Class of '26 Instagram College Decisions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On the other hand, if unhooked students are not set on HYP and are looking for high quality education and a top college (and Chicago and Cornell are both top colleges), TT schools would be a logical choice.

FWIW, as a completely unhooked parent, I would be very happy with DC going to Cornell or Chicago. The program is they seem to want MIT which takes ED out of the equation and turns the whole process into an absolute nightmare.

This is true, both incredible outcomes. Problem is how many unhooked parents really think it’s HYP or bust and don’t realize that that mentality has been unrealistic for a couple decades. Coming from a TT, you really have zero shot if you aren’t hooked or a savant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was told by an admin at Brearley that if your kid wasn't a legacy at a HYP, and your heart was dead set on a HYP, you would do better to leave and do high school elsewhere, because the legacies have first dibs, especially the very wealthy ones, and that people without those connects rarely get in from the school. Who knows if it was true, but its what they said.

Funny, I was told by an admin at Brearley that if you want the best chance for HYP, you should send your kid to Brearley, even if unhooked. Our kid goes to another TT, but that's what they said.

[Anonymous]

One thing I don't understand is everyone on this board keeps talking about legacies as if that's some major hook, but everywhere else I read that legacy status is barely a blip these days and is definitely not a needle mover. So which is it?

[Anonymous]

Colleges want applicants to think that legacy is not a factor but based on feedback from credible college counsellors, a legacy status still increases a chance of admission by a factor of 4.

It is nowhere near being a guarantee (you still need to be a very strong students) but in a highly competitive pool of NY UMC candidates legacy still gives you a major edge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colleges want applicants to think that legacy is not a factor but based on feedback from credible college counsellors, a legacy status still increases a chance of admission by a factor of 4.

It is nowhere near being a guarantee (you still need to be a very strong students) but in a highly competitive pool of NY UMC candidates legacy still gives you a major edge.

Thanks. My kids are not near applying yet, but I will double check this at the right time. Spouse and I both attended Penn so I am hoping that provides some boost. Spouse and I were both first in our families to attend college (at a time when that didn't really give you a college hook), so I am hoping to be able to leverage the legacy with our own kids (if they want to go to Penn, of course, and are qualified).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing I don't understand is everyone on this board keeps talking about legacies as if that's some major hook, but everywhere else I read that legacy status is barely a blip these days and is definitely not a needle mover. So which is it?

I think it’s legacy + consistent donor. Not necessarily seven figure checks, but I know someone who donated five figures to HYPS consistently and their family got a call from admissions when they were going to be deferred. Kid was smart but not remotely HYPS level. They ended up applying ED2 elsewhere. I figure there are plenty of parents in finance, big law, etc. who can donate that much and it tips the scale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing I don't understand is everyone on this board keeps talking about legacies as if that's some major hook, but everywhere else I read that legacy status is barely a blip these days and is definitely not a needle mover. So which is it?

There are alums who are GP MDs who will never donate a lot. Then there are the types of alums who make F U money and send their kids to TTs. The latter are what we refer to and there are many at these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing I don't understand is everyone on this board keeps talking about legacies as if that's some major hook, but everywhere else I read that legacy status is barely a blip these days and is definitely not a needle mover. So which is it?

I think it’s legacy + consistent donor. Not necessarily seven figure checks, but I know someone who donated five figures to HYPS consistently and their family got a call from admissions when they were going to be deferred. Kid was smart but not remotely HYPS level. They ended up applying ED2 elsewhere. I figure there are plenty of parents in finance, big law, etc. who can donate that much and it tips the scale.

For an unqualified applicant it is eight figures now

[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:Dalton has 10 to harvard. many hooked but still. not all posted yet

That's impressive. 7 from Brearley's class of 60-65 is also outstanding..

AFAIK, only 2 of them are unhooked, and at least one of them has national level achievements unrelated to the school.

There are parents who went to Harvard (and other ivies) at every private school in the city. And rich parents at every private school. And FGLI kids at every private school. And star athletes at every private school. And so on. But only the TTs have these kind of stats. Of course hooks provide the edge, but those hooks exist everywhere and there is a reason the TTs do better than the other schools.

Are you saying those admits wouldn't have made it to Harvard if they were at a different school?

No. I’m saying Brearley attracts the top students and they’re not getting in just because of hooks (otherwise you’d see the same numbers at other schools where these hooks also exist). They’re getting in because they have the goods (hooks alone won’t do it). Though I do assume that colleges know Brearley and thus know that if you are high achieving there, you’ll be a great fit for the college. So in that sense, I suppose the school does help and perhaps they wouldn't be as successful if at another non-TT private that is not as highly regarded by the colleges.

When you are hooked (parent gave eight figures, squash recruit, black with a 1500 SAT) it doesn’t matter where you went to HS. Hooked is hooked anywhere

Ok great. Then we can agree that the reason the TTs do some much better is not because of hooks (as someone suggested above and as is usually thrown out as the reason for such great matriculation stats at TT schools). Because I see no reason why hooks are restricted to those schools. And I know for a fact that they are not.

Schools like HM and Trinity have an easier go of it getting rich, hooked families to enroll v Trevor or Dwight. They also have bigger classes than smaller schools that have a higher percentage go to HYP. There is zero incentive for Harvard to accept a bunch of unhooked applicants from Brearley v a good suburban public. If ten from a private are going to Harvard, no more than 1-2 are unhooked.

The incentive is they are better students and better educated and well known by the school to be able to thrive there. That's the answer.

It becomes obvious when you see families with 3+ kids attend 1-3T HS and all kids go on to attend Harvard afterwards.

As an example, Odd Mom Out.

Great example. Her kid is going to Harvard from Grace. Seems to be the only Harvard admit from Grace this year.

When your grandfather is Arie Kopelman, you're going anywhere you want.

[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:Dalton has 10 to harvard. many hooked but still. not all posted yet

That's impressive. 7 from Brearley's class of 60-65 is also outstanding..

AFAIK, only 2 of them are unhooked, and at least one of them has national level achievements unrelated to the school.

There are parents who went to Harvard (and other ivies) at every private school in the city. And rich parents at every private school. And FGLI kids at every private school. And star athletes at every private school. And so on. But only the TTs have these kind of stats. Of course hooks provide the edge, but those hooks exist everywhere and there is a reason the TTs do better than the other schools.

Are you saying those admits wouldn't have made it to Harvard if they were at a different school?

No. I’m saying Brearley attracts the top students and they’re not getting in just because of hooks (otherwise you’d see the same numbers at other schools where these hooks also exist). They’re getting in because they have the goods (hooks alone won’t do it). Though I do assume that colleges know Brearley and thus know that if you are high achieving there, you’ll be a great fit for the college. So in that sense, I suppose the school does help and perhaps they wouldn't be as successful if at another non-TT private that is not as highly regarded by the colleges.

When you are hooked (parent gave eight figures, squash recruit, black with a 1500 SAT) it doesn’t matter where you went to HS. Hooked is hooked anywhere

Ok great. Then we can agree that the reason the TTs do some much better is not because of hooks (as someone suggested above and as is usually thrown out as the reason for such great matriculation stats at TT schools). Because I see no reason why hooks are restricted to those schools. And I know for a fact that they are not.

Schools like HM and Trinity have an easier go of it getting rich, hooked families to enroll v Trevor or Dwight. They also have bigger classes than smaller schools that have a higher percentage go to HYP. There is zero incentive for Harvard to accept a bunch of unhooked applicants from Brearley v a good suburban public. If ten from a private are going to Harvard, no more than 1-2 are unhooked.

The incentive is they are better students and better educated and well known by the school to be able to thrive there. That's the answer.

It becomes obvious when you see families with 3+ kids attend 1-3T HS and all kids go on to attend Harvard afterwards.

As an example, Odd Mom Out.

Great example. Her kid is going to Harvard from Grace. Seems to be the only Harvard admit from Grace this year.

When your grandfather is Arie Kopelman, you're going anywhere you want.

Yup. Guess we know where Drew Barrymore’s kids are going to go after their TT school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was told by an admin at Brearley that if your kid wasn't a legacy at a HYP, and your heart was dead set on a HYP, you would do better to leave and do high school elsewhere, because the legacies have first dibs, especially the very wealthy ones, and that people without those connects rarely get in from the school. Who knows if it was true, but its what they said.

Add this to the list of things which never happened…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was told by an admin at Brearley that if your kid wasn't a legacy at a HYP, and your heart was dead set on a HYP, you would do better to leave and do high school elsewhere, because the legacies have first dibs, especially the very wealthy ones, and that people without those connects rarely get in from the school. Who knows if it was true, but its what they said.

Add this to the list of things which never happened…

Even if an admin never said it, it is true. People on here are out of their minds to think Unhooked Sally Sue will get into Harvard with hard work, a 4.0, and a 1600 over the ten classmates Harvard prefers due to money and diversity and athletics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was told by an admin at Brearley that if your kid wasn't a legacy at a HYP, and your heart was dead set on a HYP, you would do better to leave and do high school elsewhere, because the legacies have first dibs, especially the very wealthy ones, and that people without those connects rarely get in from the school. Who knows if it was true, but its what they said.

Add this to the list of things which never happened…

Even if an admin never said it, it is true. People on here are out of their minds to think Unhooked Sally Sue will get into Harvard with hard work, a 4.0, and a 1600 over the ten classmates Harvard prefers due to money and diversity and athletics.

I literally did. As did my sibling. As did a bunch of our classmates. I don’t know how to dispel you of this fiction - I don’t think I can and I don’t think you want to be. But You don’t know what you’re talking about.

[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:Dalton has 10 to harvard. many hooked but still. not all posted yet

That's impressive. 7 from Brearley's class of 60-65 is also outstanding..

AFAIK, only 2 of them are unhooked, and at least one of them has national level achievements unrelated to the school.

There are parents who went to Harvard (and other ivies) at every private school in the city. And rich parents at every private school. And FGLI kids at every private school. And star athletes at every private school. And so on. But only the TTs have these kind of stats. Of course hooks provide the edge, but those hooks exist everywhere and there is a reason the TTs do better than the other schools.

Are you saying those admits wouldn't have made it to Harvard if they were at a different school?

No. I’m saying Brearley attracts the top students and they’re not getting in just because of hooks (otherwise you’d see the same numbers at other schools where these hooks also exist). They’re getting in because they have the goods (hooks alone won’t do it). Though I do assume that colleges know Brearley and thus know that if you are high achieving there, you’ll be a great fit for the college. So in that sense, I suppose the school does help and perhaps they wouldn't be as successful if at another non-TT private that is not as highly regarded by the colleges.

When you are hooked (parent gave eight figures, squash recruit, black with a 1500 SAT) it doesn’t matter where you went to HS. Hooked is hooked anywhere

Ok great. Then we can agree that the reason the TTs do some much better is not because of hooks (as someone suggested above and as is usually thrown out as the reason for such great matriculation stats at TT schools). Because I see no reason why hooks are restricted to those schools. And I know for a fact that they are not.

Schools like HM and Trinity have an easier go of it getting rich, hooked families to enroll v Trevor or Dwight. They also have bigger classes than smaller schools that have a higher percentage go to HYP. There is zero incentive for Harvard to accept a bunch of unhooked applicants from Brearley v a good suburban public. If ten from a private are going to Harvard, no more than 1-2 are unhooked.

The incentive is they are better students and better educated and well known by the school to be able to thrive there. That's the answer.

It becomes obvious when you see families with 3+ kids attend 1-3T HS and all kids go on to attend Harvard afterwards.

As an example, Odd Mom Out.

Great example. Her kid is going to Harvard from Grace. Seems to be the only Harvard admit from Grace this year.

When your grandfather is Arie Kopelman, you're going anywhere you want.

Yup. Guess we know where Drew Barrymore’s kids are going to go after their TT school

At least one of Drew Barrymore's kids is not at a TT school.

Grace typically doesn't feed much to HYPS (despite having plenty of parents who went to those schools). But it does well at the rest of the Ivies, Duke, Rice, and SLACs. It has been rapidly improving its exmissions, though still has its fair share of kids who have no interest in those schools. So the top of the class at Grace is not far off of TT schools, but the "average" result isn't nearly as good.

[Anonymous]

You can believe or not believe, but it is a kind of known thing. Even the girls talk about it — who is a dbl legacy, whose parents have the most money to donate. Ask a couple of them, they love taking about it. Legacies aren’t a boost for most people, but the legacy families at a TT are usually name on building types, and they get first dibs from both the TT and the college. Second dibs are people with non-typical TT backgrounds (aka not your kid). This is all kind of a fool’s game because these places are in a lot of flux right now, applications and donors are down, etc. and there is a demo cliff coming. These places wax and wane in the boost they give your kid
— in the meantime, YOLO!