do college admissions get ugly at the Big3 when all the parents are Ivy grads?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why?

Asking seriously.

Your kid has their record and their preferences for what setting and locations they are interested in.

They should put a list together commensurate with their record and interests.

What anyone else has done literally has nothing to do with how your kid should be thinking about the process and results.

You have NO idea what hooks or achievements someone else going to a target schools might have. You have NO idea is someone is full pay or a 7 figure donor.

Do you actually have a student at Sidwell who has gone through the college application process there? Do you know how the Sidwell college counseling office is now defining “reach” colleges? The lack of transparency and information provided at Sidwell makes the process much more frustrating and difficult than it might be, many families believe this. Students are not applying to colleges in a vacuum as you seem to believe, they are applying to colleges as students from a specific high school, and providing a list would be helpful information and provide perspective about that high school, even understanding that there are hooks and achievements that might have boosted others. You may think this is unhelpful, but others believe it would be helpful. An aggregate list that only identifies whether “five or more” students have matriculated to a college over the past five years doesn’t provide this perspective.

No, I don’t. How is Sidwell college counseling defining a reach? Is this a new or different definition?

[Anonymous]

Maybe you should stop arguing about and defending a process and counseling office about which you have no personal knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why?

Asking seriously.

Your kid has their record and their preferences for what setting and locations they are interested in.

They should put a list together commensurate with their record and interests.

What anyone else has done literally has nothing to do with how your kid should be thinking about the process and results.

You have NO idea what hooks or achievements someone else going to a target schools might have. You have NO idea is someone is full pay or a 7 figure donor.

Do you actually have a student at Sidwell who has gone through the college application process there? Do you know how the Sidwell college counseling office is now defining “reach” colleges? The lack of transparency and information provided at Sidwell makes the process much more frustrating and difficult than it might be, many families believe this. Students are not applying to colleges in a vacuum as you seem to believe, they are applying to colleges as students from a specific high school, and providing a list would be helpful information and provide perspective about that high school, even understanding that there are hooks and achievements that might have boosted others. You may think this is unhelpful, but others believe it would be helpful. An aggregate list that only identifies whether “five or more” students have matriculated to a college over the past five years doesn’t provide this perspective.

Yes. I have a senior there and still don’t see how just seeing list from each specific year would make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why?

Asking seriously.

Your kid has their record and their preferences for what setting and locations they are interested in.

They should put a list together commensurate with their record and interests.

What anyone else has done literally has nothing to do with how your kid should be thinking about the process and results.

You have NO idea what hooks or achievements someone else going to a target schools might have. You have NO idea is someone is full pay or a 7 figure donor.

Do you actually have a student at Sidwell who has gone through the college application process there? Do you know how the Sidwell college counseling office is now defining “reach” colleges? The lack of transparency and information provided at Sidwell makes the process much more frustrating and difficult than it might be, many families believe this. Students are not applying to colleges in a vacuum as you seem to believe, they are applying to colleges as students from a specific high school, and providing a list would be helpful information and provide perspective about that high school, even understanding that there are hooks and achievements that might have boosted others. You may think this is unhelpful, but others believe it would be helpful. An aggregate list that only identifies whether “five or more” students have matriculated to a college over the past five years doesn’t provide this perspective.

Yes. I have a senior there and still don’t see how just seeing list from each specific year would make a difference.

Well, many disagree with you, and posters here have provided reasons why they think it would be helpful. Of course you are free to disagree with them, but that doesn’t make them wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So here is a question. If a kid at one of these schools is truly exceptional, super bright and talented etc, are they “flagged” early for a top college? How early are counselors mapping this stuff out?

Everyone makes a list. Any 5% admission school is a crap shoot. So apply where you want, but have a list of matches and safeties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why?

Asking seriously.

Your kid has their record and their preferences for what setting and locations they are interested in.

They should put a list together commensurate with their record and interests.

What anyone else has done literally has nothing to do with how your kid should be thinking about the process and results.

You have NO idea what hooks or achievements someone else going to a target schools might have. You have NO idea is someone is full pay or a 7 figure donor.

Do you actually have a student at Sidwell who has gone through the college application process there? Do you know how the Sidwell college counseling office is now defining “reach” colleges? The lack of transparency and information provided at Sidwell makes the process much more frustrating and difficult than it might be, many families believe this. Students are not applying to colleges in a vacuum as you seem to believe, they are applying to colleges as students from a specific high school, and providing a list would be helpful information and provide perspective about that high school, even understanding that there are hooks and achievements that might have boosted others. You may think this is unhelpful, but others believe it would be helpful. An aggregate list that only identifies whether “five or more” students have matriculated to a college over the past five years doesn’t provide this perspective.

Yes, I am a parent of alums and a parent of a current student. You don't need to lecture me on the school or the process. I simply disagree with you. Where people in the class of 2021 or class of 2202 went has no bearing on where your kid or my next kid goes. None.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why?

Asking seriously.

Your kid has their record and their preferences for what setting and locations they are interested in.

They should put a list together commensurate with their record and interests.

What anyone else has done literally has nothing to do with how your kid should be thinking about the process and results.

You have NO idea what hooks or achievements someone else going to a target schools might have. You have NO idea is someone is full pay or a 7 figure donor.

Do you actually have a student at Sidwell who has gone through the college application process there? Do you know how the Sidwell college counseling office is now defining “reach” colleges? The lack of transparency and information provided at Sidwell makes the process much more frustrating and difficult than it might be, many families believe this. Students are not applying to colleges in a vacuum as you seem to believe, they are applying to colleges as students from a specific high school, and providing a list would be helpful information and provide perspective about that high school, even understanding that there are hooks and achievements that might have boosted others. You may think this is unhelpful, but others believe it would be helpful. An aggregate list that only identifies whether “five or more” students have matriculated to a college over the past five years doesn’t provide this perspective.

Yes, I am a parent of alums and a parent of a current student. You don't need to lecture me on the school or the process. I simply disagree with you. Where people in the class of 2021 or class of 2202 went has no bearing on where your kid or my next kid goes. None.

Right, you disagree. But you seem to be very strident about this in suggesting that others are somehow making inappropriate suggestions or arguments. And if anyone is “lecturing” here, it would seem to be you, as I haven’t seen any explanation of why the school providing more detail would be UNhelpful. On the other hand, posters have explained their views as to why they believe it would be helpful.

You’re also moving the goalposts in suggesting that the issue is “where your kid or my next kid goes.” That’s not the point that people have been discussing. If you think a detailed list—as opposed to a five-year aggregate list that simply lists “five or more graduates”—would not be helpful for you, no one would force you to look at it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why?

Asking seriously.

Your kid has their record and their preferences for what setting and locations they are interested in.

They should put a list together commensurate with their record and interests.

What anyone else has done literally has nothing to do with how your kid should be thinking about the process and results.

You have NO idea what hooks or achievements someone else going to a target schools might have. You have NO idea is someone is full pay or a 7 figure donor.

Do you actually have a student at Sidwell who has gone through the college application process there? Do you know how the Sidwell college counseling office is now defining “reach” colleges? The lack of transparency and information provided at Sidwell makes the process much more frustrating and difficult than it might be, many families believe this. Students are not applying to colleges in a vacuum as you seem to believe, they are applying to colleges as students from a specific high school, and providing a list would be helpful information and provide perspective about that high school, even understanding that there are hooks and achievements that might have boosted others. You may think this is unhelpful, but others believe it would be helpful. An aggregate list that only identifies whether “five or more” students have matriculated to a college over the past five years doesn’t provide this perspective.

Yes, I am a parent of alums and a parent of a current student. You don't need to lecture me on the school or the process. I simply disagree with you. Where people in the class of 2021 or class of 2202 went has no bearing on where your kid or my next kid goes. None.

Right, you disagree. But you seem to be very strident about this in suggesting that others are somehow making inappropriate suggestions or arguments. And if anyone is “lecturing” here, it would seem to be you, as I haven’t seen any explanation of why the school providing more detail would be UNhelpful. On the other hand, posters have explained their views as to why they believe it would be helpful.

You’re also moving the goalposts in suggesting that the issue is “where your kid or my next kid goes.” That’s not the point that people have been discussing. If you think a detailed list—as opposed to a five-year aggregate list that simply lists “five or more graduates”—would not be helpful for you, no one would force you to look at it.

Still don’t understand how it helps. So if you knew that class of 2021 had for example 5 people attend UMich, 3 to UCLA, 3 to Harvard, etc.... then how does that help you. Each kid is different. One year there may be 8 kids going to UPenn, another year there may be 4. How does that affect your kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So here is a question. If a kid at one of these schools is truly exceptional, super bright and talented etc, are they “flagged” early for a top college? How early are counselors mapping this stuff out?

Our experience echoes others: college counselors don’t want to talk to you before second semester junior year. And, in terms of flagging kids, I didn’t think they will do it bc premature - so much stuff shakes out as kids take advanced classes, make varsity teams, serve as school leaders, have over a decade playing instrument, get actual test scores etc. any time spent predicting is just that - so counselors wait to see what the actual picture is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So here is a question. If a kid at one of these schools is truly exceptional, super bright and talented etc, are they “flagged” early for a top college? How early are counselors mapping this stuff out?

Our experience echoes others: college counselors don’t want to talk to you before second semester junior year. And, in terms of flagging kids, I didn’t think they will do it bc premature - so much stuff shakes out as kids take advanced classes, make varsity teams, serve as school leaders, have over a decade playing instrument, get actual test scores etc. any time spent predicting is just that - so counselors wait to see what the actual picture is.

Not to mention, college juniors and seniors know better what kind of school they want and what they want to study.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why?

Asking seriously.

Your kid has their record and their preferences for what setting and locations they are interested in.

They should put a list together commensurate with their record and interests.

What anyone else has done literally has nothing to do with how your kid should be thinking about the process and results.

You have NO idea what hooks or achievements someone else going to a target schools might have. You have NO idea is someone is full pay or a 7 figure donor.

Do you actually have a student at Sidwell who has gone through the college application process there? Do you know how the Sidwell college counseling office is now defining “reach” colleges? The lack of transparency and information provided at Sidwell makes the process much more frustrating and difficult than it might be, many families believe this. Students are not applying to colleges in a vacuum as you seem to believe, they are applying to colleges as students from a specific high school, and providing a list would be helpful information and provide perspective about that high school, even understanding that there are hooks and achievements that might have boosted others. You may think this is unhelpful, but others believe it would be helpful. An aggregate list that only identifies whether “five or more” students have matriculated to a college over the past five years doesn’t provide this perspective.

Yes, I am a parent of alums and a parent of a current student. You don't need to lecture me on the school or the process. I simply disagree with you. Where people in the class of 2021 or class of 2202 went has no bearing on where your kid or my next kid goes. None.

Right, you disagree. But you seem to be very strident about this in suggesting that others are somehow making inappropriate suggestions or arguments. And if anyone is “lecturing” here, it would seem to be you, as I haven’t seen any explanation of why the school providing more detail would be UNhelpful. On the other hand, posters have explained their views as to why they believe it would be helpful.

You’re also moving the goalposts in suggesting that the issue is “where your kid or my next kid goes.” That’s not the point that people have been discussing. If you think a detailed list—as opposed to a five-year aggregate list that simply lists “five or more graduates”—would not be helpful for you, no one would force you to look at it.

Still don’t understand how it helps. So if you knew that class of 2021 had for example 5 people attend UMich, 3 to UCLA, 3 to Harvard, etc.... then how does that help you. Each kid is different. One year there may be 8 kids going to UPenn, another year there may be 4. How does that affect your kid?

People have explained this already and why they believe it would be helpful to them. If you disagree, that’s fine. But can you explain why you think the school should not publish a list, or why you think publishing a list would actually be a negative or bad thing?

[Anonymous]

This will probably be controversial but, according to my kid, the students who attend Ivy League universities are pretty obvious choices. I have no idea if they are legacy or not, but my son seems to think they are pretty deserving.

And anecdotally, a few of my son’s friends went to HYP and I don’t think their kids will even apply. So I don’t think it matter a ton where parents go.

[Anonymous]

*son’s friend’s parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why?

Asking seriously.

Your kid has their record and their preferences for what setting and locations they are interested in.

They should put a list together commensurate with their record and interests.

What anyone else has done literally has nothing to do with how your kid should be thinking about the process and results.

You have NO idea what hooks or achievements someone else going to a target schools might have. You have NO idea is someone is full pay or a 7 figure donor.

Do you actually have a student at Sidwell who has gone through the college application process there? Do you know how the Sidwell college counseling office is now defining “reach” colleges? The lack of transparency and information provided at Sidwell makes the process much more frustrating and difficult than it might be, many families believe this. Students are not applying to colleges in a vacuum as you seem to believe, they are applying to colleges as students from a specific high school, and providing a list would be helpful information and provide perspective about that high school, even understanding that there are hooks and achievements that might have boosted others. You may think this is unhelpful, but others believe it would be helpful. An aggregate list that only identifies whether “five or more” students have matriculated to a college over the past five years doesn’t provide this perspective.

Yes, I am a parent of alums and a parent of a current student. You don't need to lecture me on the school or the process. I simply disagree with you. Where people in the class of 2021 or class of 2202 went has no bearing on where your kid or my next kid goes. None.

Right, you disagree. But you seem to be very strident about this in suggesting that others are somehow making inappropriate suggestions or arguments. And if anyone is “lecturing” here, it would seem to be you, as I haven’t seen any explanation of why the school providing more detail would be UNhelpful. On the other hand, posters have explained their views as to why they believe it would be helpful.

You’re also moving the goalposts in suggesting that the issue is “where your kid or my next kid goes.” That’s not the point that people have been discussing. If you think a detailed list—as opposed to a five-year aggregate list that simply lists “five or more graduates”—would not be helpful for you, no one would force you to look at it.

You are asking for a list of what kid is going to what school. That is none of your business. If you know the kid of the families, they will tell you. If you follow them on social media and they choose to post it, you will see it. Otherwise, it is not up to the school to share with you where some other kid is going to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

People have explained this already and why they believe it would be helpful to them. If you disagree, that’s fine. But can you explain why you think the school should not publish a list, or why you think publishing a list would actually be a negative or bad thing?

It is not up to the school to provide you with a list of where current seniors are going to be matriculating or where the class of 2021 ended up etc.

So if you want to know that Larla went to Harvard and Larlo went to Chicago, that is none of your business. If you are friends with Larlo or Larla's parents, they will tell you. If your kid is friends with them, they will tell your kid. Otherwise, it just isn't your concern.

Add to it, if what you want is "here is where the class of 2021 went to college" and it is just a list of schools, how does that help you or your kid? Or how is it any different than the aggregate list the school already provides?

If you perceive that your kid is like Bobby and are interested where Bobby went to school, and you find out he is at Michigan, but your kid only wants to go to a SLAC, then what difference does it make knowing where Bobby went?