Academic Difference Between GDS and Sidwell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there an academic difference between either school? It seems like GDS is easier to graduate from with an Ivy-worthy GPA than Sidwell. I'm not insulting GDS, nor am I trolling. My kid is applying to both of these schools and is an athlete the coaches are interested in.

If we are shooting for a 3.9+ GPA, would GDS be a better fit? I think he like Sidwell's facilities and culture better, but GDS may be an easier journey for someone looking to get stellar grades.

What does this forum think?

Based on this year’s IG posts, 2023 Sidwell students had better luck gaining admission to Ivy+ colleges than GDS students. It may vary from year to year though.

All hooked except one or two.

The vast majority of Sidwell and GDS parents are college graduates. Therefore, their children are “hooked” (legacies) at some college(s). If you or your spouse didn’t graduate from an Ivy+, that’s too bad for your child. They can always use the hook his/her parents provided. But that’s not good enough for you, is it?

Pls don’t conflate one of the 400,000 Harvard alums with real legacies whose families are wealthy, successful, and has donated millions over the years.

Every alums kid cannot get a seat as said parent’s alum. Stop pretending that’s a “leg up.”

I agree with you. Posters on this board act as if legacies from Sidwell (and other elite privates) who are admitted to T20 colleges are unqualified. There’s been loads of research on this issue and the findings are that most of these legacies have equivalent or better stats than “unhooked” admits. I know several high stats, double Harvard legacies that were denied admissions. Many people don’t understand that legacy status is not determinative without a lot of other things working in your student’s favor.

False. Legacies in the 3.5 to 3.7 range with less rigorous classes got into HYP while 3.9+ students with rigorous classes did not at Sidwell this year.

This ^^^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there an academic difference between either school? It seems like GDS is easier to graduate from with an Ivy-worthy GPA than Sidwell. I'm not insulting GDS, nor am I trolling. My kid is applying to both of these schools and is an athlete the coaches are interested in.

If we are shooting for a 3.9+ GPA, would GDS be a better fit? I think he like Sidwell's facilities and culture better, but GDS may be an easier journey for someone looking to get stellar grades.

What does this forum think?

Based on this year’s IG posts, 2023 Sidwell students had better luck gaining admission to Ivy+ colleges than GDS students. It may vary from year to year though.

All hooked except one or two.

The vast majority of Sidwell and GDS parents are college graduates. Therefore, their children are “hooked” (legacies) at some college(s). If you or your spouse didn’t graduate from an Ivy+, that’s too bad for your child. They can always use the hook his/her parents provided. But that’s not good enough for you, is it?

Pls don’t conflate one of the 400,000 Harvard alums with real legacies whose families are wealthy, successful, and has donated millions over the years.

Every alums kid cannot get a seat as said parent’s alum. Stop pretending that’s a “leg up.”

I agree with you. Posters on this board act as if legacies from Sidwell (and other elite privates) who are admitted to T20 colleges are unqualified. There’s been loads of research on this issue and the findings are that most of these legacies have equivalent or better stats than “unhooked” admits. I know several high stats, double Harvard legacies that were denied admissions. Many people don’t understand that legacy status is not determinative without a lot of other things working in your student’s favor.

False. Legacies in the 3.5 to 3.7 range with less rigorous classes got into HYP while 3.9+ students with rigorous classes did not at Sidwell this year.

This ^^^

Sad. And demotivating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there an academic difference between either school? It seems like GDS is easier to graduate from with an Ivy-worthy GPA than Sidwell. I'm not insulting GDS, nor am I trolling. My kid is applying to both of these schools and is an athlete the coaches are interested in.

If we are shooting for a 3.9+ GPA, would GDS be a better fit? I think he like Sidwell's facilities and culture better, but GDS may be an easier journey for someone looking to get stellar grades.

What does this forum think?

Based on this year’s IG posts, 2023 Sidwell students had better luck gaining admission to Ivy+ colleges than GDS students. It may vary from year to year though.

All hooked except one or two.

The vast majority of Sidwell and GDS parents are college graduates. Therefore, their children are “hooked” (legacies) at some college(s). If you or your spouse didn’t graduate from an Ivy+, that’s too bad for your child. They can always use the hook his/her parents provided. But that’s not good enough for you, is it?

Pls don’t conflate one of the 400,000 Harvard alums with real legacies whose families are wealthy, successful, and has donated millions over the years.

Every alums kid cannot get a seat as said parent’s alum. Stop pretending that’s a “leg up.”

I agree with you. Posters on this board act as if legacies from Sidwell (and other elite privates) who are admitted to T20 colleges are unqualified. There’s been loads of research on this issue and the findings are that most of these legacies have equivalent or better stats than “unhooked” admits. I know several high stats, double Harvard legacies that were denied admissions. Many people don’t understand that legacy status is not determinative without a lot of other things working in your student’s favor.

False. Legacies in the 3.5 to 3.7 range with less rigorous classes got into HYP while 3.9+ students with rigorous classes did not at Sidwell this year.

This ^^^

Sad. And demotivating.

Kids are admitted to SFS all the time because they are hooked, not because they are the best and the brightest. Now you think this is sad and unfair. But that’s the system you chose - and maybe why your kid got into SFS in the first place. Welcome to the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there an academic difference between either school? It seems like GDS is easier to graduate from with an Ivy-worthy GPA than Sidwell. I'm not insulting GDS, nor am I trolling. My kid is applying to both of these schools and is an athlete the coaches are interested in.

If we are shooting for a 3.9+ GPA, would GDS be a better fit? I think he like Sidwell's facilities and culture better, but GDS may be an easier journey for someone looking to get stellar grades.

What does this forum think?

Based on this year’s IG posts, 2023 Sidwell students had better luck gaining admission to Ivy+ colleges than GDS students. It may vary from year to year though.

All hooked except one or two.

The vast majority of Sidwell and GDS parents are college graduates. Therefore, their children are “hooked” (legacies) at some college(s). If you or your spouse didn’t graduate from an Ivy+, that’s too bad for your child. They can always use the hook his/her parents provided. But that’s not good enough for you, is it?

Pls don’t conflate one of the 400,000 Harvard alums with real legacies whose families are wealthy, successful, and has donated millions over the years.

Every alums kid cannot get a seat as said parent’s alum. Stop pretending that’s a “leg up.”

I agree with you. Posters on this board act as if legacies from Sidwell (and other elite privates) who are admitted to T20 colleges are unqualified. There’s been loads of research on this issue and the findings are that most of these legacies have equivalent or better stats than “unhooked” admits. I know several high stats, double Harvard legacies that were denied admissions. Many people don’t understand that legacy status is not determinative without a lot of other things working in your student’s favor.

False. Legacies in the 3.5 to 3.7 range with less rigorous classes got into HYP while 3.9+ students with rigorous classes did not at Sidwell this year.

This ^^^

Sad. And demotivating.

If true, that’s not Sidwell’s fault. HYP (and the rest of the alphabet) selected the students they wanted to admit. Ending affirmative active and legacy admissions isn’t going to change that fact.

[Anonymous]

^ affirmative action

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there an academic difference between either school? It seems like GDS is easier to graduate from with an Ivy-worthy GPA than Sidwell. I'm not insulting GDS, nor am I trolling. My kid is applying to both of these schools and is an athlete the coaches are interested in.

If we are shooting for a 3.9+ GPA, would GDS be a better fit? I think he like Sidwell's facilities and culture better, but GDS may be an easier journey for someone looking to get stellar grades.

What does this forum think?

Based on this year’s IG posts, 2023 Sidwell students had better luck gaining admission to Ivy+ colleges than GDS students. It may vary from year to year though.

All hooked except one or two.

The vast majority of Sidwell and GDS parents are college graduates. Therefore, their children are “hooked” (legacies) at some college(s). If you or your spouse didn’t graduate from an Ivy+, that’s too bad for your child. They can always use the hook his/her parents provided. But that’s not good enough for you, is it?

Pls don’t conflate one of the 400,000 Harvard alums with real legacies whose families are wealthy, successful, and has donated millions over the years.

Every alums kid cannot get a seat as said parent’s alum. Stop pretending that’s a “leg up.”

I agree with you. Posters on this board act as if legacies from Sidwell (and other elite privates) who are admitted to T20 colleges are unqualified. There’s been loads of research on this issue and the findings are that most of these legacies have equivalent or better stats than “unhooked” admits. I know several high stats, double Harvard legacies that were denied admissions. Many people don’t understand that legacy status is not determinative without a lot of other things working in your student’s favor.

False. Legacies in the 3.5 to 3.7 range with less rigorous classes got into HYP while 3.9+ students with rigorous classes did not at Sidwell this year.

This ^^^

Just stop you have no idea on anyone’s GPA or that everyone has a different idea of what rigorous means. I have friends who say their kid has 3.9 and then actually not 3.9 and oh every class not the highest. Also high English classes not the same as high math and depends on major you are looking. There is so much and all these kids inflate when talking to friends and everyone’s parent seems paranoid that someone is getting something more. Gosh this is crazy and reminds me of the parents who would call to try and hurt someone’s application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there an academic difference between either school? It seems like GDS is easier to graduate from with an Ivy-worthy GPA than Sidwell. I'm not insulting GDS, nor am I trolling. My kid is applying to both of these schools and is an athlete the coaches are interested in.

If we are shooting for a 3.9+ GPA, would GDS be a better fit? I think he like Sidwell's facilities and culture better, but GDS may be an easier journey for someone looking to get stellar grades.

What does this forum think?

Based on this year’s IG posts, 2023 Sidwell students had better luck gaining admission to Ivy+ colleges than GDS students. It may vary from year to year though.

All hooked except one or two.

The vast majority of Sidwell and GDS parents are college graduates. Therefore, their children are “hooked” (legacies) at some college(s). If you or your spouse didn’t graduate from an Ivy+, that’s too bad for your child. They can always use the hook his/her parents provided. But that’s not good enough for you, is it?

Pls don’t conflate one of the 400,000 Harvard alums with real legacies whose families are wealthy, successful, and has donated millions over the years.

Every alums kid cannot get a seat as said parent’s alum. Stop pretending that’s a “leg up.”

I agree with you. Posters on this board act as if legacies from Sidwell (and other elite privates) who are admitted to T20 colleges are unqualified. There’s been loads of research on this issue and the findings are that most of these legacies have equivalent or better stats than “unhooked” admits. I know several high stats, double Harvard legacies that were denied admissions. Many people don’t understand that legacy status is not determinative without a lot of other things working in your student’s favor.

False. Legacies in the 3.5 to 3.7 range with less rigorous classes got into HYP while 3.9+ students with rigorous classes did not at Sidwell this year.

This ^^^

Just stop you have no idea on anyone’s GPA or that everyone has a different idea of what rigorous means. I have friends who say their kid has 3.9 and then actually not 3.9 and oh every class not the highest. Also high English classes not the same as high math and depends on major you are looking. There is so much and all these kids inflate when talking to friends and everyone’s parent seems paranoid that someone is getting something more. Gosh this is crazy and reminds me of the parents who would call to try and hurt someone’s application.

I agree with this. Parents almost always always round up their kid's GPA in casual conversation. It's like a recreational activity at these schools.

At my kids' Big3 last year the Ivy legacies (who got in) were all very strong students. Did the top 10% of the class all get in? No. But neither did a heck of a lot of Ivy legacy kids (at the school) who didn't have the grades, rigor or scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HYP (and the rest of the alphabet) selected the students they wanted to admit.

This. They have institutional priorities and have never been about admitting everyone with the absolute highest GPAs or test scores. Selingo has been clear in reporting that schools want a well-rounded class, and they'll do that with a certain minimum standard. Once they meet that standard (say, a 3.5 GPA for Sidwell), institutional priorities take over (i.e., someone with a 3.7 but fills a certain need will get admitted before a 3.9 student who doesn't).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there an academic difference between either school? It seems like GDS is easier to graduate from with an Ivy-worthy GPA than Sidwell. I'm not insulting GDS, nor am I trolling. My kid is applying to both of these schools and is an athlete the coaches are interested in.

If we are shooting for a 3.9+ GPA, would GDS be a better fit? I think he like Sidwell's facilities and culture better, but GDS may be an easier journey for someone looking to get stellar grades.

What does this forum think?

Based on this year’s IG posts, 2023 Sidwell students had better luck gaining admission to Ivy+ colleges than GDS students. It may vary from year to year though.

All hooked except one or two.

The vast majority of Sidwell and GDS parents are college graduates. Therefore, their children are “hooked” (legacies) at some college(s). If you or your spouse didn’t graduate from an Ivy+, that’s too bad for your child. They can always use the hook his/her parents provided. But that’s not good enough for you, is it?

Pls don’t conflate one of the 400,000 Harvard alums with real legacies whose families are wealthy, successful, and has donated millions over the years.

Every alums kid cannot get a seat as said parent’s alum. Stop pretending that’s a “leg up.”

I agree with you. Posters on this board act as if legacies from Sidwell (and other elite privates) who are admitted to T20 colleges are unqualified. There’s been loads of research on this issue and the findings are that most of these legacies have equivalent or better stats than “unhooked” admits. I know several high stats, double Harvard legacies that were denied admissions. Many people don’t understand that legacy status is not determinative without a lot of other things working in your student’s favor.

False. Legacies in the 3.5 to 3.7 range with less rigorous classes got into HYP while 3.9+ students with rigorous classes did not at Sidwell this year.

This ^^^

Sad. And demotivating.

Kids are admitted to SFS all the time because they are hooked, not because they are the best and the brightest. Now you think this is sad and unfair. But that’s the system you chose - and maybe why your kid got into SFS in the first place. Welcome to the world.

We applied to several private schools for preschool and I was surprised to see how many asked for specifics on where parents were educated. I didn’t think much about it at the time but as my kids go into high school I see why it will matter as my kids are legacies at great schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there an academic difference between either school? It seems like GDS is easier to graduate from with an Ivy-worthy GPA than Sidwell. I'm not insulting GDS, nor am I trolling. My kid is applying to both of these schools and is an athlete the coaches are interested in.

If we are shooting for a 3.9+ GPA, would GDS be a better fit? I think he like Sidwell's facilities and culture better, but GDS may be an easier journey for someone looking to get stellar grades.

What does this forum think?

Based on this year’s IG posts, 2023 Sidwell students had better luck gaining admission to Ivy+ colleges than GDS students. It may vary from year to year though.

All hooked except one or two.

The vast majority of Sidwell and GDS parents are college graduates. Therefore, their children are “hooked” (legacies) at some college(s). If you or your spouse didn’t graduate from an Ivy+, that’s too bad for your child. They can always use the hook his/her parents provided. But that’s not good enough for you, is it?

Pls don’t conflate one of the 400,000 Harvard alums with real legacies whose families are wealthy, successful, and has donated millions over the years.

Every alums kid cannot get a seat as said parent’s alum. Stop pretending that’s a “leg up.”

I agree with you. Posters on this board act as if legacies from Sidwell (and other elite privates) who are admitted to T20 colleges are unqualified. There’s been loads of research on this issue and the findings are that most of these legacies have equivalent or better stats than “unhooked” admits. I know several high stats, double Harvard legacies that were denied admissions. Many people don’t understand that legacy status is not determinative without a lot of other things working in your student’s favor.

False. Legacies in the 3.5 to 3.7 range with less rigorous classes got into HYP while 3.9+ students with rigorous classes did not at Sidwell this year.

USA college system has never looked purely at GPA and test scores.

Go alumni interview and learn something yourself.

Harvard wants intellect, type A “leaders” not bookworms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there an academic difference between either school? It seems like GDS is easier to graduate from with an Ivy-worthy GPA than Sidwell. I'm not insulting GDS, nor am I trolling. My kid is applying to both of these schools and is an athlete the coaches are interested in.

If we are shooting for a 3.9+ GPA, would GDS be a better fit? I think he like Sidwell's facilities and culture better, but GDS may be an easier journey for someone looking to get stellar grades.

What does this forum think?

Based on this year’s IG posts, 2023 Sidwell students had better luck gaining admission to Ivy+ colleges than GDS students. It may vary from year to year though.

All hooked except one or two.

The vast majority of Sidwell and GDS parents are college graduates. Therefore, their children are “hooked” (legacies) at some college(s). If you or your spouse didn’t graduate from an Ivy+, that’s too bad for your child. They can always use the hook his/her parents provided. But that’s not good enough for you, is it?

Pls don’t conflate one of the 400,000 Harvard alums with real legacies whose families are wealthy, successful, and has donated millions over the years.

Every alums kid cannot get a seat as said parent’s alum. Stop pretending that’s a “leg up.”

I agree with you. Posters on this board act as if legacies from Sidwell (and other elite privates) who are admitted to T20 colleges are unqualified. There’s been loads of research on this issue and the findings are that most of these legacies have equivalent or better stats than “unhooked” admits. I know several high stats, double Harvard legacies that were denied admissions. Many people don’t understand that legacy status is not determinative without a lot of other things working in your student’s favor.

False. Legacies in the 3.5 to 3.7 range with less rigorous classes got into HYP while 3.9+ students with rigorous classes did not at Sidwell this year.

Life’s hard. Too bad those 3.9+ Sidwell students weren’t also HYP legacies. They should blame their parents.

Legacies will end soon.

Wtf is a “legacy”?
One parent went to the ugrad, or worse, a grad school program there? Thats tons and tons of kids! So many it’s irrelevant.

Dartmouth only admits 1000 new students a year. These Ivy schools are SMALL. Tons of “legacies” are not admitted. Tons of non legacies are not admitted.

Get over it.

Only gold ticket is first gen refugee applicant who’s a URM and supported by NGOs across the border and into school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there an academic difference between either school? It seems like GDS is easier to graduate from with an Ivy-worthy GPA than Sidwell. I'm not insulting GDS, nor am I trolling. My kid is applying to both of these schools and is an athlete the coaches are interested in.

If we are shooting for a 3.9+ GPA, would GDS be a better fit? I think he like Sidwell's facilities and culture better, but GDS may be an easier journey for someone looking to get stellar grades.

What does this forum think?

Based on this year’s IG posts, 2023 Sidwell students had better luck gaining admission to Ivy+ colleges than GDS students. It may vary from year to year though.

All hooked except one or two.

The vast majority of Sidwell and GDS parents are college graduates. Therefore, their children are “hooked” (legacies) at some college(s). If you or your spouse didn’t graduate from an Ivy+, that’s too bad for your child. They can always use the hook his/her parents provided. But that’s not good enough for you, is it?

Pls don’t conflate one of the 400,000 Harvard alums with real legacies whose families are wealthy, successful, and has donated millions over the years.

Every alums kid cannot get a seat as said parent’s alum. Stop pretending that’s a “leg up.”

I agree with you. Posters on this board act as if legacies from Sidwell (and other elite privates) who are admitted to T20 colleges are unqualified. There’s been loads of research on this issue and the findings are that most of these legacies have equivalent or better stats than “unhooked” admits. I know several high stats, double Harvard legacies that were denied admissions. Many people don’t understand that legacy status is not determinative without a lot of other things working in your student’s favor.

False. Legacies in the 3.5 to 3.7 range with less rigorous classes got into HYP while 3.9+ students with rigorous classes did not at Sidwell this year.

Life’s hard. Too bad those 3.9+ Sidwell students weren’t also HYP legacies. They should blame their parents.

Legacies will end soon.

If so, then HYP legacies will simply get in another way or become legacies at other Ivy+ colleges. It’s just rearranging the deck chairs. Privilege and access will always beget privilege and access. It’s the American way.

HYP are a bunch of whiny babies. Read their school newspapers and alum magazine. Many alums stopped donated, the schools are a joke run by 20 yo cry babies who can’t pass a math test.

[Anonymous]

Oh really?
https://alumni.princeton.edu/stories/princeton-annual-giving-campaign-2023

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there an academic difference between either school? It seems like GDS is easier to graduate from with an Ivy-worthy GPA than Sidwell. I'm not insulting GDS, nor am I trolling. My kid is applying to both of these schools and is an athlete the coaches are interested in.

If we are shooting for a 3.9+ GPA, would GDS be a better fit? I think he like Sidwell's facilities and culture better, but GDS may be an easier journey for someone looking to get stellar grades.

What does this forum think?

Based on this year’s IG posts, 2023 Sidwell students had better luck gaining admission to Ivy+ colleges than GDS students. It may vary from year to year though.

All hooked except one or two.

The vast majority of Sidwell and GDS parents are college graduates. Therefore, their children are “hooked” (legacies) at some college(s). If you or your spouse didn’t graduate from an Ivy+, that’s too bad for your child. They can always use the hook his/her parents provided. But that’s not good enough for you, is it?

Pls don’t conflate one of the 400,000 Harvard alums with real legacies whose families are wealthy, successful, and has donated millions over the years.

Every alums kid cannot get a seat as said parent’s alum. Stop pretending that’s a “leg up.”

I agree with you. Posters on this board act as if legacies from Sidwell (and other elite privates) who are admitted to T20 colleges are unqualified. There’s been loads of research on this issue and the findings are that most of these legacies have equivalent or better stats than “unhooked” admits. I know several high stats, double Harvard legacies that were denied admissions. Many people don’t understand that legacy status is not determinative without a lot of other things working in your student’s favor.

False. Legacies in the 3.5 to 3.7 range with less rigorous classes got into HYP while 3.9+ students with rigorous classes did not at Sidwell this year.

USA college system has never looked purely at GPA and test scores.

Go alumni interview and learn something yourself.

Harvard wants intellect, type A “leaders” not bookworms.

Harvard does not want leaders. They want the children of the rich and powerful because these children will be rich and powerful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh really?
https://alumni.princeton.edu/stories/princeton-annual-giving-campaign-2023

Love all that gifted overpriced public and private stocks that subsequently tanked. Enjoy your mark to market “donations” whilst we took the tax shield at all time highs!