Please help me understand: Potomac has only 1 to MIT in 6 years?

[Anonymous]

It is ironic that the first Potomac post has turned into a discussion of academic pressure and mental health, almost as a counterpoint to the parent here demanding to know why there aren't enough MIT admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Public schools are where the truly high-performing math and science students are. Their parents work at NASA and NIH and can’t afford Potomac.

You clearly have no idea how private schools work.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, if MIT is your end goal, Potomac is probably not the private school your kid should target. Better off at TJ or even BASIS if TJ not an option, or really any other magnet program. Potomac kids, though plenty strong in math and science, are probably looking for a more liberal arts (in the classical sense) education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Public schools are where the truly high-performing math and science students are. Their parents work at NASA and NIH and can’t afford Potomac.

You clearly have no idea how private schools work.

And you have no idea how top-flight public schools work … sorry, you may have all the money, but not all the brains.

[Anonymous]

Most students in the expensive local privates are the children of corporate lawyers, so the curriculum matches their desires. Scientists and even most physicians don’t make enough for those tuitions. I agree with prior posters that public magnets are the way to go for math and science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps your expectations are a bit unrealistic?

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps your expectations are a bit unrealistic?

This.

But if 6 kids got into Harvard and several into Princeton, why is it unrealistic to think kids could get in MIT?

[Anonymous]

Unlike DC or MD, strong science/math In VA have TJ as an option, which may skew the numbers a bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps your expectations are a bit unrealistic?

This.

But if 6 kids got into Harvard and several into Princeton, why is it unrealistic to think kids could get in MIT?

MIT is different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps your expectations are a bit unrealistic?

This.

But if 6 kids got into Harvard and several into Princeton, why is it unrealistic to think kids could get in MIT?

MIT is a technical university. Much more specific requirements than Ivies+. Seriously, if you are dead set on MIT, Potomac is really not the best path. Potomac is a great school, but I just don’t think it will help any kid who really wants to go to MIT. That kid, if they are MIT material, would do better elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Potomac is not Harker by a long shot. I’ve interviewed seniors and Harker is more like a blend of TJ and big 3. Seniors are doing AI research at Stanford, debate champions, competitive skiing — and world champion robotics is like a distant additional activity. It’s a whole other level in the Bay Area

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Potomac is not Harker by a long shot. I’ve interviewed seniors and Harker is more like a blend of TJ and big 3. Seniors are doing AI research at Stanford, debate champions, competitive skiing — and world champion robotics is like a distant additional activity. It’s a whole other level in the Bay Area

this. Harker is a beast, there's no comparison

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:this is a 4 year snapshot of enrollment (not admission):

https://www.potomacschool.org/academics/college-counseling/where-our-students-go-to-college

Op here.

Thank you. From your link, zero was enrolled. I got my data from www.polarislist.com
It seems two sources echo to each other.

??? The link shows one enrolled. My kids are at Potomac and love it, but honestly, you sound a little intense and focused in the wrong things. You are missing the big picture if this is what you are evaluating schools on. For the record, there have been multiple admits to MIT, it’s just not generally one of the more desirable schools for Potomac grads. Students in recent years have turned it down for Harvard, Williams, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps your expectations are a bit unrealistic?

This.

But if 6 kids got into Harvard and several into Princeton, why is it unrealistic to think kids could get in MIT?

Again, this list is where students enrolled, not where they were accepted. I’m sure admissions can provide you that list, too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

3. One of my friends mentioned that Langley will repeat the study themes in a few years? Like they study about outer space, rainforest, ocean animals this year, and next year they are going to study the same things?

4. The same friend also mentioned that Potomac had more extracurricular activities and clubs?

I can only answer these two questions and didn't want it to get lost in the college discussion. The repetition of themes is only in the primary school. This person must have a K or below but the lower school didnt have units on any of those things specifically this year. And the repetition is way less obvious than you are thinking. It is more just a way to frame what they are learning, the themes for the sensory bins and art work, etc.

Langley had limited extracurricular and clubs the last two years due to covid and not mixing classes. At the state of the school yesterday, they said they are all coming back next year.