Sidwell college advisor leaves

[Anonymous]

This again benefits the wealthy. Everybody else including the already stretched full pay two-income middle and upper middle classes, not to speak of low income, are at a disadvantage because of this. Not very Quakerly.

[Anonymous]

The Sidwell families posting on this thread seem to think they have rid themselves of some incompetent staff. I’m outside looking in trying to understand what made the staff incompetent. I’ve learned very little about college counseling and a whole lot about the Sidwell community. Reading this thread does not give one the impression that it’s a kind, accepting Quaker school to send one’s child or that it’s a pleasant place to work. Nor would I want to be a private college counselor working with Sidwell students. You may have legitimate reasons to be upset, but venting them like this leaves a lasting impression on the DC community at large. It looks far worse for the parent community than for college admission counseling.

[Anonymous]

Take a look at the Boundary Change article posted on Bethesda Beat today. Judging by the comments made by those parents in a public forum, I wouldn’t be surprised by any deplorable parent behavior in this area (public or private schools).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Sidwell families posting on this thread seem to think they have rid themselves of some incompetent staff. I’m outside looking in trying to understand what made the staff incompetent. I’ve learned very little about college counseling and a whole lot about the Sidwell community. Reading this thread does not give one the impression that it’s a kind, accepting Quaker school to send one’s child or that it’s a pleasant place to work. Nor would I want to be a private college counselor working with Sidwell students. You may have legitimate reasons to be upset, but venting them like this leaves a lasting impression on the DC community at large. It looks far worse for the parent community than for college admission counseling.

There you go, school admin now trying to stop Sidwell families from posting instead of fixing things that are obviously have gone terribly wrong.

[Anonymous]

HOS is worthless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But over half the class uses private advisers for college anyway, so this is essentially a phantom problem.

Not really. Even if there is outside help, the in-house counselors have to write THE recommendation letter for their students and they have 40-50 files each year. they supposedly need to get to know the kid well enough to recommend schools and conversely, be able to sell the kid to a top choice school if they are called about it.

In some ways, private outside counselors create even more work for the school college advisors, which is another reason why outside advisors are not a substitute or a burden reliever for the school staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But over half the class uses private advisers for college anyway, so this is essentially a phantom problem.

Not really. Even if there is outside help, the in-house counselors have to write THE recommendation letter for their students and they have 40-50 files each year. they supposedly need to get to know the kid well enough to recommend schools and conversely, be able to sell the kid to a top choice school if they are called about it.

And to try to work the wait iists instead of passively just sitting there waiting for the phone to ring. It's easier not to be pro-active when a counselor has too many advisees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But over half the class uses private advisers for college anyway, so this is essentially a phantom problem.

Not really. Even if there is outside help, the in-house counselors have to write THE recommendation letter for their students and they have 40-50 files each year. they supposedly need to get to know the kid well enough to recommend schools and conversely, be able to sell the kid to a top choice school if they are called about it.

And to try to work the wait iists instead of passively just sitting there waiting for the phone to ring. It's easier not to be pro-active when a counselor has too many advisees.

True

[Anonymous]

This is all ridiculous. This has been brewing for years. I have had a child at this school for years and this graduating class is famous for being a large outlier.

Please don't forget - this is Sasha Obama's class and a grandchild of Joe Biden. Do you think for a moment that the parents applying their children into this class didn't know that? They had delusions of grandeur of hobnobbing with the Obamas/Bidens. These parents had little care for a Quaker education/values. Rather, it is full of climbers and movers and shakers. There are lots of hyper aggressive Finance and Journalist types who stop at nothing to get what they want.

Sorry to tell you, with little exception, Sidwell parents are normal and boring. They love Quaker values and wouldnt think of doing this.

The allure of being close to a popular (now ex) President, attracted a certain type. Once this class and its parents graduate, youll see a lot of normal boring move along scenes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good point, though really the HOS should read every single one of those letters, irrespective of the number of counselors. Can't pass the buck there.

This is insane. There's no way in the world a Head of School should spend his time reading college counselor recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Nonsense. Placement is a vital element of the entire process. HOS can't pass the buck here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is all ridiculous. This has been brewing for years. I have had a child at this school for years and this graduating class is famous for being a large outlier.

Please don't forget - this is Sasha Obama's class and a grandchild of Joe Biden. Do you think for a moment that the parents applying their children into this class didn't know that? They had delusions of grandeur of hobnobbing with the Obamas/Bidens. These parents had little care for a Quaker education/values. Rather, it is full of climbers and movers and shakers. There are lots of hyper aggressive Finance and Journalist types who stop at nothing to get what they want.

Sorry to tell you, with little exception, Sidwell parents are normal and boring. They love Quaker values and wouldnt think of doing this.

The allure of being close to a popular (now ex) President, attracted a certain type. Once this class and its parents graduate, youll see a lot of normal boring move along scenes.

And whose fault is this? It's the school's own doing by accepting them in the first place. Face it, Sidwell wanted this type of parents to raise their own prestige. I say one deserves the other. I would also definitely hold the HOS responsible for college results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all ridiculous. This has been brewing for years. I have had a child at this school for years and this graduating class is famous for being a large outlier.

Please don't forget - this is Sasha Obama's class and a grandchild of Joe Biden. Do you think for a moment that the parents applying their children into this class didn't know that? They had delusions of grandeur of hobnobbing with the Obamas/Bidens. These parents had little care for a Quaker education/values. Rather, it is full of climbers and movers and shakers. There are lots of hyper aggressive Finance and Journalist types who stop at nothing to get what they want.

Sorry to tell you, with little exception, Sidwell parents are normal and boring. They love Quaker values and wouldnt think of doing this.

The allure of being close to a popular (now ex) President, attracted a certain type. Once this class and its parents graduate, youll see a lot of normal boring move along scenes.

And whose fault is this? It's the school's own doing by accepting them in the first place. Face it, Sidwell wanted this type of parents to raise their own prestige. I say one deserves the other. I would also definitely hold the HOS responsible for college results.

+1 Sidwell definitely earned its label of 'prestige whore'

[Anonymous]

More on the letter....and role of parents vs students


https://www.today.com/parents/college-counselor-warns-parents-stop-sabotaging-other-kids-t151612

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all ridiculous. This has been brewing for years. I have had a child at this school for years and this graduating class is famous for being a large outlier.

Please don't forget - this is Sasha Obama's class and a grandchild of Joe Biden. Do you think for a moment that the parents applying their children into this class didn't know that? They had delusions of grandeur of hobnobbing with the Obamas/Bidens. These parents had little care for a Quaker education/values. Rather, it is full of climbers and movers and shakers. There are lots of hyper aggressive Finance and Journalist types who stop at nothing to get what they want.

Sorry to tell you, with little exception, Sidwell parents are normal and boring. They love Quaker values and wouldnt think of doing this.

The allure of being close to a popular (now ex) President, attracted a certain type. Once this class and its parents graduate, youll see a lot of normal boring move along scenes.

And whose fault is this? It's the school's own doing by accepting them in the first place. Face it, Sidwell wanted this type of parents to raise their own prestige. I say one deserves the other. I would also definitely hold the HOS responsible for college results.

Jealous much. Thats ridiculous. How is the school to know the psychology and intent of its parents. Im sure they didnt say during the interview - "Hi, Im going to being ultra competitive and do unethical things." Had the Obamas gone to GDS, the same thing would have happened.

+1 Sidwell definitely earned its label of 'prestige whore'