College Counseling at Sidwell - One Year Later

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Squeaky wheel gets the grease in this world.

If colleges are choosing among 100 qualified applicants (who made it through all the initial cuts standing on their own merit) for the last 10 spots, how will they do so? At this point, any help could make the difference and I don't begrudge schools for trying to make that last push for those who warrant it.

But they aren't going to fill the spot because someone they met once at a professional conference two years ago is calling them on behalf of their student.

of course they are. When the counselor says "this kid is a great fit and has done well in a rigorous academic environment", it makes a difference.
You need credibility though, and not sell every kid to every school. If you do it right, the colleges will listen.

But since this is a Sidwell thread, presumably, the applicant is from Sidwell. It is highly likely that the AD will know of Sidwell and the rigor of the high school and will have read the profile sent by the Guidance counselor. Ergo, said counselor then advocating is reiterating what is in the document and record from the applicant.

But isn’t that what parents who pay $45k/yr for years count on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even if these two candidates are equal enough, my guess is that they have different strengths and weaknesses. I'd think that the counselor would highlight their respective strengths, and leave it to the admissions office to determine which student's specific strengths helped round out the admitted class better.

At the end of the day, colleges are looking for classes that one the whole contain a diverse range of talents and strengths. Which unfortunately is completely out of the hands of those applying (and the schools advocating on their behalf). Hence the pure luck element that some consistently refuse to accept as a huge factor in the end result for borderline applicants.

It can make a big difference at the wait list stage where a counselor can speak to a student’s strong interest and commitment to attend if admitted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Squeaky wheel gets the grease in this world.

If colleges are choosing among 100 qualified applicants (who made it through all the initial cuts standing on their own merit) for the last 10 spots, how will they do so? At this point, any help could make the difference and I don't begrudge schools for trying to make that last push for those who warrant it.

But they aren't going to fill the spot because someone they met once at a professional conference two years ago is calling them on behalf of their student.

of course they are. When the counselor says "this kid is a great fit and has done well in a rigorous academic environment", it makes a difference.
You need credibility though, and not sell every kid to every school. If you do it right, the colleges will listen.

But since this is a Sidwell thread, presumably, the applicant is from Sidwell. It is highly likely that the AD will know of Sidwell and the rigor of the high school and will have read the profile sent by the Guidance counselor. Ergo, said counselor then advocating is reiterating what is in the document and record from the applicant.

This was the problem with some of the former staff. One counselor was ok, but one was very novice, was too passive, didn’t get to to know the advisees, and didn’t write well. The ex-director stubbornly refused to make a change and got more turned off and checked out as parents grew ever more frustrated. Glad that SFS has turned the page.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More counselors.
More aggressive advocacy with colleges.
Better intro to process and laying out a timeline beginning freshman year.
More transparency and management of expectations.

This applies to all the local privates.

College counseling office isn't the only issue at Sidwell. The advisory system there is broken. Advisors do nothing and aren't expected or encouraged to develop any sort of personal relationship with their advisees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More counselors.
More aggressive advocacy with colleges.
Better intro to process and laying out a timeline beginning freshman year.
More transparency and management of expectations.

This applies to all the local privates.

College counseling office isn't the only issue at Sidwell. The advisory system there is broken. Advisors do nothing and aren't expected or encouraged to develop any sort of personal relationship with their advisees.

Sounds like the school is running out of steam- this is worrisome.

[Anonymous]

I think the PP puts too much stock into the "Advisory" system. It is the homeroom where they take attendance each morning and little else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More counselors.
More aggressive advocacy with colleges.
Better intro to process and laying out a timeline beginning freshman year.
More transparency and management of expectations.

This applies to all the local privates.

College counseling office isn't the only issue at Sidwell. The advisory system there is broken. Advisors do nothing and aren't expected or encouraged to develop any sort of personal relationship with their advisees.

Sounds like the school is running out of steam- this is worrisome.

Sidwell has been coasting for quite a while. The Obama Effect created a lot of buzz and record applications to the school, and meant that problems under the hood were ignored. Now the engine is sputtering.

[Anonymous]

The school is fine. However, each student has to stand on their own merits, unless they are legacy applicants.
The Sidwell “halo” is not enough to get into top colleges—-There are just too many applications.

Any college getting 50,000 applications for 2000 spots is going to be very picky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the PP puts too much stock into the "Advisory" system. It is the homeroom where they take attendance each morning and little else.

PP is referring to the upper school advisory system, which is pretty useless.

[Anonymous]

I miss our K-8. They work hard for the student and parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school is fine. However, each student has to stand on their own merits, unless they are legacy applicants.

Not true. Legacy applicants have to stand on their own merits too. They simply don't have to be slam dunk credentials to get in, but do need to be at least within shouting distance. And that's true whether applying from Sidwell or any public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the PP puts too much stock into the "Advisory" system. It is the homeroom where they take attendance each morning and little else.

PP is referring to the upper school advisory system, which is pretty useless.

Yes, it is just a homeroom and they pass out the mid-semester reports. I am not sure what else the person deriding the system wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the PP puts too much stock into the "Advisory" system. It is the homeroom where they take attendance each morning and little else.

PP is referring to the upper school advisory system, which is pretty useless.

Yes, it is just a homeroom and they pass out the mid-semester reports. I am not sure what else the person deriding the system wants.

Many independent schools use the advisory system in high school as the basis for students to form a key relationship with a member of the faculty. Someone who can help/encourage/guide/inspire, etc. students as they make their way through high school. The term “advisor” kind of speaks for itself, but not at Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Squeaky wheel gets the grease in this world.

If colleges are choosing among 100 qualified applicants (who made it through all the initial cuts standing on their own merit) for the last 10 spots, how will they do so? At this point, any help could make the difference and I don't begrudge schools for trying to make that last push for those who warrant it.

But they aren't going to fill the spot because someone they met once at a professional conference two years ago is calling them on behalf of their student.

So, please tell me, how do they choose among 100 equally qualified applicants for 10 spots?

Your answer seems to be the Sidwell magically knows one of their kids is on the cusp of getting one of those spots and fights for it. Its ridiculous. They won't know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Squeaky wheel gets the grease in this world.

If colleges are choosing among 100 qualified applicants (who made it through all the initial cuts standing on their own merit) for the last 10 spots, how will they do so? At this point, any help could make the difference and I don't begrudge schools for trying to make that last push for those who warrant it.

But they aren't going to fill the spot because someone they met once at a professional conference two years ago is calling them on behalf of their student.

of course they are. When the counselor says "this kid is a great fit and has done well in a rigorous academic environment", it makes a difference.
You need credibility though, and not sell every kid to every school. If you do it right, the colleges will listen.

But since this is a Sidwell thread, presumably, the applicant is from Sidwell. It is highly likely that the AD will know of Sidwell and the rigor of the high school and will have read the profile sent by the Guidance counselor. Ergo, said counselor then advocating is reiterating what is in the document and record from the applicant.

But isn’t that what parents who pay $45k/yr for years count on?

No. Nor should they.