Admission process transparency

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter in that it’s a private school that you are applying to that has the right to share however little or much it chooses. They are not receiving any kind of federal funds, so no disclosure requirement.

It would be great if they published data, but they don’t and they won’t. Because their class sizes are so much smaller than even the smallest college, data can be misleading as well.

In a nutshell, they feel like they are doing a good job of building classes. The parents agree enough to keep their kids in the schools. And prospective parents agree enough that most of them have many times the number of applications than they have spots. It’s working for the only constituencies that matter and is unlikely to change.

That is true in theory, except that private schools receive significant tax exemptions. For example, non-profit organizations also receive tax exemptions, but in return they must publicly disclose data about their operations. Likewise, when you rent an apartment, the landlord cannot reject your application based on opaque reasons, and the applicant has the right to ask for and obtain information. How can anyone be protected against racial discrimination in school admissions if the system remains so opaque?

You have made these same comparisons before in other threads, many people have explained why they are different. You are not learning or convincing anyone else. Why do you persist?

Just because you don't have a good argument or don't agree doesn't mean that OP can't make their points. This is a message board where people are supposed to debate and express their thoughts on things after all. You should try it.

This same OP starts dozens of nonsense threads and then argues with everyone until it gets locked or people tire of her. Always some accusation of discrimination and unfairness that makes no sense. My thoughts are that this OP should find a new hobby.

I'm sorry you think it's nonsense to want transparency in the admissions process. It's an exhausting process, and we have the right to know so we don't get so tired applying to all these schools

You don’t have a right to know.

Yes, I do.

No, you don’t.

As expected, same bullying behavior from the private school crowd telling people what rights they do and don't have

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having a child applying to 9th grade , I can see where OP is coming from.

The admissions process is EXHAUSTING for both the parents and the kids. I have literally been to one school FIVE times already for various admissions events (tours, interview, dropping off DC for a shadow day, athletics event, parent coffee...) and that is just ONE school. DC is applying to six schools and this has been like a full time job. They are applying to six schools just to make sure they can get into one because nothing is guaranteed and we have no idea what the schools really want.

I just wish schools would give some loose guidelines as to what they are looking for for me to know if my child even has a shot at that school. That way we don't waste our time or the admissions teams time.

The problem is that I believe that the performance of the admissions team is based on how many applications they get. They have every incentive to encourage you to apply even though they know your child does not stand a chance.

I'm sorry this thread is getting derailed as it is a good topic. We are also applying to private schools and it is taking up most of my non working time, between the visits and shadow days and essays and applications and the test prep. But what are really the chances of being admitted at this or that school? Deep inside I'm aware there must goals the school is looking for in an incoming class, this % for athletes, this % for black students, this % for other non white students, this % for legacies, so does it really mean out of a hypothetical 30 open seats in an expansion year, we're really competing for one of five seats, not 30? Those would be the true odds.

And of course we're always worried whether we're doing enough during the admissions process. Is just filling out the applications fine or do schools still somehow expect more from us without explicitly saying so? Do they keep records of how often we visit the campus? But other than the open house and shadow day, what else is there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having a child applying to 9th grade , I can see where OP is coming from.

The admissions process is EXHAUSTING for both the parents and the kids. I have literally been to one school FIVE times already for various admissions events (tours, interview, dropping off DC for a shadow day, athletics event, parent coffee...) and that is just ONE school. DC is applying to six schools and this has been like a full time job. They are applying to six schools just to make sure they can get into one because nothing is guaranteed and we have no idea what the schools really want.

I just wish schools would give some loose guidelines as to what they are looking for for me to know if my child even has a shot at that school. That way we don't waste our time or the admissions teams time.

The problem is that I believe that the performance of the admissions team is based on how many applications they get. They have every incentive to encourage you to apply even though they know your child does not stand a chance.

I'm sorry this thread is getting derailed as it is a good topic. We are also applying to private schools and it is taking up most of my non working time, between the visits and shadow days and essays and applications and the test prep. But what are really the chances of being admitted at this or that school? Deep inside I'm aware there must goals the school is looking for in an incoming class, this % for athletes, this % for black students, this % for other non white students, this % for legacies, so does it really mean out of a hypothetical 30 open seats in an expansion year, we're really competing for one of five seats, not 30? Those would be the true odds.

And of course we're always worried whether we're doing enough during the admissions process. Is just filling out the applications fine or do schools still somehow expect more from us without explicitly saying so? Do they keep records of how often we visit the campus? But other than the open house and shadow day, what else is there?

+1 It's so annoying to be spending so much time on something when you don't even know if what you're doing is helping or what the best way to approach it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having a child applying to 9th grade , I can see where OP is coming from.

The admissions process is EXHAUSTING for both the parents and the kids. I have literally been to one school FIVE times already for various admissions events (tours, interview, dropping off DC for a shadow day, athletics event, parent coffee...) and that is just ONE school. DC is applying to six schools and this has been like a full time job. They are applying to six schools just to make sure they can get into one because nothing is guaranteed and we have no idea what the schools really want.

I just wish schools would give some loose guidelines as to what they are looking for for me to know if my child even has a shot at that school. That way we don't waste our time or the admissions teams time.

The problem is that I believe that the performance of the admissions team is based on how many applications they get. They have every incentive to encourage you to apply even though they know your child does not stand a chance.

I'm sorry this thread is getting derailed as it is a good topic. We are also applying to private schools and it is taking up most of my non working time, between the visits and shadow days and essays and applications and the test prep. But what are really the chances of being admitted at this or that school? Deep inside I'm aware there must goals the school is looking for in an incoming class, this % for athletes, this % for black students, this % for other non white students, this % for legacies, so does it really mean out of a hypothetical 30 open seats in an expansion year, we're really competing for one of five seats, not 30? Those would be the true odds.

And of course we're always worried whether we're doing enough during the admissions process. Is just filling out the applications fine or do schools still somehow expect more from us without explicitly saying so? Do they keep records of how often we visit the campus? But other than the open house and shadow day, what else is there?

100% ! I just wish the schools were transparent on the front end. OP is expecting transparency after the fact when they've already gone through the very time consuming admissions process. Why can't schools be upfront with some basic guidelines of what they are looking for? Like, a minimum SSAT/HSPT score, minimum level of grades ... how many non legacy/ siblings/ big donor spots are roughly available ... at least it puts things in perspective for the families and saves everyone time and money.

[Anonymous]

I worked in admissions for years, mostly at one that was grades 6-12 (not in this area but just as competitive and crazy) and the reality is when you have more qualified applicants than spots, you have the luxury of weeding out high drama families. OP should consider that fact carefully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know several families who feel burned out by the admissions process and by being rejected multiple times by elite schools without really understanding the difference between their children and the admitted applicants. Is the system truly working, or is there room to improve transparency? Even if the process is highly competitive, I would feel much better if there were hard data to back up the rejection decisions. Do you have the same impression?

Imagine that is not selective, not competitive at all, would you go? Why does the school have any obligation to tell you beyond what they have said on the website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having a child applying to 9th grade , I can see where OP is coming from.

The admissions process is EXHAUSTING for both the parents and the kids. I have literally been to one school FIVE times already for various admissions events (tours, interview, dropping off DC for a shadow day, athletics event, parent coffee...) and that is just ONE school. DC is applying to six schools and this has been like a full time job. They are applying to six schools just to make sure they can get into one because nothing is guaranteed and we have no idea what the schools really want.

I just wish schools would give some loose guidelines as to what they are looking for for me to know if my child even has a shot at that school. That way we don't waste our time or the admissions teams time.

The problem is that I believe that the performance of the admissions team is based on how many applications they get. They have every incentive to encourage you to apply even though they know your child does not stand a chance.

I'm sorry this thread is getting derailed as it is a good topic. We are also applying to private schools and it is taking up most of my non working time, between the visits and shadow days and essays and applications and the test prep. But what are really the chances of being admitted at this or that school? Deep inside I'm aware there must goals the school is looking for in an incoming class, this % for athletes, this % for black students, this % for other non white students, this % for legacies, so does it really mean out of a hypothetical 30 open seats in an expansion year, we're really competing for one of five seats, not 30? Those would be the true odds.

And of course we're always worried whether we're doing enough during the admissions process. Is just filling out the applications fine or do schools still somehow expect more from us without explicitly saying so? Do they keep records of how often we visit the campus? But other than the open house and shadow day, what else is there?

+1 It's so annoying to be spending so much time on something when you don't even know if what you're doing is helping or what the best way to approach it is.

Welcome to the real world. Have you applied college? fellowships? faculty positions?

[Anonymous]

Why are some people so obsessed with wanting to control every institution? So much for land if the free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked in admissions for years, mostly at one that was grades 6-12 (not in this area but just as competitive and crazy) and the reality is when you have more qualified applicants than spots, you have the luxury of weeding out high drama families. OP should consider that fact carefully.

lol ok. transparency = high drama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having a child applying to 9th grade , I can see where OP is coming from.

The admissions process is EXHAUSTING for both the parents and the kids. I have literally been to one school FIVE times already for various admissions events (tours, interview, dropping off DC for a shadow day, athletics event, parent coffee...) and that is just ONE school. DC is applying to six schools and this has been like a full time job. They are applying to six schools just to make sure they can get into one because nothing is guaranteed and we have no idea what the schools really want.

I just wish schools would give some loose guidelines as to what they are looking for for me to know if my child even has a shot at that school. That way we don't waste our time or the admissions teams time.

The problem is that I believe that the performance of the admissions team is based on how many applications they get. They have every incentive to encourage you to apply even though they know your child does not stand a chance.

I'm sorry this thread is getting derailed as it is a good topic. We are also applying to private schools and it is taking up most of my non working time, between the visits and shadow days and essays and applications and the test prep. But what are really the chances of being admitted at this or that school? Deep inside I'm aware there must goals the school is looking for in an incoming class, this % for athletes, this % for black students, this % for other non white students, this % for legacies, so does it really mean out of a hypothetical 30 open seats in an expansion year, we're really competing for one of five seats, not 30? Those would be the true odds.

And of course we're always worried whether we're doing enough during the admissions process. Is just filling out the applications fine or do schools still somehow expect more from us without explicitly saying so? Do they keep records of how often we visit the campus? But other than the open house and shadow day, what else is there?

+1 It's so annoying to be spending so much time on something when you don't even know if what you're doing is helping or what the best way to approach it is.

Welcome to the real world. Have you applied college? fellowships? faculty positions?

I was smart enough to avoid academia, so never applied to fellowships or faculty positions. but I did apply to college, yes. And it was great to have tons of data released by the schools I was applying to about average SAT scores, GPA, admissions rates, race breakdowns, geographic breakdowns, etc. Thanks for proving my point that private schools should do the same!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter in that it’s a private school that you are applying to that has the right to share however little or much it chooses. They are not receiving any kind of federal funds, so no disclosure requirement.

It would be great if they published data, but they don’t and they won’t. Because their class sizes are so much smaller than even the smallest college, data can be misleading as well.

In a nutshell, they feel like they are doing a good job of building classes. The parents agree enough to keep their kids in the schools. And prospective parents agree enough that most of them have many times the number of applications than they have spots. It’s working for the only constituencies that matter and is unlikely to change.

That is true in theory, except that private schools receive significant tax exemptions. For example, non-profit organizations also receive tax exemptions, but in return they must publicly disclose data about their operations. Likewise, when you rent an apartment, the landlord cannot reject your application based on opaque reasons, and the applicant has the right to ask for and obtain information. How can anyone be protected against racial discrimination in school admissions if the system remains so opaque?

You have made these same comparisons before in other threads, many people have explained why they are different. You are not learning or convincing anyone else. Why do you persist?

Just because you don't have a good argument or don't agree doesn't mean that OP can't make their points. This is a message board where people are supposed to debate and express their thoughts on things after all. You should try it.

This same OP starts dozens of nonsense threads and then argues with everyone until it gets locked or people tire of her. Always some accusation of discrimination and unfairness that makes no sense. My thoughts are that this OP should find a new hobby.

I'm sorry you think it's nonsense to want transparency in the admissions process. It's an exhausting process, and we have the right to know so we don't get so tired applying to all these schools

You don’t have a right to know.

Yes, I do.

You want to know, but you have no right to know. Do I have a right to know your personal finances? No, that’s private information

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked in admissions for years, mostly at one that was grades 6-12 (not in this area but just as competitive and crazy) and the reality is when you have more qualified applicants than spots, you have the luxury of weeding out high drama families. OP should consider that fact carefully.

Are you implying that most admissions offices have a way to identify anonymous internet posters and match them to applicants?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter in that it’s a private school that you are applying to that has the right to share however little or much it chooses. They are not receiving any kind of federal funds, so no disclosure requirement.

It would be great if they published data, but they don’t and they won’t. Because their class sizes are so much smaller than even the smallest college, data can be misleading as well.

In a nutshell, they feel like they are doing a good job of building classes. The parents agree enough to keep their kids in the schools. And prospective parents agree enough that most of them have many times the number of applications than they have spots. It’s working for the only constituencies that matter and is unlikely to change.

That is true in theory, except that private schools receive significant tax exemptions. For example, non-profit organizations also receive tax exemptions, but in return they must publicly disclose data about their operations. Likewise, when you rent an apartment, the landlord cannot reject your application based on opaque reasons, and the applicant has the right to ask for and obtain information. How can anyone be protected against racial discrimination in school admissions if the system remains so opaque?

You have made these same comparisons before in other threads, many people have explained why they are different. You are not learning or convincing anyone else. Why do you persist?

Just because you don't have a good argument or don't agree doesn't mean that OP can't make their points. This is a message board where people are supposed to debate and express their thoughts on things after all. You should try it.

This same OP starts dozens of nonsense threads and then argues with everyone until it gets locked or people tire of her. Always some accusation of discrimination and unfairness that makes no sense. My thoughts are that this OP should find a new hobby.

I'm sorry you think it's nonsense to want transparency in the admissions process. It's an exhausting process, and we have the right to know so we don't get so tired applying to all these schools

You don’t have a right to know.

Yes, I do.

You want to know, but you have no right to know. Do I have a right to know your personal finances? No, that’s private information

I don't receive preferential tax treatment based on my non-profit status and service to the greater good of the community, so of course you have no right to know how I spend my money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter in that it’s a private school that you are applying to that has the right to share however little or much it chooses. They are not receiving any kind of federal funds, so no disclosure requirement.

It would be great if they published data, but they don’t and they won’t. Because their class sizes are so much smaller than even the smallest college, data can be misleading as well.

In a nutshell, they feel like they are doing a good job of building classes. The parents agree enough to keep their kids in the schools. And prospective parents agree enough that most of them have many times the number of applications than they have spots. It’s working for the only constituencies that matter and is unlikely to change.

That is true in theory, except that private schools receive significant tax exemptions. For example, non-profit organizations also receive tax exemptions, but in return they must publicly disclose data about their operations. Likewise, when you rent an apartment, the landlord cannot reject your application based on opaque reasons, and the applicant has the right to ask for and obtain information. How can anyone be protected against racial discrimination in school admissions if the system remains so opaque?

You have made these same comparisons before in other threads, many people have explained why they are different. You are not learning or convincing anyone else. Why do you persist?

Just because you don't have a good argument or don't agree doesn't mean that OP can't make their points. This is a message board where people are supposed to debate and express their thoughts on things after all. You should try it.

This same OP starts dozens of nonsense threads and then argues with everyone until it gets locked or people tire of her. Always some accusation of discrimination and unfairness that makes no sense. My thoughts are that this OP should find a new hobby.

I'm sorry you think it's nonsense to want transparency in the admissions process. It's an exhausting process, and we have the right to know so we don't get so tired applying to all these schools

Stop applying to these schools then, they don’t want you and it makes you tired.

Stop with all of these nonsense threads OP, you are getting nowhere and your signature formula of question about inequality + tireless arguing about your rights + sarcasm toward everyone who disagrees with you = thread getting locked or abandoned. There is a reason people don’t want you in their community

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t matter in that it’s a private school that you are applying to that has the right to share however little or much it chooses. They are not receiving any kind of federal funds, so no disclosure requirement.

It would be great if they published data, but they don’t and they won’t. Because their class sizes are so much smaller than even the smallest college, data can be misleading as well.

In a nutshell, they feel like they are doing a good job of building classes. The parents agree enough to keep their kids in the schools. And prospective parents agree enough that most of them have many times the number of applications than they have spots. It’s working for the only constituencies that matter and is unlikely to change.

That is true in theory, except that private schools receive significant tax exemptions. For example, non-profit organizations also receive tax exemptions, but in return they must publicly disclose data about their operations. Likewise, when you rent an apartment, the landlord cannot reject your application based on opaque reasons, and the applicant has the right to ask for and obtain information. How can anyone be protected against racial discrimination in school admissions if the system remains so opaque?

You have made these same comparisons before in other threads, many people have explained why they are different. You are not learning or convincing anyone else. Why do you persist?

Just because you don't have a good argument or don't agree doesn't mean that OP can't make their points. This is a message board where people are supposed to debate and express their thoughts on things after all. You should try it.

This same OP starts dozens of nonsense threads and then argues with everyone until it gets locked or people tire of her. Always some accusation of discrimination and unfairness that makes no sense. My thoughts are that this OP should find a new hobby.

I'm sorry you think it's nonsense to want transparency in the admissions process. It's an exhausting process, and we have the right to know so we don't get so tired applying to all these schools

You don’t have a right to know.

Yes, I do.

No, you don’t.

As expected, same bullying behavior from the private school crowd telling people what rights they do and don't have

Is it bullying to point out that you don’t have a right to this information? Or is it just the truth?

Yes, it would be great but it’s not a right.