Sidwell & Maret

[Anonymous]

Is it worth the bother to apply to Sidwell or Maret with a WPPSI score in the high 80's?

[Anonymous]

I'd go ahead and do it. I don't think test scores (above a certain level) matter all that much. Don't get your heart set on either school, but you never know--your child may charm the socks off the evaluators at the playdate.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if Maret's athletic program is fairly decent (competitive, robust)?

[Anonymous]

It's no Landon or St. Albans, but I think it's pretty decent -- probably on par with Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Unless I had legacy status or connections or offer something very special in the way of diversity or skills, I would not bother to apply to either of those schools without a score for dc in the 90's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless I had legacy status or connections or offer something very special in the way of diversity or skills, I would not bother to apply to either of those schools without a score for dc in the 90's.

I'm sure I sound naive, but are you suggesting that there are different admission criteria relative to the WIPPSI for certain groups?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless I had legacy status or connections or offer something very special in the way of diversity or skills, I would not bother to apply to either of those schools without a score for dc in the 90's.

I'm sure I sound naive, but are you suggesting that there are different admission criteria relative to the WIPPSI for certain groups?

What cave have you been living in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless I had legacy status or connections or offer something very special in the way of diversity or skills, I would not bother to apply to either of those schools without a score for dc in the 90's.

I'm sure I sound naive, but are you suggesting that there are different admission criteria relative to the WIPPSI for certain groups?

I am the pp of the post you quoted. The answer is yes. Not suggesting either. It's common knowledge. That's one of the reasons that children who do NOT have legacy status, etc., generally must have exceptional scores to make the cut. The schools get their fill of high-average kids from legacy and other priority groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless I had legacy status or connections or offer something very special in the way of diversity or skills, I would not bother to apply to either of those schools without a score for dc in the 90's.

I'm sure I sound naive, but are you suggesting that there are different admission criteria relative to the WIPPSI for certain groups?

What cave have you been living in.

Thanks for your oh so polite answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it worth the bother to apply to Sidwell or Maret with a WPPSI score in the high 80's?

Probably a better chance at Maret.

[Anonymous]

We were told that for 7th grade the average SSAT score at Maret is in the high 70's. The SSAT is a different test, but still, it leads me to believe that it is worth a shot with WPPSI in the 80s.

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing you are applying for K, given that you mentioned the WPPSI and Maret doesn't have Pre-K. The odds would be slim at either one of them at K even if your child scored in the high 90s. Sidwell defers some of its sibling applicants for entry at the Kindergarten level. So, the actual number of available slots is affected by that. And,Maret takes 20 at K and many of those slots will automatically go to siblings. If only half of the available slots are taken by siblings, then you would be competing for 10 spaces (really only 5 if they are taking 1/2 girls/boys).

Your child's test score will not stand our from the crowd of applicants. Some other factor would need to stand out - like an amazing play date. If your child is the type to immediately warm up to unknown adults and kids and is really outgoing (but not in a disruptive way) then maybe it's worth trying. If your child is a little slower to warm up or doesn't strike up conversations with adults s/he doesn't know very well then I would save the application fee.

[Anonymous]

We are a legacy family with 3 Sidwell graduates in it. DCs are not at Sidwell now.

We've had more than one frank conversation with admissions (lower school), and they will tell you flatly that legacy status is only a bump up in the formula, by no means any guarantee. Standards are still quite high, and legacy applicants do need to have high WPPSI or WISC scores. High means relative to applicants in this region, not the nationwide norm, so "really high" might be more apt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it worth the bother to apply to Sidwell or Maret with a WPPSI score in the high 80's?

The truth? No.

Even if you have the political muscle to muscle your way in, your DC will flounder being surrounded by so many brighter kids. The school, as they are pressuring you to leave in the middle school years will basically tell you, I told you so.

Check out Sheridan or Green Acres or Lowell if you are set on private.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it worth the bother to apply to Sidwell or Maret with a WPPSI score in the high 80's?

The truth? No.

Even if you have the political muscle to muscle your way in, your DC will flounder being surrounded by so many brighter kids. The school, as they are pressuring you to leave in the middle school years will basically tell you, I told you so.

Check out Sheridan or Green Acres or Lowell if you are set on private.

Good luck.

This is such bs. A high 80s is not that different from a score in the 90s and at the age of 5 it is highly inaccurate indication of academic achievement anyway. Kids with scores in the high 80s get in to both sdchools and do just fine.