NCS Parents - "I wish I had known x" type advice.

[Anonymous]

I wish I had known that the "C" in NCS stood for "Cathedral." I always thought it was "Children's." I could've really blown my DD's application had I mentioned this in the parent interview -- fortunately dd got in and is enjoying it. I saw a lot of references to "Cathedral" all over the place during the tour, but I thought it was because the DC Cathedral was so close to campus. It wasn't until three weeks in that I caught on. Yikes!

[Anonymous]

I was an ncs parent who was told that my child would never get into an ivy. she had great scores and grades and activities so I politely persevered and they ended up supporting her and she did get into several ivies. Ncs needs the parents and /or the girl to really come up with a reason that the child should go to a specific school- the college dept cant hold your hand, they really just send in your stuff. they have a staff of 2 people and they deal with 160 girls and families each year (juniors and seniors)

[Anonymous]

I wish I had known how impt girls sports is. I am an old person who went to school before title 9. there were some parents who had their kids doing 6 or 7 field hockey camps in the summer before 9th grade- and hiring private coaches etc. those girls got onto the varsity squad in 9th grade. I really was mystified. One girl took tennis the entire summer- every single day. she got onto varsity tennis in the 9th grade. or 5 girls parents got together and hired a private coach, those girls got onto varsity. its very serious !!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was an ncs parent who was told that my child would never get into an ivy. she had great scores and grades and activities so I politely persevered and they ended up supporting her and she did get into several ivies. Ncs needs the parents and /or the girl to really come up with a reason that the child should go to a specific school- the college dept cant hold your hand, they really just send in your stuff. they have a staff of 2 people and they deal with 160 girls and families each year (juniors and seniors)

This is a bunch of BS. My DD applied to several ivies and was accepted. She received very little support from her counselor. We used the counselor's office administratively to upload her transcripts, recs, and AP test scores to the list of schools that she was applying to, very little guidance from the office or convincing them of her worthiness occurred on our end.

The school doesn't prevent you from applying to any school, they may caution you, but not sending in your documents, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former NCS parent who has contributed to this thread and I am frankly embarrassed by the turn it has taken. Those of you on both sides who are taking turns sniping at each other are undermining whatever point you are trying to make.

I completely agree with this. It is also beginning to look like the problem is the parents (mothers) at NCS based on the way they've been carrying on on this board.

I posted the second comment. I do not have a daughter at NCS currently, but will be looking at the school next year- that is why I am following this thread. The biggest turn off so far have been the parents bickering on this board. It is starting to seem like some of the parents of these girls are contributing to the very problem they wish to solve.

Always keep in mind that it could be 1-2 people having a long, drawn-out argument. Take everything on this ANONYMOUS INTERNET BOARD with a grain of salt.

I have no connection to NCS, but I'm interested, and here's what seems to be happening if you plow through multiple pages of this thread. Two posters have identified themselves as a disgruntled alumna and a disgruntled parent. These two post negatively again and again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again.

Another unhappy NCS parent here. I am not 22:38 and have rarely posted on this board. Believe me, there are more than several of us. I have met them in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was an ncs parent who was told that my child would never get into an ivy. she had great scores and grades and activities so I politely persevered and they ended up supporting her and she did get into several ivies. Ncs needs the parents and /or the girl to really come up with a reason that the child should go to a specific school- the college dept cant hold your hand, they really just send in your stuff. they have a staff of 2 people and they deal with 160 girls and families each year (juniors and seniors)

This is a bunch of BS. My DD applied to several ivies and was accepted. She received very little support from her counselor. We used the counselor's office administratively to upload her transcripts, recs, and AP test scores to the list of schools that she was applying to, very little guidance from the office or convincing them of her worthiness occurred on our end.

The school doesn't prevent you from applying to any school, they may caution you, but not sending in your documents, no.

You may think the school did not support your daughter but they send in lengthy counselor letters on every student (that is the independent school norm), in addition to teacher rec letters. If she got in, the rec letters were good, I'm sure (and I'm sure your daughter was a great student and deserved strong recs-- just saying kids don't apply in a vacuum with respect to the school's role).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former NCS parent who has contributed to this thread and I am frankly embarrassed by the turn it has taken. Those of you on both sides who are taking turns sniping at each other are undermining whatever point you are trying to make.

I completely agree with this. It is also beginning to look like the problem is the parents (mothers) at NCS based on the way they've been carrying on on this board.

I posted the second comment. I do not have a daughter at NCS currently, but will be looking at the school next year- that is why I am following this thread. The biggest turn off so far have been the parents bickering on this board. It is starting to seem like some of the parents of these girls are contributing to the very problem they wish to solve.

Always keep in mind that it could be 1-2 people having a long, drawn-out argument. Take everything on this ANONYMOUS INTERNET BOARD with a grain of salt.

I have no connection to NCS, but I'm interested, and here's what seems to be happening if you plow through multiple pages of this thread. Two posters have identified themselves as a disgruntled alumna and a disgruntled parent. These two post negatively again and again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again.

Another unhappy NCS parent here. I am not 22:38 and have rarely posted on this board. Believe me, there are more than several of us. I have met them in person.

So two unhappy posters have identified themselves. That's exactly what we've been saying. We've also said, you've made your point, over and over, so please go away now.

[Anonymous]

The most comments regarding this question I had heard are: "I wish I had known how incredibly difficult the work load and just academics were overall" and I wish I had known that just because it is a great school that does not mean it is a great school for MY child" and "I wish I had followed my gut and sent my child to a school that was a better fit for her academically and socially."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former NCS parent who has contributed to this thread and I am frankly embarrassed by the turn it has taken. Those of you on both sides who are taking turns sniping at each other are undermining whatever point you are trying to make.

I completely agree with this. It is also beginning to look like the problem is the parents (mothers) at NCS based on the way they've been carrying on on this board.

I posted the second comment. I do not have a daughter at NCS currently, but will be looking at the school next year- that is why I am following this thread. The biggest turn off so far have been the parents bickering on this board. It is starting to seem like some of the parents of these girls are contributing to the very problem they wish to solve.

Always keep in mind that it could be 1-2 people having a long, drawn-out argument. Take everything on this ANONYMOUS INTERNET BOARD with a grain of salt.

I have no connection to NCS, but I'm interested, and here's what seems to be happening if you plow through multiple pages of this thread. Two posters have identified themselves as a disgruntled alumna and a disgruntled parent. These two post negatively again and again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again.

Another unhappy NCS parent here. I am not 22:38 and have rarely posted on this board. Believe me, there are more than several of us. I have met them in person.

So two unhappy posters have identified themselves. That's exactly what we've been saying. We've also said, you've made your point, over and over, so please go away now.

Another unhappy NCS parent, add me to the count.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was an ncs parent who was told that my child would never get into an ivy. she had great scores and grades and activities so I politely persevered and they ended up supporting her and she did get into several ivies. Ncs needs the parents and /or the girl to really come up with a reason that the child should go to a specific school- the college dept cant hold your hand, they really just send in your stuff. they have a staff of 2 people and they deal with 160 girls and families each year (juniors and seniors)

This is a bunch of BS. My DD applied to several ivies and was accepted. She received very little support from her counselor. We used the counselor's office administratively to upload her transcripts, recs, and AP test scores to the list of schools that she was applying to, very little guidance from the office or convincing them of her worthiness occurred on our end.

The school doesn't prevent you from applying to any school, they may caution you, but not sending in your documents, no.

You may think the school did not support your daughter but they send in lengthy counselor letters on every student (that is the independent school norm), in addition to teacher rec letters. If she got in, the rec letters were good, I'm sure (and I'm sure your daughter was a great student and deserved strong recs-- just saying kids don't apply in a vacuum with respect to the school's role).

Excuse me, my daughter's math and English teacher gave her wonderful recommendations, they were highly supportive of her. The counselor was new and didn't know what the hell he was doing. He didn't have any established relationships with ADs from any of the schools that she or many of the girls applied to and was basically useless. We were very grateful that he made sure her documents were uploaded in a timely manner. He basically cut and pasted the information that we submitted from our family questionnaire about our daughter and that was added into her profile. They use a template and throw in a few personalized statements from the family. The counselors hardly know the girls. There's a few lines in it from the school about the student's academic strength, work ethic, etc.

[Anonymous]

What is the attrition rate for Beauvoir girls who go to NCS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the attrition rate for Beauvoir girls who go to NCS?

My DD is in 8th grade. The rumor mill has many applying out for next year.

[Anonymous]

NCS is a great school for the right fit girl. Your daughter needs to want to really work hard and to be comfortable not being near the smartest girl in the class. But, she will get a superb education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NCS is a great school for the right fit girl. Your daughter needs to want to really work hard and to be comfortable not being near the smartest girl in the class. But, she will get a superb education.

+1 and surviving the uber competitive "mean girl" environment of NCS will prepare your daughter well for the real world.

[Anonymous]

+1 Thank you, PP. This has been our DD's experience.