Has anyone else had it with Georgetown?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Georgetown does not require AP scores. However, Georgetown will only consider AP scores via official score report, which includes all AP scores. So if you want them to see one, they see them all, as a practical matter.

But you can withhold scores for any recipient. Why wouldn’t that work?

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/score-reporting-services/withhold-scores

[Anonymous]

Far from criticizing Georgetown’s REA, I think we should give credit where it is due. Sad as it is to say in this age of game theory admissions, a highly competitive college that has no ED, gives no substantive admissions advantage to its early applicants over regular decision applicants, and provides a December admissions decision to early applicants so that they can apply ED2 elsewhere is relatively enlightened. As far as I know, this is the only highly competitive private college that 1) has no ED and 2) does not favor its EA applicants (Notre Dame gives an admissions advantage to REA applicants; USC’s new EA will presumably favor early applicants and, in any event, it won’t release decisions until well after ED2 deadlines have passed). Yes, straight RD with no early admissions whatsoever (as at Berkeley and UCLA) would be better for everyone. But Georgetown does the next best thing — and is to be commended for it.

[Anonymous]

Georgetown is one school among many. Lots of excellent schools out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Georgetown does not require AP scores. However, Georgetown will only consider AP scores via official score report, which includes all AP scores. So if you want them to see one, they see them all, as a practical matter.

But you can withhold scores for any recipient. Why wouldn’t that work?

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/score-reporting-services/withhold-scores

Agreed - you can choose which AP scores to send and who to send them to.

[Anonymous]

OP - I get that adding Georgetown to your list means more work and revealing all warts. But they explicitly say that they stay off the Common App to keep kids from just clicking another box (in which case their acceptance numbers would be even lower). They know that their applicants care enough about Georgetown to take those extra steps. And, as others have noted. They evaluate the entire record of testing - not just the cherry picking. This is a good thing in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course it's a great school, in a great location - yes. But it is not QUITE the amazing educational experience that their demanding standards would seem to indicate.
Mine would have loved to apply. But between the restrictive application policy (which is truly awful given the very difficult cycles these kids are facing) and their demands for all test scores - my kids have had it. Both have what it takes to succeed there. But my first and now my second are not willing to ruin what was left of HS to get there. Straight As in AP courses not enough for you? Opting for mental health over College Board nonsense by skipping a few AP exams? Please. My next one feels the same way. These two are great students - never had anything less than an A or A-, fantastic ECs that reflect their commitment to serving others for years, stellar LORs, tons of the R word - RIGOR. Not pointy for Ivies. But they are out - of the G-town rat race. And no - that's not a Georgetown troll talking - it's an honest frustration for their policies.

Georgetown makes it impossible to apply and get in, for good reason, OP. My kids felt the same way. GU's strict and overly rigorous application policy weeds out most high ranked applicants on purpose. Which is fine, because ANY school only wants you there if you are willing and able to do all the work needed for their particular school. It's not for everyone, and that is perfectly okay. My kids feel the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a "life isn't fair" post.

So what if Georgetown has higher standards for application? Every school can make their own choices--you choose to apply or you don't. The whining about it on dcum makes me think that you're more upset about this than your kids. Just move on. Plenty of colleges out there.

+1

Same thing parents have been whining about for more than the last few years, OP. It's not 1990 any more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean, they demand all test scores? How would they know you took them? If they want kids to take an SAT test, sure, then you give them the score. But how would they know you took it several times - can you just ask the College Board to disclose just the one you prefer? Same for AP exams: can you just release the scores that reflect well on you?

NP here. They require you send all. You would be lying on your application if you did not. Personally, I think all colleges should require that. There is a big difference between a kid who takes the SAT 23 times (I saw a kid’s post on Reddit who said he did this) to get to a 1600 and a kid who takes it once or twice. The scores are inflated, which increases pressure, because of this nonsense. Let’s make people show what’s going on behind the curtain so all of the insanity is exposed and the colleges can see what they are really getting.

It sounded like OP’s concern was more about AP exams, though.

I agree with you. No problem with sending all scores, I understand that and actually agree with that for sure. I do have a problem with APs. The classes are supposed to be taught in a consistent manner, but they are not. Mine have had to self-prep for AP exams because the course work did not prepare them. Mine made strategic decisions to take some but not all AP exams because of this. Even when their teachers expressed surprise, bc they were among the very top students in the class. For those who are willing to do what it takes, honestly I wish them the best. Mine have made their choices to preserve their health while still excelling in classes. All best.

Agree about the lack of consistency. One of DC’s subject teachers was out for the half of the year. The teacher had a long term sub with whom he consistently communicated, but it wasn’t the same. Then it was a sprint through third quarter to try to make up ground. DC wanted to go for it and took the test anyway. It didn’t go great, as an adult would have expected. But of course we still encouraged DC’s risk taking and no way would we have said that we didn’t believe in DC. But that story won’t travel with the scores, so why shouldn’t DC have the option to not report?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean, they demand all test scores? How would they know you took them? If they want kids to take an SAT test, sure, then you give them the score. But how would they know you took it several times - can you just ask the College Board to disclose just the one you prefer? Same for AP exams: can you just release the scores that reflect well on you?

NP here. They require you send all. You would be lying on your application if you did not. Personally, I think all colleges should require that. There is a big difference between a kid who takes the SAT 23 times (I saw a kid’s post on Reddit who said he did this) to get to a 1600 and a kid who takes it once or twice. The scores are inflated, which increases pressure, because of this nonsense. Let’s make people show what’s going on behind the curtain so all of the insanity is exposed and the colleges can see what they are really getting.

It sounded like OP’s concern was more about AP exams, though.

I agree with you. No problem with sending all scores, I understand that and actually agree with that for sure. I do have a problem with APs. The classes are supposed to be taught in a consistent manner, but they are not. Mine have had to self-prep for AP exams because the course work did not prepare them. Mine made strategic decisions to take some but not all AP exams because of this. Even when their teachers expressed surprise, bc they were among the very top students in the class. For those who are willing to do what it takes, honestly I wish them the best. Mine have made their choices to preserve their health while still excelling in classes. All best.

Agree about the lack of consistency. One of DC’s subject teachers was out for the half of the year. The teacher had a long term sub with whom he consistently communicated, but it wasn’t the same. Then it was a sprint through third quarter to try to make up ground. DC wanted to go for it and took the test anyway. It didn’t go great, as an adult would have expected. But of course we still encouraged DC’s risk taking and no way would we have said that we didn’t believe in DC. But that story won’t travel with the scores, so why shouldn’t DC have the option to not report?

JFC, just choose a different school. No one is entitled to any one school - and the kid won't get into the school they think they will get into, any way. The results will always be different than you expect, and that is okay. They aren't going to change the rules for you, so pick a different school.

I wish someone would have told us that with our first choice - stop putting so much pressure on your kid.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you OP. Georgetown application process is weird and over the top.
But we live in DC so my kids have no interest in applying.
They are already quite familiar with the neighborhood and campus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing to hide at all. All best. One's at a wonderful school with less restrictive policies but better ranked than G-town. The other will undoubtedly find their place too. Lazy? Well I guess when I post snark I will receive it. I realize I am venting so I apologize for any offense. Anyone living through the 2021 and 2022 cycle will understand that it was hard on all students. They will all find their place, and I wish you all the best.

Name the school.

[Anonymous]

If Georgetown is your thing….look at Notre Dame. Better education and your child would actually go away to college.

Unless you work at GU. Poor kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If Georgetown is your thing….look at Notre Dame. Better education and your child would actually go away to college.

Unless you work at GU. Poor kid.

Not OP, but one of my kids actually wants to stay close to home for his undergrad. He has medical issues and isn't quite ready to be far away from family just yet. Georgetown would be on our list if we thought he had a chance! I think it's a great school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I get that adding Georgetown to your list means more work and revealing all warts. But they explicitly say that they stay off the Common App to keep kids from just clicking another box (in which case their acceptance numbers would be even lower). They know that their applicants care enough about Georgetown to take those extra steps. And, as others have noted. They evaluate the entire record of testing - not just the cherry picking. This is a good thing in my opinion.

Well said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course it's a great school, in a great location - yes. But it is not QUITE the amazing educational experience that their demanding standards would seem to indicate.
Mine would have loved to apply. But between the restrictive application policy (which is truly awful given the very difficult cycles these kids are facing) and their demands for all test scores - my kids have had it. Both have what it takes to succeed there. But my first and now my second are not willing to ruin what was left of HS to get there. Straight As in AP courses not enough for you? Opting for mental health over College Board nonsense by skipping a few AP exams? Please. My next one feels the same way. These two are great students - never had anything less than an A or A-, fantastic ECs that reflect their commitment to serving others for years, stellar LORs, tons of the R word - RIGOR. Not pointy for Ivies. But they are out - of the G-town rat race. And no - that's not a Georgetown troll talking - it's an honest frustration for their policies.

If they're giving up on the admissions process they don't have what it takes to succeed there. Easier to complain Georgetown is unreasonable than accept getting declined?