College admissions from Potomac v Holton v Madeira?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is Madeira’s list. Literally no one should find this list unimpressive.


The University of Alabama (3)
American University (3)
Bates College (3)
Boston College (3)
Boston University (7)
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (4)
University of California, Berkeley (3)
University of California, Los Angeles (8)
University of California, Santa Barbara (3)
Carnegie Mellon University (5)
University of Chicago (6)
Claremont McKenna College (3)
Clemson University (3)
Colgate University (3)
College of Charleston (5)
Colorado College (3)
Cornell University (8)
Elon University (6)
University of Florida (4)
Fordham University (5)
George Washington University (3)
Georgetown University (4)
University of Georgia (3)
Georgia Institute of Technology (3)
Harvard University (3)
Johns Hopkins University (8)
Macalester College (3)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (4)
University of Miami (12)
New York University (15)
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (4)
Northwestern University (6)
Oberlin College (3)
University of Pennsylvania (4)
Pennsylvania State University (3)
Sarah Lawrence College (3)
Savannah College of Art and Design (3)
Smith College (3)
University of Southern California (3)
Southern Methodist University (3)
University of St Andrews (3)
Syracuse University (4)
Texas Christian University (3)
Tufts University (3)
Tulane University (11)
Vanderbilt University (4)
University of Virginia (20)
Virginia Commonwealth University (5)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute (10)
Wake Forest University (7)
William and Mary (18)

20 to UVA and 18 to W&M -- very good schools, of course, but wouldn't those have been possible with a big box nova high school and a library card?

Depends on a lot of things. To name a couple:

1. The HS. Ironically, it is easier to get into UVA from a NOVA public HS that has fewer top kids applying. So if you want to live in Springfield or Manassas, maybe. But from Langley, McLean, Madison etc, it’s very very difficult, probably less likely than from a top private like Potomac or Madeira.
2. The kid. Who is to say that kid A would do the same in a big box public HS with 3000 kids that they do in a smaller environment. My DC doesn’t go to either Potomac or Madeira, but we intentionally chose a small school with all-honors and higher classes so as to remove any temptation to coast through.

It’s easier to get in from TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: this is your daughters life and she will respect you more if you would let her lead it. She has her reasons for wanting Madeira, if she isn’t fully allowed to go, she will not feel great about it. Now if it’s close even between two schools, let her do the events and decide, but if her heart is fully on Madeira, it’s time to step back and let her lead this. You’re just not possibly able to control for college admissions now and she will lead at that time too… because you did such an amazing job raising her.

Yes, we definitely want to support her choice. Just want to make sure we are all making an informed decision. She's our oldest kid and we don't have experience with any of these privates ourselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It varies year yo year but I do keep an eye on Potomac vs Holton. Potomac is markedly stronger, controlling for female vs female

Wrong! Holton has much better results. Too many Potomac grads go to UVA -- they could have saved $$ + gone to any public h.s.

Potomac sends too many to a top 25 university (with top 10 law school and top 15 mba) in a vibrant and scenic college town where most get the benefits if in-state tuition. How dare they!

I’d be freaking ecstatic for my DC to get in.

Good for you. But, my point is Potomac does nothing more for a kid than any VA Public. Potomac is not for intellectual students.

And which schools ARE for “intellectual students”, and how do you tell the difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is Madeira’s list. Literally no one should find this list unimpressive.


The University of Alabama (3)
American University (3)
Bates College (3)
Boston College (3)
Boston University (7)
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (4)
University of California, Berkeley (3)
University of California, Los Angeles (8)
University of California, Santa Barbara (3)
Carnegie Mellon University (5)
University of Chicago (6)
Claremont McKenna College (3)
Clemson University (3)
Colgate University (3)
College of Charleston (5)
Colorado College (3)
Cornell University (8)
Elon University (6)
University of Florida (4)
Fordham University (5)
George Washington University (3)
Georgetown University (4)
University of Georgia (3)
Georgia Institute of Technology (3)
Harvard University (3)
Johns Hopkins University (8)
Macalester College (3)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (4)
University of Miami (12)
New York University (15)
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (4)
Northwestern University (6)
Oberlin College (3)
University of Pennsylvania (4)
Pennsylvania State University (3)
Sarah Lawrence College (3)
Savannah College of Art and Design (3)
Smith College (3)
University of Southern California (3)
Southern Methodist University (3)
University of St Andrews (3)
Syracuse University (4)
Texas Christian University (3)
Tufts University (3)
Tulane University (11)
Vanderbilt University (4)
University of Virginia (20)
Virginia Commonwealth University (5)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute (10)
Wake Forest University (7)
William and Mary (18)

20 to UVA and 18 to W&M -- very good schools, of course, but wouldn't those have been possible with a big box nova high school and a library card?

Depends on a lot of things. To name a couple:

1. The HS. Ironically, it is easier to get into UVA from a NOVA public HS that has fewer top kids applying. So if you want to live in Springfield or Manassas, maybe. But from Langley, McLean, Madison etc, it’s very very difficult, probably less likely than from a top private like Potomac or Madeira.
2. The kid. Who is to say that kid A would do the same in a big box public HS with 3000 kids that they do in a smaller environment. My DC doesn’t go to either Potomac or Madeira, but we intentionally chose a small school with all-honors and higher classes so as to remove any temptation to coast through.

Do you mind sharing which school is small with all-honors classes? That sounds like a nice choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It varies year yo year but I do keep an eye on Potomac vs Holton. Potomac is markedly stronger, controlling for female vs female

Wrong! Holton has much better results. Too many Potomac grads go to UVA -- they could have saved $$ + gone to any public h.s.

Do you have any clue how competitive UVA is for northern Virginia applicants?

I know about UVA, but it is not aspirational for parents paying huge bucks for private.

True! They would rather pretend that it’s more prestigious to go to Tulane, Fordham, Tufts, etc — anything where they’re spending the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is Madeira’s list. Literally no one should find this list unimpressive.


The University of Alabama (3)
American University (3)
Bates College (3)
Boston College (3)
Boston University (7)
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (4)
University of California, Berkeley (3)
University of California, Los Angeles (8)
University of California, Santa Barbara (3)
Carnegie Mellon University (5)
University of Chicago (6)
Claremont McKenna College (3)
Clemson University (3)
Colgate University (3)
College of Charleston (5)
Colorado College (3)
Cornell University (8)
Elon University (6)
University of Florida (4)
Fordham University (5)
George Washington University (3)
Georgetown University (4)
University of Georgia (3)
Georgia Institute of Technology (3)
Harvard University (3)
Johns Hopkins University (8)
Macalester College (3)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (4)
University of Miami (12)
New York University (15)
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (4)
Northwestern University (6)
Oberlin College (3)
University of Pennsylvania (4)
Pennsylvania State University (3)
Sarah Lawrence College (3)
Savannah College of Art and Design (3)
Smith College (3)
University of Southern California (3)
Southern Methodist University (3)
University of St Andrews (3)
Syracuse University (4)
Texas Christian University (3)
Tufts University (3)
Tulane University (11)
Vanderbilt University (4)
University of Virginia (20)
Virginia Commonwealth University (5)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute (10)
Wake Forest University (7)
William and Mary (18)

20 to UVA and 18 to W&M -- very good schools, of course, but wouldn't those have been possible with a big box nova high school and a library card?

A relatively large percentage of Madeira students are URM and international and full pay. They tick
a lot of boxes for the ivy’s diversity goals, and represent a disproportionate share of Madeira students.

[Anonymous]

^ Disproportionate share of the Madera students getting into those schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It varies year yo year but I do keep an eye on Potomac vs Holton. Potomac is markedly stronger, controlling for female vs female

Wrong! Holton has much better results. Too many Potomac grads go to UVA -- they could have saved $$ + gone to any public h.s.

Do you have any clue how competitive UVA is for northern Virginia applicants?

I know about UVA, but it is not aspirational for parents paying huge bucks for private.

True! They would rather pretend that it’s more prestigious to go to Tulane, Fordham, Tufts, etc — anything where they’re spending the money.

Nah- nobody thinks Tulane or Fordham are aspirational...maybe Tuft. If you are making an argument-- pick better choices.

[Anonymous]

My DD went to Madeira a few years ago. I thought Madeira did a good job with college counseling and admissions. That said, they emphasize best fit rather than ranking. Some girls turned down higher ranked schools for the school they wanted. To me that was a plus compared to the hyper competitive school my other DC attended.

Keep in mind that not only are there international students, but girls from other parts of the country. That also influences college choices.

You also need to look at the program itself. For my DD Madeira was transformative in terms of confidence and intellectual curiosity. She and her close friends have been very successful in the early stages of their careers. I think my DD would not have thrived in a hyper competitive school. Other kids would be the opposite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It varies year yo year but I do keep an eye on Potomac vs Holton. Potomac is markedly stronger, controlling for female vs female

Wrong! Holton has much better results. Too many Potomac grads go to UVA -- they could have saved $$ + gone to any public h.s.

Potomac sends too many to a top 25 university (with top 10 law school and top 15 mba) in a vibrant and scenic college town where most get the benefits if in-state tuition. How dare they!

I’d be freaking ecstatic for my DC to get in.

Good for you. But, my point is Potomac does nothing more for a kid than any VA Public. Potomac is not for intellectual students.

You, PP, are clearly unhappy about some interaction you had with Potomac because this is utterly untrue. Posting falsehoods about a top school helps no one and makes the poster seem either ignorant or bitter.

OP, my kid is a student at Potomac (upper school). She loves it and we’ve been happy with her experience - have other kids at other privates we can compare the experience to. She was accepted to other top privates (we live in DC) and loved Potomac so chose it (didn’t look at Madeira). That said, Madeira is a very good school and if it’s what your DD prefers, I believe that is the most important reason to accept. Having your kid love high school is more valuable than anything other metric when evaluating success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD went to Madeira a few years ago. I thought Madeira did a good job with college counseling and admissions. That said, they emphasize best fit rather than ranking. Some girls turned down higher ranked schools for the school they wanted. To me that was a plus compared to the hyper competitive school my other DC attended.

Keep in mind that not only are there international students, but girls from other parts of the country. That also influences college choices.

You also need to look at the program itself. For my DD Madeira was transformative in terms of confidence and intellectual curiosity. She and her close friends have been very successful in the early stages of their careers. I think my DD would not have thrived in a hyper competitive school. Other kids would be the opposite.

Thank you. This is helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It varies year yo year but I do keep an eye on Potomac vs Holton. Potomac is markedly stronger, controlling for female vs female

Wrong! Holton has much better results. Too many Potomac grads go to UVA -- they could have saved $$ + gone to any public h.s.

Potomac sends too many to a top 25 university (with top 10 law school and top 15 mba) in a vibrant and scenic college town where most get the benefits if in-state tuition. How dare they!

I’d be freaking ecstatic for my DC to get in.

Good for you. But, my point is Potomac does nothing more for a kid than any VA Public. Potomac is not for intellectual students.

You, PP, are clearly unhappy about some interaction you had with Potomac because this is utterly untrue. Posting falsehoods about a top school helps no one and makes the poster seem either ignorant or bitter.

OP, my kid is a student at Potomac (upper school). She loves it and we’ve been happy with her experience - have other kids at other privates we can compare the experience to. She was accepted to other top privates (we live in DC) and loved Potomac so chose it (didn’t look at Madeira). That said, Madeira is a very good school and if it’s what your DD prefers, I believe that is the most important reason to accept. Having your kid love high school is more valuable than anything other metric when evaluating success.

Great perspective - thank you.

[Anonymous]

Just because private school kids get into some of the same colleges as public school kids, including state public universities, doesn’t mean their education wasn’t worth it. Sheesh, this narrative has gotten so old!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is Madeira’s list. Literally no one should find this list unimpressive.


The University of Alabama (3)
American University (3)
Bates College (3)
Boston College (3)
Boston University (7)
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (4)
University of California, Berkeley (3)
University of California, Los Angeles (8)
University of California, Santa Barbara (3)
Carnegie Mellon University (5)
University of Chicago (6)
Claremont McKenna College (3)
Clemson University (3)
Colgate University (3)
College of Charleston (5)
Colorado College (3)
Cornell University (8)
Elon University (6)
University of Florida (4)
Fordham University (5)
George Washington University (3)
Georgetown University (4)
University of Georgia (3)
Georgia Institute of Technology (3)
Harvard University (3)
Johns Hopkins University (8)
Macalester College (3)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (4)
University of Miami (12)
New York University (15)
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (4)
Northwestern University (6)
Oberlin College (3)
University of Pennsylvania (4)
Pennsylvania State University (3)
Sarah Lawrence College (3)
Savannah College of Art and Design (3)
Smith College (3)
University of Southern California (3)
Southern Methodist University (3)
University of St Andrews (3)
Syracuse University (4)
Texas Christian University (3)
Tufts University (3)
Tulane University (11)
Vanderbilt University (4)
University of Virginia (20)
Virginia Commonwealth University (5)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute (10)
Wake Forest University (7)
William and Mary (18)

20 to UVA and 18 to W&M -- very good schools, of course, but wouldn't those have been possible with a big box nova high school and a library card?

Perhaps, some kids may simply flourish more a schools like these.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It varies year yo year but I do keep an eye on Potomac vs Holton. Potomac is markedly stronger, controlling for female vs female

Wrong! Holton has much better results. Too many Potomac grads go to UVA -- they could have saved $$ + gone to any public h.s.

Do you have any clue how competitive UVA is for northern Virginia applicants?

I know about UVA, but it is not aspirational for parents paying huge bucks for private.

Umm, yes it is. I’m a Potomac parent and I know lots of families who have wanted UVA from the beginning. I would be thrilled if one of my kids ended up there.

Ditto. PP sounds like a moron. I pity her children. Another Potomac parent who would be thrilled with UVA.