Is ‘networking’ really a factor in private school decisions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not even consider this.

Just because your kid sits next to the kid of a Master of the Universe in Chem 101 doesn’t mean your kid is in that circle.

In some cases these networks have been built over generations through marriage and business.

Their networking does not take place in a secondary school - it happens in private clubs and exotic locales where they all congregate.

Also you only get out of a network what you put in. A guy worth $100 billion is not looking to a single digit millionaire to add to his network. Same goes for his kid.

A network is not built on proximity. And other than an education, proximity is all a private school has to offer.

What you said there just doesn't match reality. The majority of my kid's friends all attend the same private school. The annual alumni events are pretty impressive too, bringing them back to campus. The majority of these families have a net worth under $100 million so talking about billions makes you seem extremely unfamiliar with the area.

I was using “billions” as a hyperbolic example.

Forgive me for not being familiar with the exact net worth of every private school family in the Washington DC area.

And I believe the original poster asked about networking opportunities not whether alumni events are well attended and “impressive”.

Networking is the whole point of alumni events. I suspect you are not playing with a full deck of cards.

I don’t think you even own a deck cards.

No one is attending alumni events looking to make business deals or expand their social circle. Similar to your posts, it reeks of desperation.

You don't understand how networking happens. You bump into another parent, a former classmate, etc. somewhere and find out you can help each other through some mutual interest. This definitely happens at alumni events. At colleges, private schools, country clubs, etc.

Spoken like a true striver.

What you are describing is not networking it’s opportunism.

You would totally be that mom at the parent social hoping for a “few minutes” of my time to talk about your organic skincare line.

She's describing how connections often work in certain circles. I've found that NYC can function very much like a small town because of this, and I have no doubt that it's the same in some other cities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not even consider this.

Just because your kid sits next to the kid of a Master of the Universe in Chem 101 doesn’t mean your kid is in that circle.

In some cases these networks have been built over generations through marriage and business.

Their networking does not take place in a secondary school - it happens in private clubs and exotic locales where they all congregate.

Also you only get out of a network what you put in. A guy worth $100 billion is not looking to a single digit millionaire to add to his network. Same goes for his kid.

A network is not built on proximity. And other than an education, proximity is all a private school has to offer.

What you said there just doesn't match reality. The majority of my kid's friends all attend the same private school. The annual alumni events are pretty impressive too, bringing them back to campus. The majority of these families have a net worth under $100 million so talking about billions makes you seem extremely unfamiliar with the area.

I was using “billions” as a hyperbolic example.

Forgive me for not being familiar with the exact net worth of every private school family in the Washington DC area.

And I believe the original poster asked about networking opportunities not whether alumni events are well attended and “impressive”.

Networking is the whole point of alumni events. I suspect you are not playing with a full deck of cards.

I don’t think you even own a deck cards.

No one is attending alumni events looking to make business deals or expand their social circle. Similar to your posts, it reeks of desperation.

You don't understand how networking happens. You bump into another parent, a former classmate, etc. somewhere and find out you can help each other through some mutual interest. This definitely happens at alumni events. At colleges, private schools, country clubs, etc.

Spoken like a true striver.

What you are describing is not networking it’s opportunism.

You would totally be that mom at the parent social hoping for a “few minutes” of my time to talk about your organic skincare line.

Nobody wants you at those socials, you are truly an idiot.

And you sound like a real gem. Hopefully that bad attitude of your’s isn’t a genetic trait.

Your gene pool is more like a swamp.

I’m sorry your skincare line didn’t work out. Maybe you can chat up a few folks waiting in line at the Giant. You know, NETWORKING!

My pet dog is more clever than you. Go run along now.

Perhaps he is, but the real question is does he N E T W O R K. Like is he at the dog park pitching his idea for a doggie MLM? Does he have his insta handle printed on his collar? I mean there just oh so many opportunities!

Anyways, I’m going to drop this now, I’m sure you have to go somewhere and N E T W O R K. The carwash perhaps? Or are you one of those parents that thinks that going to pick up will get them to the next level?

It would be hard to embarrass you more than you have already done to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not even consider this.

Just because your kid sits next to the kid of a Master of the Universe in Chem 101 doesn’t mean your kid is in that circle.

In some cases these networks have been built over generations through marriage and business.

Their networking does not take place in a secondary school - it happens in private clubs and exotic locales where they all congregate.

Also you only get out of a network what you put in. A guy worth $100 billion is not looking to a single digit millionaire to add to his network. Same goes for his kid.

A network is not built on proximity. And other than an education, proximity is all a private school has to offer.

What you said there just doesn't match reality. The majority of my kid's friends all attend the same private school. The annual alumni events are pretty impressive too, bringing them back to campus. The majority of these families have a net worth under $100 million so talking about billions makes you seem extremely unfamiliar with the area.

I was using “billions” as a hyperbolic example.

Forgive me for not being familiar with the exact net worth of every private school family in the Washington DC area.

And I believe the original poster asked about networking opportunities not whether alumni events are well attended and “impressive”.

Networking is the whole point of alumni events. I suspect you are not playing with a full deck of cards.

I don’t think you even own a deck cards.

No one is attending alumni events looking to make business deals or expand their social circle. Similar to your posts, it reeks of desperation.

You don't understand how networking happens. You bump into another parent, a former classmate, etc. somewhere and find out you can help each other through some mutual interest. This definitely happens at alumni events. At colleges, private schools, country clubs, etc.

Spoken like a true striver.

What you are describing is not networking it’s opportunism.

You would totally be that mom at the parent social hoping for a “few minutes” of my time to talk about your organic skincare line.

She's describing how connections often work in certain circles. I've found that NYC can function very much like a small town because of this, and I have no doubt that it's the same in some other cities.

DC has its own rules of decorum. These aren’t Wall Street types. There is a certain level of crassness that’s tolerated in NYC that wont work here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not even consider this.

Just because your kid sits next to the kid of a Master of the Universe in Chem 101 doesn’t mean your kid is in that circle.

In some cases these networks have been built over generations through marriage and business.

Their networking does not take place in a secondary school - it happens in private clubs and exotic locales where they all congregate.

Also you only get out of a network what you put in. A guy worth $100 billion is not looking to a single digit millionaire to add to his network. Same goes for his kid.

A network is not built on proximity. And other than an education, proximity is all a private school has to offer.

What you said there just doesn't match reality. The majority of my kid's friends all attend the same private school. The annual alumni events are pretty impressive too, bringing them back to campus. The majority of these families have a net worth under $100 million so talking about billions makes you seem extremely unfamiliar with the area.

I was using “billions” as a hyperbolic example.

Forgive me for not being familiar with the exact net worth of every private school family in the Washington DC area.

And I believe the original poster asked about networking opportunities not whether alumni events are well attended and “impressive”.

Networking is the whole point of alumni events. I suspect you are not playing with a full deck of cards.

I don’t think you even own a deck cards.

No one is attending alumni events looking to make business deals or expand their social circle. Similar to your posts, it reeks of desperation.

You don't understand how networking happens. You bump into another parent, a former classmate, etc. somewhere and find out you can help each other through some mutual interest. This definitely happens at alumni events. At colleges, private schools, country clubs, etc.

Spoken like a true striver.

What you are describing is not networking it’s opportunism.

You would totally be that mom at the parent social hoping for a “few minutes” of my time to talk about your organic skincare line.

Nobody wants you at those socials, you are truly an idiot.

And you sound like a real gem. Hopefully that bad attitude of your’s isn’t a genetic trait.

Your gene pool is more like a swamp.

I’m sorry your skincare line didn’t work out. Maybe you can chat up a few folks waiting in line at the Giant. You know, NETWORKING!

My pet dog is more clever than you. Go run along now.

Perhaps he is, but the real question is does he N E T W O R K. Like is he at the dog park pitching his idea for a doggie MLM? Does he have his insta handle printed on his collar? I mean there just oh so many opportunities!

Anyways, I’m going to drop this now, I’m sure you have to go somewhere and N E T W O R K. The carwash perhaps? Or are you one of those parents that thinks that going to pick up will get them to the next level?

It would be hard to embarrass you more than you have already done to yourself.

Oh dear, whatever shall I do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not even consider this.

Just because your kid sits next to the kid of a Master of the Universe in Chem 101 doesn’t mean your kid is in that circle.

In some cases these networks have been built over generations through marriage and business.

Their networking does not take place in a secondary school - it happens in private clubs and exotic locales where they all congregate.

Also you only get out of a network what you put in. A guy worth $100 billion is not looking to a single digit millionaire to add to his network. Same goes for his kid.

A network is not built on proximity. And other than an education, proximity is all a private school has to offer.

What you said there just doesn't match reality. The majority of my kid's friends all attend the same private school. The annual alumni events are pretty impressive too, bringing them back to campus. The majority of these families have a net worth under $100 million so talking about billions makes you seem extremely unfamiliar with the area.

I was using “billions” as a hyperbolic example.

Forgive me for not being familiar with the exact net worth of every private school family in the Washington DC area.

And I believe the original poster asked about networking opportunities not whether alumni events are well attended and “impressive”.

Networking is the whole point of alumni events. I suspect you are not playing with a full deck of cards.

I don’t think you even own a deck cards.

No one is attending alumni events looking to make business deals or expand their social circle. Similar to your posts, it reeks of desperation.

You don't understand how networking happens. You bump into another parent, a former classmate, etc. somewhere and find out you can help each other through some mutual interest. This definitely happens at alumni events. At colleges, private schools, country clubs, etc.

Spoken like a true striver.

What you are describing is not networking it’s opportunism.

You would totally be that mom at the parent social hoping for a “few minutes” of my time to talk about your organic skincare line.

She's describing how connections often work in certain circles. I've found that NYC can function very much like a small town because of this, and I have no doubt that it's the same in some other cities.

Solid attempt to bring it back... but uh popcorn? 🍿

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not even consider this.

Just because your kid sits next to the kid of a Master of the Universe in Chem 101 doesn’t mean your kid is in that circle.

In some cases these networks have been built over generations through marriage and business.

Their networking does not take place in a secondary school - it happens in private clubs and exotic locales where they all congregate.

Also you only get out of a network what you put in. A guy worth $100 billion is not looking to a single digit millionaire to add to his network. Same goes for his kid.

A network is not built on proximity. And other than an education, proximity is all a private school has to offer.

What you said there just doesn't match reality. The majority of my kid's friends all attend the same private school. The annual alumni events are pretty impressive too, bringing them back to campus. The majority of these families have a net worth under $100 million so talking about billions makes you seem extremely unfamiliar with the area.

I was using “billions” as a hyperbolic example.

Forgive me for not being familiar with the exact net worth of every private school family in the Washington DC area.

And I believe the original poster asked about networking opportunities not whether alumni events are well attended and “impressive”.

Networking is the whole point of alumni events. I suspect you are not playing with a full deck of cards.

I don’t think you even own a deck cards.

No one is attending alumni events looking to make business deals or expand their social circle. Similar to your posts, it reeks of desperation.

You don't understand how networking happens. You bump into another parent, a former classmate, etc. somewhere and find out you can help each other through some mutual interest. This definitely happens at alumni events. At colleges, private schools, country clubs, etc.

Spoken like a true striver.

What you are describing is not networking it’s opportunism.

You would totally be that mom at the parent social hoping for a “few minutes” of my time to talk about your organic skincare line.

She's describing how connections often work in certain circles. I've found that NYC can function very much like a small town because of this, and I have no doubt that it's the same in some other cities.

Solid attempt to bring it back... but uh popcorn? 🍿

I'm new to your conversation . . . but uh deny it all you want, it's a thing that exists. My kids are older and have benefited from it, as have some of their friends through their connections to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not even consider this.

Just because your kid sits next to the kid of a Master of the Universe in Chem 101 doesn’t mean your kid is in that circle.

In some cases these networks have been built over generations through marriage and business.

Their networking does not take place in a secondary school - it happens in private clubs and exotic locales where they all congregate.

Also you only get out of a network what you put in. A guy worth $100 billion is not looking to a single digit millionaire to add to his network. Same goes for his kid.

A network is not built on proximity. And other than an education, proximity is all a private school has to offer.

What you said there just doesn't match reality. The majority of my kid's friends all attend the same private school. The annual alumni events are pretty impressive too, bringing them back to campus. The majority of these families have a net worth under $100 million so talking about billions makes you seem extremely unfamiliar with the area.

I was using “billions” as a hyperbolic example.

Forgive me for not being familiar with the exact net worth of every private school family in the Washington DC area.

And I believe the original poster asked about networking opportunities not whether alumni events are well attended and “impressive”.

Networking is the whole point of alumni events. I suspect you are not playing with a full deck of cards.

I don’t think you even own a deck cards.

No one is attending alumni events looking to make business deals or expand their social circle. Similar to your posts, it reeks of desperation.

You don't understand how networking happens. You bump into another parent, a former classmate, etc. somewhere and find out you can help each other through some mutual interest. This definitely happens at alumni events. At colleges, private schools, country clubs, etc.

Spoken like a true striver.

What you are describing is not networking it’s opportunism.

You would totally be that mom at the parent social hoping for a “few minutes” of my time to talk about your organic skincare line.

She's describing how connections often work in certain circles. I've found that NYC can function very much like a small town because of this, and I have no doubt that it's the same in some other cities.

Solid attempt to bring it back... but uh popcorn? 🍿

I'm new to your conversation . . . but uh deny it all you want, it's a thing that exists. My kids are older and have benefited from it, as have some of their friends through their connections to us.

Wasn't saying it wasn't a thing, just that conversation went off the rails and into the dog house!🐶

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wondered if there would be a little networking benefit when we entered private, but my kid seems to have a knack for being besties with the solidly middle class kids. There does seem to be an inner circle of rich kids with powerful parents, along with some moms who are UMC but seem desperate for their kids to remain close friends with the power players. My kid is friendly with the circle (and with most other kids), but not an inner circle kid.

My middle class kid is highly charismatic, funny, smart, athletic. He became close with the inner circle of rich kids with powerful parents at a feeder private. Went on to an Ivy, currently a junior, and is straight in the center of the same circle there.

Our second son is very different. He doesn't gravitate to this crowd and neither is he embraced by them.

You either have "it" or you don't with the high flying crowd. And I'm not saying that having "it" is a good thing. It's not who I am and it's not where I would choose to be but you "get you you get" with regards to kids.

What do you consider "middle class?'

[Anonymous]

So, outside of the 100M+ crowd, I would say yes this is still a thing. There are great opportunities to work at many DC private schools. Maybe not if you’re trying to get into the jet set crowd, but if you want a better chance at a good job after college, private school networking can help.

[Anonymous]

It did help in our case. Our DD found an internship through an alum of her private school during the summer between her junior and senior year. She did some meaningful work and got an excellent letter of recommendation. I am pretty sure that that had played a role into getting her into an Ivy. So yes, connections do help but your kid also needs to be a go getter and take advantage of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, outside of the 100M+ crowd, I would say yes this is still a thing. There are great opportunities to work at many DC private schools. Maybe not if you’re trying to get into the jet set crowd, but if you want a better chance at a good job after college, private school networking can help.

We never thought of our kids education as a place to network but I can tell certain families are really leaning into this networking thing and it is really disingenuous. I think certain schools attract this sort of networking seeking family more than others so pay attention to the crowd at certain schools if you are trying to avoid this behavior, OP. It can actually affect your kid and family we are finding because if the "in crowd" of parents writes off you or your family as not belonging to the right club or being in the right business to help their family or help their kid then your kid will suffer the consequences. Kids feel it and quickly pick up on why xxx is always invited to xxx but your kid is not (despite that being their best friend) etc.... It is not once in a while, it becomes engrained in the social fabric of the school and there after....

The plus side is it is a great way to avoid disingenuous people who make the wrong assumptions about you based on things such as your home value etc.. We actually have quite a large trust in our family under a different name and our family (both my spouses and my side) own and are involved in many things that the networking crowd I think would be very interested in but we purposely hide it very well. Avoid networkers if you want nice genuine people in your life - we do.

[Anonymous]

Networking didn’t cross our minds when deciding on private school for our then PK child. However, my kid who is graduating HS this year has developed a very wide circle of close friends across several different private schools with successful parents. I suspect most of his friends will end up successful also. He has an internship lined up this summer with one of his friend’s dad.

While the network wasn’t deliberate, I can already see the benefits gained from having this network.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, outside of the 100M+ crowd, I would say yes this is still a thing. There are great opportunities to work at many DC private schools. Maybe not if you’re trying to get into the jet set crowd, but if you want a better chance at a good job after college, private school networking can help.

We never thought of our kids education as a place to network but I can tell certain families are really leaning into this networking thing and it is really disingenuous. I think certain schools attract this sort of networking seeking family more than others so pay attention to the crowd at certain schools if you are trying to avoid this behavior, OP. It can actually affect your kid and family we are finding because if the "in crowd" of parents writes off you or your family as not belonging to the right club or being in the right business to help their family or help their kid then your kid will suffer the consequences. Kids feel it and quickly pick up on why xxx is always invited to xxx but your kid is not (despite that being their best friend) etc.... It is not once in a while, it becomes engrained in the social fabric of the school and there after....

The plus side is it is a great way to avoid disingenuous people who make the wrong assumptions about you based on things such as your home value etc.. We actually have quite a large trust in our family under a different name and our family (both my spouses and my side) own and are involved in many things that the networking crowd I think would be very interested in but we purposely hide it very well. Avoid networkers if you want nice genuine people in your life - we do.

One of your relatives probably did a lot of insincere, self-serving networking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not even consider this.

Just because your kid sits next to the kid of a Master of the Universe in Chem 101 doesn’t mean your kid is in that circle.

In some cases these networks have been built over generations through marriage and business.

Their networking does not take place in a secondary school - it happens in private clubs and exotic locales where they all congregate.

Also you only get out of a network what you put in. A guy worth $100 billion is not looking to a single digit millionaire to add to his network. Same goes for his kid.

A network is not built on proximity. And other than an education, proximity is all a private school has to offer.

What you said there just doesn't match reality. The majority of my kid's friends all attend the same private school. The annual alumni events are pretty impressive too, bringing them back to campus. The majority of these families have a net worth under $100 million so talking about billions makes you seem extremely unfamiliar with the area.

I was using “billions” as a hyperbolic example.

Forgive me for not being familiar with the exact net worth of every private school family in the Washington DC area.

And I believe the original poster asked about networking opportunities not whether alumni events are well attended and “impressive”.

Networking is the whole point of alumni events. I suspect you are not playing with a full deck of cards.

I don’t think you even own a deck cards.

No one is attending alumni events looking to make business deals or expand their social circle. Similar to your posts, it reeks of desperation.

You don't understand how networking happens. You bump into another parent, a former classmate, etc. somewhere and find out you can help each other through some mutual interest. This definitely happens at alumni events. At colleges, private schools, country clubs, etc.

Spoken like a true striver.

What you are describing is not networking it’s opportunism.

You would totally be that mom at the parent social hoping for a “few minutes” of my time to talk about your organic skincare line.

hahaha, yes these are the clawy climbers that do a ton of “research” behind the scenes and know you better than you know yourself. Keep reaching! hehehehe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, outside of the 100M+ crowd, I would say yes this is still a thing. There are great opportunities to work at many DC private schools. Maybe not if you’re trying to get into the jet set crowd, but if you want a better chance at a good job after college, private school networking can help.

We never thought of our kids education as a place to network but I can tell certain families are really leaning into this networking thing and it is really disingenuous. I think certain schools attract this sort of networking seeking family more than others so pay attention to the crowd at certain schools if you are trying to avoid this behavior, OP. It can actually affect your kid and family we are finding because if the "in crowd" of parents writes off you or your family as not belonging to the right club or being in the right business to help their family or help their kid then your kid will suffer the consequences. Kids feel it and quickly pick up on why xxx is always invited to xxx but your kid is not (despite that being their best friend) etc.... It is not once in a while, it becomes engrained in the social fabric of the school and there after....

The plus side is it is a great way to avoid disingenuous people who make the wrong assumptions about you based on things such as your home value etc.. We actually have quite a large trust in our family under a different name and our family (both my spouses and my side) own and are involved in many things that the networking crowd I think would be very interested in but we purposely hide it very well. Avoid networkers if you want nice genuine people in your life - we do.

This sounds like Sidwell based off of my experience.