Question about board influence

[Anonymous]

My neighbor plans to apply her child to a very selective school (7th grade) this year. Her DHs boss happens to be the chairperson of the school's board. She is convinced this will gain her child admittance to the school and apparently the boss has been hinting it won't be a problem to get her child into the school. Does this kind of thing really happen? I suppose in a town where it's who you know not what you know that I shouldn't be surprised, but I am.

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Sadly, it does. Once you're in you're in.

[Anonymous]

Depends. If the child doesn't have the grades or test scores no amount of knowing anyone short of being a celebrity and if you are about to build a building will help. Chances are knowing a board member helps put an applicant over the edge of acceptance so hopefully your neighbor's kid has the grades/test scores or she may find herself disappointed. Of course if she can build a building she is not so worried.

[Anonymous]

She'll probably get in - wouldn't want to piss off a board member.

[Anonymous]

Wow. My neighbor will be happy to be reaffirmed. Her child doesn't have stellar grades but probably fine enough. I think she is putting most of her eggs in this basket.

[Anonymous]

Yes it does happen. At one top private, every board member gets a free pass for an admit every year. But the board member approaches you if they are willing to sponsor your child. You don't ask the board member.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes it does happen. At one top private, every board member gets a free pass for an admit every year. But the board member approaches you if they are willing to sponsor your child. You don't ask the board member.

This sounds like an urban legend.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it happens.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Unless the child is well below cut offs they will be admitted. Keep the $$$ happy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes it does happen. At one top private, every board member gets a free pass for an admit every year. But the board member approaches you if they are willing to sponsor your child. You don't ask the board member.

This sounds like an urban legend.

Agree. People ask all the time about helping their kid get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes it does happen. At one top private, every board member gets a free pass for an admit every year. But the board member approaches you if they are willing to sponsor your child. You don't ask the board member.

This sounds like an urban legend.

Sounds more like real life to me since that's how we got in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes it does happen. At one top private, every board member gets a free pass for an admit every year. But the board member approaches you if they are willing to sponsor your child. You don't ask the board member.

This sounds like an urban legend.

Sounds more like real life to me since that's how we got in.

What school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Unless the child is well below cut offs they will be admitted. Keep the $$$ happy

Board doesn't always = money anymore. Diversity is more important these days.

[Anonymous]

The chair? Yes for sure.