Holton, NCS, Sidwell, Potomac, GDS - admissions for 9th

[Anonymous]

^The Board Members wrote letters in my daughter's behalf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These schools could not be more different as a group (with the exception of NCS/Holton)

I would suggest you not mention them to admissions as it is going to appear your daughter hasn't really thought about what she wants/needs. And yes- they do ask where else you are applying and yes you need to answer with something or you seem shady.

There seems to be no common thread at her selected schools. So schools may get a bit suspicious that you really havent done your homework and don't 'want' their school as a top priority (if I am a director at a single sex school and see you have applied to coed, that could be a red flag unless there is a narrative about the coeds). But then the coed schools you have could not be more difficult (GDS vs. Potomac is like night and day). Just sometihng to think about.

A student who would be very happy at one of these schools may not be happy at the others so it may be worth you really talking to your daughter about the experience she wants. That might also open up conversation about other schools that meet that critera).

Don't be silly, the thing these schools all have in common is the ability to provide rigorous opportunities for the applicant. Will they all be different social environments? Yes. But even if she DID prefer a specific school, there is nothing close to a guarantee she'd be admitted. You have to apply to multiple schools and these are a set of peer schools. All of these schools know who their peer institutions are and not one of them is going to think this applicant didn't "think it through". They are going to think this is a student who cares about rigor.

eh- if its only about applying to multiple 'rigorous' schools to cover your basis for acceptance, you can still achieve this outcome by focusing in on the best fit and the schools that align (if NCS and Holton, why not Stoneride or Visi over Sidwell?) This list feels like a list of the schools somebody 'thinks' they should apply to based on name brand recognition. ADs want to make offers to candidates who they have a high level of confidence will accept. ADs ask where you applied to understand how well the other schools you have applied match what you have said about what you want and how it compares to their school. My advice is to mention other 'like' schools vs this full laundry list of 'prestigous' schools. This way ADs have some level of confidence in your potential conversion if accepted.

[Anonymous]

OP again. Interesting, I don’t think she thought about selecting schools on the basis that ADs would feel her selections were appropriate or harmonious. She picked these schools because she wants to have the most challenging environment and would feel good knowing that she’s surrounded by equally motivated kids. She’s not afraid of rigor. If anything, she thrives from it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Interesting, I don’t think she thought about selecting schools on the basis that ADs would feel her selections were appropriate or harmonious. She picked these schools because she wants to have the most challenging environment and would feel good knowing that she’s surrounded by equally motivated kids. She’s not afraid of rigor. If anything, she thrives from it.

I wouldn't worry about this at all OP. I feel like the other posts might be trying to dissuade you as they fear competition. These schools are all FAR more alike than they are different and I'd say that 98% of kids would be fine with the single vs. coed thing as well. There are many, many people who apply to them all.
My son did (insert STA instead of NCS, subtract Holton and add Maret) and was accepted to 3 out of 5 for 9th. When he interviewed he pulled out something unique about each school and focused on that. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Interesting, I don’t think she thought about selecting schools on the basis that ADs would feel her selections were appropriate or harmonious. She picked these schools because she wants to have the most challenging environment and would feel good knowing that she’s surrounded by equally motivated kids. She’s not afraid of rigor. If anything, she thrives from it.

That's a perfectly reasonable rationale, and it's HER rationale. Don't worry about PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Interesting, I don’t think she thought about selecting schools on the basis that ADs would feel her selections were appropriate or harmonious. She picked these schools because she wants to have the most challenging environment and would feel good knowing that she’s surrounded by equally motivated kids. She’s not afraid of rigor. If anything, she thrives from it.

That's a perfectly reasonable rationale, and it's HER rationale. Don't worry about PP.

Agree! Just go for it + see how it goes. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These schools could not be more different as a group (with the exception of NCS/Holton)

I would suggest you not mention them to admissions as it is going to appear your daughter hasn't really thought about what she wants/needs. And yes- they do ask where else you are applying and yes you need to answer with something or you seem shady.

There seems to be no common thread at her selected schools. So schools may get a bit suspicious that you really havent done your homework and don't 'want' their school as a top priority (if I am a director at a single sex school and see you have applied to coed, that could be a red flag unless there is a narrative about the coeds). But then the coed schools you have could not be more difficult (GDS vs. Potomac is like night and day). Just sometihng to think about.

A student who would be very happy at one of these schools may not be happy at the others so it may be worth you really talking to your daughter about the experience she wants. That might also open up conversation about other schools that meet that critera).

Don't be silly, the thing these schools all have in common is the ability to provide rigorous opportunities for the applicant. Will they all be different social environments? Yes. But even if she DID prefer a specific school, there is nothing close to a guarantee she'd be admitted. You have to apply to multiple schools and these are a set of peer schools. All of these schools know who their peer institutions are and not one of them is going to think this applicant didn't "think it through". They are going to think this is a student who cares about rigor.

eh- if its only about applying to multiple 'rigorous' schools to cover your basis for acceptance, you can still achieve this outcome by focusing in on the best fit and the schools that align (if NCS and Holton, why not Stoneride or Visi over Sidwell?) This list feels like a list of the schools somebody 'thinks' they should apply to based on name brand recognition. ADs want to make offers to candidates who they have a high level of confidence will accept. ADs ask where you applied to understand how well the other schools you have applied match what you have said about what you want and how it compares to their school. My advice is to mention other 'like' schools vs this full laundry list of 'prestigous' schools. This way ADs have some level of confidence in your potential conversion if accepted.

BS. There are certain schools that 8th graders who are looking for a challenge like once they tour. Visi and stoneridge are not one of them unless they are placing single sex education above academic rigor and the vibe of the place. Sidwell is much more like NCS than those two are, in feel and actuality.

[Anonymous]

I would listen to your k-8–if they suggest another school with more predictable admissions, I’d add one. If they are confident you don’t need to add another school, you are fine.

One more thing to consider is having the element of choice when decisions come out. With her list, she may only get into one so you all might like having another option even just to feel like there is some choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These schools could not be more different as a group (with the exception of NCS/Holton)

I would suggest you not mention them to admissions as it is going to appear your daughter hasn't really thought about what she wants/needs. And yes- they do ask where else you are applying and yes you need to answer with something or you seem shady.

There seems to be no common thread at her selected schools. So schools may get a bit suspicious that you really havent done your homework and don't 'want' their school as a top priority (if I am a director at a single sex school and see you have applied to coed, that could be a red flag unless there is a narrative about the coeds). But then the coed schools you have could not be more difficult (GDS vs. Potomac is like night and day). Just sometihng to think about.

A student who would be very happy at one of these schools may not be happy at the others so it may be worth you really talking to your daughter about the experience she wants. That might also open up conversation about other schools that meet that critera).

Don't be silly, the thing these schools all have in common is the ability to provide rigorous opportunities for the applicant. Will they all be different social environments? Yes. But even if she DID prefer a specific school, there is nothing close to a guarantee she'd be admitted. You have to apply to multiple schools and these are a set of peer schools. All of these schools know who their peer institutions are and not one of them is going to think this applicant didn't "think it through". They are going to think this is a student who cares about rigor.

eh- if its only about applying to multiple 'rigorous' schools to cover your basis for acceptance, you can still achieve this outcome by focusing in on the best fit and the schools that align (if NCS and Holton, why not Stoneride or Visi over Sidwell?) This list feels like a list of the schools somebody 'thinks' they should apply to based on name brand recognition. ADs want to make offers to candidates who they have a high level of confidence will accept. ADs ask where you applied to understand how well the other schools you have applied match what you have said about what you want and how it compares to their school. My advice is to mention other 'like' schools vs this full laundry list of 'prestigous' schools. This way ADs have some level of confidence in your potential conversion if accepted.

BS. There are certain schools that 8th graders who are looking for a challenge like once they tour. Visi and stoneridge are not one of them unless they are placing single sex education above academic rigor and the vibe of the place. Sidwell is much more like NCS than those two are, in feel and actuality.

Agree. I don’t get posters taking OP to task for the school selection. OP is not unique in choosing to apply to this set of schools and for a reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These schools could not be more different as a group (with the exception of NCS/Holton)

I would suggest you not mention them to admissions as it is going to appear your daughter hasn't really thought about what she wants/needs. And yes- they do ask where else you are applying and yes you need to answer with something or you seem shady.

There seems to be no common thread at her selected schools. So schools may get a bit suspicious that you really havent done your homework and don't 'want' their school as a top priority (if I am a director at a single sex school and see you have applied to coed, that could be a red flag unless there is a narrative about the coeds). But then the coed schools you have could not be more difficult (GDS vs. Potomac is like night and day). Just sometihng to think about.

A student who would be very happy at one of these schools may not be happy at the others so it may be worth you really talking to your daughter about the experience she wants. That might also open up conversation about other schools that meet that critera).

Agreed. Many of us only applied to those schools because those are the only ones we felt were worth paying for over public.

Don't be silly, the thing these schools all have in common is the ability to provide rigorous opportunities for the applicant. Will they all be different social environments? Yes. But even if she DID prefer a specific school, there is nothing close to a guarantee she'd be admitted. You have to apply to multiple schools and these are a set of peer schools. All of these schools know who their peer institutions are and not one of them is going to think this applicant didn't "think it through". They are going to think this is a student who cares about rigor.

eh- if its only about applying to multiple 'rigorous' schools to cover your basis for acceptance, you can still achieve this outcome by focusing in on the best fit and the schools that align (if NCS and Holton, why not Stoneride or Visi over Sidwell?) This list feels like a list of the schools somebody 'thinks' they should apply to based on name brand recognition. ADs want to make offers to candidates who they have a high level of confidence will accept. ADs ask where you applied to understand how well the other schools you have applied match what you have said about what you want and how it compares to their school. My advice is to mention other 'like' schools vs this full laundry list of 'prestigous' schools. This way ADs have some level of confidence in your potential conversion if accepted.

BS. There are certain schools that 8th graders who are looking for a challenge like once they tour. Visi and stoneridge are not one of them unless they are placing single sex education above academic rigor and the vibe of the place. Sidwell is much more like NCS than those two are, in feel and actuality.

Agree. I don’t get posters taking OP to task for the school selection. OP is not unique in choosing to apply to this set of schools and for a reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These schools could not be more different as a group (with the exception of NCS/Holton)

I would suggest you not mention them to admissions as it is going to appear your daughter hasn't really thought about what she wants/needs. And yes- they do ask where else you are applying and yes you need to answer with something or you seem shady.

There seems to be no common thread at her selected schools. So schools may get a bit suspicious that you really havent done your homework and don't 'want' their school as a top priority (if I am a director at a single sex school and see you have applied to coed, that could be a red flag unless there is a narrative about the coeds). But then the coed schools you have could not be more difficult (GDS vs. Potomac is like night and day). Just sometihng to think about.

A student who would be very happy at one of these schools may not be happy at the others so it may be worth you really talking to your daughter about the experience she wants. That might also open up conversation about other schools that meet that critera).

Don't be silly, the thing these schools all have in common is the ability to provide rigorous opportunities for the applicant. Will they all be different social environments? Yes. But even if she DID prefer a specific school, there is nothing close to a guarantee she'd be admitted. You have to apply to multiple schools and these are a set of peer schools. All of these schools know who their peer institutions are and not one of them is going to think this applicant didn't "think it through". They are going to think this is a student who cares about rigor.

eh- if its only about applying to multiple 'rigorous' schools to cover your basis for acceptance, you can still achieve this outcome by focusing in on the best fit and the schools that align (if NCS and Holton, why not Stoneride or Visi over Sidwell?) This list feels like a list of the schools somebody 'thinks' they should apply to based on name brand recognition. ADs want to make offers to candidates who they have a high level of confidence will accept. ADs ask where you applied to understand how well the other schools you have applied match what you have said about what you want and how it compares to their school. My advice is to mention other 'like' schools vs this full laundry list of 'prestigous' schools. This way ADs have some level of confidence in your potential conversion if accepted.

BS. There are certain schools that 8th graders who are looking for a challenge like once they tour. Visi and stoneridge are not one of them unless they are placing single sex education above academic rigor and the vibe of the place. Sidwell is much more like NCS than those two are, in feel and actuality.

Agree. Visi and Stoneridge are not very diverse at all and the parents I know there lean very conservative and belong to one of two clubs. They are good schools but not top tier and I agree they have a very different vibe.

[Anonymous]

Might be good to add just one more that is more of a sure thing so at least they have a choice to make between that one and public.

[Anonymous]

IMO, you really need to look at the numbers. There just are not enough seats in DC 9th grade privates like the ones op is applying to compared to the number of 8 th graders who want to attend. This was even true pre-covid. I had two kids who were waitlisted everywhere ( and did not get off the waitlists). Because they were both tops in their middle school classes ( and I, parent, was very picky about rigor and other things after doing much research about Private high schools and didn’t like more “safe” options)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IMO, you really need to look at the numbers. There just are not enough seats in DC 9th grade privates like the ones op is applying to compared to the number of 8 th graders who want to attend. This was even true pre-covid. I had two kids who were waitlisted everywhere ( and did not get off the waitlists). Because they were both tops in their middle school classes ( and I, parent, was very picky about rigor and other things after doing much research about Private high schools and didn’t like more “safe” options)

So what did you do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Interesting, I don’t think she thought about selecting schools on the basis that ADs would feel her selections were appropriate or harmonious. She picked these schools because she wants to have the most challenging environment and would feel good knowing that she’s surrounded by equally motivated kids. She’s not afraid of rigor. If anything, she thrives from it.

That's a perfectly reasonable rationale, and it's HER rationale. Don't worry about PP.

Agree! Just go for it + see how it goes. Good luck!

Thanks. This is all helpful. My daughter is tough as nails and I'm guessing smarter than anyone at any of these schools. I'm seeing now that she'll have her pick and find the most rigorous courses.

Thanks. And best wishes to all.