Big 4 Private School Admissions - Does it Help to Live in DC?

[Anonymous]

Let me begin by saying I am otherwise a completely normal mother, even by most accounts likable.

For reasons that I will not bore you with, we feel a private school education will be a good fit for our DC. Next year, we will be applying for K admission at the "Big 4" (Beauvoir, Maret, GDS, Sidwell). As it turns out, again for reasons that I will not bore you with, we have been renting a home in Bethesda for the last few years. This summer, we will be buying a home in either the close in MD suburbs, or in NW.

I have been told that the ADs at these schools and others like it give a slight bump to those applicants who actually live in DC, the idea being that there are few good options down the road for these families, while those in the MD and VA suburbs are seen to have strong public school fallback options. A life raft theory of admissions.

On the other hand, I have been told that there are some schools who actually consider geography in "diversity" assessments. So, in other words, a MD resident applying to a DC school, or better yet, a private in VA, might get an extra hard look. A bragging rights theory of admissions.

Anyone out there with any thought on this? Yes, in a sense, I'm asking you to help make the decision whether we should move to DC or stay in MD, pathetic as this might sound.

[Anonymous]

Go with the nicer house but more importantly wait for the outcome first. There are plenty of people who get rejected from all four.

And to answer your question more directly, I really do not think it will matter either way.

[Anonymous]

I think it makes absolutely no difference. But as long as you're thinking about location, it's probably also a good time to investigate some schools other than the "Big 4." As I'm sure you've seen on this forum, competition at these schools is extremely intense, and highly qualified applicants can get get shut out from all four. (I'm assuming, based on the tenor of your post, that you don't have a special "in" at any of these schools.) If you find some appealing back-up possibilities, you might think about buying in an area that would be conveneint for those schools, as well as for the ones you've named.

[Anonymous]

Let me add, as someone who also considered herself a pretty normal mother at this point last year, if you're already obsessing to this degree--and I say this with empathy above all--by next spring, they're going to be peeling you off the ceiling!

-A recovering applicant mother.

[Anonymous]

14:40 is right on. It's not going to matter, and you need to apply to more than those four unless there are very special circumstances involved.

[Anonymous]

As others have said, I would suggest looking more broadly than the Big 4. If you want to go with private school there are lots of really great schools in DC/MD that are worth looking into (and which often feed kids into the Big 4 in later grades if that is your ultimate goal). Applying to just a few very competitive schools might not end well. Also, you should probably find out more about these schools and how they are since I think there are few kids and families for which all of these four schools would actually be a good fit. If you like Beauvoir more, maybe look at St. Patrick's, NPS, type of schools. If you like Maret/Sidwell you might also like Sheridan. If you lean more progressive in educational style, you might like Green Acres or Lowell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm asking you to help make the decision whether we should move to DC or stay in MD, pathetic as this might sound.

Because admission to the schools that you've suggested can be difficult if the stars don't align, you definitely want to have a fall back. Kindergarten is an especially difficult entry year given the number of applicants combined with the usual sibling/alumni/faculty preferences.....roughly only 80-85 spots combined across the four schools you've named...with hundreds of applicants. Probably best to buy in close in MD suburbs (Woodacres, Westbrook, etc.)... just in case your child is waitlisted or rejected everywhere. You'll still be close (from a commuting perspective) to the private schools if your child gets in. As others have mentioned, it's doubtful that living in DC will give your child an edge....certainly not above siblings/alumni/faculty, racial diversity, economic diversity, excellent WPPSI scores, etc.

Of course, I've heard (don't know based on experience) that there are some good public elementary schools in NW DC (Murch, Hyde, Lafayette, Eaton, Key). So if you have your heart set on living in the city, probably best to look at houses in one of those school districts.

[Anonymous]

If you can hold off on moving until your DC has been accepted to a good school, I would DEFINITELY wait to move. That gives you maximum flexibility to choose a neighborhood that is convenient! Imagine moving to NW and then having your child accepted to a school out in MD or VA!! If you must move sooner, select a neighborhood with a good public elementary so that you have a good safety net if the private schools don't work out the first year you try. And definitely apply to schools beyond the "big 4" no matter how lovely your child!