Kudos to Sidwell for actually rejecting applicants

[Anonymous]

I thought more highly of Beauvoir and Maret before this weekend. I thought their waitlists were real. For a few shorts hours I was elated that we might have a shot at getting in, but after reading the posts here the schools appear to be blowing smoke so that we don't call them and ask WHY? did you reject my DC. This way they can say we really liked your child and would accept DC if there was space. Bull shit. Most of the spaces were already taken up siblings, alum children, faculty children, etc and they know that already. The rest will be filled with any qualified diversity applicant or applicant with lots of money. Have you read their annual books they give out during the tours and take a look at the parents at those schools. Do you really think their children were qualitatively or quantitatively better than yours? No, but I'm sure there wallets were.

What a waist of f time and energy. These schools, especially Maret, help build their own hype by taking every applicant they can. If they told us on the tour that there are only x spots most of us would have walked away.

For all the bitching about Sidwell on this board you have to confess that they are the only honest school in the bunch. I don't care that their letter wasn't "nice".

I just wish Maret and Beauvoir would have more balls ans stop jerking everyone around. You can waste your time calling them but you can be sure there will be one less person calling--especially Maret. What a crock!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought more highly of Beauvoir and Maret before this weekend. I thought their waitlists were real. For a few shorts hours I was elated that we might have a shot at getting in, but after reading the posts here the schools appear to be blowing smoke so that we don't call them and ask WHY? did you reject my DC. This way they can say we really liked your child and would accept DC if there was space. Bull shit. Most of the spaces were already taken up siblings, alum children, faculty children, etc and they know that already. The rest will be filled with any qualified diversity applicant or applicant with lots of money. Have you read their annual books they give out during the tours and take a look at the parents at those schools. Do you really think their children were qualitatively or quantitatively better than yours? No, but I'm sure there wallets were.

As difficult as it might be for parents to accept that their child was waitlisted or rejected, please don't pull the "race" card or the "money" card as the justification. There are qualitatively and quantitatively competitive diverse applicants and applicants from affluent families. Don't discount the qualifications of those applicants because your child didn't get in. We all have fantastic children. However, when considering all the factors that weigh into an admission decision, perhaps there was something deficient in the child's application, or perhaps there just weren't enough spaces, or perhaps the child just didn't stand out enough in a crowd of many. In any case, try not to call into question the qualifications of those that were admitted.

[Anonymous]

OP again. PP you're right. Still, I wish they hadn't waitlisted all their applicants and give any false sense of hope. The people on this board cannot be the universe of waitlist applicants and it's already far too many to be meaningful.

[Anonymous]

I agree that Sidwell does do a service by actually rejecting applicants and maintaining a wait list that actually means something. However, Beauvoir and Maret and the others will field MORE phone calls as a result because people will be checking in on the status of the wait list, etc. from now until the end of the summer. So, it is not something they do as a benefit to themselves.

I think these schools know that is is a painful process for parents and think they are treating families better by not outright rejecting their kids. However painful the Sidwell letter is, at least those who received it will not sit by their phone hoping and waiting for the next several months.

I agree that Maret's waiting list likely will not move and, if it does, the odds are not in you favor. The most realistic chance you have in terms of getting off the waiting list is if you are actually on Sidwell's and/or on Beauvoir's. There may be a lot more applicants on the waiting list at Beauvoir, but at least there are more spaces availabel (pre-k) so the chances are better that it will move. I've known families, including mine, who were taken from waiting lists at each of these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that Sidwell does do a service by actually rejecting applicants and maintaining a wait list that actually means something. However, Beauvoir and Maret and the others will field MORE phone calls as a result because people will be checking in on the status of the wait list, etc. from now until the end of the summer. So, it is not something they do as a benefit to themselves.

I think these schools know that is is a painful process for parents and think they are treating families better by not outright rejecting their kids. However painful the Sidwell letter is, at least those who received it will not sit by their phone hoping and waiting for the next several months.

I agree that Maret's waiting list likely will not move and, if it does, the odds are not in you favor. The most realistic chance you have in terms of getting off the waiting list is if you are actually on Sidwell's and/or on Beauvoir's. There may be a lot more applicants on the waiting list at Beauvoir, but at least there are more spaces availabel (pre-k) so the chances are better that it will move. I've known families, including mine, who were taken from waiting lists at each of these schools.

PP, are you aware of movement on Sidwell's K waiting list?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As difficult as it might be for parents to accept that their child was waitlisted or rejected, please don't pull the "race" card or the "money" card as the justification. There are qualitatively and quantitatively competitive diverse applicants and applicants from affluent families. Don't discount the qualifications of those applicants because your child didn't get in. We all have fantastic children. However, when considering all the factors that weigh into an admission decision, perhaps there was something deficient in the child's application, or perhaps there just weren't enough spaces, or perhaps the child just didn't stand out enough in a crowd of many. In any case, try not to call into question the qualifications of those that were admitted.

Oh please, it is definitely the diversity, money and "who you know" cards that get you into these schools. If that's not the case, tell me why my daughter has no options for pre-k next year. Her score was good, she had great teacher letters, she's a well behaved, kind-hearted child. The only problem she has is that she's not ethnic and has average income parents who have no connections. I found out today, from a very reliable source (the first bit of honestly I have heard throughout this entire process), that it's all about who you know. I made the mistake of believing it was actually about the child. What an idiot I was.

[Anonymous]

Regarding the pre-k Sidwell wait list, I know of several families who were taken from the waiting list (different years). Unless things are different this year under the new director of admissions, finding oneself on the wait list is something to be quite excited about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As difficult as it might be for parents to accept that their child was waitlisted or rejected, please don't pull the "race" card or the "money" card as the justification. There are qualitatively and quantitatively competitive diverse applicants and applicants from affluent families. Don't discount the qualifications of those applicants because your child didn't get in. We all have fantastic children. However, when considering all the factors that weigh into an admission decision, perhaps there was something deficient in the child's application, or perhaps there just weren't enough spaces, or perhaps the child just didn't stand out enough in a crowd of many. In any case, try not to call into question the qualifications of those that were admitted.

Oh please, it is definitely the diversity, money and "who you know" cards that get you into these schools. If that's not the case, tell me why my daughter has no options for pre-k next year. Her score was good, she had great teacher letters, she's a well behaved, kind-hearted child. The only problem she has is that she's not ethnic and has average income parents who have no connections. I found out today, from a very reliable source (the first bit of honestly I have heard throughout this entire process), that it's all about who you know. I made the mistake of believing it was actually about the child. What an idiot I was.

Sorry about the lack of pre-k options for your child. However, I respectfully disagree with your take. I know many too many cases of regular folk getting admitted to these schools (at least to GDS, Beauvoir, St. Patrick's, CHDS), including my family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As difficult as it might be for parents to accept that their child was waitlisted or rejected, please don't pull the "race" card or the "money" card as the justification. There are qualitatively and quantitatively competitive diverse applicants and applicants from affluent families. Don't discount the qualifications of those applicants because your child didn't get in. We all have fantastic children. However, when considering all the factors that weigh into an admission decision, perhaps there was something deficient in the child's application, or perhaps there just weren't enough spaces, or perhaps the child just didn't stand out enough in a crowd of many. In any case, try not to call into question the qualifications of those that were admitted.

Oh please, it is definitely the diversity, money and "who you know" cards that get you into these schools. If that's not the case, tell me why my daughter has no options for pre-k next year. Her score was good, she had great teacher letters, she's a well behaved, kind-hearted child. The only problem she has is that she's not ethnic and has average income parents who have no connections. I found out today, from a very reliable source (the first bit of honestly I have heard throughout this entire process), that it's all about who you know. I made the mistake of believing it was actually about the child. What an idiot I was.

Sorry about the lack of pre-k options for your child. However, I respectfully disagree with your take. I know many too many cases of regular folk getting admitted to these schools (at least to GDS, Beauvoir, St. Patrick's, CHDS), including my family.

i am finding "regular" to mean different things to different folks. if you have people who are attending the school as well writing recs for you, then you are not just regular folk as far as i am concerned. also many people i know here don't consider themselves wealthy but they are indeed wealthy by most people's standards. an acquaintance's child got onto ncrc and she literally doesn't play, doesn't smile, doesn't even say hello. she is not a special needs child in any way however her parents are well connected. my child is the same age and is very friendly, smart, personable, etc.. and did not get in. although i am happy for her child, i couldn't help but be a bit agitated about the fact that i know for sure why her child got in. it bugs me. i know she will next get into beauvoir or sidwell for the same reasons and then prob ncs after that. did you have any alums or parents write recs for you? that takes you out of the regular category as you have an "in" by doing this. there is nothing wrong with that, i am just saying that the pp i think has a point. it is mostly connections, etc... yes there are those few gems that get in on their own merits alone but most are alum's kids, siblings, teacher's kids, etc..which makes sense of course they stand out from the crowd with those connections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As difficult as it might be for parents to accept that their child was waitlisted or rejected, please don't pull the "race" card or the "money" card as the justification. There are qualitatively and quantitatively competitive diverse applicants and applicants from affluent families. Don't discount the qualifications of those applicants because your child didn't get in. We all have fantastic children. However, when considering all the factors that weigh into an admission decision, perhaps there was something deficient in the child's application, or perhaps there just weren't enough spaces, or perhaps the child just didn't stand out enough in a crowd of many. In any case, try not to call into question the qualifications of those that were admitted.

Oh please, it is definitely the diversity, money and "who you know" cards that get you into these schools. If that's not the case, tell me why my daughter has no options for pre-k next year. Her score was good, she had great teacher letters, she's a well behaved, kind-hearted child. The only problem she has is that she's not ethnic and has average income parents who have no connections. I found out today, from a very reliable source (the first bit of honestly I have heard throughout this entire process), that it's all about who you know. I made the mistake of believing it was actually about the child. What an idiot I was.

Sorry about the lack of pre-k options for your child. However, I respectfully disagree with your take. I know many too many cases of regular folk getting admitted to these schools (at least to GDS, Beauvoir, St. Patrick's, CHDS), including my family.

i am finding "regular" to mean different things to different folks. if you have people who are attending the school as well writing recs for you, then you are not just regular folk as far as i am concerned. also many people i know here don't consider themselves wealthy but they are indeed wealthy by most people's standards. an acquaintance's child got onto ncrc and she literally doesn't play, doesn't smile, doesn't even say hello. she is not a special needs child in any way however her parents are well connected. my child is the same age and is very friendly, smart, personable, etc.. and did not get in. although i am happy for her child, i couldn't help but be a bit agitated about the fact that i know for sure why her child got in. it bugs me. i know she will next get into beauvoir or sidwell for the same reasons and then prob ncs after that. did you have any alums or parents write recs for you? that takes you out of the regular category as you have an "in" by doing this. there is nothing wrong with that, i am just saying that the pp i think has a point. it is mostly connections, etc... yes there are those few gems that get in on their own merits alone but most are alum's kids, siblings, teacher's kids, etc..which makes sense of course they stand out from the crowd with those connections.

When I say regular, I mean regular. We didn't have anyone write letters for us for any of these schools. We are "wealthy" in the sense that we can afford to pay the tuition and still pay our mortgage, if that's what you mean (but I'm guessing not). As for your NCRC example, our younger child was accepted there. Again, no connections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As difficult as it might be for parents to accept that their child was waitlisted or rejected, please don't pull the "race" card or the "money" card as the justification. There are qualitatively and quantitatively competitive diverse applicants and applicants from affluent families. Don't discount the qualifications of those applicants because your child didn't get in. We all have fantastic children. However, when considering all the factors that weigh into an admission decision, perhaps there was something deficient in the child's application, or perhaps there just weren't enough spaces, or perhaps the child just didn't stand out enough in a crowd of many. In any case, try not to call into question the qualifications of those that were admitted.

Oh please, it is definitely the diversity, money and "who you know" cards that get you into these schools. If that's not the case, tell me why my daughter has no options for pre-k next year. Her score was good, she had great teacher letters, she's a well behaved, kind-hearted child. The only problem she has is that she's not ethnic and has average income parents who have no connections. I found out today, from a very reliable source (the first bit of honestly I have heard throughout this entire process), that it's all about who you know. I made the mistake of believing it was actually about the child. What an idiot I was.

Sorry about the lack of pre-k options for your child. However, I respectfully disagree with your take. I know many too many cases of regular folk getting admitted to these schools (at least to GDS, Beauvoir, St. Patrick's, CHDS), including my family.

i am finding "regular" to mean different things to different folks. if you have people who are attending the school as well writing recs for you, then you are not just regular folk as far as i am concerned. also many people i know here don't consider themselves wealthy but they are indeed wealthy by most people's standards. an acquaintance's child got onto ncrc and she literally doesn't play, doesn't smile, doesn't even say hello. she is not a special needs child in any way however her parents are well connected. my child is the same age and is very friendly, smart, personable, etc.. and did not get in. although i am happy for her child, i couldn't help but be a bit agitated about the fact that i know for sure why her child got in. it bugs me. i know she will next get into beauvoir or sidwell for the same reasons and then prob ncs after that. did you have any alums or parents write recs for you? that takes you out of the regular category as you have an "in" by doing this. there is nothing wrong with that, i am just saying that the pp i think has a point. it is mostly connections, etc... yes there are those few gems that get in on their own merits alone but most are alum's kids, siblings, teacher's kids, etc..which makes sense of course they stand out from the crowd with those connections.

When I say regular, I mean regular. We didn't have anyone write letters for us for any of these schools. We are "wealthy" in the sense that we can afford to pay the tuition and still pay our mortgage, if that's what you mean (but I'm guessing not). As for your NCRC example, our younger child was accepted there. Again, no connections.

that's great then. congrats to you and your child! however, you are the exception b/c everyone i know that got into these schools admittedly says they had connections, were alums, etc.. anyway, listen i won't knock on your kid. not sure which school you are in but beauvoir and sidwell are clearly more competitive to get in. if you are one of those schools, kudos to you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Oh please, it is definitely the diversity, money and "who you know" cards that get you into these schools. If that's not the case, tell me why my daughter has no options for pre-k next year. Her score was good, she had great teacher letters, she's a well behaved, kind-hearted child. The only problem she has is that she's not ethnic and has average income parents who have no connections. I found out today, from a very reliable source (the first bit of honestly I have heard throughout this entire process), that it's all about who you know. I made the mistake of believing it was actually about the child. What an idiot I was.

I'd just like to point out that Whites are "ethnic" too. No need to use the euphemism "not ethnic" for "White."

[Anonymous]

We are a non-connected, non-racially diverse, "average" income (for this area) family. Our kids attended NCRC and are now both at a "big 3" school. It is not fair to say that only well-connected families get in or assume that the reason someone else's kid got in and yours did not had something to do with race, wealth, or family connection. Yes, there are families with big names at these schools. But, there are many more families whose names are not recognizable.

It is a difficult process, but the hard truth is that there are just too many qualified applicants of every type of background applying for these few spots.

[Anonymous]

Another average family who applied for financial aid admitted to a big 3 school for K. No connections not one. Waitlisted for Pre-K - reapplied this year and was admitted. I would not view the waitlist as such a negative thing even if it does seem like everyone is placed on it. BTW our DC's scores were not in the 90%tile either.

If you are that bothered my the process call and find out what kept DC from being admitted that is what we did last year. The information provided was useful as we went through the process this year.

It is bothersome that parents are attempting to steal others joy and making it seem as if the children admitted were not worthy

[Anonymous]

I would jump out of this race before you drive yourself and your children crazy. Find a good nice school that will treat you adn your children well. Raise them well with good values, model for them how to make good friends and good decisions and then move on. These schools cannot be the be all end all. Hang in there and find your own niche. It will be a good lesson for your kids.