GDS - Wow!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh. This thread is insane. I'm sorry to bring it back, but I got told by my friend at GDS (yes I am a student) to look at this thread, and I'm so glad I did because this is hilarious but also really disappointing. It's crazy to me that some (not all) parents on here are so wildly competitive with people they don't even know, about decisions they AREN'T MAKING.

If I'm going to be completely honest, I think GDS, Sidwell, Maret, St Albans, Holton, etc. are the same... it really just depends on your CHILD and what classes/extracurriculars they are taking that gets them into an Ivy League college. (Also, of course legacy helps too, duh) Please pick a DMV school where you think that you will feel at home!

I think it's important to note that the success of GDS does not take away from another school's, such as Sidwell. One more acceptance to Harvard from GDS than Sidwell means nothing in the grand scheme of things, it could be totally different the next year! College acceptances are very unpredictable. I think we should be happy for everyone who worked incredibly hard at all these schools and had their hard work pay off when they got accepted to a college. Going to an Ivy League college does not mean you are going to be set for life, and it does not guarantee happiness.

I find it really interesting that the parents of children who go to these schools have such bad blood. I have many close friends across different DMV private schools, and we NEVER argue about whose school is better! We recognize the other as an equal (I sound very GDS right now lol), and wish the other the best with their college applications.

Also lastly, I'd like to apologize on behalf of some of the GDS parents on this thread. I have never actually met a parent or student who has acted that way, and I hope I never do haha. I can assure you most GDS HS parents are not like that, certainly not mine or my friends! Congratulations to everyone who has a child going to college next year, I'm sure this year has been a whirlwind.

If you are, in fact, a current Hopper (gotta be cautious on the Internet), then I hope you know you're an excellent representative for GDS right now. They've been lucky to have you.

True, there's so many trolls on this page! But yes, I am a current Hopper. Thank you so much for your kind words, I've had a lot of self doubt lately about whether or not I measure up to the other kids at GDS both academically and financially.

Thank you for posting. A credit to GDS.

You dropped the mike on the batshit crazy Sidwell parents.

You read the student’s post but you really didn’t hear what they said, did you?

Oh I did. Still haven’t heard back from the sidwell crazies.

[Anonymous]

I would rather my kids go to a state college in a hard major than go to a top ten or liberal arts college because they know the lingo and play the game on the latest SJWDEILGBTQ++ agenda of the day. Many of the latter kids actually start to believe in the drivel they’ve been indoctrinated in since kindergarten and crash hard in the real world after academia. Many of them linger in academia as counselors etc because they could never survive in a competitive job market.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh. This thread is insane. I'm sorry to bring it back, but I got told by my friend at GDS (yes I am a student) to look at this thread, and I'm so glad I did because this is hilarious but also really disappointing. It's crazy to me that some (not all) parents on here are so wildly competitive with people they don't even know, about decisions they AREN'T MAKING.

If I'm going to be completely honest, I think GDS, Sidwell, Maret, St Albans, Holton, etc. are the same... it really just depends on your CHILD and what classes/extracurriculars they are taking that gets them into an Ivy League college. (Also, of course legacy helps too, duh) Please pick a DMV school where you think that you will feel at home!

I think it's important to note that the success of GDS does not take away from another school's, such as Sidwell. One more acceptance to Harvard from GDS than Sidwell means nothing in the grand scheme of things, it could be totally different the next year! College acceptances are very unpredictable. I think we should be happy for everyone who worked incredibly hard at all these schools and had their hard work pay off when they got accepted to a college. Going to an Ivy League college does not mean you are going to be set for life, and it does not guarantee happiness.

I find it really interesting that the parents of children who go to these schools have such bad blood. I have many close friends across different DMV private schools, and we NEVER argue about whose school is better! We recognize the other as an equal (I sound very GDS right now lol), and wish the other the best with their college applications.

Also lastly, I'd like to apologize on behalf of some of the GDS parents on this thread. I have never actually met a parent or student who has acted that way, and I hope I never do haha. I can assure you most GDS HS parents are not like that, certainly not mine or my friends! Congratulations to everyone who has a child going to college next year, I'm sure this year has been a whirlwind.

If you are, in fact, a current Hopper (gotta be cautious on the Internet), then I hope you know you're an excellent representative for GDS right now. They've been lucky to have you.

True, there's so many trolls on this page! But yes, I am a current Hopper. Thank you so much for your kind words, I've had a lot of self doubt lately about whether or not I measure up to the other kids at GDS both academically and financially.

Thank you for posting. A credit to GDS.

You dropped the mike on the batshit crazy Sidwell parents.

You read the student’s post but you really didn’t hear what they said, did you?

Oh I did. Still haven’t heard back from the sidwell crazies.

No, you didn’t.

Not surprising, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh. This thread is insane. I'm sorry to bring it back, but I got told by my friend at GDS (yes I am a student) to look at this thread, and I'm so glad I did because this is hilarious but also really disappointing. It's crazy to me that some (not all) parents on here are so wildly competitive with people they don't even know, about decisions they AREN'T MAKING.

If I'm going to be completely honest, I think GDS, Sidwell, Maret, St Albans, Holton, etc. are the same... it really just depends on your CHILD and what classes/extracurriculars they are taking that gets them into an Ivy League college. (Also, of course legacy helps too, duh) Please pick a DMV school where you think that you will feel at home!

I think it's important to note that the success of GDS does not take away from another school's, such as Sidwell. One more acceptance to Harvard from GDS than Sidwell means nothing in the grand scheme of things, it could be totally different the next year! College acceptances are very unpredictable. I think we should be happy for everyone who worked incredibly hard at all these schools and had their hard work pay off when they got accepted to a college. Going to an Ivy League college does not mean you are going to be set for life, and it does not guarantee happiness.

I find it really interesting that the parents of children who go to these schools have such bad blood. I have many close friends across different DMV private schools, and we NEVER argue about whose school is better! We recognize the other as an equal (I sound very GDS right now lol), and wish the other the best with their college applications.

Also lastly, I'd like to apologize on behalf of some of the GDS parents on this thread. I have never actually met a parent or student who has acted that way, and I hope I never do haha. I can assure you most GDS HS parents are not like that, certainly not mine or my friends! Congratulations to everyone who has a child going to college next year, I'm sure this year has been a whirlwind.

If you are, in fact, a current Hopper (gotta be cautious on the Internet), then I hope you know you're an excellent representative for GDS right now. They've been lucky to have you.

True, there's so many trolls on this page! But yes, I am a current Hopper. Thank you so much for your kind words, I've had a lot of self doubt lately about whether or not I measure up to the other kids at GDS both academically and financially.

Thank you for posting. A credit to GDS.

You dropped the mike on the batshit crazy Sidwell parents.

You read the student’s post but you really didn’t hear what they said, did you?

Oh I did. Still haven’t heard back from the sidwell crazies.

(GDS student back again!) Unfortunately, this is what I'm talking about. GDS parents calling Sidwell parents "crazies", is a really bad look for us, that's why GDS has the rep we do on this forum. We are representatives of our school on this forum and we should make it proud! No hate though, I totally understand what you were trying to convey, and I'm not trying to get in a fight. Just clarifying what I meant in my post; there are crazy parents at every school, not just Sidwell. (I'm pretty sure you just meant I "dropped the mike" on crazy parents in general, but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!)

[Anonymous]

Other than they had some Harvard admits, these results aren't any better than many privates in this area. In fact, many other privates are coming in with better results now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh. This thread is insane. I'm sorry to bring it back, but I got told by my friend at GDS (yes I am a student) to look at this thread, and I'm so glad I did because this is hilarious but also really disappointing. It's crazy to me that some (not all) parents on here are so wildly competitive with people they don't even know, about decisions they AREN'T MAKING.

If I'm going to be completely honest, I think GDS, Sidwell, Maret, St Albans, Holton, etc. are the same... it really just depends on your CHILD and what classes/extracurriculars they are taking that gets them into an Ivy League college. (Also, of course legacy helps too, duh) Please pick a DMV school where you think that you will feel at home!

I think it's important to note that the success of GDS does not take away from another school's, such as Sidwell. One more acceptance to Harvard from GDS than Sidwell means nothing in the grand scheme of things, it could be totally different the next year! College acceptances are very unpredictable. I think we should be happy for everyone who worked incredibly hard at all these schools and had their hard work pay off when they got accepted to a college. Going to an Ivy League college does not mean you are going to be set for life, and it does not guarantee happiness.

I find it really interesting that the parents of children who go to these schools have such bad blood. I have many close friends across different DMV private schools, and we NEVER argue about whose school is better! We recognize the other as an equal (I sound very GDS right now lol), and wish the other the best with their college applications.

Also lastly, I'd like to apologize on behalf of some of the GDS parents on this thread. I have never actually met a parent or student who has acted that way, and I hope I never do haha. I can assure you most GDS HS parents are not like that, certainly not mine or my friends! Congratulations to everyone who has a child going to college next year, I'm sure this year has been a whirlwind.

If you are, in fact, a current Hopper (gotta be cautious on the Internet), then I hope you know you're an excellent representative for GDS right now. They've been lucky to have you.

True, there's so many trolls on this page! But yes, I am a current Hopper. Thank you so much for your kind words, I've had a lot of self doubt lately about whether or not I measure up to the other kids at GDS both academically and financially.

Thank you for posting. A credit to GDS.

You dropped the mike on the batshit crazy Sidwell parents.

You read the student’s post but you really didn’t hear what they said, did you?

Oh I did. Still haven’t heard back from the sidwell crazies.

(GDS student back again!) Unfortunately, this is what I'm talking about. GDS parents calling Sidwell parents "crazies", is a really bad look for us, that's why GDS has the rep we do on this forum. We are representatives of our school on this forum and we should make it proud! No hate though, I totally understand what you were trying to convey, and I'm not trying to get in a fight. Just clarifying what I meant in my post; there are crazy parents at every school, not just Sidwell. (I'm pretty sure you just meant I "dropped the mike" on crazy parents in general, but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!)

I was the first person to respond to your initial comment, and I'm even more impressed by how you've stood your ground. Just remember that DCUM is not reflective of reality; most of your classmates, your friends at other schools, and their parents do not act like this!

[Anonymous]

GDS student - you are wise beyond your years.

A more serious question for you, ignoring the parent stupidity here:

How have you felt about the college office? Have they performed for you and your peers? Is getting outside help needed?

I have heard from recent grad parents that quality in College office is super variable and Dec 1 to 15, they are so slammed that getting time w/ them is almost impossible.

Please make sure to keep your anonymity when replying here. and thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS student - you are wise beyond your years.

A more serious question for you, ignoring the parent stupidity here:

How have you felt about the college office? Have they performed for you and your peers? Is getting outside help needed?

I have heard from recent grad parents that quality in College office is super variable and Dec 1 to 15, they are so slammed that getting time w/ them is almost impossible.

Please make sure to keep your anonymity when replying here. and thank you

Dec 1 to 15 is notorious for being extremely busy, those are designated "major assessment weeks". The rate at which work piles up is astounding if I'm being honest. Very inconvenient for the college application process! As for me personally and my peers experiences with the office, it's been very positive. I think GDS does a superb job with their college counseling, and there's lots of
opportunities for underclassmen to learn about the process as well. (You can meet with them too to go over course registration.) It also definitely doesn't hurt to get outside help with things such as SAT prep, along with someone who can look over your essay. GDS updates us on upcoming practice tests you can take, such as the ACT. I believe the PSAT is required as well and there's a school day set aside for students to take it There's an upcoming practice ACT on Saturday and although the deadline to register was in March, I know the college councilors do everything in their power to get people in if they register later. In summary, I've had a pleasant experience with them, but getting extra help won't do any harm and I would recommend it! (Although it may hurt your pockets)

[Anonymous]

The Princeton admits are starting to announce. This class has unbelievable results! I understand there are more Princeton announcements coming, including from those z who aren’t sports recruits.

[Anonymous]

How many of GDS’s Ivy admits are legacy? I’ve heard it’s a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many of GDS’s Ivy admits are legacy? I’ve heard it’s a lot.

Seems to be most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many of GDS’s Ivy admits are legacy? I’ve heard it’s a lot.

Seems to be most.

Yes - many if not most are legacies. Not huge high profile giving Jared kushner type $ but they have a parent(s) who graduates of these schools. Same it seems is true at all big 3 - for ivies at least - not UChicago etc.

As a big3 parent, I can tell you parents who are alums of ivies are a dime a dozen. For example, in my DC’s class alone there are 3 other parents in my exact HYP graduating class in college. I don’t know where other parents went to school but I know the ones in my college class so that’s just a sample. I also interview for my Hyp and I interview legacies all the time. Mostly they don’t get in.

So it is a useful barometer to know that these are mostly legacies getting in if you are thinking about applying to one of these high schools and wondering if it enhances your kids chances. If there are 15 ivies out of 130 - no that doesn’t mean your kid has one in ten chance or whatever.

It also doesn’t take anything away from these kids and what they’ve accomplished. These high schools are hard and in many classes As are hard to come by. There is no way I could get through one of them and get the college results I got 30ish years ago. That’s not to say the process is fair or schools should count legacy or whatever else. But just to say, this path is not a walk in the park either. (Nor is getting to a level in athletics where they want to recruit you).

The gds high school student said it here best. There are many great high schools in this area and no one has a magic sauce to get kids into these schools. It looks like GDS had a very strong year - surely others did too. My takeaway from that is that these schools aren’t going to limit to one or two a class if they see a strong pool.

So congrats to these seniors and all others out there who made it through this year. Applying to college these days is not for the faint of heart. The acceptance numbers are a fraction of what they were when I applied. The schools are - rightly in my view - taking way more first gen kids and also offering real $ to make it affordable for many. So in a highly educated area like ours, it’s tough. And the numbers are unmanageable making it’ more of a lottery than it should.. So everyone should be proud of what they accomplished and know that this is one step on a very long path.

Also I saw a thread on what undergraduate degrees 1Ls from Harvard have - it’s a very wide range. So that’s just another small reminder of what a long journey this is and that college is much more what you make of it then where you went. Happy graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many of GDS’s Ivy admits are legacy? I’ve heard it’s a lot.

Seems to be most.

Yes - many if not most are legacies. Not huge high profile giving Jared kushner type $ but they have a parent(s) who graduates of these schools. Same it seems is true at all big 3 - for ivies at least - not UChicago etc.

As a big3 parent, I can tell you parents who are alums of ivies are a dime a dozen. For example, in my DC’s class alone there are 3 other parents in my exact HYP graduating class in college. I don’t know where other parents went to school but I know the ones in my college class so that’s just a sample. I also interview for my Hyp and I interview legacies all the time. Mostly they don’t get in.

So it is a useful barometer to know that these are mostly legacies getting in if you are thinking about applying to one of these high schools and wondering if it enhances your kids chances. If there are 15 ivies out of 130 - no that doesn’t mean your kid has one in ten chance or whatever.

It also doesn’t take anything away from these kids and what they’ve accomplished. These high schools are hard and in many classes As are hard to come by. There is no way I could get through one of them and get the college results I got 30ish years ago. That’s not to say the process is fair or schools should count legacy or whatever else. But just to say, this path is not a walk in the park either. (Nor is getting to a level in athletics where they want to recruit you).

The gds high school student said it here best. There are many great high schools in this area and no one has a magic sauce to get kids into these schools. It looks like GDS had a very strong year - surely others did too. My takeaway from that is that these schools aren’t going to limit to one or two a class if they see a strong pool.

So congrats to these seniors and all others out there who made it through this year. Applying to college these days is not for the faint of heart. The acceptance numbers are a fraction of what they were when I applied. The schools are - rightly in my view - taking way more first gen kids and also offering real $ to make it affordable for many. So in a highly educated area like ours, it’s tough. And the numbers are unmanageable making it’ more of a lottery than it should.. So everyone should be proud of what they accomplished and know that this is one step on a very long path.

Also I saw a thread on what undergraduate degrees 1Ls from Harvard have - it’s a very wide range. So that’s just another small reminder of what a long journey this is and that college is much more what you make of it then where you went. Happy graduation.

How many if any are not legacies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems to be most.

Your math is off.

[Anonymous]

GDS parent here. Is it even worth applying to an Ivy (or similarly difficult admit) from GDS if student is not a legacy?