How competitive is entry to top Baltimore privates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So it’s easier now?

Than 30 years ago? Who would even be able to compare and for what purpose? Personally, I think your best shot is roc’s and Mcdonogh and bryn Mawr are a tougher admit.

I don’t think people who post this actually know... Bryn Mawr and RPCS are sister schools and take classes with eachother (and Gilman). They have different cultures to be sure, but bryn Mawr is not materially better than RPCS. GL.

Well, this is out of date. Bryn Mawr and rpcs were similar a decade or two go, but have since evolved. Bryn Mawr is the academically rigorous school and rpcs is geared for girls who might need more supports. This is no secret, definitely how rpcs markets itself. Especially at lower and middle school level. At the upper school level, rpcs does attract some more academically focused girls through merit scholarships, but there is a substantial difference between the schools in college matriculation lists once you get past the top five percent of the class.

I disagree, but here are the lists and people can decide for themselves.

https://www.brynmawrschool.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculation-list
https://www.rpcs.org/about/meet-our-community/commencement-2019

They are very differently culturally but not so much academically and it’s a shame to suggest otherwise.

Well, one school lists where students are actually attending (bryn Mawr) and the other where students were admitted (rpcs), which is a well known technique to make matriculation look better because top students get into multiple good schools, but of course, can only attend one.

In any case, no point in arguing, the schools reputations are well known in Baltimore, and op is asking about how hard it is to get in sixth grade year, not about school cultures . I know of multiple girls who got into rpcs but not Bryn Mawr but not the reverse, so at the moment, bryn Mawr is harder to get into. Mcdonogh has been popular for the past decade and draws from a larger area due to its bus system, and will be at least as competitive for admission as bryn Mawr, maybe more.

My kid got into McDonogh but not Bryn Mawr with pretty average stats so I don’t know about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our first choice is Bryn Mawr. The others are safeties.

Bryn Mawr is the hardest to get into but she should be fine with an ISEE stanine of at least 6 and good grades. 4 and above is good enough for the other schools.

Eye roll. Maybe 30 years ago....

This is literally what admissions counselors at these schools told me. Are you saying they’re wrong? Do you have kids in mcdonogh or rcps or something?

[Anonymous]

Well, 100% of the spots are for girls, so you won’t be competing against any boys at BM and RPCS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, 100% of the spots are for girls, so you won’t be competing against any boys at BM and RPCS.

Think the number of spaces wind up being pretty equal between bryn Mawr and Mcdonogh. Mcdonogh will try to correct for any gender imbalances that develop through attrition otherwise it’s pretty 50/50.

[Anonymous]

This thread caused me to check whether McDonogh was Catholic and to my surprise it is not. So many years spent with the wrong perception. In retrospect it should have been obvious because the name does not start with "Saint", "Bishop" or "Holy". Learn something new every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread caused me to check whether McDonogh was Catholic and to my surprise it is not. So many years spent with the wrong perception. In retrospect it should have been obvious because the name does not start with "Saint", "Bishop" or "Holy". Learn something new every day.

Plenty of Catholic schools do not start with those. Think Loyola, Calvert Hall, Notre Dame Prep, Maryvale, Mercy, Cathedral.

[Anonymous]

This thread is making me really question the sanity of my fellow Baltimore private school families.

They are all good schools! This conversation should be encouraging OP to find the right fit for her daughter (and family) instead of debating which school is more "competitive." It just throws in a completely unnecessary element into the decision equation - first because there is NO actual data on this topic, second, because it might steer her away or to a certain school for the wrong reasons.

She can't go wrong at any of those schools, just find one that is right for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So it’s easier now?

Than 30 years ago? Who would even be able to compare and for what purpose? Personally, I think your best shot is roc’s and Mcdonogh and bryn Mawr are a tougher admit.

I don’t think people who post this actually know... Bryn Mawr and RPCS are sister schools and take classes with eachother (and Gilman). They have different cultures to be sure, but bryn Mawr is not materially better than RPCS. GL.

Whoa whoa whoa.... I went to Bryn Mawr. My nieces go there now. They aren't sister schools. Yes they both coordinate with Gilman and to a smaller degree, each other, but they are very different schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So it’s easier now?

Than 30 years ago? Who would even be able to compare and for what purpose? Personally, I think your best shot is roc’s and Mcdonogh and bryn Mawr are a tougher admit.

I don’t think people who post this actually know... Bryn Mawr and RPCS are sister schools and take classes with eachother (and Gilman). They have different cultures to be sure, but bryn Mawr is not materially better than RPCS. GL.

Whoa whoa whoa.... I went to Bryn Mawr. My nieces go there now. They aren't sister schools. Yes they both coordinate with Gilman and to a smaller degree, each other, but they are very different schools.

OP here. What do you all think of Bryn Mawr?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So it’s easier now?

Than 30 years ago? Who would even be able to compare and for what purpose? Personally, I think your best shot is roc’s and Mcdonogh and bryn Mawr are a tougher admit.

I don’t think people who post this actually know... Bryn Mawr and RPCS are sister schools and take classes with eachother (and Gilman). They have different cultures to be sure, but bryn Mawr is not materially better than RPCS. GL.

Whoa whoa whoa.... I went to Bryn Mawr. My nieces go there now. They aren't sister schools. Yes they both coordinate with Gilman and to a smaller degree, each other, but they are very different schools.

You’re joking right? Yes, they are - it doesn’t mean they are identical and of course they are different cultures, but they have dances together, take classes together and coordinate certain events together. They are also big sports rivals and their spirit weeks coincide.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryn_Mawr_School#Athletics

Like many of the other private schools in Baltimore, Bryn Mawr has a brother and sister school. Bryn Mawr's brother school is Gilman. These two schools are located across the street from each other. Bryn Mawr's sister school (as well as rival school) is the Roland Park Country School (RPCS). The three schools coordinate Upper School classes so that students may attend a wider variety of classes and so that they may interact with their peers at other schools.

https://www.rpcs.org/community/coordinate-program

https://www.brynmawrschool.org/academics/upper-school/tri-school-coordination

[Anonymous]

The Maryland DC area north of the Potomac is blessed with a fantastic private school bonanza

Just off the top of my head
Georgetown Prep
Holton
Landon
Bullis
Stone Ridge
Holy Child
Holy Cross
Good Counsel
St Albans
Cathedral
Sidwell
Georgetown Day
St Johns
Gonzaga
Heights
Dematha
Glenelg Country
Maret
Georgetown visitation
McDonough
Boys Latin
Loyola Blakefield
Calvert Hall
Friends
Severn
St Mary’s
Gilman
Roland Park
Bryn Mwr
Notre Dame
Park
Curley
MSJ
St Paul’s
Spaulding
Key
McNamara
Seton


Incredible

[Anonymous]

FWIW, my daughter goes to Garrison Forest (and we live near DC) and it has been great for her. She's in 11th grade, has been there since 9th and boards but comes home every weekend (unless something special going on)
I love the school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is making me really question the sanity of my fellow Baltimore private school families.

They are all good schools! This conversation should be encouraging OP to find the right fit for her daughter (and family) instead of debating which school is more "competitive." It just throws in a completely unnecessary element into the decision equation - first because there is NO actual data on this topic, second, because it might steer her away or to a certain school for the wrong reasons.

She can't go wrong at any of those schools, just find one that is right for you.

Maybe start by reading op’s initial post where she asked about admissions odds at three schools? So weird when people jump in mid thread and complain about people responding to the original question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So it’s easier now?

Than 30 years ago? Who would even be able to compare and for what purpose? Personally, I think your best shot is roc’s and Mcdonogh and bryn Mawr are a tougher admit.

I don’t think people who post this actually know... Bryn Mawr and RPCS are sister schools and take classes with eachother (and Gilman). They have different cultures to be sure, but bryn Mawr is not materially better than RPCS. GL.

Whoa whoa whoa.... I went to Bryn Mawr. My nieces go there now. They aren't sister schools. Yes they both coordinate with Gilman and to a smaller degree, each other, but they are very different schools.

You’re joking right? Yes, they are - it doesn’t mean they are identical and of course they are different cultures, but they have dances together, take classes together and coordinate certain events together. They are also big sports rivals and their spirit weeks coincide.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryn_Mawr_School#Athletics

Like many of the other private schools in Baltimore, Bryn Mawr has a brother and sister school. Bryn Mawr's brother school is Gilman. These two schools are located across the street from each other. Bryn Mawr's sister school (as well as rival school) is the Roland Park Country School (RPCS). The three schools coordinate Upper School classes so that students may attend a wider variety of classes and so that they may interact with their peers at other schools.

https://www.rpcs.org/community/coordinate-program

https://www.brynmawrschool.org/academics/upper-school/tri-school-coordination

Dp. But they definitely don’t consider one another “sister” schools. Source, my kid who as attend bm for the past 5 years. Very different places in ways beyond academic rigor, for example, rpcs leans conservative politically (lots of families support Trump while bm is very liberal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So it’s easier now?

Than 30 years ago? Who would even be able to compare and for what purpose? Personally, I think your best shot is roc’s and Mcdonogh and bryn Mawr are a tougher admit.

I don’t think people who post this actually know... Bryn Mawr and RPCS are sister schools and take classes with eachother (and Gilman). They have different cultures to be sure, but bryn Mawr is not materially better than RPCS. GL.

Whoa whoa whoa.... I went to Bryn Mawr. My nieces go there now. They aren't sister schools. Yes they both coordinate with Gilman and to a smaller degree, each other, but they are very different schools.

You’re joking right? Yes, they are - it doesn’t mean they are identical and of course they are different cultures, but they have dances together, take classes together and coordinate certain events together. They are also big sports rivals and their spirit weeks coincide.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryn_Mawr_School#Athletics

Like many of the other private schools in Baltimore, Bryn Mawr has a brother and sister school. Bryn Mawr's brother school is Gilman. These two schools are located across the street from each other. Bryn Mawr's sister school (as well as rival school) is the Roland Park Country School (RPCS). The three schools coordinate Upper School classes so that students may attend a wider variety of classes and so that they may interact with their peers at other schools.

https://www.rpcs.org/community/coordinate-program

https://www.brynmawrschool.org/academics/upper-school/tri-school-coordination

Dp. But they definitely don’t consider one another “sister” schools. Source, my kid who as attend bm for the past 5 years. Very different places in ways beyond academic rigor, for example, rpcs leans conservative politically (lots of families support Trump while bm is very liberal.

DP - they did when I went there, but that was 10 years ago...