How difficult is it to get into NCS with no connections?

[Anonymous]

We have a DD who will be a rising 3rd grader this school year in public school. We are already looking ahead to applying to privates for next year (4th grade). We are quite interested in NCS, however, our DD will not be coming from Beauvoir and there are no legacies in our family. Does anyone have any experience or inside knowledge? Our DD is reasonably bright, well-rounded etc. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

In general, I think there is a lot of hype regarding how exclusive and difficult schools in DC are to get into. I am not to this age yet but I would take everything on DCUM with a grain of salt.

[Anonymous]

Very difficult to say as it varies from year to year. However, this is doable and you should go ahead with confidence. Just remember to apply to other good schools as well and not to become obsessed with NCS.

[Anonymous]

very difficult--don't let anyone bs you

[Anonymous]

From our sample of about 30 kids we know well enough at Sidwell and NCS to speak to this: connections help at NCS, although not all the kids we know there had connections to get in. Connections are more important at Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

OP here- thanks for the replys. We are not obsessed with NCS, just think it seems like a nice school. Does anyone know how many spots are already taken by Beauvoir or other preferences in a given year?

[Anonymous]

I agree that connections matter more at Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that connections matter more at Sidwell.

By "connections," do you mean things like legacy/sibling status? I recall earlier this year several people commenting that Sidwell does not necessarily admit all siblings. And around the same time, I remember a couple people posting to complain that their children were not admitted at Sidwell, even though family members had gone there. Those posts suggested to me that such connections don't carry as much weight as some people believe.

[Anonymous]

4th grade is an entry year - NCS takes a couple of dozen new girls (vs. about 3 in 5th grade and 8th grade and about 8 in 6th grade; more in 7th and 9th). Mostly they are bright and well-rounded; if your daughter has a special sport or talent, do mention it, because it seems to help. If a current parent knows your daughter well and can say something specific in support of her, it doesn't hurt (but lots of people get in without it, including from public school).

Some of the spots seem to go to the wealthy or well-connected, but not very many, in my experience (and some of those girls deserved their spots regardless).

Do have a back-up plan, though: there can be serious competition. They may not all be 99th percentile, but there are skilled musicians, star athletes, published authors, math prodigies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that connections matter more at Sidwell.

By "connections," do you mean things like legacy/sibling status? I recall earlier this year several people commenting that Sidwell does not necessarily admit all siblings. And around the same time, I remember a couple people posting to complain that their children were not admitted at Sidwell, even though family members had gone there. Those posts suggested to me that such connections don't carry as much weight as some people believe.

I'm 14:27, and a friend told me they got a trustee to write a letter for them - and the kid got in.

That said, Sidwell is hard to get in to, period, and NCS hard but somewhat less so. You're right, siblings are not guaranteed a spot at either school. I doubt sibling status, connections, great wealth, or anything else would help if the school thinks the kid in question can't do the work. The connected kid we know was qualified although not extremely so. I would bet a letter from the President won't help if NCS or Sidwell thinks the applicant can't do the work. I think somebody earlier said that where connections, sibling status, and other things help is when a school has to choose among equally qualified applicants.

I know plenty of nobodies who got into NCS, but I can't say the same for Sidwell. But that's just the families I know. And sometimes people post here to say they are a nobody and their kid got into Sidwell, so YMMV.

[Anonymous]

I don't think a note from the President would help an applicant unless they actually knew the child.

That said, these schools are filled with plenty of "nobodies". There are many applicants for each spot, but plenty of unconnected people get their children in.

[Anonymous]

Since no one has actually answered I will give it a shot. Here is some general information.

4th grade class has approx 45 girls


About 28-30 from beauvoir

Some come from NPS

Some come from local publics (dc)

So theoretically there are 15 or so spots for 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. Thank you PP. This information is really helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4th grade is an entry year - NCS takes a couple of dozen new girls (vs. about 3 in 5th grade and 8th grade and about 8 in 6th grade; more in 7th and 9th). Mostly they are bright and well-rounded; if your daughter has a special sport or talent, do mention it, because it seems to help. If a current parent knows your daughter well and can say something specific in support of her, it doesn't hurt (but lots of people get in without it, including from public school).

Some of the spots seem to go to the wealthy or well-connected, but not very many, in my experience (and some of those girls deserved their spots regardless).

Do have a back-up plan, though: there can be serious competition. They may not all be 99th percentile, but there are skilled musicians, star athletes, published authors, math prodigies.

Sorry, this last sentence is an exaggeration. Published authors in 3rd grade? Yeah, there are girls who have talents but I wouldn't say each class is chock full of superstars.

[Anonymous]

It is easier if you are a minority because I hear they are trying to get more diversity like Holton. Do not get me wrong, you must be a qualified candidate and by that I mean score well on the WISC and ERB, do well on the visit, and be able to handle the heavy workload.