Potomac parents are SO ANNOYING

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Potomac is Virginia’s desperate attempt to fit in with the upper crust of DC private schools. Will never compare.

The Potomac parents in this thread will act defensively in response to this statement, proving my point.

You are funny

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Potomac is Virginia’s desperate attempt to fit in with the upper crust of DC private schools. Will never compare.

The Potomac parents in this thread will act defensively in response to this statement, proving my point.

You are funny

🙃

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It mentioned how there is a former board president that writes recs - whenever they write a rec the family is guaranteed acceptance to the school. This doesn’t help the toxic culture at the school nor does the fact that some families are also accepted simply based on the size of their perceived wallet. It’s sad that some schools like Potomac do this to appease parents and forget to consider fit for the child.

I think you are lying when you claim that whenever a former board president writes a recommendation, it is a guarantee of acceptance. I know a former board president with his family name on one of the buildings that can't guarantee acceptance with a recommendation. Which former board president are you talking about?

I think you are lying when you claim that families are accepted based on the perceived size of their wallet. Potomac regularly turns away wealthy families, either because the child is not an academic or social fit for the school.

It's one thing to make subjective judgments about how annoying the parents at Potomac are, but you are making false factual claims.

That’s fine for you to think that 👌

So which former board president are you talking about?

Names get removed so you aren't going to get an answer.

It's because the name doesn't exist. Nobody is guaranteed admission because a former board chairman wrote them a recommendation. I don't even think it would help very much. A great recommendation from their previous teacher is probably more impactful.

If you're going to lie, make it something believable. This just seems like someone bitter about being rejected by Potomac that wants to believe the admissions process is so corrupt that their Larlo never stood a chance. Their Larlo never stood a chance because their Larlo is just not competitive in the pool of applicants.

...it was said by a donating alumni who still holds the school in a positive light as an explanation for why this culture shows up...

A "donating alumni?"
How the heck would they know? There's literally hundreds of them in the area trying and failing to get their own kids into Potomac.
There is nobody who can simply write a recommendation and guarantee someone admission. This is true at pretty much every selective school.

-spouse of "donating" ex-board member

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It mentioned how there is a former board president that writes recs - whenever they write a rec the family is guaranteed acceptance to the school. This doesn’t help the toxic culture at the school nor does the fact that some families are also accepted simply based on the size of their perceived wallet. It’s sad that some schools like Potomac do this to appease parents and forget to consider fit for the child.

I think you are lying when you claim that whenever a former board president writes a recommendation, it is a guarantee of acceptance. I know a former board president with his family name on one of the buildings that can't guarantee acceptance with a recommendation. Which former board president are you talking about?

I think you are lying when you claim that families are accepted based on the perceived size of their wallet. Potomac regularly turns away wealthy families, either because the child is not an academic or social fit for the school.

It's one thing to make subjective judgments about how annoying the parents at Potomac are, but you are making false factual claims.

That’s fine for you to think that 👌

So which former board president are you talking about?

Names get removed so you aren't going to get an answer.

It's because the name doesn't exist. Nobody is guaranteed admission because a former board chairman wrote them a recommendation. I don't even think it would help very much. A great recommendation from their previous teacher is probably more impactful.

If you're going to lie, make it something believable. This just seems like someone bitter about being rejected by Potomac that wants to believe the admissions process is so corrupt that their Larlo never stood a chance. Their Larlo never stood a chance because their Larlo is just not competitive in the pool of applicants.

...it was said by a donating alumni who still holds the school in a positive light as an explanation for why this culture shows up...

A "donating alumni?"
How the heck would they know? There's literally hundreds of them in the area trying and failing to get their own kids into Potomac.
There is nobody who can simply write a recommendation and guarantee someone admission. This is true at pretty much every selective school.

-spouse of "donating" ex-board member

I'm saying they were dropping it as someone with a positive overall perception of Potomac... I'm certain they aren't going to doxx themselves by giving that much information as to how they know beyond they have been part of this system for generations... but also knowing how this town and private school works, their takes read far more informed than yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It mentioned how there is a former board president that writes recs - whenever they write a rec the family is guaranteed acceptance to the school. This doesn’t help the toxic culture at the school nor does the fact that some families are also accepted simply based on the size of their perceived wallet. It’s sad that some schools like Potomac do this to appease parents and forget to consider fit for the child.

I think you are lying when you claim that whenever a former board president writes a recommendation, it is a guarantee of acceptance. I know a former board president with his family name on one of the buildings that can't guarantee acceptance with a recommendation. Which former board president are you talking about?

I think you are lying when you claim that families are accepted based on the perceived size of their wallet. Potomac regularly turns away wealthy families, either because the child is not an academic or social fit for the school.

It's one thing to make subjective judgments about how annoying the parents at Potomac are, but you are making false factual claims.

That’s fine for you to think that 👌

So which former board president are you talking about?

Names get removed so you aren't going to get an answer.

It's because the name doesn't exist. Nobody is guaranteed admission because a former board chairman wrote them a recommendation. I don't even think it would help very much. A great recommendation from their previous teacher is probably more impactful.

If you're going to lie, make it something believable. This just seems like someone bitter about being rejected by Potomac that wants to believe the admissions process is so corrupt that their Larlo never stood a chance. Their Larlo never stood a chance because their Larlo is just not competitive in the pool of applicants.

This is not a lie - just chiming in for the first time. I do know a few of the people who have benefited from these recommendations as well as many who were excepted simply by donation. Every school has a back door. There is nothing wrong with pointing that out. However, when schools have a major bullying problem and wonder why - it’s worth noting this backdoor.

I am skeptical that board member recommendations make a difference unless there is information in the recommendation that is not obvious elsewhere. Board members get approached for letters of recommendations all the time and its hard to say no without being insulting. These recommendations probably do not help.

Large donations probably do help but my experience is that these donations come from families with generational ties to the school not just naked displays of wealth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It mentioned how there is a former board president that writes recs - whenever they write a rec the family is guaranteed acceptance to the school. This doesn’t help the toxic culture at the school nor does the fact that some families are also accepted simply based on the size of their perceived wallet. It’s sad that some schools like Potomac do this to appease parents and forget to consider fit for the child.

I think you are lying when you claim that whenever a former board president writes a recommendation, it is a guarantee of acceptance. I know a former board president with his family name on one of the buildings that can't guarantee acceptance with a recommendation. Which former board president are you talking about?

I think you are lying when you claim that families are accepted based on the perceived size of their wallet. Potomac regularly turns away wealthy families, either because the child is not an academic or social fit for the school.

It's one thing to make subjective judgments about how annoying the parents at Potomac are, but you are making false factual claims.

That’s fine for you to think that 👌

So which former board president are you talking about?

Names get removed so you aren't going to get an answer.

It's because the name doesn't exist. Nobody is guaranteed admission because a former board chairman wrote them a recommendation. I don't even think it would help very much. A great recommendation from their previous teacher is probably more impactful.

If you're going to lie, make it something believable. This just seems like someone bitter about being rejected by Potomac that wants to believe the admissions process is so corrupt that their Larlo never stood a chance. Their Larlo never stood a chance because their Larlo is just not competitive in the pool of applicants.

This is not a lie - just chiming in for the first time. I do know a few of the people who have benefited from these recommendations as well as many who were excepted simply by donation. Every school has a back door. There is nothing wrong with pointing that out. However, when schools have a major bullying problem and wonder why - it’s worth noting this backdoor.

I am skeptical that board member recommendations make a difference unless there is information in the recommendation that is not obvious elsewhere. Board members get approached for letters of recommendations all the time and its hard to say no without being insulting. These recommendations probably do not help.

Large donations probably do help but my experience is that these donations come from families with generational ties to the school not just naked displays of wealth.

I think an in person conversation behind closed doors is very different than a letter of recommendation. Yes, board members get asked for letters of recommendation all the time, but it is the conversations that aren't recorded that make a difference.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't really see a non-Potomac parent considering Potomac comparable to the Big 3...

The whole idea of a Big 3 is silly. We were a non Potomac parent , but then our DS had the choice between a supposed Big 3 and Potomac and he wound up choosing Potomac. It’s about fit. Potomac has a very good academic reputation even if many DC-centric DCUMers don’t want to admit that.

I don't disagree that school is about fit, but claiming you were a non-potomac parent before ultimately choosing Potomac doesn't make you a non-potomac parent comparing to the Big 3 😂

I’m guessing you’re a teenager that is posting on a parent forum for some reason. I’m not “claiming” anything. Technically I am still not a Potomac parent since DS doesn’t start there until the fall. I’m also not comparing it to the Big 3. I am saying it has an excellent reputation.

Excellent reputation according to whom? What is the reputation you have in mind?

According to their college admits for 2026 -take a look.

College admits equates to solid reputation? Didn’t know that was the sum of a person.

Oh come on. It’s not and you know it but my response is directed to the posters on this thread who insist they are right on which schools qualify as “ big 3” or “big 5” and anyone using that term is presumably talking about academic rigor which is generally measured ( for better or worse) by a school’s ability to send their students to top colleges and universities. By that measure, anyone suggesting that Potomac isn’t in that running should look at their college admits for at least the past decade, with this year being particularly impressive.

Hard to disagree and I think that is why Potomac parents get so upset and bothered. The Big 3 represents a choice set of equal value, but different child personality that DC families decide between. Frankly, Potomac just is not part of that set and statistics don't change that fact.

The Big 3 represents the best options available to NW DC UMC families. Mostly lawyers, that's all.
And speaking as a lawyer, there is no more prestige grubbing group of people than a bunch of lawyers.

This is some big fish in small pond energy.
The NYC and New England privates have never heard of any of these schools except Sidwell but don't really think much of Sidwell either unless the student's last name is Obama or Clinton
The admissions officers don't really talk about any of these schools the same way they talk about Exeter or Trinity or Harker.
They know TJ better than they know any of the Big 3 and they probably know the MoCo W's better than NCS/STA/GDS

If the reason you are sending your kid to private is so you can brag about sending your kid to private, your kid probably hates you. And they should

As a former UrbanBaby habitué I appreciate your post and the accompanying snark!

Omg the good snark days 😂 there isn't as much good snark on the internet as there used to be... it's like seeing a standup comedy show on your lunch break!

Yes!!!! Can I throw one in for old times sake:
Whoever chose the gala theme Wild About Potomac was spot on... I just don't think it's wildly positive 🐅

🤣The school offered a classic private event, but some saw it as a Bravo Audition opportunity🦁

🤣🤣

It is so bizarre that you guys know these specifics about Potomac - like the theme of their auction - unless you are Potomac parents or have family or friends that go there. If so, do you hate these folks for some reason? I’m truly trying to understand the vitriol.

Someone's bitter about something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It mentioned how there is a former board president that writes recs - whenever they write a rec the family is guaranteed acceptance to the school. This doesn’t help the toxic culture at the school nor does the fact that some families are also accepted simply based on the size of their perceived wallet. It’s sad that some schools like Potomac do this to appease parents and forget to consider fit for the child.

I think you are lying when you claim that whenever a former board president writes a recommendation, it is a guarantee of acceptance. I know a former board president with his family name on one of the buildings that can't guarantee acceptance with a recommendation. Which former board president are you talking about?

I think you are lying when you claim that families are accepted based on the perceived size of their wallet. Potomac regularly turns away wealthy families, either because the child is not an academic or social fit for the school.

It's one thing to make subjective judgments about how annoying the parents at Potomac are, but you are making false factual claims.

That’s fine for you to think that 👌

So which former board president are you talking about?

Names get removed so you aren't going to get an answer.

It's because the name doesn't exist. Nobody is guaranteed admission because a former board chairman wrote them a recommendation. I don't even think it would help very much. A great recommendation from their previous teacher is probably more impactful.

If you're going to lie, make it something believable. This just seems like someone bitter about being rejected by Potomac that wants to believe the admissions process is so corrupt that their Larlo never stood a chance. Their Larlo never stood a chance because their Larlo is just not competitive in the pool of applicants.

...it was said by a donating alumni who still holds the school in a positive light as an explanation for why this culture shows up...

A "donating alumni?"
How the heck would they know? There's literally hundreds of them in the area trying and failing to get their own kids into Potomac.
There is nobody who can simply write a recommendation and guarantee someone admission. This is true at pretty much every selective school.

-spouse of "donating" ex-board member

I'm saying they were dropping it as someone with a positive overall perception of Potomac... I'm certain they aren't going to doxx themselves by giving that much information as to how they know beyond they have been part of this system for generations... but also knowing how this town and private school works, their takes read far more informed than yours.

Yep, you're just making stuff up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Potomac is Virginia’s desperate attempt to fit in with the upper crust of DC private schools. Will never compare.

The Potomac parents in this thread will act defensively in response to this statement, proving my point.

Upper crust? ROFLMAO. Sidwell is famous for being socio-economically inclusive. Potomac is way snobbier (and i mean that in a bad way) than Sidwell, NCS/STA/GDA

I feel like you would really fit in with some of the parents at Potomac talking about upper crust. Pfft.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It mentioned how there is a former board president that writes recs - whenever they write a rec the family is guaranteed acceptance to the school. This doesn’t help the toxic culture at the school nor does the fact that some families are also accepted simply based on the size of their perceived wallet. It’s sad that some schools like Potomac do this to appease parents and forget to consider fit for the child.

They also get a heads up call a few days before decisions come out.
I think you are lying when you claim that whenever a former board president writes a recommendation, it is a guarantee of acceptance. I know a former board president with his family name on one of the buildings that can't guarantee acceptance with a recommendation. Which former board president are you talking about?

I think you are lying when you claim that families are accepted based on the perceived size of their wallet. Potomac regularly turns away wealthy families, either because the child is not an academic or social fit for the school.

It's one thing to make subjective judgments about how annoying the parents at Potomac are, but you are making false factual claims.

That’s fine for you to think that 👌

So which former board president are you talking about?

Names get removed so you aren't going to get an answer.

It's because the name doesn't exist. Nobody is guaranteed admission because a former board chairman wrote them a recommendation. I don't even think it would help very much. A great recommendation from their previous teacher is probably more impactful.

If you're going to lie, make it something believable. This just seems like someone bitter about being rejected by Potomac that wants to believe the admissions process is so corrupt that their Larlo never stood a chance. Their Larlo never stood a chance because their Larlo is just not competitive in the pool of applicants.

This is not a lie - just chiming in for the first time. I do know a few of the people who have benefited from these recommendations as well as many who were excepted simply by donation. Every school has a back door. There is nothing wrong with pointing that out. However, when schools have a major bullying problem and wonder why - it’s worth noting this backdoor.

I am skeptical that board member recommendations make a difference unless there is information in the recommendation that is not obvious elsewhere. Board members get approached for letters of recommendations all the time and its hard to say no without being insulting. These recommendations probably do not help.

Large donations probably do help but my experience is that these donations come from families with generational ties to the school not just naked displays of wealth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Potomac is Virginia’s desperate attempt to fit in with the upper crust of DC private schools. Will never compare.

The Potomac parents in this thread will act defensively in response to this statement, proving my point.

Upper crust? ROFLMAO. Sidwell is famous for being socio-economically inclusive. Potomac is way snobbier (and i mean that in a bad way) than Sidwell, NCS/STA/GDA

I feel like you would really fit in with some of the parents at Potomac talking about upper crust. Pfft.

Insecure Sidwell parent chimes in, as usual.

[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:Honestly, I don't really see a non-Potomac parent considering Potomac comparable to the Big 3...

The whole idea of a Big 3 is silly. We were a non Potomac parent , but then our DS had the choice between a supposed Big 3 and Potomac and he wound up choosing Potomac. It’s about fit. Potomac has a very good academic reputation even if many DC-centric DCUMers don’t want to admit that.

I don't disagree that school is about fit, but claiming you were a non-potomac parent before ultimately choosing Potomac doesn't make you a non-potomac parent comparing to the Big 3 😂

I’m guessing you’re a teenager that is posting on a parent forum for some reason. I’m not “claiming” anything. Technically I am still not a Potomac parent since DS doesn’t start there until the fall. I’m also not comparing it to the Big 3. I am saying it has an excellent reputation.

Excellent reputation according to whom? What is the reputation you have in mind?

According to their college admits for 2026 -take a look.

College admits equates to solid reputation? Didn’t know that was the sum of a person.

Oh come on. It’s not and you know it but my response is directed to the posters on this thread who insist they are right on which schools qualify as “ big 3” or “big 5” and anyone using that term is presumably talking about academic rigor which is generally measured ( for better or worse) by a school’s ability to send their students to top colleges and universities. By that measure, anyone suggesting that Potomac isn’t in that running should look at their college admits for at least the past decade, with this year being particularly impressive.

Hard to disagree and I think that is why Potomac parents get so upset and bothered. The Big 3 represents a choice set of equal value, but different child personality that DC families decide between. Frankly, Potomac just is not part of that set and statistics don't change that fact.

The Big 3 represents the best options available to NW DC UMC families. Mostly lawyers, that's all.
And speaking as a lawyer, there is no more prestige grubbing group of people than a bunch of lawyers.

This is some big fish in small pond energy.
The NYC and New England privates have never heard of any of these schools except Sidwell but don't really think much of Sidwell either unless the student's last name is Obama or Clinton
The admissions officers don't really talk about any of these schools the same way they talk about Exeter or Trinity or Harker.
They know TJ better than they know any of the Big 3 and they probably know the MoCo W's better than NCS/STA/GDS

If the reason you are sending your kid to private is so you can brag about sending your kid to private, your kid probably hates you. And they should

As a former UrbanBaby habitué I appreciate your post and the accompanying snark!

Omg the good snark days 😂 there isn't as much good snark on the internet as there used to be... it's like seeing a standup comedy show on your lunch break!

Yes!!!! Can I throw one in for old times sake:
Whoever chose the gala theme Wild About Potomac was spot on... I just don't think it's wildly positive 🐅

💀💀💀

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't really see a non-Potomac parent considering Potomac comparable to the Big 3...

The whole idea of a Big 3 is silly. We were a non Potomac parent , but then our DS had the choice between a supposed Big 3 and Potomac and he wound up choosing Potomac. It’s about fit. Potomac has a very good academic reputation even if many DC-centric DCUMers don’t want to admit that.

I don't disagree that school is about fit, but claiming you were a non-potomac parent before ultimately choosing Potomac doesn't make you a non-potomac parent comparing to the Big 3 😂

I’m guessing you’re a teenager that is posting on a parent forum for some reason. I’m not “claiming” anything. Technically I am still not a Potomac parent since DS doesn’t start there until the fall. I’m also not comparing it to the Big 3. I am saying it has an excellent reputation.

Excellent reputation according to whom? What is the reputation you have in mind?

According to their college admits for 2026 -take a look.

College admits equates to solid reputation? Didn’t know that was the sum of a person.

Oh come on. It’s not and you know it but my response is directed to the posters on this thread who insist they are right on which schools qualify as “ big 3” or “big 5” and anyone using that term is presumably talking about academic rigor which is generally measured ( for better or worse) by a school’s ability to send their students to top colleges and universities. By that measure, anyone suggesting that Potomac isn’t in that running should look at their college admits for at least the past decade, with this year being particularly impressive.

Hard to disagree and I think that is why Potomac parents get so upset and bothered. The Big 3 represents a choice set of equal value, but different child personality that DC families decide between. Frankly, Potomac just is not part of that set and statistics don't change that fact.

The Big 3 represents the best options available to NW DC UMC families. Mostly lawyers, that's all.
And speaking as a lawyer, there is no more prestige grubbing group of people than a bunch of lawyers.

This is some big fish in small pond energy.
The NYC and New England privates have never heard of any of these schools except Sidwell but don't really think much of Sidwell either unless the student's last name is Obama or Clinton
The admissions officers don't really talk about any of these schools the same way they talk about Exeter or Trinity or Harker.
They know TJ better than they know any of the Big 3 and they probably know the MoCo W's better than NCS/STA/GDS

If the reason you are sending your kid to private is so you can brag about sending your kid to private, your kid probably hates you. And they should

As a former UrbanBaby habitué I appreciate your post and the accompanying snark!

Omg the good snark days 😂 there isn't as much good snark on the internet as there used to be... it's like seeing a standup comedy show on your lunch break!

Yes!!!! Can I throw one in for old times sake:
Whoever chose the gala theme Wild About Potomac was spot on... I just don't think it's wildly positive 🐅

🤣The school offered a classic private event, but some saw it as a Bravo Audition opportunity🦁

🤣🤣

It is so bizarre that you guys know these specifics about Potomac - like the theme of their auction - unless you are Potomac parents or have family or friends that go there. If so, do you hate these folks for some reason? I’m truly trying to understand the vitriol.

Someone's bitter about something.

Right? Turning a one liner joke into vitriol is something 🤣

[Anonymous]

Why did the comment about board / former board members / prez getting notified a few days prior to decision day get deleted …?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It mentioned how there is a former board president that writes recs - whenever they write a rec the family is guaranteed acceptance to the school. This doesn’t help the toxic culture at the school nor does the fact that some families are also accepted simply based on the size of their perceived wallet. It’s sad that some schools like Potomac do this to appease parents and forget to consider fit for the child.

I think you are lying when you claim that whenever a former board president writes a recommendation, it is a guarantee of acceptance. I know a former board president with his family name on one of the buildings that can't guarantee acceptance with a recommendation. Which former board president are you talking about?

I think you are lying when you claim that families are accepted based on the perceived size of their wallet. Potomac regularly turns away wealthy families, either because the child is not an academic or social fit for the school.

It's one thing to make subjective judgments about how annoying the parents at Potomac are, but you are making false factual claims.

That’s fine for you to think that 👌

So which former board president are you talking about?

Names get removed so you aren't going to get an answer.

It's because the name doesn't exist. Nobody is guaranteed admission because a former board chairman wrote them a recommendation. I don't even think it would help very much. A great recommendation from their previous teacher is probably more impactful.

If you're going to lie, make it something believable. This just seems like someone bitter about being rejected by Potomac that wants to believe the admissions process is so corrupt that their Larlo never stood a chance. Their Larlo never stood a chance because their Larlo is just not competitive in the pool of applicants.

This is not a lie - just chiming in for the first time. I do know a few of the people who have benefited from these recommendations as well as many who were excepted simply by donation. Every school has a back door. There is nothing wrong with pointing that out. However, when schools have a major bullying problem and wonder why - it’s worth noting this backdoor.

I am skeptical that board member recommendations make a difference unless there is information in the recommendation that is not obvious elsewhere. Board members get approached for letters of recommendations all the time and its hard to say no without being insulting. These recommendations probably do not help.

Large donations probably do help but my experience is that these donations come from families with generational ties to the school not just naked displays of wealth.

I think an in person conversation behind closed doors is very different than a letter of recommendation. Yes, board members get asked for letters of recommendation all the time, but it is the conversations that aren't recorded that make a difference.

You're changing the claim that was made. The original claim was:

"there is a former board president that writes recs - whenever they write a rec the family is guaranteed acceptance to the school."

And who do you think this ex-board member would have this "behind closed doors" conversation with?

Why am I getting the feeling that you don't even have kids in private school?