Sidwell to increase tuition a WHOPPING 6.7%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I’m guessing that you don’t have a current senior. My kid was neither rejected nor deferred ED. But many seniors believe that the CCO has done a poor job and disserved the class. Even kids who got in ED have that view.

I do have a current senior. I just have realistic expectations from the CCO.

I want them to be sure to get transcripts and recommendations in on time and have them be grammatically correct.
I want them to help my kid identify a range of schools based on potential areas of study as well as size/geography etc.

They did those two things.

The rest is up to luck given the numbers of applications we are seeing the colleges and universities this year.

Other than those two items, what did you expect from the CCO that you didn't get?

Have you had an option to read the recommendations? If not, how do you know if they are grammatically correct. LOL

I don't, but given who our older kid had, and the proper grammar in emails currently, I am more confident now than I was a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to costs — it is hilarious folks are citing the broader economy’s current inflation spike as if Sidwell was forced to raise tuition sharply because of the current inflation environment. As if their supply chain was impacted, or teachers or deans if this or that rose up and demanded massive raises next year and sidwell had no way to manages costs elsewhere. As if its tuition increases haven’t outpaced inflation for decades.

In an inflationary environment, people expect higher prices, so you raise rates more than you would have otherwise. So they did.

It would be interesting to know how much of a surplus this budget anticipates, and how much the referenced contingency funds have grown. I would also want to know the aggregate % increase of teacher salaries on an FTE basis.

Of course you are right that some schools will raise tuition just because they can. Some will, at least. But if they are just budgeting for a comparably larger(r) surplus with the increase, rather than funding a larger increase in salaries, that is something that parents should know.

The school is going to administer itself as it sees fit. They don’t need to tell the parents anything. If you like what they are selling then you shouldn’t worry about it.

It really isn’t a question of need, as opposed to good governance and administration, and some level of transparency. Bryan used to have a state of the school presentation where school finances were discussed. We’ll see if he does it this year, but I don’t think it is on the calendar as of now.

Can the school take the approach you are suggesting, if it wants to do so? Sure, I suppose it can. Does the school actually take the approach you are suggesting? I don’t know—I guess we will see. But if it does, that will lead to some interesting conversations when we meet with them about the annual fund and campaign.

Regardless, I think that the questions I identified are relevant ones. It’s part of an effort to actually try to understand a 6.5%+ increase. Because they could possibly get me on board with it if I had more information.

[Anonymous]

Good grief -- based on the posts that appear for a moment and then disappear, this forum tolerates no discussion with any hint of a critical thinking posture towards the school opening the money faucet to 'anti-racist' gestures. What gives? What I've seen here today aren't remotely racist. Geez.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this thread is not about college counseling but the 15 kids applied ED to Brown could have been somewhat avoided. The CCO office needs to be more transparent. Seniors are applying in almost a vacuum and have very little idea who else from within Sidwell is applying ED to the same school. If a college is oversubscribed from the senior class, we believe the CCO could have gently guided students - including ours - by saying "the competition is intense for college X from just within our school community so would you consider applying ED to college Y instead?" Some kids may have their heart set on college X and may disregard this suggestion but most senior kids know that competition is brutal and if they have better chances at a comparable but less popular college, they would change their ED/EA decisions. We found that the CCO went along with any suggestions we had without any critical responses or analysis in return. Their standard response was "we are hear to support your decisions" but what they don't realize is that kids need actual guidance and counseling versus support (which at its best means we will send your recommendations and transcript) for what the kid does not know is an unrealistic application.

While I agree it would be nice if they did this, they don't because they probably assume that once someone gets their heart stuck on an ED, they won't be able to talk the applicant out of it.

Some of the NE boarding schools vet applicants to certain schools, so for example, only 5 even get to apply to Yale. Would you prefer that? Would you like it better if a school said 'you cannot apply to harvard or yale, we have already given those shots to other classmates, so consider Z instead"

I wouldn't and doubt you would either.

I’m not pp, but I am a parent of a Sidwell senior. Allow me to suggest that there is a middle ground: “We know that you have your heart set on Brown, but here’s what you should know...[fill in relevant info about competitiveness and the particular kid, how many kids applying etc]. It’s up to you whether you apply to Brown ED, but if there’s another school that you feel strongly about that might be less of a stretch, let’s talk about and consider that one also. Because you only get one ED shot, you should use it wisely. And then whatever you decide, we will fully support that decision.”

I know from friends with kids at other comparable probates that this kind of conversation can and does take place with school college counselors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this thread is not about college counseling but the 15 kids applied ED to Brown could have been somewhat avoided. The CCO office needs to be more transparent. Seniors are applying in almost a vacuum and have very little idea who else from within Sidwell is applying ED to the same school. If a college is oversubscribed from the senior class, we believe the CCO could have gently guided students - including ours - by saying "the competition is intense for college X from just within our school community so would you consider applying ED to college Y instead?" Some kids may have their heart set on college X and may disregard this suggestion but most senior kids know that competition is brutal and if they have better chances at a comparable but less popular college, they would change their ED/EA decisions. We found that the CCO went along with any suggestions we had without any critical responses or analysis in return. Their standard response was "we are hear to support your decisions" but what they don't realize is that kids need actual guidance and counseling versus support (which at its best means we will send your recommendations and transcript) for what the kid does not know is an unrealistic application.

While I agree it would be nice if they did this, they don't because they probably assume that once someone gets their heart stuck on an ED, they won't be able to talk the applicant out of it.

Some of the NE boarding schools vet applicants to certain schools, so for example, only 5 even get to apply to Yale. Would you prefer that? Would you like it better if a school said 'you cannot apply to harvard or yale, we have already given those shots to other classmates, so consider Z instead"

I wouldn't and doubt you would either.

I’m not pp, but I am a parent of a Sidwell senior. Allow me to suggest that there is a middle ground: “We know that you have your heart set on Brown, but here’s what you should know...[fill in relevant info about competitiveness and the particular kid, how many kids applying etc]. It’s up to you whether you apply to Brown ED, but if there’s another school that you feel strongly about that might be less of a stretch, let’s talk about and consider that one also. Because you only get one ED shot, you should use it wisely. And then whatever you decide, we will fully support that decision.”

I know from friends with kids at other comparable probates that this kind of conversation can and does take place with school college counselors.

BUT is this done at Sidwell at all?? That is the problem…

[Anonymous]

PP - I agree with your sentiments. I think most students (and parents) are well aware of how fierce competition is and if the counselors were to be a little bit more transparent of how many kids with higher stats are applying to the same school while another similar (or even slightly lower ranked) school is being relatively overlooked, I think kids would consider pivoting to the alternative choice.

As an example, if tons of kids were applying Northwestern ED and didn't have a chance, maybe the CCO could let them know that Johns Hopkins/Rice/Notre Dame has less applicants that year from the school so would the student be interested in using their ED/EA slots and applying there instead. Of course, its up to the student if they want to drastically change their focus from Northwestern to one of these other schools but at least they would go in eyes wide open.

I strongly believe that kids today are genuinely more open to guidance than they were a few years ago. The reality of the pandemic has made people a lot more humble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP - I agree with your sentiments. I think most students (and parents) are well aware of how fierce competition is and if the counselors were to be a little bit more transparent of how many kids with higher stats are applying to the same school while another similar (or even slightly lower ranked) school is being relatively overlooked, I think kids would consider pivoting to the alternative choice.

As an example, if tons of kids were applying Northwestern ED and didn't have a chance, maybe the CCO could let them know that Johns Hopkins/Rice/Notre Dame has less applicants that year from the school so would the student be interested in using their ED/EA slots and applying there instead. Of course, its up to the student if they want to drastically change their focus from Northwestern to one of these other schools but at least they would go in eyes wide open.

I strongly believe that kids today are genuinely more open to guidance than they were a few years ago. The reality of the pandemic has made people a lot more humble.

Another Sidwell parent. We even diplomatically asked for the information but was politely told they can’t give any hint. We didn’t go after it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I’m guessing that you don’t have a current senior. My kid was neither rejected nor deferred ED. But many seniors believe that the CCO has done a poor job and disserved the class. Even kids who got in ED have that view.

I do have a current senior. I just have realistic expectations from the CCO.

I want them to be sure to get transcripts and recommendations in on time and have them be grammatically correct.
I want them to help my kid identify a range of schools based on potential areas of study as well as size/geography etc.

They did those two things.

The rest is up to luck given the numbers of applications we are seeing the colleges and universities this year.

Other than those two items, what did you expect from the CCO that you didn't get?

Have you had an option to read the recommendations? If not, how do you know if they are grammatically correct. LOL

I don't, but given who our older kid had, and the proper grammar in emails currently, I am more confident now than I was a few years ago.

This is an overlooked aspect of the turmoil and turnover in the CC office during the past several years. No question, the way in which some parents acted towards some the counselors a few years ago was completely inappropriate and unacceptable. But that doesn’t negate that some of the counselors apparently were largely incompetent. And what did school administration do about that before things came to a head and everything blew up? Absolutely nothing. I was disappointed but not surprised to learn that Mamadou said this morning that they do not formally ask for feedback from parents about the college counseling office and that they are not planning to do so this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this thread is not about college counseling but the 15 kids applied ED to Brown could have been somewhat avoided. The CCO office needs to be more transparent. Seniors are applying in almost a vacuum and have very little idea who else from within Sidwell is applying ED to the same school. If a college is oversubscribed from the senior class, we believe the CCO could have gently guided students - including ours - by saying "the competition is intense for college X from just within our school community so would you consider applying ED to college Y instead?" Some kids may have their heart set on college X and may disregard this suggestion but most senior kids know that competition is brutal and if they have better chances at a comparable but less popular college, they would change their ED/EA decisions. We found that the CCO went along with any suggestions we had without any critical responses or analysis in return. Their standard response was "we are hear to support your decisions" but what they don't realize is that kids need actual guidance and counseling versus support (which at its best means we will send your recommendations and transcript) for what the kid does not know is an unrealistic application.

While I agree it would be nice if they did this, they don't because they probably assume that once someone gets their heart stuck on an ED, they won't be able to talk the applicant out of it.

Some of the NE boarding schools vet applicants to certain schools, so for example, only 5 even get to apply to Yale. Would you prefer that? Would you like it better if a school said 'you cannot apply to harvard or yale, we have already given those shots to other classmates, so consider Z instead"

I wouldn't and doubt you would either.

I’m not pp, but I am a parent of a Sidwell senior. Allow me to suggest that there is a middle ground: “We know that you have your heart set on Brown, but here’s what you should know...[fill in relevant info about competitiveness and the particular kid, how many kids applying etc]. It’s up to you whether you apply to Brown ED, but if there’s another school that you feel strongly about that might be less of a stretch, let’s talk about and consider that one also. Because you only get one ED shot, you should use it wisely. And then whatever you decide, we will fully support that decision.”

I know from friends with kids at other comparable probates that this kind of conversation can and does take place with school college counselors.

BUT is this done at Sidwell at all?? That is the problem…

I have a Sidwell senior and can confirm that our counselor - a member of the CCO team - had this blunt conversation both with DC and with us (parents.) It was not regarding Brown, but another school that had some internal competition from the class. This is almost verbatim what was said - we will support you if you decide to go for it ED, but here are the facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP - I agree with your sentiments. I think most students (and parents) are well aware of how fierce competition is and if the counselors were to be a little bit more transparent of how many kids with higher stats are applying to the same school while another similar (or even slightly lower ranked) school is being relatively overlooked, I think kids would consider pivoting to the alternative choice.

As an example, if tons of kids were applying Northwestern ED and didn't have a chance, maybe the CCO could let them know that Johns Hopkins/Rice/Notre Dame has less applicants that year from the school so would the student be interested in using their ED/EA slots and applying there instead. Of course, its up to the student if they want to drastically change their focus from Northwestern to one of these other schools but at least they would go in eyes wide open.

I strongly believe that kids today are genuinely more open to guidance than they were a few years ago. The reality of the pandemic has made people a lot more humble.

Another Sidwell parent. We even diplomatically asked for the information but was politely told they can’t give any hint. We didn’t go after it.

14:14. You should have asked more pointedly. We did, and were told what the situation was. No specific names of course, but that DC would be taking a long shot on this particular ED choice, and here is why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP - I agree with your sentiments. I think most students (and parents) are well aware of how fierce competition is and if the counselors were to be a little bit more transparent of how many kids with higher stats are applying to the same school while another similar (or even slightly lower ranked) school is being relatively overlooked, I think kids would consider pivoting to the alternative choice.

As an example, if tons of kids were applying Northwestern ED and didn't have a chance, maybe the CCO could let them know that Johns Hopkins/Rice/Notre Dame has less applicants that year from the school so would the student be interested in using their ED/EA slots and applying there instead. Of course, its up to the student if they want to drastically change their focus from Northwestern to one of these other schools but at least they would go in eyes wide open.

I strongly believe that kids today are genuinely more open to guidance than they were a few years ago. The reality of the pandemic has made people a lot more humble.

Another Sidwell parent. We even diplomatically asked for the information but was politely told they can’t give any hint. We didn’t go after it.

14:14. You should have asked more pointedly. We did, and were told what the situation was. No specific names of course, but that DC would be taking a long shot on this particular ED choice, and here is why.

I’m a different pp, but we also did not get that kind of information. And I question whether it really should be necessary to ask “pointedly” and whether pointedly might be interpreted by some counselors as confrontational. Especially since we all were lectured (yelled at?) by Bryan early on in the process about acceptable parent behavior, due to the events that had occurred in prior years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP - I agree with your sentiments. I think most students (and parents) are well aware of how fierce competition is and if the counselors were to be a little bit more transparent of how many kids with higher stats are applying to the same school while another similar (or even slightly lower ranked) school is being relatively overlooked, I think kids would consider pivoting to the alternative choice.

As an example, if tons of kids were applying Northwestern ED and didn't have a chance, maybe the CCO could let them know that Johns Hopkins/Rice/Notre Dame has less applicants that year from the school so would the student be interested in using their ED/EA slots and applying there instead. Of course, its up to the student if they want to drastically change their focus from Northwestern to one of these other schools but at least they would go in eyes wide open.

I strongly believe that kids today are genuinely more open to guidance than they were a few years ago. The reality of the pandemic has made people a lot more humble.

Another Sidwell parent. We even diplomatically asked for the information but was politely told they can’t give any hint. We didn’t go after it.

14:14. You should have asked more pointedly. We did, and were told what the situation was. No specific names of course, but that DC would be taking a long shot on this particular ED choice, and here is why.

You are very lucky to have this particulate counselor. Most of us as far as I know don't have the luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this thread is not about college counseling but the 15 kids applied ED to Brown could have been somewhat avoided. The CCO office needs to be more transparent. Seniors are applying in almost a vacuum and have very little idea who else from within Sidwell is applying ED to the same school. If a college is oversubscribed from the senior class, we believe the CCO could have gently guided students - including ours - by saying "the competition is intense for college X from just within our school community so would you consider applying ED to college Y instead?" Some kids may have their heart set on college X and may disregard this suggestion but most senior kids know that competition is brutal and if they have better chances at a comparable but less popular college, they would change their ED/EA decisions. We found that the CCO went along with any suggestions we had without any critical responses or analysis in return. Their standard response was "we are hear to support your decisions" but what they don't realize is that kids need actual guidance and counseling versus support (which at its best means we will send your recommendations and transcript) for what the kid does not know is an unrealistic application.

While I agree it would be nice if they did this, they don't because they probably assume that once someone gets their heart stuck on an ED, they won't be able to talk the applicant out of it.

Some of the NE boarding schools vet applicants to certain schools, so for example, only 5 even get to apply to Yale. Would you prefer that? Would you like it better if a school said 'you cannot apply to harvard or yale, we have already given those shots to other classmates, so consider Z instead"

I wouldn't and doubt you would either.

I’m not pp, but I am a parent of a Sidwell senior. Allow me to suggest that there is a middle ground: “We know that you have your heart set on Brown, but here’s what you should know...[fill in relevant info about competitiveness and the particular kid, how many kids applying etc]. It’s up to you whether you apply to Brown ED, but if there’s another school that you feel strongly about that might be less of a stretch, let’s talk about and consider that one also. Because you only get one ED shot, you should use it wisely. And then whatever you decide, we will fully support that decision.”

I know from friends with kids at other comparable probates that this kind of conversation can and does take place with school college counselors.

They already do this. People choose not to listen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this thread is not about college counseling but the 15 kids applied ED to Brown could have been somewhat avoided. The CCO office needs to be more transparent. Seniors are applying in almost a vacuum and have very little idea who else from within Sidwell is applying ED to the same school. If a college is oversubscribed from the senior class, we believe the CCO could have gently guided students - including ours - by saying "the competition is intense for college X from just within our school community so would you consider applying ED to college Y instead?" Some kids may have their heart set on college X and may disregard this suggestion but most senior kids know that competition is brutal and if they have better chances at a comparable but less popular college, they would change their ED/EA decisions. We found that the CCO went along with any suggestions we had without any critical responses or analysis in return. Their standard response was "we are hear to support your decisions" but what they don't realize is that kids need actual guidance and counseling versus support (which at its best means we will send your recommendations and transcript) for what the kid does not know is an unrealistic application.

While I agree it would be nice if they did this, they don't because they probably assume that once someone gets their heart stuck on an ED, they won't be able to talk the applicant out of it.

Some of the NE boarding schools vet applicants to certain schools, so for example, only 5 even get to apply to Yale. Would you prefer that? Would you like it better if a school said 'you cannot apply to harvard or yale, we have already given those shots to other classmates, so consider Z instead"

I wouldn't and doubt you would either.

I’m not pp, but I am a parent of a Sidwell senior. Allow me to suggest that there is a middle ground: “We know that you have your heart set on Brown, but here’s what you should know...[fill in relevant info about competitiveness and the particular kid, how many kids applying etc]. It’s up to you whether you apply to Brown ED, but if there’s another school that you feel strongly about that might be less of a stretch, let’s talk about and consider that one also. Because you only get one ED shot, you should use it wisely. And then whatever you decide, we will fully support that decision.”

I know from friends with kids at other comparable probates that this kind of conversation can and does take place with school college counselors.

They already do this. People choose not to listen.

Not every counselor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP - I agree with your sentiments. I think most students (and parents) are well aware of how fierce competition is and if the counselors were to be a little bit more transparent of how many kids with higher stats are applying to the same school while another similar (or even slightly lower ranked) school is being relatively overlooked, I think kids would consider pivoting to the alternative choice.

As an example, if tons of kids were applying Northwestern ED and didn't have a chance, maybe the CCO could let them know that Johns Hopkins/Rice/Notre Dame has less applicants that year from the school so would the student be interested in using their ED/EA slots and applying there instead. Of course, its up to the student if they want to drastically change their focus from Northwestern to one of these other schools but at least they would go in eyes wide open.

I strongly believe that kids today are genuinely more open to guidance than they were a few years ago. The reality of the pandemic has made people a lot more humble.

I get your point, and I generally agree with you but....

There is almost no difference in terms of access between Northwestern, JHU, Rice, and Notre Dame, to use your examples. They are all 5% schools. So how much does it really matter whether 2 or 20 kids from the same school apply? The result is likely to be the same either way. May as well go for the first choice school, right?