Public vs Private re: College outcomes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's been a lot of talk in other threads about the college application process in private schools.

One of the advantages is that smaller private schools allow the teachers to know students on a more intimate level than a typical public. The counselors work with a smaller group of students. For example, at my daughter's school, the counselors work with about 30 girls each. This allows for much more in depth letters of recommendation from both teachers and the counselor. The counselor also has relationships with some of the universities and will actually have conversations about your student with the AO's about them. We are going through this right now with my daughter. She is deferred from her #1 school, and the AO is really going to bat. She shared with us her conversations with the AO, who mainly wants to know if my DD will enroll if admitted. I don't think these sort of conversations are happening at the public school level.

And for what it's worth, DD was accepted at every other school to which she applied so far.

That said, if money is an issue, you should think twice. If you live in a strong school district, you could consider staying public and spending some money on a private counselor who can help you navigate the process. A lot cheaper than private school. Also be sure to start prepping for the SAT/ACT in summer before junior year.

LOL colleges know that public school guidance counselors are overwhelmed and can't provide the same service and take that into account. Plenty of public school kids get into excellent colleges without "private counselors." And if yours was so great your kid wouldn't have been deferred.

The public school kids that get into excellent colleges are all over the top high performing students who are cutthroat and competitive. I know the type. They live in my neighborhood. In our private, you don't have to play that game, and while at good publics you see about 5% of students going to T20 schools, that number is more like 20-25% at privates.

That's only because they and their parents played cut throat to get them into the privates in the first place. The percentage of kids who get into top colleges from many privates is higher primarily because the high schools have competitive admissions and the public's don't. Just look at the public magnets; they often do just as well as the privates.

OP asked how a lower GPA in a private will be viewed when compared to a public. She didn't ask whether private schools are generally better than publics. Spare us your bullshit about privates being better, and do let us know if your counselor works enough magic to get your kid off the deferred list.

Or because families that can afford 50K/year in private school tuition can also afford college counselors, SAT prep, coaches for uncommon rich kid sports like fencing and water polo or have legacy admission status or some other status as a potential big donor or bold faced name. And because it's easier to stand out as captain of a sports team or editor of the school paper when it's a graduating class of 80 kids, rather than 800 kids, which many of our public high schools have. Bigger fish in a smaller pond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Comparison is the thief of joy.

Also a real factor in the world today. You are directly compared against your co-workers, classmates, etc. many times

By other people. If an individual is happy with the performance and outcome, then comparing themselves against others is a waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harsh reality post here:
OP, as previous posters have stated, your child will be compared first and foremost to their classmates. I would suspect that a 3.6 is probably middle of the pack at your school. Therefore, your kid will likely get middle-of-the-pack college results. If considering public these are places like Wisconsin and if private schools like Tulane.

If you're going to attend private school, you have to do well relative to your classmate or yes, your college results will be worse than if coming from a public with a very high GPA. This is both in regard to getting in and to getting merit aid at places that offer it.

Does it also mean Big 3 would be harder for a student than a relatively less competitive private like Field or St.Andrews, for a GPA 3.6 student?

yes!! 1000%. If your kid is not going to be top20% at a Big3 then they'll have better outcomes from Field, St. Andrews, etc.
Graduating from a Big3 with a 3.6 or below is not great for college admissions. If unhooked, the kid will work exceptionally hard and end up a school ranked >50. Again, no one is saying that those are BAD colleges but they can be attained with far less stress at Field or public school than what will be asked of the kid from NCS or Sidwell.

It would be helpful if you could give us a factual basis for your opinion.

[Anonymous]

Are you saying that colleges actually know what the "Big 3" is, a term made up here?

[Anonymous]

they know the top big three schools in the area yes of course

[Anonymous]

Your child is going to do the best with college matriculation in the highschool environment where they are most likely to succeed--this is different for different kids. Private has more hand-holding and support. It's definitely harder to fall through the cracks. It can be easier for some to stand-out in private with just sheer numbers of fewer competitors. It can also be a bridge too far for some to do really well.

As someone mentioned above, for some colleges, privates can be more "known" schools in terms of rigor. Michigan specifically told us at our highschool's hosted event that they didn't really need SAT/ACT test scores from our school as they are familiar with the rigor. I think some publics are probably also known, but with so many applicants, kids may need scores to differentiate themselves more.

I do think privates are stronger in helping kids work off a wait list as they can really advocate on a kid's behalf in a more personal/ knowledgeable way.

[Anonymous]

Well OP, you're not going to move her
It can be entertaining to discuss outcomes, but the truth is, whatever happens you live with it.
Because you're not and should not move her

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colleges consider school profiles when assessing GPAs. A 3.6 at an academically rigorous, selective private school is not necessarily going to be considered the same light as a 3.6 at an above-average public school.

That's correct, but if OP only finds the top 20 schools worthy of her child, then no matter where they are, they need better than a 3.6 unless she's a recruit or hooked. Top schools want the top kids from any school, unless they are hooked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:they know the top big three schools in the area yes of course

LOL Only DCUM thinks they care. They do not.

Signed college admissions officer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:they know the top big three schools in the area yes of course

LOL Only DCUM thinks they care. They do not.

Signed college admissions officer.

Some care, some don’t.

Signed, God.