Five Ivy League colleges vie for DC student (Banneker HS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel sorry for the five equally qualified white kids who got rejected so this sob story could play out.

hmm I am willing to bet that a larger percentage of acceptances are taken up by less qualified "legacy" applicants and the relatives of well connected people. Historically, this subset has been predominantly WASP

Yup. And I'm a connected WASP. Though, unless your family donated a building, most of the time you still need good numbers to get accepted.

No, I don't think that's true anymore. Even if your family donated a building, you still need good numbers (and our family did donate the equivalent of a building). Ivies draw internationally and have billions in endowments, there is no reason for them to take a rich but subpar student who will probably not graduate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coffey, if you are reading this (or your mom is), choose Harvard, Yale, or Princeton, assuming aid packages are equal. Major in Econ if they don't offer finance.

I am curious why not Penn? Wharton is there.

Congrats, Coffey!

To answer your question, my guess is that he is being drawn to Penn because of Wharton. But he may get to school and decide he wants to study something else, in which case he really should be at a more prestigious ivy. Plus, as an Econ major at Harvard or Yale or Princeton, he will be able to interview for the same jobs he would have access to at Wharton, (especially since he is an underrepresented minority).

In the long run, people will be more impressed by HYP than Penn.

[Anonymous]

I assume he is qualified. Lightning doesn't strike five or six times without a reason.

I'm surprised no one wants to acknowledge the obvious subtext, which is that success stories like this still get written up because the assumption is that, statistically, the odds are stacked against a black child of a single parent attending an urban high school. When they aren't, stories like this won't get written. The intent was not to launch a debate about whether this kid received preferential treatment based on his race, which is something no one here could really know without access to a heck of a lot more information.

My bet is he'll go to Harvard, and do just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should I state the obvious? Before even clicking on the link I said he must be a minority. Sad.

I don't understand your comment. Do you think he's not qualified to attend those colleges?

Also of course you knew he was a minority because the title says Banneker high school.

I don't live in DC proper and have never heard of the high school.

This forum is for discussion of DCPS and DC Public Charter schools. If you don't live in DC, I am not sure why this forum would be of interest to you. But, one thing of which I can assure you is that we are not interested in your racial prejudices. If you find the success of a student "sad" because that student is black, you probably need to find another forum.

Thanks, Jeff. The kid also got the GW full ride. You don't get all of these offers without being qualified.

Here's my experience in college admissions: being African American is sort of like being class president or editor of the paper. Yes, it helps give you a hook, but if your numbers and recs aren't good, you're not going to get into Harvard etc just because you are black. Plenty of smart hardworking minority kids with good profiles get rejected from ivies.

Very well said, PP! Folks need to realize it's true that "plenty of smart hardworking minority kids with good profiles get rejected from ivies."

[Anonymous]

He looks like a sweetheart. Congratulations to him for all his hard work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel sorry for the five equally qualified white kids who got rejected so this sob story could play out.

hmm I am willing to bet that a larger percentage of acceptances are taken up by less qualified "legacy" applicants and the relatives of well connected people. Historically, this subset has been predominantly WASP

Yup. And I'm a connected WASP. Though, unless your family donated a building, most of the time you still need good numbers to get accepted.

No, I don't think that's true anymore. Even if your family donated a building, you still need good numbers (and our family did donate the equivalent of a building). Ivies draw internationally and have billions in endowments, there is no reason for them to take a rich but subpar student who will probably not graduate.

You guys can speculate online all day long... the reality is that we have two kids, in two of the schools originally listed, and there are absolutely still legacy admits. Students who are not stupid, but are far far from outstanding or exceptional, either academically or in their other accomplishments. There is nothing else about how they got into these 2 schools than who their family is and what their families have contributed.

When I went to an Ivy for undergrad (which was granted a little while ago!) there were so many legacy admits. I was in an Econ class with one of them from a bank family (literally, last name same as a bank at the time), and I am not exaggerating, I really think he either was functionally illiterate or maybe had a serious learning disability. He got through by bribing classmates to do his work, and it got to the point where I think he couldn't find people to bribe. I don't know if he ever even graduated, but obviously he had a career waiting for him after college whether he graduated or not.

My kids' stories are not quite as blatant as this, but there are still many kids who certifiably did not get in on the standards the schools applied to everyone else.

Legacy admits are alive and well in the Ivies. Maybe more subtle, and maybe a bit harder, but absolutely there nonetheless. So to the PP who said you feel bad for the 5 white kids who didn't get in, since this is absolutely a far bigger % of historical admits to Ivies than strictly affirmative action (because, please do not be deluded, there are kids of color who score incredibly well on these tests too - just not as many as there should be), but PP are you even madder at the legacy admits on behalf of those 5 students you're so worried about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel sad for the outstanding young man who's being scapegoated on DCUM because he's African American. We should be celebrating him and the white and Asian students whom've made it. And then we should go into our own backyard and make sure we're a part of a solution that makes it unnecessary to single out "outlier" black and brown kids. Don't hate this young man. Congratulate. And let's make him our standard.

+100000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel sorry for the five equally qualified white kids who got rejected so this sob story could play out.

hmm I am willing to bet that a larger percentage of acceptances are taken up by less qualified "legacy" applicants and the relatives of well connected people. Historically, this subset has been predominantly WASP

Yup. And I'm a connected WASP. Though, unless your family donated a building, most of the time you still need good numbers to get accepted.

No, I don't think that's true anymore. Even if your family donated a building, you still need good numbers (and our family did donate the equivalent of a building). Ivies draw internationally and have billions in endowments, there is no reason for them to take a rich but subpar student who will probably not graduate.

You guys can speculate online all day long... the reality is that we have two kids, in two of the schools originally listed, and there are absolutely still legacy admits. Students who are not stupid, but are far far from outstanding or exceptional, either academically or in their other accomplishments. There is nothing else about how they got into these 2 schools than who their family is and what their families have contributed.

When I went to an Ivy for undergrad (which was granted a little while ago!) there were so many legacy admits. I was in an Econ class with one of them from a bank family (literally, last name same as a bank at the time), and I am not exaggerating, I really think he either was functionally illiterate or maybe had a serious learning disability. He got through by bribing classmates to do his work, and it got to the point where I think he couldn't find people to bribe. I don't know if he ever even graduated, but obviously he had a career waiting for him after college whether he graduated or not.

My kids' stories are not quite as blatant as this, but there are still many kids who certifiably did not get in on the standards the schools applied to everyone else.

Legacy admits are alive and well in the Ivies. Maybe more subtle, and maybe a bit harder, but absolutely there nonetheless. So to the PP who said you feel bad for the 5 white kids who didn't get in, since this is absolutely a far bigger % of historical admits to Ivies than strictly affirmative action (because, please do not be deluded, there are kids of color who score incredibly well on these tests too - just not as many as there should be), but PP are you even madder at the legacy admits on behalf of those 5 students you're so worried about?

I'm the third PP. I suppose there are legacies that are subpar. The ones I know graduated summa, magna,... and got into top graduate programs. Obviously not slouches by any measure.

The legacies admit of course exist but I doubt Ivies want to "dilute their brand" by admitting stupid ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should I state the obvious? Before even clicking on the link I said he must be a minority. Sad.

I don't understand your comment. Do you think he's not qualified to attend those colleges?

Also of course you knew he was a minority because the title says Banneker high school.

I don't live in DC proper and have never heard of the high school.

This forum is for discussion of DCPS and DC Public Charter schools. If you don't live in DC, I am not sure why this forum would be of interest to you. But, one thing of which I can assure you is that we are not interested in your racial prejudices. If you find the success of a student "sad" because that student is black, you probably need to find another forum.

I live in the VA suburbs and never heard of the school. Sorry I'm not an expert on DC!

I never sad his accomplishments were sad I sad it's sad that they ONLY reason he makes headlines is because of his race.
FWIW I got into 4 Ivies and made no headlines.

Maybe because people don't like you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel sorry for the five equally qualified white kids who got rejected so this sob story could play out.

hmm I am willing to bet that a larger percentage of acceptances are taken up by less qualified "legacy" applicants and the relatives of well connected people. Historically, this subset has been predominantly WASP

Yup. And I'm a connected WASP. Though, unless your family donated a building, most of the time you still need good numbers to get accepted.

No, I don't think that's true anymore. Even if your family donated a building, you still need good numbers (and our family did donate the equivalent of a building). Ivies draw internationally and have billions in endowments, there is no reason for them to take a rich but subpar student who will probably not graduate.

You guys can speculate online all day long... the reality is that we have two kids, in two of the schools originally listed, and there are absolutely still legacy admits. Students who are not stupid, but are far far from outstanding or exceptional, either academically or in their other accomplishments. There is nothing else about how they got into these 2 schools than who their family is and what their families have contributed.

When I went to an Ivy for undergrad (which was granted a little while ago!) there were so many legacy admits. I was in an Econ class with one of them from a bank family (literally, last name same as a bank at the time), and I am not exaggerating, I really think he either was functionally illiterate or maybe had a serious learning disability. He got through by bribing classmates to do his work, and it got to the point where I think he couldn't find people to bribe. I don't know if he ever even graduated, but obviously he had a career waiting for him after college whether he graduated or not.

My kids' stories are not quite as blatant as this, but there are still many kids who certifiably did not get in on the standards the schools applied to everyone else.

Legacy admits are alive and well in the Ivies. Maybe more subtle, and maybe a bit harder, but absolutely there nonetheless. So to the PP who said you feel bad for the 5 white kids who didn't get in, since this is absolutely a far bigger % of historical admits to Ivies than strictly affirmative action (because, please do not be deluded, there are kids of color who score incredibly well on these tests too - just not as many as there should be), but PP are you even madder at the legacy admits on behalf of those 5 students you're so worried about?

I'm the third PP. I suppose there are legacies that are subpar. The ones I know graduated summa, magna,... and got into top graduate programs. Obviously not slouches by any measure.

The legacies admit of course exist but I doubt Ivies want to "dilute their brand" by admitting stupid ones.

I think you're missing the whole point of legacy admits. It probably costs a LOT to get your "stupid" kid in but the bigger issue is that there are a LOT who would never have a chance through the regular channels most go through, but get in because and only because of their family connections to the University. And every now and then... they really are stupid. But depending on how much the school got for that admit (not that it's literally that quid pro quo, but you get the point), there are unquestionably still some stupid ones. Or worse, psychotic ones. There was one who went to my law school (a top 10 school but not an Ivy) who was indeed very very smart, but it's hard to believe he would have gotten in with his personality because he was literally scary. He was insane, and was even arrested while we were in law school. I realize there are no official "psychological health" standards for applicants, but he came across in writing and definitely in person as just as crazy as he was. I'm guessing that most likely he didn't write his application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should I state the obvious? Before even clicking on the link I said he must be a minority. Sad.

I don't understand your comment. Do you think he's not qualified to attend those colleges?

Also of course you knew he was a minority because the title says Banneker high school.

I don't live in DC proper and have never heard of the high school.

This forum is for discussion of DCPS and DC Public Charter schools. If you don't live in DC, I am not sure why this forum would be of interest to you. But, one thing of which I can assure you is that we are not interested in your racial prejudices. If you find the success of a student "sad" because that student is black, you probably need to find another forum.

I live in the VA suburbs and never heard of the school. Sorry I'm not an expert on DC!

I never sad his accomplishments were sad I sad it's sad that they ONLY reason he makes headlines is because of his race.
FWIW I got into 4 Ivies and made no headlines.

Well do tell PP, what was it about your 4 Ivy admits that was even faintly worthy of a news story? What is unique or unusual or speaks to an overcoming of huge odds in your story? Because, as much as the news does often suck in terms of coverage, there has to be SOME story there.

Most of us are totally clear on why this young man's story is worth celebrating. Putting your racism and ignorance aside, what is it about your own college admittance story that you feel was so worthy of coverage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should I state the obvious? Before even clicking on the link I said he must be a minority. Sad.

You are pathetic.

[Anonymous]

You all are idiots. The reason he is featured is because he is poor and from a single family household. The story says so right there. Despite these hardships, he worked hard and got into these prestigious schools. Morons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You all are idiots. The reason he is featured is because he is poor and from a single family household. The story says so right there. Despite these hardships, he worked hard and got into these prestigious schools. Morons.

Many people noted this, and without any derision. What is YOUR problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel sorry for the five equally qualified white kids who got rejected so this sob story could play out.

hmm I am willing to bet that a larger percentage of acceptances are taken up by less qualified "legacy" applicants and the relatives of well connected people. Historically, this subset has been predominantly WASP

Yup. And I'm a connected WASP. Though, unless your family donated a building, most of the time you still need good numbers to get accepted.

No, I don't think that's true anymore. Even if your family donated a building, you still need good numbers (and our family did donate the equivalent of a building). Ivies draw internationally and have billions in endowments, there is no reason for them to take a rich but subpar student who will probably not graduate.

You guys can speculate online all day long... the reality is that we have two kids, in two of the schools originally listed, and there are absolutely still legacy admits. Students who are not stupid, but are far far from outstanding or exceptional, either academically or in their other accomplishments. There is nothing else about how they got into these 2 schools than who their family is and what their families have contributed.

When I went to an Ivy for undergrad (which was granted a little while ago!) there were so many legacy admits. I was in an Econ class with one of them from a bank family (literally, last name same as a bank at the time), and I am not exaggerating, I really think he either was functionally illiterate or maybe had a serious learning disability. He got through by bribing classmates to do his work, and it got to the point where I think he couldn't find people to bribe. I don't know if he ever even graduated, but obviously he had a career waiting for him after college whether he graduated or not.

My kids' stories are not quite as blatant as this, but there are still many kids who certifiably did not get in on the standards the schools applied to everyone else.

Legacy admits are alive and well in the Ivies. Maybe more subtle, and maybe a bit harder, but absolutely there nonetheless. So to the PP who said you feel bad for the 5 white kids who didn't get in, since this is absolutely a far bigger % of historical admits to Ivies than strictly affirmative action (because, please do not be deluded, there are kids of color who score incredibly well on these tests too - just not as many as there should be), but PP are you even madder at the legacy admits on behalf of those 5 students you're so worried about?

I'm the third PP. I suppose there are legacies that are subpar. The ones I know graduated summa, magna,... and got into top graduate programs. Obviously not slouches by any measure.

The legacies admit of course exist but I doubt Ivies want to "dilute their brand" by admitting stupid ones.

I think you're missing the whole point of legacy admits. It probably costs a LOT to get your "stupid" kid in but the bigger issue is that there are a LOT who would never have a chance through the regular channels most go through, but get in because and only because of their family connections to the University. And every now and then... they really are stupid. But depending on how much the school got for that admit (not that it's literally that quid pro quo, but you get the point), there are unquestionably still some stupid ones. Or worse, psychotic ones. There was one who went to my law school (a top 10 school but not an Ivy) who was indeed very very smart, but it's hard to believe he would have gotten in with his personality because he was literally scary. He was insane, and was even arrested while we were in law school. I realize there are no official "psychological health" standards for applicants, but he came across in writing and definitely in person as just as crazy as he was. I'm guessing that most likely he didn't write his application.

What does you non-Ivy law school have anything to do with Ivy undergrad legacy admits? Do law schools even have legacy admits?

Everyone, at least Ivy legacies, know that legacy admits are affirmative action for white people for better or worse since legacies have a 1 in 3 chance of getting in vs 1 in 10 for everyone else without a hook. At most legacies represent less than 10% of a class at HYP. And as a group they are high achieving since they are the children of Ivy educated parents with all the advantages.