Sidwell throttling down college admissions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have never seen a Sidwell counselor tell a student they can't apply to a particular school. But, despite the party line from the administration, SFS did not have a good year. The counseling staff is uneven, to put it charitably, and the school needs to put some attention into making the process a good one for the students.

That's just really surprising for a school that is supposed to be such a great one. College placement isn't, of course, the only reason for someone to go a prep school, but it's a key component of a private school's reputation. It's pretty inexcusable for them to not have top notch college counseling staff.

[Anonymous]

What constitutes a “down year”? Less than 10 percent of students accepted to top 20 schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SFS took the hard step of revamping the athletics department a couple of years ago. I suspect that they will do a thorough review of the college function as well.

If I am not mistaken, a few of their college counselors left and went to other area schools. Know this first hand. Perhaps that was part of the difference.

[Anonymous]

Until I go for our Upper School tour and get the data, I'll hold any fire or accolades. 2nd and 3rd-hand anonymous chatrooms do not suit me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Until I go for our Upper School tour and get the data, I'll hold any fire or accolades. 2nd and 3rd-hand anonymous chatrooms do not suit me.

... and yet, you're on an anonymous chatroom ...

[Anonymous]

Have you heard anybody praise their high schools college advising lately?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you heard anybody praise their high schools college advising lately?

Does anyone praise college advising even with good results? Seems like if the kid gets in somewhere, that is because the kid achieved this. If he or she doesn't get in, it is on the advising or the school.

[Anonymous]

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What constitutes a “down year”? Less than 10 percent of students accepted to top 20 schools?

Good question. I'm no high school insider so I know the families of only 2 seniors, and both of those got admitted to Ivy colleges. I know my sample size is inadequate to draw any conclusions, but I haven't seen hard info from anyone on this thread either. Looks like a lot of uninformed people trying to pretend there's smoke, without any indication there's any fire out there. Does anyone have actual info, or is this all just yap-yap-yap?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Until I go for our Upper School tour and get the data, I'll hold any fire or accolades. 2nd and 3rd-hand anonymous chatrooms do not suit me.

... and yet, you're on an anonymous chatroom ...

No we're 7th graders there so next mtg at US we'll get the real info. Thx.

I do however post here when the BS quotient gets over 75% of the posts, like on this thread. But, people can choose where they get the info. DC independent schools are quite forthright with facts and information, so wait until after May 1st deposits and go to the AdCom's office and get the facts if you truly care. If you don't care, keep riling up people on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Middle school parents should be asking these questions.

[Anonymous]

SFS took the hard step of revamping the athletics department a couple of years ago. I suspect that they will do a thorough review of the college function as well.

This is just a troll. I don't know anyone at Sidwell who upset with the college counseling office and I have a senior.

[Anonymous]

As a senior parent myself, I think the office could do better, and I know others who share my sentiments. It may depend on which counselor you have.

[Anonymous]

Don't most Sidwell parents have a $10k-20k consultant on the payroll anyways? They don't rely on the school much at all.

[Anonymous]

The consultants can only help so much.