Big 3 (or thereabouts) College Results - Class of 2021

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at a Big 3 also. We have one solid EA acceptance which we thought was a borderline safety school but is looking better and better to attend with all the deferrals my kid has gotten (and to schools where the kid fell squarely within the Naviance acceptance range). And we are full-pay so that has not made a difference.

I do think the public school students with 4.5 GPAs and 10 AP classes are winning out this year compared to the top one-third of students at private schools that have a 3.5 - 3.7 GPA and no AP classes. My kid has a GPA in this range and solid ACT results (34-36) but with test scores becoming increasingly irrelevant, all that stands out is a deflated 3.5 against an inflated 4.5.

All I can hope is that this is a long process that will continue to unfold until June 1. The public school kids are applying to a lot more schools and getting into to places. However, they can only attend one college so I'm hoping the deferrals turn into acceptances or waitlists which then turn into acceptances.

High School counselors at our Big 3 are MIA and seem to be unaccountable and untouchable. If they are feeling panicked, they are definitely not showing it. Plus, they never guarantee results. They always say, "it looks like", "we hope" or "Naviance shows." So with that vague language, they effectively hedge their bets.

This is utterly laughable. If a public school kid with 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA is "winning out" over a top 1/3 private school kid with a 3.5 it's because the public school kid is objectively a stronger applicant. That public school kid would be at or near the very top of the class, and you're deluding yourself if you think that the very top students in the DMV's public school systems -- which are among the best in the country -- don't compare well with a top 1/3 student at a Big 3.

There also appears to be this misconception among private school parents that every public school kid has 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA. That's simply not the case. You all need to get off your high horses.

I never thought I'd see the day where Big 3 parents would be complaining that they're at an unfair disadvantage over public high schools. Wow.

I have one in public and one in private--it is sort of funny to watch this elitist freak-out.

I have heard from multiple high school college counselors and several college admissions counselors that this year in particular, public schools everywhere have inflated grades more than ever. DL was a jok and everybody earned straight As. It's been a nightmare, they don't know who to accept, and so that's why EAs at many many places had such high deferral rates. They basically just kicked the can down the road because without test scores and with the vast majority of applicants with straight As thier junior year and fall of senior year, they don't know what to do. ED acceptances are up, because they had many fewer this year. Sorry public school parents, but this year, yes, grade inflation is rampant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at a Big 3 also. We have one solid EA acceptance which we thought was a borderline safety school but is looking better and better to attend with all the deferrals my kid has gotten (and to schools where the kid fell squarely within the Naviance acceptance range). And we are full-pay so that has not made a difference.

I do think the public school students with 4.5 GPAs and 10 AP classes are winning out this year compared to the top one-third of students at private schools that have a 3.5 - 3.7 GPA and no AP classes. My kid has a GPA in this range and solid ACT results (34-36) but with test scores becoming increasingly irrelevant, all that stands out is a deflated 3.5 against an inflated 4.5.

All I can hope is that this is a long process that will continue to unfold until June 1. The public school kids are applying to a lot more schools and getting into to places. However, they can only attend one college so I'm hoping the deferrals turn into acceptances or waitlists which then turn into acceptances.

High School counselors at our Big 3 are MIA and seem to be unaccountable and untouchable. If they are feeling panicked, they are definitely not showing it. Plus, they never guarantee results. They always say, "it looks like", "we hope" or "Naviance shows." So with that vague language, they effectively hedge their bets.

This is utterly laughable. If a public school kid with 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA is "winning out" over a top 1/3 private school kid with a 3.5 it's because the public school kid is objectively a stronger applicant. That public school kid would be at or near the very top of the class, and you're deluding yourself if you think that the very top students in the DMV's public school systems -- which are among the best in the country -- don't compare well with a top 1/3 student at a Big 3.

There also appears to be this misconception among private school parents that every public school kid has 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA. That's simply not the case. You all need to get off your high horses.

I never thought I'd see the day where Big 3 parents would be complaining that they're at an unfair disadvantage over public high schools. Wow.

I have one in public and one in private--it is sort of funny to watch this elitist freak-out.

Yep, me too. I have one kid at Wilson (DCPS) and one at a Big3 school. Wilson admits are running circles around Big3 admits this admission season.

I too find this highly entertaining. Yes, I pay Big3 tuition but at my core I identify more with Wilson kids. I silently can't stand the elitism.

Question: is either one of those kids a senior? I don't think so, and I don't think you really know what you're talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at a Big 3 also. We have one solid EA acceptance which we thought was a borderline safety school but is looking better and better to attend with all the deferrals my kid has gotten (and to schools where the kid fell squarely within the Naviance acceptance range). And we are full-pay so that has not made a difference.

I do think the public school students with 4.5 GPAs and 10 AP classes are winning out this year compared to the top one-third of students at private schools that have a 3.5 - 3.7 GPA and no AP classes. My kid has a GPA in this range and solid ACT results (34-36) but with test scores becoming increasingly irrelevant, all that stands out is a deflated 3.5 against an inflated 4.5.

All I can hope is that this is a long process that will continue to unfold until June 1. The public school kids are applying to a lot more schools and getting into to places. However, they can only attend one college so I'm hoping the deferrals turn into acceptances or waitlists which then turn into acceptances.

High School counselors at our Big 3 are MIA and seem to be unaccountable and untouchable. If they are feeling panicked, they are definitely not showing it. Plus, they never guarantee results. They always say, "it looks like", "we hope" or "Naviance shows." So with that vague language, they effectively hedge their bets.

This is utterly laughable. If a public school kid with 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA is "winning out" over a top 1/3 private school kid with a 3.5 it's because the public school kid is objectively a stronger applicant. That public school kid would be at or near the very top of the class, and you're deluding yourself if you think that the very top students in the DMV's public school systems -- which are among the best in the country -- don't compare well with a top 1/3 student at a Big 3.

There also appears to be this misconception among private school parents that every public school kid has 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA. That's simply not the case. You all need to get off your high horses.

I never thought I'd see the day where Big 3 parents would be complaining that they're at an unfair disadvantage over public high schools. Wow.

I have one in public and one in private--it is sort of funny to watch this elitist freak-out.

I have heard from multiple high school college counselors and several college admissions counselors that this year in particular, public schools everywhere have inflated grades more than ever. DL was a jok and everybody earned straight As. It's been a nightmare, they don't know who to accept, and so that's why EAs at many many places had such high deferral rates. They basically just kicked the can down the road because without test scores and with the vast majority of applicants with straight As thier junior year and fall of senior year, they don't know what to do. ED acceptances are up, because they had many fewer this year. Sorry public school parents, but this year, yes, grade inflation is rampant.

I don't have a pony in the race, but this is inherently false because ED decisions are made before first semester senior year grades are posted. So are many EAs. Also, i know of MANY high school students who are having great difficulty with online learning and their first year grades (now available) are disastrous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at a Big 3 also. We have one solid EA acceptance which we thought was a borderline safety school but is looking better and better to attend with all the deferrals my kid has gotten (and to schools where the kid fell squarely within the Naviance acceptance range). And we are full-pay so that has not made a difference.

I do think the public school students with 4.5 GPAs and 10 AP classes are winning out this year compared to the top one-third of students at private schools that have a 3.5 - 3.7 GPA and no AP classes. My kid has a GPA in this range and solid ACT results (34-36) but with test scores becoming increasingly irrelevant, all that stands out is a deflated 3.5 against an inflated 4.5.

All I can hope is that this is a long process that will continue to unfold until June 1. The public school kids are applying to a lot more schools and getting into to places. However, they can only attend one college so I'm hoping the deferrals turn into acceptances or waitlists which then turn into acceptances.

High School counselors at our Big 3 are MIA and seem to be unaccountable and untouchable. If they are feeling panicked, they are definitely not showing it. Plus, they never guarantee results. They always say, "it looks like", "we hope" or "Naviance shows." So with that vague language, they effectively hedge their bets.

This is utterly laughable. If a public school kid with 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA is "winning out" over a top 1/3 private school kid with a 3.5 it's because the public school kid is objectively a stronger applicant. That public school kid would be at or near the very top of the class, and you're deluding yourself if you think that the very top students in the DMV's public school systems -- which are among the best in the country -- don't compare well with a top 1/3 student at a Big 3.

There also appears to be this misconception among private school parents that every public school kid has 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA. That's simply not the case. You all need to get off your high horses.

I never thought I'd see the day where Big 3 parents would be complaining that they're at an unfair disadvantage over public high schools. Wow.

I have one in public and one in private--it is sort of funny to watch this elitist freak-out.

Yep, me too. I have one kid at Wilson (DCPS) and one at a Big3 school. Wilson admits are running circles around Big3 admits this admission season.

I too find this highly entertaining. Yes, I pay Big3 tuition but at my core I identify more with Wilson kids. I silently can't stand the elitism.

Question: is either one of those kids a senior? I don't think so, and I don't think you really know what you're talking about.

I was the original poster with one at each. I have an MCPS senior and a private school younger sibling. My younger is in private because the huge ES setting was not well-suited to him. Love his school, but not because I think it will enhance his college options. I think he’s getting more out of school by being in private and will be better for it regardless of where he goes to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at a Big 3 also. We have one solid EA acceptance which we thought was a borderline safety school but is looking better and better to attend with all the deferrals my kid has gotten (and to schools where the kid fell squarely within the Naviance acceptance range). And we are full-pay so that has not made a difference.

I do think the public school students with 4.5 GPAs and 10 AP classes are winning out this year compared to the top one-third of students at private schools that have a 3.5 - 3.7 GPA and no AP classes. My kid has a GPA in this range and solid ACT results (34-36) but with test scores becoming increasingly irrelevant, all that stands out is a deflated 3.5 against an inflated 4.5.

All I can hope is that this is a long process that will continue to unfold until June 1. The public school kids are applying to a lot more schools and getting into to places. However, they can only attend one college so I'm hoping the deferrals turn into acceptances or waitlists which then turn into acceptances.

High School counselors at our Big 3 are MIA and seem to be unaccountable and untouchable. If they are feeling panicked, they are definitely not showing it. Plus, they never guarantee results. They always say, "it looks like", "we hope" or "Naviance shows." So with that vague language, they effectively hedge their bets.

This is utterly laughable. If a public school kid with 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA is "winning out" over a top 1/3 private school kid with a 3.5 it's because the public school kid is objectively a stronger applicant. That public school kid would be at or near the very top of the class, and you're deluding yourself if you think that the very top students in the DMV's public school systems -- which are among the best in the country -- don't compare well with a top 1/3 student at a Big 3.

There also appears to be this misconception among private school parents that every public school kid has 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA. That's simply not the case. You all need to get off your high horses.

I never thought I'd see the day where Big 3 parents would be complaining that they're at an unfair disadvantage over public high schools. Wow.

I have one in public and one in private--it is sort of funny to watch this elitist freak-out.

I have heard from multiple high school college counselors and several college admissions counselors that this year in particular, public schools everywhere have inflated grades more than ever. DL was a jok and everybody earned straight As. It's been a nightmare, they don't know who to accept, and so that's why EAs at many many places had such high deferral rates. They basically just kicked the can down the road because without test scores and with the vast majority of applicants with straight As thier junior year and fall of senior year, they don't know what to do. ED acceptances are up, because they had many fewer this year. Sorry public school parents, but this year, yes, grade inflation is rampant.

Sure you have. Uh huh.

[Anonymous]

I have heard from multiple high school college counselors and several college admissions counselors that this year in particular, public schools everywhere have inflated grades more than ever. DL was a jok and everybody earned straight As. It's been a nightmare, they don't know who to accept, and so that's why EAs at many many places had such high deferral rates. They basically just kicked the can down the road because without test scores and with the vast majority of applicants with straight As thier junior year and fall of senior year, they don't know what to do. ED acceptances are up, because they had many fewer this year. Sorry public school parents, but this year, yes, grade inflation is rampant.

Well, if the admissions people are clued in, what are you so worried about?

I think the whole cycle has been upended and we need to wait till the dust settles in late spring/early summer. I have little doubt that money will talk, as it always does, and private school seniors will do fine.

In the meantime, the hyperventilating here about the unfairness of it all (!!) is entertaining.

- Another private/public parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I have heard from multiple high school college counselors and several college admissions counselors that this year in particular, public schools everywhere have inflated grades more than ever. DL was a jok and everybody earned straight As. It's been a nightmare, they don't know who to accept, and so that's why EAs at many many places had such high deferral rates. They basically just kicked the can down the road because without test scores and with the vast majority of applicants with straight As thier junior year and fall of senior year, they don't know what to do. ED acceptances are up, because they had many fewer this year. Sorry public school parents, but this year, yes, grade inflation is rampant.

Well, if the admissions people are clued in, what are you so worried about?

I think the whole cycle has been upended and we need to wait till the dust settles in late spring/early summer. I have little doubt that money will talk, as it always does, and private school seniors will do fine.

In the meantime, the hyperventilating here about the unfairness of it all (!!) is entertaining.

- Another private/public parent

I work in the field, tangentially, so that is why I work with multiple counselors. I will say that I don't think it's "unfair" but important for people to know when thinking about privates. It all works out fine for the kids who get As, but the rest do not stack up to 70% of public school kids because of public school grade inflation.

[Anonymous]

Former admissions officer here.... would love to shed some light.

Every university knows the schools - public and private- that they work with exceptionally well. They know which schools are inflating grades, and aren't comparing private apples to public oranges. The public kid is only compared to another public kids from their SAME school. For schools with weighted grades, the first thing we did was unweight them.

So your private kid (and mine) aren't at a disadvantage, they are being looked at in the context of their high school setting and what was offered to them there. The admissions teams get the data on the entirety of the class- if we know X school NEVER gives A's, we don't expect to see A's. This is literally the job of the admissions officers.

That being said, this year is totally disrupting the system, but it isn't because of unfair public APs classes hurting a private kid.

[Anonymous]

I have 3 who went to big threes. Public school kid myself. I sat on a committee this year to pick a handful from many for a shot at a free ride at a group of highly competitive schools. First, it’s naive to believe that college admissions people see a 3.3 from NCS as not different than a 4.2 from BCC or McLean. They absolutely know that a 3.5 at Sidwell is a 4.5 at a decent public, so neither public nor private parents should sweat that either way. Pre covid, boards were the tie breaker. Now, kids with poor boards just don’t submit them. It’s very tough to differentiate the 70-th to 95th percentile just on paper. The tie breaker for the top school’s remains what it always has been. Be outstanding on a state if not national class at ‘something’ and have recs that say you always lead.

People need to chill more about the ‘carnage’ or the ‘glory’. They leaders will do fine and the wankers will fail, over the long haul. Been that way now for over a century.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 who went to big threes. Public school kid myself. I sat on a committee this year to pick a handful from many for a shot at a free ride at a group of highly competitive schools. First, it’s naive to believe that college admissions people see a 3.3 from NCS as not different than a 4.2 from BCC or McLean. They absolutely know that a 3.5 at Sidwell is a 4.5 at a decent public, so neither public nor private parents should sweat that either way. Pre covid, boards were the tie breaker. Now, kids with poor boards just don’t submit them. It’s very tough to differentiate the 70-th to 95th percentile just on paper. The tie breaker for the top school’s remains what it always has been. Be outstanding on a state if not national class at ‘something’ and have recs that say you always lead.

People need to chill more about the ‘carnage’ or the ‘glory’. They leaders will do fine and the wankers will fail, over the long haul. Been that way now for over a century.

No one calls them "boards." Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 who went to big threes. Public school kid myself. I sat on a committee this year to pick a handful from many for a shot at a free ride at a group of highly competitive schools. First, it’s naive to believe that college admissions people see a 3.3 from NCS as not different than a 4.2 from BCC or McLean. They absolutely know that a 3.5 at Sidwell is a 4.5 at a decent public, so neither public nor private parents should sweat that either way. Pre covid, boards were the tie breaker. Now, kids with poor boards just don’t submit them. It’s very tough to differentiate the 70-th to 95th percentile just on paper. The tie breaker for the top school’s remains what it always has been. Be outstanding on a state if not national class at ‘something’ and have recs that say you always lead.

People need to chill more about the ‘carnage’ or the ‘glory’. They leaders will do fine and the wankers will fail, over the long haul. Been that way now for over a century.

No one calls them "boards." Sorry.

Nor does the person know how to use w$&@r properly. Probably heard it in an English film and is now using it liberally to the absolute horror of the listeners.
Correct otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at a Big 3 also. We have one solid EA acceptance which we thought was a borderline safety school but is looking better and better to attend with all the deferrals my kid has gotten (and to schools where the kid fell squarely within the Naviance acceptance range). And we are full-pay so that has not made a difference.

I do think the public school students with 4.5 GPAs and 10 AP classes are winning out this year compared to the top one-third of students at private schools that have a 3.5 - 3.7 GPA and no AP classes. My kid has a GPA in this range and solid ACT results (34-36) but with test scores becoming increasingly irrelevant, all that stands out is a deflated 3.5 against an inflated 4.5.

All I can hope is that this is a long process that will continue to unfold until June 1. The public school kids are applying to a lot more schools and getting into to places. However, they can only attend one college so I'm hoping the deferrals turn into acceptances or waitlists which then turn into acceptances.

High School counselors at our Big 3 are MIA and seem to be unaccountable and untouchable. If they are feeling panicked, they are definitely not showing it. Plus, they never guarantee results. They always say, "it looks like", "we hope" or "Naviance shows." So with that vague language, they effectively hedge their bets.

This is utterly laughable. If a public school kid with 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA is "winning out" over a top 1/3 private school kid with a 3.5 it's because the public school kid is objectively a stronger applicant. That public school kid would be at or near the very top of the class, and you're deluding yourself if you think that the very top students in the DMV's public school systems -- which are among the best in the country -- don't compare well with a top 1/3 student at a Big 3.

There also appears to be this misconception among private school parents that every public school kid has 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA. That's simply not the case. You all need to get off your high horses.

I never thought I'd see the day where Big 3 parents would be complaining that they're at an unfair disadvantage over public high schools. Wow.

I have one in public and one in private--it is sort of funny to watch this elitist freak-out.

Yep, me too. I have one kid at Wilson (DCPS) and one at a Big3 school. Wilson admits are running circles around Big3 admits this admission season.

I too find this highly entertaining. Yes, I pay Big3 tuition but at my core I identify more with Wilson kids. I silently can't stand the elitism.

But don’t you think the Wilson kids will be in for a shock come college? A strong student at a big 3 will find the work load easier in some cases. Maybe they are at Tufts instead of Princeton for UG but they have the preparation to graduate with a very high GPA without being stressed by the workload and then going on to a more impressive grad school than the Wilson grad who struggles to keep up at an ivy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at a Big 3 also. We have one solid EA acceptance which we thought was a borderline safety school but is looking better and better to attend with all the deferrals my kid has gotten (and to schools where the kid fell squarely within the Naviance acceptance range). And we are full-pay so that has not made a difference.

I do think the public school students with 4.5 GPAs and 10 AP classes are winning out this year compared to the top one-third of students at private schools that have a 3.5 - 3.7 GPA and no AP classes. My kid has a GPA in this range and solid ACT results (34-36) but with test scores becoming increasingly irrelevant, all that stands out is a deflated 3.5 against an inflated 4.5.

All I can hope is that this is a long process that will continue to unfold until June 1. The public school kids are applying to a lot more schools and getting into to places. However, they can only attend one college so I'm hoping the deferrals turn into acceptances or waitlists which then turn into acceptances.

High School counselors at our Big 3 are MIA and seem to be unaccountable and untouchable. If they are feeling panicked, they are definitely not showing it. Plus, they never guarantee results. They always say, "it looks like", "we hope" or "Naviance shows." So with that vague language, they effectively hedge their bets.

This is utterly laughable. If a public school kid with 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA is "winning out" over a top 1/3 private school kid with a 3.5 it's because the public school kid is objectively a stronger applicant. That public school kid would be at or near the very top of the class, and you're deluding yourself if you think that the very top students in the DMV's public school systems -- which are among the best in the country -- don't compare well with a top 1/3 student at a Big 3.

There also appears to be this misconception among private school parents that every public school kid has 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA. That's simply not the case. You all need to get off your high horses.

I never thought I'd see the day where Big 3 parents would be complaining that they're at an unfair disadvantage over public high schools. Wow.

I have one in public and one in private--it is sort of funny to watch this elitist freak-out.

Yep, me too. I have one kid at Wilson (DCPS) and one at a Big3 school. Wilson admits are running circles around Big3 admits this admission season.

I too find this highly entertaining. Yes, I pay Big3 tuition but at my core I identify more with Wilson kids. I silently can't stand the elitism.

But don’t you think the Wilson kids will be in for a shock come college? A strong student at a big 3 will find the work load easier in some cases. Maybe they are at Tufts instead of Princeton for UG but they have the preparation to graduate with a very high GPA without being stressed by the workload and then going on to a more impressive grad school than the Wilson grad who struggles to keep up at an ivy.

You’re off your rocker if you think top public students aren’t good students. They may struggle more with their first seminars, but I would expect a student at a private that focuses on small classes and individual fees back would be just as lost in a massive 101 seminar where they are expected to teach themselves

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at a Big 3 also. We have one solid EA acceptance which we thought was a borderline safety school but is looking better and better to attend with all the deferrals my kid has gotten (and to schools where the kid fell squarely within the Naviance acceptance range). And we are full-pay so that has not made a difference.

I do think the public school students with 4.5 GPAs and 10 AP classes are winning out this year compared to the top one-third of students at private schools that have a 3.5 - 3.7 GPA and no AP classes. My kid has a GPA in this range and solid ACT results (34-36) but with test scores becoming increasingly irrelevant, all that stands out is a deflated 3.5 against an inflated 4.5.

All I can hope is that this is a long process that will continue to unfold until June 1. The public school kids are applying to a lot more schools and getting into to places. However, they can only attend one college so I'm hoping the deferrals turn into acceptances or waitlists which then turn into acceptances.

High School counselors at our Big 3 are MIA and seem to be unaccountable and untouchable. If they are feeling panicked, they are definitely not showing it. Plus, they never guarantee results. They always say, "it looks like", "we hope" or "Naviance shows." So with that vague language, they effectively hedge their bets.

This is utterly laughable. If a public school kid with 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA is "winning out" over a top 1/3 private school kid with a 3.5 it's because the public school kid is objectively a stronger applicant. That public school kid would be at or near the very top of the class, and you're deluding yourself if you think that the very top students in the DMV's public school systems -- which are among the best in the country -- don't compare well with a top 1/3 student at a Big 3.

There also appears to be this misconception among private school parents that every public school kid has 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA. That's simply not the case. You all need to get off your high horses.

I never thought I'd see the day where Big 3 parents would be complaining that they're at an unfair disadvantage over public high schools. Wow.

I have one in public and one in private--it is sort of funny to watch this elitist freak-out.

Yep, me too. I have one kid at Wilson (DCPS) and one at a Big3 school. Wilson admits are running circles around Big3 admits this admission season.

I too find this highly entertaining. Yes, I pay Big3 tuition but at my core I identify more with Wilson kids. I silently can't stand the elitism.

But don’t you think the Wilson kids will be in for a shock come college? A strong student at a big 3 will find the work load easier in some cases. Maybe they are at Tufts instead of Princeton for UG but they have the preparation to graduate with a very high GPA without being stressed by the workload and then going on to a more impressive grad school than the Wilson grad who struggles to keep up at an ivy.

You’re off your rocker if you think top public students aren’t good students. They may struggle more with their first seminars, but I would expect a student at a private that focuses on small classes and individual fees back would be just as lost in a massive 101 seminar where they are expected to teach themselves

+1000 Yes, you have no clue how smart and competent many WIlson kids are. Especially those that get into Ivies. Their life skills are off the charts compared to coddled private school kids who think they are so brilliant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at a Big 3 also. We have one solid EA acceptance which we thought was a borderline safety school but is looking better and better to attend with all the deferrals my kid has gotten (and to schools where the kid fell squarely within the Naviance acceptance range). And we are full-pay so that has not made a difference.

I do think the public school students with 4.5 GPAs and 10 AP classes are winning out this year compared to the top one-third of students at private schools that have a 3.5 - 3.7 GPA and no AP classes. My kid has a GPA in this range and solid ACT results (34-36) but with test scores becoming increasingly irrelevant, all that stands out is a deflated 3.5 against an inflated 4.5.

All I can hope is that this is a long process that will continue to unfold until June 1. The public school kids are applying to a lot more schools and getting into to places. However, they can only attend one college so I'm hoping the deferrals turn into acceptances or waitlists which then turn into acceptances.

High School counselors at our Big 3 are MIA and seem to be unaccountable and untouchable. If they are feeling panicked, they are definitely not showing it. Plus, they never guarantee results. They always say, "it looks like", "we hope" or "Naviance shows." So with that vague language, they effectively hedge their bets.

This is utterly laughable. If a public school kid with 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA is "winning out" over a top 1/3 private school kid with a 3.5 it's because the public school kid is objectively a stronger applicant. That public school kid would be at or near the very top of the class, and you're deluding yourself if you think that the very top students in the DMV's public school systems -- which are among the best in the country -- don't compare well with a top 1/3 student at a Big 3.

There also appears to be this misconception among private school parents that every public school kid has 10 APs and a 4.5 GPA. That's simply not the case. You all need to get off your high horses.

I never thought I'd see the day where Big 3 parents would be complaining that they're at an unfair disadvantage over public high schools. Wow.

I have one in public and one in private--it is sort of funny to watch this elitist freak-out.

Yep, me too. I have one kid at Wilson (DCPS) and one at a Big3 school. Wilson admits are running circles around Big3 admits this admission season.

I too find this highly entertaining. Yes, I pay Big3 tuition but at my core I identify more with Wilson kids. I silently can't stand the elitism.

But don’t you think the Wilson kids will be in for a shock come college? A strong student at a big 3 will find the work load easier in some cases. Maybe they are at Tufts instead of Princeton for UG but they have the preparation to graduate with a very high GPA without being stressed by the workload and then going on to a more impressive grad school than the Wilson grad who struggles to keep up at an ivy.

You’re off your rocker if you think top public students aren’t good students. They may struggle more with their first seminars, but I would expect a student at a private that focuses on small classes and individual fees back would be just as lost in a massive 101 seminar where they are expected to teach themselves

+1000 Yes, you have no clue how smart and competent many WIlson kids are. Especially those that get into Ivies. Their life skills are off the charts compared to coddled private school kids who think they are so brilliant.

This comparing needs to stop. Wilson kids are not in for a shock, they can handle the work too, and private school kids are not coddled, they can self-advocate and work independently too. Stop trading in stereotypes on both sides.