Was Told By College Admissions Officer That Sidwell Secretly Ranks Students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

DP: It's more than OK. It's essential. Had the CCO refused to answer the question when asked by a college, likely all of the kids under consideration would have bene rejected.

Also, you knowing the rank would not have changed that outcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the philosophy behind not telling students their rank?

Quakerism.

No it’s not. Most of the privates don’t rank, not just Sidwell.

Most privates also do not use a weighted GPA system. So, the 4.0 students could have taken radically different paths in terms of rigor.

And this is exactly where the "secret ranking" is problematic - especially if they are choosing to do this only for some students.

I assume the counselor’s “ranking” takes rigor into account somehow. Otherwise it would make no sense.

You are missing the point - the issue is that CCO says they don't do this at all - so it'd extra problematic if they secretly do this for "some" students. I can assure you that the CCOs did not give a secret ranking for the set of unhooked high gpa/rigor students in our DC's class. They would barely answer questions - let alone go to bat for them behind the scenes in a letter. Frankly, they barely knew the students at all.

Schools that say they “do not rank” (which by the way includes most public schools around here) are not saying that they will refuse to compare students applying to the same college in a counselor letter or when asked by an AO. I don’t know why you would equate the two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

My, my.

The is a difference between schools that provide GPA, weighted or unweighted, and schools that don’t. Public/private, makes no difference.

But if you believe your school when they say they don’t rank, don’t provide GPAs and treat students equally when dealing with college AOs, you really have not been paying attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

DP: It's more than OK. It's essential. Had the CCO refused to answer the question when asked by a college, likely all of the kids under consideration would have bene rejected.

Also, you knowing the rank would not have changed that outcome.

I don't need to know the rank. And, by not providing this info for everyone "secretly in their CCO letter" likely does result in kids under consideration being rejected. If calculated a rigor weighted rank and provided that for all students - then it would be far more clear who the weighted top 5%-10%-20% are. Doing this for just a few people you choose to go to bat for - while claiming it is NOT done due to Quakerly values (which they absolutely claim) - is not ok. They aren't just doing this for a couple of students at the very top of rigor/gpa - they are doing for the students "they want to" (and in some cases, are probably "told to") help stand out. Of course, all those legacies with low rigor and high grades wouldn't want a blanket weighted GPA/rank floating out there.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They likely due this by request of the schools. Our private is open with the fact that colleges compare kids against each other openly--basically lay the applications on the table and go down the row.

Interesting. GDS on the other hand tells parents over and over that the students are not competing against each other.

Why would anyone ever believe this when colleges explicitly say this, over and over again in their info sessions? Of course you are compared to the peers in your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

My, my.

The is a difference between schools that provide GPA, weighted or unweighted, and schools that don’t. Public/private, makes no difference.

But if you believe your school when they say they don’t rank, don’t provide GPAs and treat students equally when dealing with college AOs, you really have not been paying attention.

We have been paying attention - and so - when unhooked high rigor students as a large group are being passed over for hooked students and then you discover the CCO is secretly sending information for just some people - that's a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

DP: It's more than OK. It's essential. Had the CCO refused to answer the question when asked by a college, likely all of the kids under consideration would have bene rejected.

Also, you knowing the rank would not have changed that outcome.

I don't need to know the rank. And, by not providing this info for everyone "secretly in their CCO letter" likely does result in kids under consideration being rejected. If calculated a rigor weighted rank and provided that for all students - then it would be far more clear who the weighted top 5%-10%-20% are. Doing this for just a few people you choose to go to bat for - while claiming it is NOT done due to Quakerly values (which they absolutely claim) - is not ok. They aren't just doing this for a couple of students at the very top of rigor/gpa - they are doing for the students "they want to" (and in some cases, are probably "told to") help stand out. Of course, all those legacies with low rigor and high grades wouldn't want a blanket weighted GPA/rank floating out there.....

No doubt you and your student have benefited from the school treating people differently based on hooks (even when the school says they don’t do that). And you’ve probably touted the Quaker values in other contexts while your student has been at the school. Now you cry unfair because you are not the favored ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

DP: It's more than OK. It's essential. Had the CCO refused to answer the question when asked by a college, likely all of the kids under consideration would have bene rejected.

Also, you knowing the rank would not have changed that outcome.

I don't need to know the rank. And, by not providing this info for everyone "secretly in their CCO letter" likely does result in kids under consideration being rejected. If calculated a rigor weighted rank and provided that for all students - then it would be far more clear who the weighted top 5%-10%-20% are. Doing this for just a few people you choose to go to bat for - while claiming it is NOT done due to Quakerly values (which they absolutely claim) - is not ok. They aren't just doing this for a couple of students at the very top of rigor/gpa - they are doing for the students "they want to" (and in some cases, are probably "told to") help stand out. Of course, all those legacies with low rigor and high grades wouldn't want a blanket weighted GPA/rank floating out there.....

No doubt you and your student have benefited from the school treating people differently based on hooks (even when the school says they don’t do that). And you’ve probably touted the Quaker values in other contexts while your student has been at the school. Now you cry unfair because you are not the favored ones.

Nope to both of these. We liked the idea of Quaker values but in reality, Sidwell high school uses Quaker values as their reason for why they don't/won't do certain things. We have no hooks other than full pay - which we would be anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

My, my.

The is a difference between schools that provide GPA, weighted or unweighted, and schools that don’t. Public/private, makes no difference.

But if you believe your school when they say they don’t rank, don’t provide GPAs and treat students equally when dealing with college AOs, you really have not been paying attention.

We have been paying attention - and so - when unhooked high rigor students as a large group are being passed over for hooked students and then you discover the CCO is secretly sending information for just some people - that's a problem.

And how did you “discover the CCO is secretly sending information.” 🙄
You sound like you need therapy and a nap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

My, my.

The is a difference between schools that provide GPA, weighted or unweighted, and schools that don’t. Public/private, makes no difference.

But if you believe your school when they say they don’t rank, don’t provide GPAs and treat students equally when dealing with college AOs, you really have not been paying attention.

We have been paying attention - and so - when unhooked high rigor students as a large group are being passed over for hooked students and then you discover the CCO is secretly sending information for just some people - that's a problem.

Then sue Sidwell so all of this “secret” assistance is exposed. Perhaps it will help your child get into an Ivy too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

DP: It's more than OK. It's essential. Had the CCO refused to answer the question when asked by a college, likely all of the kids under consideration would have bene rejected.

Also, you knowing the rank would not have changed that outcome.

I don't need to know the rank. And, by not providing this info for everyone "secretly in their CCO letter" likely does result in kids under consideration being rejected. If calculated a rigor weighted rank and provided that for all students - then it would be far more clear who the weighted top 5%-10%-20% are. Doing this for just a few people you choose to go to bat for - while claiming it is NOT done due to Quakerly values (which they absolutely claim) - is not ok. They aren't just doing this for a couple of students at the very top of rigor/gpa - they are doing for the students "they want to" (and in some cases, are probably "told to") help stand out. Of course, all those legacies with low rigor and high grades wouldn't want a blanket weighted GPA/rank floating out there.....

No doubt you and your student have benefited from the school treating people differently based on hooks (even when the school says they don’t do that). And you’ve probably touted the Quaker values in other contexts while your student has been at the school. Now you cry unfair because you are not the favored ones.

Nope to both of these. We liked the idea of Quaker values but in reality, Sidwell high school uses Quaker values as their reason for why they don't/won't do certain things. We have no hooks other than full pay - which we would be anywhere.

You choose to be part of a school that operates on favoring some people over others based on money/connections/legacy. Then you get all outraged when they do exactly that.

[Anonymous]

Jesus- you Sidwell parents are the literal worst

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jesus- you Sidwell parents are the literal worst

Yet here you are—eagerly posting on a Sidwell thread. You’re hating from outside the club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

My, my.

The is a difference between schools that provide GPA, weighted or unweighted, and schools that don’t. Public/private, makes no difference.

But if you believe your school when they say they don’t rank, don’t provide GPAs and treat students equally when dealing with college AOs, you really have not been paying attention.

We have been paying attention - and so - when unhooked high rigor students as a large group are being passed over for hooked students and then you discover the CCO is secretly sending information for just some people - that's a problem.

And how did you “discover the CCO is secretly sending information.” 🙄
You sound like you need therapy and a nap.

It's the topic of this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All schools do that, OP, both public and private.

Are you a public parent? Maybe your school doesn't "rank" students but there's a huge difference between public, where GPA IS calculated and GPA IS weighted and a private where there is no official GPA and even the mocked up one isn't weighted. Being told GPA is not calculated or given to colleges but then having CCO and that there are no rankings - but then CCO chooses to "reveal" a rank for some students is not ok.

My, my.

The is a difference between schools that provide GPA, weighted or unweighted, and schools that don’t. Public/private, makes no difference.

But if you believe your school when they say they don’t rank, don’t provide GPAs and treat students equally when dealing with college AOs, you really have not been paying attention.

We have been paying attention - and so - when unhooked high rigor students as a large group are being passed over for hooked students and then you discover the CCO is secretly sending information for just some people - that's a problem.

Then sue Sidwell so all of this “secret” assistance is exposed. Perhaps it will help your child get into an Ivy too!

No thanks... done and gone. No need to go back.