Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?

[Anonymous]

ITA. My 3.5 GPA dc got into NEU in the EA round and did not submit scores. Also accepted at UVM with merit.

Anonymous wrote:I get the sense there are one or two posters accounting for the majority of the negative posts. At our school, the B students are still getting into Tulane, NE, and VM ED, as well as into a number of well respected slacs (I have kids at 2 different private schools). If anything, there are more early acceptances than last year, because counselors really encouraged early applications.

[Anonymous]

The WL info is very interesting, especially in light of how few kids get off college waitlists these days. I think this is an area with private school kids have a huge leg up - counselors call and advocate for your WL kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like you all should wait for RD before you claim how schools have done with admissions goes this year. There is a marked shift in ED/EA - with many more defers (and rejections) than in the past - but none of us knows how those EA/ED deferrals will play out in in the RD round or how all the submitted RD applications will go.

+1 My \DC was in this position last year. All the WL schools came through except for two highly overenrolled schools (glad to have dodged that in hindsight). Keep a very close eye on your email. Some came through before the RD enrollment deadline; all of them had very quick turn arounds. The email said things like -- we are about to take a select few from the WL, so let us know within __ that you are still interested. One was a 24 hour turn around DC almost missed. Stay on top of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Same at our NYC private school. B/B+ students did great in ED round at Tulane.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tulane
Elon
Gettysburg

Not Tulane in 2023

Anyone with knowledge/ insight as to what is going on with Tulane admissions from this area, this year? DC is currently a freshman at Tulane. Had a B+ average from a DMV private, OK to good ECs and a high 1400s (can't remember exact number) SAT. Again, this was last year - 2022.

I’m in Baltimore and that is still the profile of kids being admitted ED/EA from private school. Seems to be same rate of admission as recent past.

I think that if you go ED at Tulane, you absolutely still have a good chance. EA used to be feasible for a B student from a Big3 (mine got in EA a handful of years ago). There is a new Director of Admissions at Tulane this year and they have said they plan to change the number of kids accepted in different rounds of ED, EA and RD. I know with the EA admissions they announced that for the first time ever there was no racial majority in the acceptances, they have the highest number of first gen ever and increased the number of Louisiana residents accepted over previous years. I guess we will see at the end of the admissions season how this all plays out. Good luck to everyone waiting!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Same at our NYC private school. B/B+ students did great in ED round at Tulane.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tulane
Elon
Gettysburg

Not Tulane in 2023

Anyone with knowledge/ insight as to what is going on with Tulane admissions from this area, this year? DC is currently a freshman at Tulane. Had a B+ average from a DMV private, OK to good ECs and a high 1400s (can't remember exact number) SAT. Again, this was last year - 2022.

I’m in Baltimore and that is still the profile of kids being admitted ED/EA from private school. Seems to be same rate of admission as recent past.

I think that if you go ED at Tulane, you absolutely still have a good chance. EA used to be feasible for a B student from a Big3 (mine got in EA a handful of years ago). There is a new Director of Admissions at Tulane this year and they have said they plan to change the number of kids accepted in different rounds of ED, EA and RD. I know with the EA admissions they announced that for the first time ever there was no racial majority in the acceptances, they have the highest number of first gen ever and increased the number of Louisiana residents accepted over previous years. I guess we will see at the end of the admissions season how this all plays out. Good luck to everyone waiting!

They still take B students in EA. If an A student wants to attend from our private, they would be rejected according to naviance. They would have to apply ED to avoid Tulane’s yield protection,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The WL info is very interesting, especially in light of how few kids get off college waitlists these days. I think this is an area with private school kids have a huge leg up - counselors call and advocate for your WL kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like you all should wait for RD before you claim how schools have done with admissions goes this year. There is a marked shift in ED/EA - with many more defers (and rejections) than in the past - but none of us knows how those EA/ED deferrals will play out in in the RD round or how all the submitted RD applications will go.

+1 My \DC was in this position last year. All the WL schools came through except for two highly overenrolled schools (glad to have dodged that in hindsight). Keep a very close eye on your email. Some came through before the RD enrollment deadline; all of them had very quick turn arounds. The email said things like -- we are about to take a select few from the WL, so let us know within __ that you are still interested. One was a 24 hour turn around DC almost missed. Stay on top of it.

All full pay students do well with respect to waitlists as it is the one area of admissions that even top schools are need aware.

[Anonymous]

I get the sense there are one or two posters accounting for the majority of the negative posts. At our school, the B students are still getting into Tulane, NE, and VM ED, as well as into a number of well respected slacs. If anything, there are more early acceptances than last year, because counselors really encouraged early applications.

It's well known that applying ED, especially to Tulane or Northeastern, significantly increases chances for admissions. Some kids may time to boost 1st semester senior GPA so need to apply RD. I think we'll see the squeeze from increased applications on those kids in the next few weeks. I still think WLs will move, but kids may not get their 1 or 2nd choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The WL info is very interesting, especially in light of how few kids get off college waitlists these days. I think this is an area with private school kids have a huge leg up - counselors call and advocate for your WL kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like you all should wait for RD before you claim how schools have done with admissions goes this year. There is a marked shift in ED/EA - with many more defers (and rejections) than in the past - but none of us knows how those EA/ED deferrals will play out in in the RD round or how all the submitted RD applications will go.

+1 My \DC was in this position last year. All the WL schools came through except for two highly overenrolled schools (glad to have dodged that in hindsight). Keep a very close eye on your email. Some came through before the RD enrollment deadline; all of them had very quick turn arounds. The email said things like -- we are about to take a select few from the WL, so let us know within __ that you are still interested. One was a 24 hour turn around DC almost missed. Stay on top of it.

All full pay students do well with respect to waitlists as it is the one area of admissions that even top schools are need aware.

It's true that even top schools are need-aware for WL admission. It's not true that all full pay students do well - there would need to be much more WL movement for that to be true. Over the past couple of years, many top schools have struggled with yield management, many end up overenrolled or otherwise full and unable to pull from the WL.

(Anecdotal example, my high school class of 2021 kid, full pay/high score, 7 waitlists, zero WL acceptances)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's actually the reverse---the Big3 clout isn't working because they have grade deflation. The next rung of schools is actually doing better this year because they have more reasonable grading---i.e. As are actually attainable to kids who do the work. Landon is a good example---they appear to be doing quite well this year because the academic standard is decent but not unattainable. In contrast you have NCS who often gives the strongest students Bs. They (by all reports) are having a horrible admissions year, especially at state schools.

This is extremely accurate. Lots of people right now at my Big 3 who suspect attending has significantly hampered their child's college oulook. The whole Big 3 grade deflation thing is starting to really hurt them

How so if the school get the sheet that describes their grading?

It used to be that colleges just knew that a B at NCS was an A elsewhere.

I tbink it's the mid-range and lower students who are hurt. The very top students are still known by the top colleges that have taken the top students from the "big 5" and know the schools are their rigor well. The rest of the students, who are more frequently than before looking at big state schools or the "up and coming" (like Elon, no thank you) that just don't understand these schools as well and have way too many applications for holistic admissions. The top students would never even think about Boulder, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Penn State, but the students are great fits for these schools can't get in because of the grade deflation. I am one of those who wish I had never send my average kids to such an intense private.

This. Sure, there's a School Profile describing the grading scale, but that does not indicate important differences in grading, i.e. how "hard" the grading is, how rigorous the work. No matter how much people (including college admission offices) treat grades as if they are some sort of standardized metric, they are not, even among students in the same high school. Clearly this issue - treating GPA as if it were a standardized metric (all while saying the context of the high school is considered) has been significantly exacerbated by test optional policies and ensuing upheaval in college admissions.

I don't have a kid at a Big 3, but more generally, it seems to me that more testing could be useful for students in the bottom half of the class at a hard-grading high school. With subject tests gone, that leaves AP exams, though the reputation is that colleges - of the sort being discussed in this thread - don't care much about those either.

I think this board may vastly overstate the concept that these big state schools are familiar with private school rigor. Yes, conceptually, of course. But in terms of getting 75,0000+ applications, I don't think they really care and a 3.7 at a rigorous private just does not draw the same attention that a more hum-drum 4.4 does at a public with weighting.

I get what you're saying, but that's where the college counselors at private schools come in. Some privates have multiple counselors who develop pretty decent relationships with a multitude of schools. They generally write better letters of recommendation for students and if necessary, a thorough write up of the academic rigor of their private high school. Not all privates have multiple counselors, and not all of the counselors are as thorough, or advocate as passionately for their students, as some of their colleagues do. But privates with robust, energetic, knowledgeable and caring college counseling services can really provide some additional value for their students (and their parents) that counselors at other schools just cannot replicate.

At least, that's what I tell myself as I spin all this through my head at night.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

That's the private school parent fantasy - and I am a private school parent. We hope our student stands out and in the case where they may get lost in the shuffle we hope the college counselor can help our student get noticed and appreciated. The problem is, many of these colleges are receiving 70,000-150,000 applications - thanks to the Common App, Test Optional, and USNWR rankings. These colleges are overwhelmed and are not having one on one conversations with college counselors about specific students - they do not have the time or resources. The schools, especially the big popular schools are worried about filling their instate requirements or claiming diversity with students from different states; they're worried about meeting GPA and SAT standards that make their incoming class look top notch which will improve their standing in the rankings and reputation; they are worried about their URM numbers and their first generation numbers; etc. All of this combined leads to negative outcomes for many students who might otherwise be highly qualified candidates. The system is broken for sure.

[Anonymous]

Eh idk. In last year’s class at my kids private school there were several kids who got in off the WL. If its actually rare, that seems like a high number.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's actually the reverse---the Big3 clout isn't working because they have grade deflation. The next rung of schools is actually doing better this year because they have more reasonable grading---i.e. As are actually attainable to kids who do the work. Landon is a good example---they appear to be doing quite well this year because the academic standard is decent but not unattainable. In contrast you have NCS who often gives the strongest students Bs. They (by all reports) are having a horrible admissions year, especially at state schools.

This is extremely accurate. Lots of people right now at my Big 3 who suspect attending has significantly hampered their child's college oulook. The whole Big 3 grade deflation thing is starting to really hurt them

How so if the school get the sheet that describes their grading?

It used to be that colleges just knew that a B at NCS was an A elsewhere.

I tbink it's the mid-range and lower students who are hurt. The very top students are still known by the top colleges that have taken the top students from the "big 5" and know the schools are their rigor well. The rest of the students, who are more frequently than before looking at big state schools or the "up and coming" (like Elon, no thank you) that just don't understand these schools as well and have way too many applications for holistic admissions. The top students would never even think about Boulder, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Penn State, but the students are great fits for these schools can't get in because of the grade deflation. I am one of those who wish I had never send my average kids to such an intense private.

This. Sure, there's a School Profile describing the grading scale, but that does not indicate important differences in grading, i.e. how "hard" the grading is, how rigorous the work. No matter how much people (including college admission offices) treat grades as if they are some sort of standardized metric, they are not, even among students in the same high school. Clearly this issue - treating GPA as if it were a standardized metric (all while saying the context of the high school is considered) has been significantly exacerbated by test optional policies and ensuing upheaval in college admissions.

I don't have a kid at a Big 3, but more generally, it seems to me that more testing could be useful for students in the bottom half of the class at a hard-grading high school. With subject tests gone, that leaves AP exams, though the reputation is that colleges - of the sort being discussed in this thread - don't care much about those either.

I think this board may vastly overstate the concept that these big state schools are familiar with private school rigor. Yes, conceptually, of course. But in terms of getting 75,0000+ applications, I don't think they really care and a 3.7 at a rigorous private just does not draw the same attention that a more hum-drum 4.4 does at a public with weighting.

Right. Read the post PP was referriing to. It's exactly these schools that the middle and bottom students at schools like Sidwell, StA, Potomac would be a good fit for, but they do not do the "holistic" admissions that the SLACs do and only see GPAs below 4.) with no knowledge of the private, so they have no chance. At public, those Bs could easily be As and classes listed as more rigorous. If you want your kid to go to a big state public, make sure they have A average, no matter private or public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We aren’t talking about any B students, we are talking about kids coming from academically rigorous schools known to have grade deflation. SLACs in particular are very familiar with these schools and admit their students. People saying no way just aren’t familiar with the admission patterns from those schools.

I agree. And not only Big 3, but also B kids from the top MoCo publics (Whitman, Churchill, WJ etc) who have 1450+ SAT / 33+ ACT and are ED /full pay.
They consistently get into the Bates/Hamilton/Colby/Wake/Lehigh/Bucknell tier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's actually the reverse---the Big3 clout isn't working because they have grade deflation. The next rung of schools is actually doing better this year because they have more reasonable grading---i.e. As are actually attainable to kids who do the work. Landon is a good example---they appear to be doing quite well this year because the academic standard is decent but not unattainable. In contrast you have NCS who often gives the strongest students Bs. They (by all reports) are having a horrible admissions year, especially at state schools.

This is extremely accurate. Lots of people right now at my Big 3 who suspect attending has significantly hampered their child's college oulook. The whole Big 3 grade deflation thing is starting to really hurt them

How so if the school get the sheet that describes their grading?

It used to be that colleges just knew that a B at NCS was an A elsewhere.

I tbink it's the mid-range and lower students who are hurt. The very top students are still known by the top colleges that have taken the top students from the "big 5" and know the schools are their rigor well. The rest of the students, who are more frequently than before looking at big state schools or the "up and coming" (like Elon, no thank you) that just don't understand these schools as well and have way too many applications for holistic admissions. The top students would never even think about Boulder, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Penn State, but the students are great fits for these schools can't get in because of the grade deflation. I am one of those who wish I had never send my average kids to such an intense private.

This. Sure, there's a School Profile describing the grading scale, but that does not indicate important differences in grading, i.e. how "hard" the grading is, how rigorous the work. No matter how much people (including college admission offices) treat grades as if they are some sort of standardized metric, they are not, even among students in the same high school. Clearly this issue - treating GPA as if it were a standardized metric (all while saying the context of the high school is considered) has been significantly exacerbated by test optional policies and ensuing upheaval in college admissions.

I don't have a kid at a Big 3, but more generally, it seems to me that more testing could be useful for students in the bottom half of the class at a hard-grading high school. With subject tests gone, that leaves AP exams, though the reputation is that colleges - of the sort being discussed in this thread - don't care much about those either.

I think this board may vastly overstate the concept that these big state schools are familiar with private school rigor. Yes, conceptually, of course. But in terms of getting 75,0000+ applications, I don't think they really care and a 3.7 at a rigorous private just does not draw the same attention that a more hum-drum 4.4 does at a public with weighting.

I get what you're saying, but that's where the college counselors at private schools come in. Some privates have multiple counselors who develop pretty decent relationships with a multitude of schools. They generally write better letters of recommendation for students and if necessary, a thorough write up of the academic rigor of their private high school. Not all privates have multiple counselors, and not all of the counselors are as thorough, or advocate as passionately for their students, as some of their colleagues do. But privates with robust, energetic, knowledgeable and caring college counseling services can really provide some additional value for their students (and their parents) that counselors at other schools just cannot replicate.

At least, that's what I tell myself as I spin all this through my head at night.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

That's the private school parent fantasy - and I am a private school parent. We hope our student stands out and in the case where they may get lost in the shuffle we hope the college counselor can help our student get noticed and appreciated. The problem is, many of these colleges are receiving 70,000-150,000 applications - thanks to the Common App, Test Optional, and USNWR rankings. These colleges are overwhelmed and are not having one on one conversations with college counselors about specific students - they do not have the time or resources. The schools, especially the big popular schools are worried about filling their instate requirements or claiming diversity with students from different states; they're worried about meeting GPA and SAT standards that make their incoming class look top notch which will improve their standing in the rankings and reputation; they are worried about their URM numbers and their first generation numbers; etc. All of this combined leads to negative outcomes for many students who might otherwise be highly qualified candidates. The system is broken for sure.

Do you mean the system where going to an expensive private school ensured you went to a top college? If your kid is highly qualified and received an excellent education--with your resources they will thrive wherever they land.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We aren’t talking about any B students, we are talking about kids coming from academically rigorous schools known to have grade deflation. SLACs in particular are very familiar with these schools and admit their students. People saying no way just aren’t familiar with the admission patterns from those schools.

I agree. And not only Big 3, but also B kids from the top MoCo publics (Whitman, Churchill, WJ etc) who have 1450+ SAT / 33+ ACT and are ED /full pay.
They consistently get into the Bates/Hamilton/Colby/Wake/Lehigh/Bucknell tier.

hamilton and wake are not the same tier

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We aren’t talking about any B students, we are talking about kids coming from academically rigorous schools known to have grade deflation. SLACs in particular are very familiar with these schools and admit their students. People saying no way just aren’t familiar with the admission patterns from those schools.

What happened to 'you are compared against other kids in your school and not across schools' or is that limited to richsplaining to public school kids why they didn't get into UVA although they had a 4.4/1600? Does that not apply to your special snowflake because they went to the magical 'big three'? Do you expect all colleges to take everyone that applies from THE 'big three'? Some sort of rich person grifty expectation, perhaps.

A 'B' is still a 'B'.

Sorry but not really. A “B” from Sidwell or STA is simply different than a B from Quince Orchard HS. Qualitatively.
And the good colleges know it. I’ve seen many, many examples of even C+ kids from top privates go on to
Mid-level LACs and completely slay it academically. Then they end up in top Med, law, b-schools etc.

[Anonymous]

Which do you think is higher tier?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We aren’t talking about any B students, we are talking about kids coming from academically rigorous schools known to have grade deflation. SLACs in particular are very familiar with these schools and admit their students. People saying no way just aren’t familiar with the admission patterns from those schools.

I agree. And not only Big 3, but also B kids from the top MoCo publics (Whitman, Churchill, WJ etc) who have 1450+ SAT / 33+ ACT and are ED /full pay.
They consistently get into the Bates/Hamilton/Colby/Wake/Lehigh/Bucknell tier.

hamilton and wake are not the same tier