When parents are only applying to Maret, GDS and Sidwell...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The list in the title was exactly our list for a while. We were not interested in STA/Cathedral or other religious schools, and SFS did not seem religious in the same way. Silent meeting is not the same as a chapel service. Well, no one in our family enjoyed Sidwell and we eventually left. Now I'd recommend a longer list that includes friendlier schools. They tend not to be as selective but they're often better in other ways.

I wouldn't say we were social climbers. When we made our original list, we thought we were identifying the three schools that fit the best. We were wrong.

Curious to hear more, if you’re willing to say more. Was the religiousness at all a factor? Maybe we’re outliers, but we found SFS far more religious than we were expecting. And even when it wasn’t religious, we felt like “quaker values” got pulled out anytime anyone disagreed with someone or disliked someone—not dissimilar to “regular” religion Relatedly, our oldest kid hasn’t really enjoyed themselves, but we’re giving it a bit longer. We though some of this came from the quakerism, which kind of put a somberness on everything.

Anyway, we would love to hear more, as we’re struggling with the long-term decision here.

I'm not Quaker but have experience with both Sidwell Friends and Sandy Spring Friends. Quaker values are a far more significant part of student life at Sandy Spring, but I wasn't annoyed by it at all. It seemed very genuine. At Sidwell it didn't always seem sincere because of the social and academic competition that affects so many things there.

On the other hand, there's no denying that Sidwell students get a great college preparatory education surrounded by many bright students. There are some excellent students at Sandy Spring, but I'd estimate that a quarter to a third of Sandy Spring students couldn't handle the intense Sidwell workload. There are a lot of very smart kids at Sidwell and very few weak students there.

If they are all so smart and well prepared - why do so many Sidwell kids end up at mediocre colleges? Yes, understand Harvard isn't going to take all of them but there are a lot each year going to schools ranked outside top 100 or top 200. Don't tell me it's "fit"

This isn’t at all true. About five or six kids a year out of ~130 go to a school that’s listed >100 in USNWR. Two of those will invariably be male athletes

This is for the last five years - I can’t speak to time before that.

Want to be cautious in replying as we are talking about specific young adults colleges here - but colleges like Northeastern, Penn State and Tulane (all common destinations after Sidwell) don't necessarily jump to mind first with image of "very smart kids" who have been "very well prepared". Lots of private LACs too that while in theory are top100 certainly aren't need-blind and a track record of parents paying 50k/yr isn't going to be a disadvantage. Not dunking on Sidwell - clearly best of bunch in this area - just agreeing that either characterization is too rosy or significant negative x-factor coming from one of these privates when it comes to college admissions.

I am not speaking with any specific knowledge of the SFS kids who may attend these schools, but keep in mind that not all kids at Sidwell are filthy rich. Some very smart kids end up at places based on financial aid and merit scholarships. The school they choose doesn't tell you anything about the schools they were accepted to, and not every kid has the luxury (or, more correctly, I'd say the ridiculous short sightedness) of picking a school purely based on USNWR ranking! Consider a kid who may not quite make Ivy, but otherwise could go to a high ranked school but needs support. Furthermore, not every kid wants an Ivy and places like Northeastern, Penn State, and Tulane are great schools for a bright student who will take advantage that all these schools have to offer.

Tulane #41
Northeastern #49
Penn State #63

Seems fine to me. You people are crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And what's wrong with putting a school magnet on the car? Why can't private school families be proud of their school too?

I am the PP who doesn't put a school magnet on my car and I wouldn't do it for our public either. Just not into advertising such things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what's wrong with putting a school magnet on the car? Why can't private school families be proud of their school too?

I am the PP who doesn't put a school magnet on my car and I wouldn't do it for our public either. Just not into advertising such things.

Sidebar - DCs have attended a private in the title of this thread and another one for 13 years and I have never considered putting the magnet on my car -- because I live in the neighborhood and I make frequent questionable driving maneuvers and don't want that associated with these schools

TO BE PERFECTLY CLEAR these are not asshole or dangerous maneuvers like blocking crosswalks or hydrants, speeding, jumping the line, tailgating etc. More like creative U turns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well if you’re going to post a list with long explanations of the GDS alumni, and say nothing about the alumni from the other schools, of course the GDS list is going to look longer.

Guess we wouldn’t recognize most of the GDS alumni without it, though?

Why is it the Maret list includes a pro basketball and pro player, but the Sidwell list doesn't include the two kids in the NBA and one in the NFL?

I don't even understand the SFS list that was posted. It doesn't include some of the more impressive scientists, journalists, government officials or business people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maret is the most difficult to get in among these three schools.

Because it is so small.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maret is the most difficult to get in among these three schools.

Selectivity does not equate to quality. Rigor is the most important quality for high achievement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what's wrong with putting a school magnet on the car? Why can't private school families be proud of their school too?

I am the PP who doesn't put a school magnet on my car and I wouldn't do it for our public either. Just not into advertising such things.

Sidebar - DCs have attended a private in the title of this thread and another one for 13 years and I have never considered putting the magnet on my car -- because I live in the neighborhood and I make frequent questionable driving maneuvers and don't want that associated with these schools

TO BE PERFECTLY CLEAR these are not asshole or dangerous maneuvers like blocking crosswalks or hydrants, speeding, jumping the line, tailgating etc. More like creative U turns.

same here. I may start using magnets from schools that I don't like for the same reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maret is the most difficult to get in among these three schools.

Selectivity does not equate to quality. Rigor is the most important quality for high achievement.

Plenty of rigor at Maret.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maret is the most difficult to get in among these three schools.

Selectivity does not equate to quality. Rigor is the most important quality for high achievement.

Plenty of rigor at Maret.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what's wrong with putting a school magnet on the car? Why can't private school families be proud of their school too?

I am the PP who doesn't put a school magnet on my car and I wouldn't do it for our public either. Just not into advertising such things.

Sidebar - DCs have attended a private in the title of this thread and another one for 13 years and I have never considered putting the magnet on my car -- because I live in the neighborhood and I make frequent questionable driving maneuvers and don't want that associated with these schools

TO BE PERFECTLY CLEAR these are not asshole or dangerous maneuvers like blocking crosswalks or hydrants, speeding, jumping the line, tailgating etc. More like creative U turns.

same here. I may start using magnets from schools that I don't like for the same reason.

I have the magnet because the kid specifically asked me to put it on. Otherwise I wouldn’t have. And I do think about this all the time. The other day someone tried to steal my parking spot in a lot and I was going to curse them out and then remembered the magnet. I think I’m going to need to take it off soon. I’ll say it’s for the car wash but then never put it back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or a valuation determination. Some privates are not worth the money. And others just might not be appealing.

This 100 percent. They clearly are comfortable with their public option as a backup. I think OP needs to stop worrying about other peoples personal decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what's wrong with putting a school magnet on the car? Why can't private school families be proud of their school too?

I am the PP who doesn't put a school magnet on my car and I wouldn't do it for our public either. Just not into advertising such things.

Sidebar - DCs have attended a private in the title of this thread and another one for 13 years and I have never considered putting the magnet on my car -- because I live in the neighborhood and I make frequent questionable driving maneuvers and don't want that associated with these schools

TO BE PERFECTLY CLEAR these are not asshole or dangerous maneuvers like blocking crosswalks or hydrants, speeding, jumping the line, tailgating etc. More like creative U turns.

same here. I may start using magnets from schools that I don't like for the same reason.

I have the magnet because the kid specifically asked me to put it on. Otherwise I wouldn’t have. And I do think about this all the time. The other day someone tried to steal my parking spot in a lot and I was going to curse them out and then remembered the magnet. I think I’m going to need to take it off soon. I’ll say it’s for the car wash but then never put it back.

Haha! Me too!

[Anonymous]

I've never put the magnet on. Actually, when I'm in carpool I notice many cars don't have it. My kids don't care. I don't advertise for anything, even my clothing labels are tiny or nonexistent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maret is the most difficult to get in among these three schools.

Selectivity does not equate to quality. Rigor is the most important quality for high achievement.

Plenty of rigor at Maret.

LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maret is the most difficult to get in among these three schools.

Selectivity does not equate to quality. Rigor is the most important quality for high achievement.

Plenty of rigor at Maret.

Then you would think placement would be better but it was weak all four years DC was in high school.