How Much Do a Kid's Looks Factor Into Admissions Decisions?

[Anonymous]

You are all pathetic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are all pathetic

Why? Because we are able to talk about the truth?

[Anonymous]

I am sure about 70% of what got my kid into the school (looks, intelligence, natural athletic ability) was beyond my control. Happens that my son is bright, a great athlete, and by all accounts a future hotty. If we had been rich or legacies of the school, perhaps 90% of the decision would be out of my control. Who cares? How is it pathetic to acknowledge that?

I think it's pathetic NOT to acknowledge that.

[Anonymous]

I think people are taking this much too far.

[Anonymous]

It seems to me that looks might matter more, if you're applying to privates in the later grades--like 6th and up. I think most 3, 4 and 5 year olds are cute.

[Anonymous]

Who knows if it is intentional or not - but even once admitted, I can tell you that the kids that are "counseled out" after a year or two - are still very young, but from what I have seen never these golden children from the golden families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people are taking this much too far.

Nobody here is saying it's the ONLY factor. But it may be A factor. Does it count for 1% of 10% of admissions? Nobody here could tell you that. But as long as admissions officers are human, they will have human faults like judging a book by its cover, so we might as well talk about it. If nothing else, parents will know to get DC a good haircut and nice set of clothes before the playdate.

[Anonymous]

Are some missing the point that the parents' appearances play a greater factor into your child being accepted, rather than just the child's appearance?

[Anonymous]

I have noticed that the minority children at our Big 3 school are often quite preppy. In other words, by words, garb, and overall style, they seem to fit in quite well.

[Anonymous]

Just when I thought this post couldn't get more ridiculous. Thanks for your weigh in 21:00.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have noticed that the minority children at our Big 3 school are often quite preppy. In other words, by words, garb, and overall style, they seem to fit in quite well.

awesome! perhaps the best dcum post ever.

[Anonymous]

Actually, 21:00 may be on to something, even if she doesn't realize it herself.

I've read several places, including DCUM, that schools want minorities, but they don't want low-income or Anacostia backgrounds, with all the "baggage" (as they perceive it) that brings. It's part of the debate over whether they want racial diversity but not socio-economic diversity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"she's sharp as a tack, but aren't they all?"

No they all can't be-a statistical impossibility that the few out there are all in this area of the world.

Actually, since IQ and good looks are both largely genetic, and IQ is further influenced by nuture (exposure to certain things that are more commonly available in higher socio-economic homes) the Washington DC area DOES have a higher number of smart and good looking children.

The IQ is higher because this area of the US has the highest concentration of "college and graduate degree'd" adults and the "good" looks because their parents are likely to have been more sucessful partially because of his or her own looks. Also, physical attractiveness includes grooming and having access to money and services that cater to the wealthy helps with grooming (or the knowledge/how to).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"she's sharp as a tack, but aren't they all?"

No they all can't be-a statistical impossibility that the few out there are all in this area of the world.

Actually, since IQ and good looks are both largely genetic, and IQ is further influenced by nuture (exposure to certain things that are more commonly available in higher socio-economic homes) the Washington DC area DOES have a higher number of smart and good looking children.

The IQ is higher because this area of the US has the highest concentration of "college and graduate degree'd" adults and the "good" looks because their parents are likely to have been more sucessful partially because of his or her own looks. Also, physical attractiveness includes grooming and having access to money and services that cater to the wealthy helps with grooming (or the knowledge/how to).

Same poster here... and I have to add that we were just in a part of the U.S. that ranks very low on the socio-economic scale and DH and I really saw this all around us. Its was actually shocking. We were around many other families and these realities are extremely evident largely due to general grooming, health care, diet and genetics. The Washington area does have a higher than average number of good looking people and it is dirrectly related to socio-economics and sucess which are then directly related to IQ.

[Anonymous]

Which school has the hottest moms? I'll send my kid there.