NCS college admissions if kid is not a legacy, URM, or athletic recruit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly looking through the Instagram, I was floored. 6 out of the 8 Ivies (AND Stanford). Lots of solid LACs like Pomona, Middlebury and Davidson. People on this board are something else.

Me too. Is is a very impressive list. The op is very bitter and it is sad.

This list is so-so. Not that distinctive from other posted results in this area. Infact, not very distinctive at all. Several of the public and a few private schools had more distinctive lists this year.

And yet NCS grads tend do be quite successful in life. I know many and they are all doing quite well and are living happy well-balanced lives. You on the other hand sound quite miserable. How unfortunate for you that you just don’t get it. The key to success is not getting imo an Ivy. Just ask all of the Ivy grads you know. I think they would agree. Many of them don’t get placed for jobs or internships after college just like everywhere else. Many do but trust me they have their own issues with life after college too.

I’ve been struck by the fact that of the several NCS grads I know, very few want to send their own daughter to NCS.
This is different from the St. Albans grads I know who by and large do want their boys to go to St. Albans. Why such a difference?

Because NCS is HARD!!!
It is not for everyone

Yup. NCS alumna here. Worst years of my life and I’d never put a daughter through that experience. My college was a breeze compared to NCS.

[Anonymous]

Yesterday I was at a sporting event and had a lot of downtime to talk to other moms. My kids are in private, but all the other kids at their club at at public. Quite a few of the mothers have juniors and were talking about college applications. They were all saying how thankful they were that due to Covid their kids got straight A's and were all laughing about how their kids had perfect GPA's without hardly doing anything. I did not say anything but it was painful to hear. I have a daughter at NCS who has literally slogged away and has some A's and also some B's. These NCS girls do not get a pass of any kind.

[Anonymous]

O my god. Page after page of woe!

Anyone graduating from NCS is better off than 99.99% of people who have ever lived on the planet. The idea that they have it tough is absurd.

[Anonymous]

I was somewhat neutral before being called an idiot by an NCS advocate (who sounds like a student). Then I tried to play nice a bit by reinforcing the fact that it is a good school. At this point, after constant cutting down of anyone who doesn’t drink the NCS koolaid, I’ve had enough. My dc and all of friends did fine this year, and they all went to different privates. Mostly non-urms. This madness that NCS is more deserving is unjust. Wanted to be a bit objective but just can’t anymore. NCS and it’s followers are just too insufferable, privileged, and entitled for me to support on any level again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was somewhat neutral before being called an idiot by an NCS advocate (who sounds like a student). Then I tried to play nice a bit by reinforcing the fact that it is a good school. At this point, after constant cutting down of anyone who doesn’t drink the NCS koolaid, I’ve had enough. My dc and all of friends did fine this year, and they all went to different privates. Mostly non-urms. This madness that NCS is more deserving is unjust. Wanted to be a bit objective but just can’t anymore. NCS and it’s followers are just too insufferable, privileged, and entitled for me to support on any level again.

And here’s a bit more: my dc worked arse off at a private all four years and did well. Other students also worked their butts off and got into good colleges based on that hard work. Why marginalize the public student achievements? Totally unnecessary.

This thread has been crazy and not in a good way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have not posted in this thread since 5/15. You are welcome to verify that with Jeff.
There are multiple people posting as me or assumed (by others) to be me. It's funny how people assume that a OP will post and then stick around and converse for days and days. I'd bet that many people post and then never return.
It's also striking how many different directions this post went since I posted. It hit most of the emotionally-charged college topics.

Please go look at the Insta again, and look at the faces of the girls in your school community that you chose to anonymously and wrongfully insult. Did they deserve that from you? Is this how you want people to treat your daughter? I think we should expect better from each other.

I’m. To the OP, but this is a completely ridiculous post. As others have pointed out multiple times OP was not trashing any kids. I think her post has shed some light on some things that I would be grateful to know if I had a kid considering NCS. I too would be freaking out if I saw my kid doing a crushing amount of work every single day of HS only to end up with the same options she would have had at a school with a more reasonable workload and fewer teachers who refuse to give As now matter how excellent a student’s work. I believe there are some parents at the school who believe it’s worth it no matter the college outcomes, but I also think there are plenty who wouldn’t have sent their unhooked daughter if they understood that there would be no college admissions reward for grinding for 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have not posted in this thread since 5/15. You are welcome to verify that with Jeff.
There are multiple people posting as me or assumed (by others) to be me. It's funny how people assume that a OP will post and then stick around and converse for days and days. I'd bet that many people post and then never return.
It's also striking how many different directions this post went since I posted. It hit most of the emotionally-charged college topics.

Please go look at the Insta again, and look at the faces of the girls in your school community that you chose to anonymously and wrongfully insult. Did they deserve that from you? Is this how you want people to treat your daughter? I think we should expect better from each other.

I’m not the OP, but this is a completely ridiculous post. As others have pointed out multiple times OP was not trashing any kids. I think her post has shed some light on some things that I would be grateful to know if I had a kid considering NCS. I too would be freaking out if I saw my kid doing a crushing amount of work every single day of HS only to end up with the same options she would have had at a school with a more reasonable workload and fewer teachers who refuse to give As now matter how excellent a student’s work. I believe there are some parents at the school who believe it’s worth it no matter the college outcomes, but I also think there are plenty who wouldn’t have sent their unhooked daughter if they understood that there would be no college admissions reward for grinding for 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly looking through the Instagram, I was floored. 6 out of the 8 Ivies (AND Stanford). Lots of solid LACs like Pomona, Middlebury and Davidson. People on this board are something else.

Me too. Is is a very impressive list. The op is very bitter and it is sad.

This list is so-so. Not that distinctive from other posted results in this area. Infact, not very distinctive at all. Several of the public and a few private schools had more distinctive lists this year.

And yet NCS grads tend do be quite successful in life. I know many and they are all doing quite well and are living happy well-balanced lives. You on the other hand sound quite miserable. How unfortunate for you that you just don’t get it. The key to success is not getting imo an Ivy. Just ask all of the Ivy grads you know. I think they would agree. Many of them don’t get placed for jobs or internships after college just like everywhere else. Many do but trust me they have their own issues with life after college too.

I’ve been struck by the fact that of the several NCS grads I know, very few want to send their own daughter to NCS.
This is different from the St. Albans grads I know who by and large do want their boys to go to St. Albans. Why such a difference?

Because NCS is HARD!!!
It is not for everyone

Yup. NCS alumna here. Worst years of my life and I’d never put a daughter through that experience. My college was a breeze compared to NCS.

+3 My college daughter said she will NEVER send her daughter to NCS. She mentioned feeling PTSD whenever she drives by the Cathedral. I feel horrible, because I was so focused on the amazing education (and it is amazing) that I overlooked the stress my daughter was in day in and day out. Working for hours every night and still only getting B+s. She told me she never felt smart until she attended university and started getting As.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly looking through the Instagram, I was floored. 6 out of the 8 Ivies (AND Stanford). Lots of solid LACs like Pomona, Middlebury and Davidson. People on this board are something else.

Me too. Is is a very impressive list. The op is very bitter and it is sad.

This list is so-so. Not that distinctive from other posted results in this area. Infact, not very distinctive at all. Several of the public and a few private schools had more distinctive lists this year.

And yet NCS grads tend do be quite successful in life. I know many and they are all doing quite well and are living happy well-balanced lives. You on the other hand sound quite miserable. How unfortunate for you that you just don’t get it. The key to success is not getting imo an Ivy. Just ask all of the Ivy grads you know. I think they would agree. Many of them don’t get placed for jobs or internships after college just like everywhere else. Many do but trust me they have their own issues with life after college too.

I’ve been struck by the fact that of the several NCS grads I know, very few want to send their own daughter to NCS.
This is different from the St. Albans grads I know who by and large do want their boys to go to St. Albans. Why such a difference?

Because NCS is HARD!!!
It is not for everyone

Yup. NCS alumna here. Worst years of my life and I’d never put a daughter through that experience. My college was a breeze compared to NCS.

+3 My college daughter said she will NEVER send her daughter to NCS. She mentioned feeling PTSD whenever she drives by the Cathedral. I feel horrible, because I was so focused on the amazing education (and it is amazing) that I overlooked the stress my daughter was in day in and day out. Working for hours every night and still only getting B+s. She told me she never felt smart until she attended university and started getting As.

The fact is NCS and schools like it are not for every student. My DD has thrived at NCS, and she isn't the kind of kid who burns the candles at both ends or ruthlessly competes with her classmates. She definitely works for an A/A- and has received Bs in many of her classes. We like that NCS doesn't hand out As like candy. It seems as if some parents want the school to base the grades on effort, not ability. We've all had moments when we work hard on a project, only to realize that once it's finished, we have made mistakes, etc. We're not so much focused on the college process as we know she'll get into a good school, even if it isn't one of the top schools so many people on this site and in DC, itself, hallow as the be-all and end all of higher education. I don't understand these parents who keep their kids at schools like NCS when clearly it isn't a good fit for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I’ve been struck by the fact that of the several NCS grads I know, very few want to send their own daughter to NCS.
This is different from the St. Albans grads I know who by and large do want their boys to go to St. Albans. Why such a difference?


Because NCS is HARD!!!
It is not for everyone

STA is also hard. I believe the real answer is that the dynamics at an all girls’ school are just more difficult - not just at NCS, but many other girls’ schools. I have daughters who have attended various local girls’ schools, and they have tended to be be more “cliquey” with more conflict and competition. STA has built a culture where most of the boys are driven to do their best, but they support each other and don’t wish for their classmates to do poorly. There are different groups, of course, but they seem to get along with each other. I have always thought the rotating family lunch tables has a lot to do with this.

I have high schoolers at both schools. Both are challenging. NCS is unnecessarily more difficult.

NCS is much harder than STA. I have high schoolers at both.
At STA boys who work hard do well. There is a direct correlation between doing the work and doing well.
At NCS girls can do the work and study hard but then it's still a crapshoot whether or not she'll meet the standard because the standard is never given. Or teachers just don't give As (at all). It's just unnecessarily brutal.

Disagree STA is just as hard if not harder. Getting home from sports every night at 6:30 or 7 and starting homework after dinner and showers at 8pm and stating up until 12-1am is pretty hard and most boys do this every single night during the week.
They have 12 page history papers due the same week they have 3 major tests and classes with daily quizzes not to mention the AP exams right in the middle of May. The truth is STA boys are just as stressed out but it is not cool or acceptable to discuss. Parents of girls are more outspoken in my experience. They are both rigorous schools. Ask parents applying to college this year at STA how their kids GPA was affected by the work load combined with excessive sports team schedules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I’ve been struck by the fact that of the several NCS grads I know, very few want to send their own daughter to NCS.
This is different from the St. Albans grads I know who by and large do want their boys to go to St. Albans. Why such a difference?


Because NCS is HARD!!!
It is not for everyone

STA is also hard. I believe the real answer is that the dynamics at an all girls’ school are just more difficult - not just at NCS, but many other girls’ schools. I have daughters who have attended various local girls’ schools, and they have tended to be be more “cliquey” with more conflict and competition. STA has built a culture where most of the boys are driven to do their best, but they support each other and don’t wish for their classmates to do poorly. There are different groups, of course, but they seem to get along with each other. I have always thought the rotating family lunch tables has a lot to do with this.

I have high schoolers at both schools. Both are challenging. NCS is unnecessarily more difficult.

NCS is much harder than STA. I have high schoolers at both.
At STA boys who work hard do well. There is a direct correlation between doing the work and doing well.
At NCS girls can do the work and study hard but then it's still a crapshoot whether or not she'll meet the standard because the standard is never given. Or teachers just don't give As (at all). It's just unnecessarily brutal.

Disagree STA is just as hard if not harder. Getting home from sports every night at 6:30 or 7 and starting homework after dinner and showers at 8pm and stating up until 12-1am is pretty hard and most boys do this every single night during the week.
They have 12 page history papers due the same week they have 3 major tests and classes with daily quizzes not to mention the AP exams right in the middle of May. The truth is STA boys are just as stressed out but it is not cool or acceptable to discuss. Parents of girls are more outspoken in my experience. They are both rigorous schools. Ask parents applying to college this year at STA how their kids GPA was affected by the work load combined with excessive sports team schedules.

🍿

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I’ve been struck by the fact that of the several NCS grads I know, very few want to send their own daughter to NCS.
This is different from the St. Albans grads I know who by and large do want their boys to go to St. Albans. Why such a difference?


Because NCS is HARD!!!
It is not for everyone

STA is also hard. I believe the real answer is that the dynamics at an all girls’ school are just more difficult - not just at NCS, but many other girls’ schools. I have daughters who have attended various local girls’ schools, and they have tended to be be more “cliquey” with more conflict and competition. STA has built a culture where most of the boys are driven to do their best, but they support each other and don’t wish for their classmates to do poorly. There are different groups, of course, but they seem to get along with each other. I have always thought the rotating family lunch tables has a lot to do with this.

I have high schoolers at both schools. Both are challenging. NCS is unnecessarily more difficult.

NCS is much harder than STA. I have high schoolers at both.
At STA boys who work hard do well. There is a direct correlation between doing the work and doing well.
At NCS girls can do the work and study hard but then it's still a crapshoot whether or not she'll meet the standard because the standard is never given. Or teachers just don't give As (at all). It's just unnecessarily brutal.

Disagree STA is just as hard if not harder. Getting home from sports every night at 6:30 or 7 and starting homework after dinner and showers at 8pm and stating up until 12-1am is pretty hard and most boys do this every single night during the week.
They have 12 page history papers due the same week they have 3 major tests and classes with daily quizzes not to mention the AP exams right in the middle of May. The truth is STA boys are just as stressed out but it is not cool or acceptable to discuss. Parents of girls are more outspoken in my experience. They are both rigorous schools. Ask parents applying to college this year at STA how their kids GPA was affected by the work load combined with excessive sports team schedules.

It is a true fact that you don’t realize until you are applying to college and realize many colleges cut you off at a certain GPA despite what classes you took.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I’ve been struck by the fact that of the several NCS grads I know, very few want to send their own daughter to NCS.
This is different from the St. Albans grads I know who by and large do want their boys to go to St. Albans. Why such a difference?


Because NCS is HARD!!!
It is not for everyone

STA is also hard. I believe the real answer is that the dynamics at an all girls’ school are just more difficult - not just at NCS, but many other girls’ schools. I have daughters who have attended various local girls’ schools, and they have tended to be be more “cliquey” with more conflict and competition. STA has built a culture where most of the boys are driven to do their best, but they support each other and don’t wish for their classmates to do poorly. There are different groups, of course, but they seem to get along with each other. I have always thought the rotating family lunch tables has a lot to do with this.

I have high schoolers at both schools. Both are challenging. NCS is unnecessarily more difficult.

NCS is much harder than STA. I have high schoolers at both.
At STA boys who work hard do well. There is a direct correlation between doing the work and doing well.
At NCS girls can do the work and study hard but then it's still a crapshoot whether or not she'll meet the standard because the standard is never given. Or teachers just don't give As (at all). It's just unnecessarily brutal.

Disagree STA is just as hard if not harder. Getting home from sports every night at 6:30 or 7 and starting homework after dinner and showers at 8pm and stating up until 12-1am is pretty hard and most boys do this every single night during the week.
They have 12 page history papers due the same week they have 3 major tests and classes with daily quizzes not to mention the AP exams right in the middle of May. The truth is STA boys are just as stressed out but it is not cool or acceptable to discuss. Parents of girls are more outspoken in my experience. They are both rigorous schools. Ask parents applying to college this year at STA how their kids GPA was affected by the work load combined with excessive sports team schedules.

🍿

I am the above poster and my son loves STA but I just think it is unfair to not acknowledge that STA boys are working just as hard at least in 9th-12th grade. I am amazed at their abilities to manage it all. I could never have done that at that age. It is quite remarkable. I think the same about NCS students. I would hire any student from these schools as I see what they manage and juggle on a daily basis and it is beyond impressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have not posted in this thread since 5/15. You are welcome to verify that with Jeff.
There are multiple people posting as me or assumed (by others) to be me. It's funny how people assume that a OP will post and then stick around and converse for days and days. I'd bet that many people post and then never return.
It's also striking how many different directions this post went since I posted. It hit most of the emotionally-charged college topics.

So you came, dropped a grenade, then disappeared? Cool. You are shallow, mean, and not very smart, OP. Your daughter must fit right in at NCS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have not posted in this thread since 5/15. You are welcome to verify that with Jeff.
There are multiple people posting as me or assumed (by others) to be me. It's funny how people assume that a OP will post and then stick around and converse for days and days. I'd bet that many people post and then never return.
It's also striking how many different directions this post went since I posted. It hit most of the emotionally-charged college topics.

So you came, dropped a grenade, then disappeared? Cool. You are shallow, mean, and not very smart, OP. Your daughter must fit right in at NCS.

OP here. I actually asked for the post to be deleted the day after I posted as I regretted posting. It was not deleted (understandably---DCUM wouldn't be a message board if everything was revised and/or censored).
I also kept hoping it would bump down the list of posts but people kept bumping it to the top when they criticized it