Game is rigged

[Anonymous]

At my kid's private school, the kids all know the landscape. They know the wealthy donor kids, the smart questbridge kids, the recruited athletes, etc. They all talk so they know who is applying to which schools. It's a general awareness vs resentment. My kid had 2 top choice schools, but shifted focus to the school with fewer high profile kids applying. Applying from a private is an advantage in itself. And I say this as a grateful middle class family that receives financial aid at our private school.

[Anonymous]

Run your own race and see what happens. Apply to other places too. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the rich are more privileged. Good life lesson for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its not rigging if OP does it.

I’m not rich so no donations.

You’re not rich, but your child goes to private school?

What’s the threshold to qualify as rich in your mind?

Middle class kids go to private schools, they also have scholarships for low income students.

What is your threshold for middle class?

[Anonymous]

Your kid needs to pick a different college.
Private school parent here who has seen this play out many times. Your kid is not getting a spot.

[Anonymous]

It's not "rigged" if other classmates are more attractive candidates for whaterever it is they bring to the table in in addition to what your kid brings.

[Anonymous]

Pivot to choice #2. This is how it works at top privates and is the "risk" you take when attending.

At ours Princeton was off the table this year. The spots were 100% locked down by legacies, donors and athletes. Yale was wide open. The unhooked, very top kids applied to Yale SCEA and got in. Next year Princeton looks to be open. The landscape changes every admission year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not about education anymore. It’s about access and putting more barriers on people who aren’t part of the upper class. Just look at the quality of education you get at these “elite” schools where 90% of your classes are taught by 24 year old TAs anyway. What an absolute joke. People need to stop buying into this.

The barriers have always been there, this is nothing new. Elite schools have never been open armed towards the lower classes….it is more like ‘limited access’ for a few who can contribute.

Want a superior education look to an elite SLAC. The R1 model is focused on graduate school, not undergraduate education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC ‘lost out’ on their dream school to the athletes in their class. There are many boxes these schools are trying to check. It is life. Move on.

Nobody lost out to the ‘athletes’. The athletes brought something valuable that you kid didn’t. They likely would not have been admitted in any situation.

[Anonymous]

At our nonDMV private, top stat unhooked apply here early:

Northwestern, Penn (CAS), JHU, Uchicago (if full pay only), Cornell, Columbia, Rice, WashU, CMU, Emory

Amherst, Pomona, CMC, Davidson

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is applying to a single digit selective college.
In her school there are two boys who are also applying, both from very wealthy families. One is legacy and heavily donates, another donates seven digit donations.

My kid has no chance.

Yep

[Anonymous]

It’s hard but you have the info you need to have a good discussion with your kid about what to do, given the reality. Ie come up with a brutally balanced list. Lots of EAs. Don’t buy into the dream school concept, I’m sorry but it sounds like you might be. You cannot do that. You stay positive and help guide back to their ownership of the plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is applying to a single digit selective college.
In her school there are two boys who are also applying, both from very wealthy families. One is legacy and heavily donates, another donates seven digit donations.

My kid has no chance.

At least you aren't blaming a URM like most on DCUM do.

[Anonymous]

And know it is generally harder for girls than boys because colleges are trying to balance class gender. So if boy legacies or donors or athletes are ahead of her, absolutely pivot.

[Anonymous]

Correct.