) T25 SLACs, then went on to graduate from Ivy+ universities for law, medical, business and graduate school. They are doing better than most, by every conventional definition of success. Relax…their Sidwell education more than prepared them for the degrees that mattered most.

I agree with you (and I resemble the scenario you describe). The point I am making is that it is more healthy for families to KNOW that there is far from a guarantee that "Sidwell will guarantee my top rigor/stats unhooked kid a T25/T5-T10". And, you can't just say that the kids that landed outside of T25 or at T10-25 SLAC were there by choice (because many of them wanted T25/T5-10 SLAC - and it's also fine that they landed there).

It is far more realistic to think of T40/T25 SLAC as reasonable guardrails/expectations for a high stats unhooked student and to go into the process with the right frame of mind (including that information you are providing about success).

You are super committed to making a point that doesn’t need to be made. You can’t control what people expect from any situation, and your hyper focus on Sidwell students who wanted a T25 undergrad university, but landed at a T25 SLAC is…odd. First world problems, indeed. Let me go look for my tiny violin.

No violin requested - and the Sidwell focus is based on OP's topic.

If you expect anyone to be concerned about a high stats, unhooked Sidwell student who lands at a T25 SLAC rather than a T25 university for undergrad, then I’m breaking out my tiniest violin (whether you request it or not). That’s simply not a real problem.

You are tiresome - it's a PSA for anyone who has or might have unrealistic expectations. There are lots of those people in the DMV - and I knew many at Sidwell.

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Anonymous wrote:So, with my largely unhooked kid in 7th at Sidwell who is probably going to stay, is there anything I can do? Or just set my expectations for him not to get into a top 20 school and call it a day?
Any hope that the new head of the upper school will change some of this?

You absolutely shouldn't "expect" him to get into a Top 20 - he might, he might not. Especially if not in top 5 students. But this is based on the past 3 years - things could change in 5 years. I do think it used to be that top 20% GPA kids with rigor did get into T20 but colleges have made a big shift and they are also being flooded with applications.

The bolded statement doesn’t apply to Sidwell. Over half of Sidwell’s graduates consistently attend T25 universities/T25 SLACs. So, over 60 students per year, out of a class of 125, attend these top tier colleges/universities.

Not true for unhooked for T25 university and T5-T10 SLAC but dream on (or sit on your hooked perch with blindfolds on)

It’s true…you just don’t like that it’s true. I personally know several c/o 2024 Sidwell alums who are attending T25 universities (not to mention T25 SLACs) with absolutely no hooks.

And I know of many unhooked very high stats kids from c/o 2023 and 2024 who are not at T25 university or T10 SLAC (and wanted to go to one).

Also - T25 SLAC is NOT equivalent to T25 universities - this needs to be T5 SLAC or T10 SLAC at most.

Why—because you said so? No one cares about where you want to arbitrarily draw the line.

Btw, Sidwell consistently sends over 50% of the class to T25 universities AND T25 SLACs. If you’re an unhooked high stats kid from Sidwell and you can’t make it it into that group, then something is wrong with the applications you’re submitting (essays, reccs, ECs, etc). Or, something is wrong with the kid (and the AOs made note of it). Let’s be real, I know a few high stats Sidwell kids who are, at best, odd and lack basic social skills.

Same person from above - there is NO way a top rigor/top test scores kid who wanted to a T10/T15 is happy settling for Richmond. No matter what their parents say to them - the student body would consider that not meeting par. They are barely happy to be settling for a T25 edge like UVA or Georgetown.

Either way they get over it - but they should know going in that there is a good chance they won't get into a T25 or T5/T10 SLAC. Perpetuating this expectation that you are selling is NOT healthy for the long game of these kids.

Speak for your own (mentality warped and miserable) self. There are top stats/top rigor students who are happy AND prefer a T15-T25 SLAC. Everyone doesn’t think like you. Get over yourself.

Yes - there are. But they are not the same ones who are T25 or bust. This is what I am saying.

Then we are talking about two different things. I’m talking about T25 universities and T25 SLACs—I will not arbitrarily reduce the SLACs to T5/10/15, or whatever nonsense you’re trying to push.

My point: there are top stats Sidwell students who are happy/want/prefer/ T25 SLACs. They weren’t gunning for anything else, and they got exactly what they wanted.

Agreed on that point - but for many of the DCUM here looking for T25 chances - and because of that some nuance is needed when someone states that 50% get into T25 universities or T25 SLAC.

Of course there are students of all types (including top rigor and stats) who will prefer/choose a school outside T25 university or T10 SLAC.

But there are MANY unhooked top rigor top stats students at Sidwell who's goal is a T25 university/T5-T10 SLAC who do NOT get accepted to such a school (most, of unhooked top do not, in fact). They land in T40 university or lower SLAC. Again - this ends up being just fine - and I am not throwing judgement. But people should know this nuance in advance so they manage their expectations and their kids' expectations too. It's not healthy to build up some false narrative just to be "Sidwell proud" in some college admissions war vs other schools.

Please let this nonsense go. As a Sidwell parent (fairly recent alum and a current US student), I know at least a dozen Sidwell graduates who attended (lower ranked) T25 SLACs, then went on to graduate from Ivy+ universities for law, medical, business and graduate school. They are doing better than most, by every conventional definition of success. Relax…their Sidwell education more than prepared them for the degrees that mattered most.

I agree with you (and I resemble the scenario you describe). The point I am making is that it is more healthy for families to KNOW that there is far from a guarantee that "Sidwell will guarantee my top rigor/stats unhooked kid a T25/T5-T10". And, you can't just say that the kids that landed outside of T25 or at T10-25 SLAC were there by choice (because many of them wanted T25/T5-10 SLAC - and it's also fine that they landed there).

It is far more realistic to think of T40/T25 SLAC as reasonable guardrails/expectations for a high stats unhooked student and to go into the process with the right frame of mind (including that information you are providing about success).

You are super committed to making a point that doesn’t need to be made. You can’t control what people expect from any situation, and your hyper focus on Sidwell students who wanted a T25 undergrad university, but landed at a T25 SLAC is…odd. First world problems, indeed. Let me go look for my tiny violin.

No violin requested - and the Sidwell focus is based on OP's topic.

If you expect anyone to be concerned about a high stats, unhooked Sidwell student who lands at a T25 SLAC rather than a T25 university for undergrad, then I’m breaking out my tiniest violin (whether you request it or not). That’s simply not a real problem.

You are tiresome - it's a PSA for anyone who has or might have unrealistic expectations. There are lots of those people in the DMV - and I knew many at Sidwell.

I find you to be tiresome as well. Why do you feel the need to provide these unsolicited “PSAs” to Sidwell students who are probably a lot more privileged than you or your children? They don’t need your bs advice. It comes across as concern trolling.

[jsteele]

The original poster is a troll.