NCS Reception

[Anonymous]

College counseling at many the top privates is not as great as people think.

[Anonymous]

'GPA's from top private schools are weighted different than other schools with less rigor. If your daughter is not motivated, has difficultly keeping up, fails to take advantage of opportunities provided then it would be best advised that she return to public school that will help her shine amongst her peers if she is trying to enter the competitive college environment.'

If GPAs from top private schools are weighted different (sic), why is it best advised to return to public school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My NCS grad wanted to take a specific class and admin asked her if she would rather have a higher GPA or that class? She took the class and yes, it was kick---, but boy did she love the experience. She is now happily pursuing that topic as a major and doing very well. GPA might be important, but it's not everything. Far better to have a few struggles you can overcome with resilience than to think you deserve to be handed a perfect grade for showing up. Could not have asked for a better school or a better outcome for my DD. You should be humbled and thankful to even be at the reception.

On your knees, supplicant!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:College counseling at many the top privates is not as great as people think.

That's for sure. Especially for the mixed messages. Great testers with mediocre grades and the straight As who can't take tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:College counseling at many the top privates is not as great as people think.

That's for sure. Especially for the mixed messages. Great testers with mediocre grades and the straight As who can't take tests.

Those cases also present a greater challenge, both for the counseling and the colleges looking at them (which is the better measure). It's a lot easier to figure out what's realistic when grades and scores are relatively aligned.

[Anonymous]

In our case not challenging at all. Straight to the circular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And great GPAs with shitty test scores aren't a red flag?

Actually, no, not if the school is a good school and the student took rigorous courses. In such situations the GPA is a much better predictor than the scores. Can't emphasize enough how much the reverse is a red flag -- colleges are really worried about the student who will just stop going to class (and if a boy, play video games all day). Probably the best option for a student with mediocre grades super high scores is a UK school -- they put a lot of weight on test scores and they love American $$$$$$$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My NCS grad wanted to take a specific class and admin asked her if she would rather have a higher GPA or that class? She took the class and yes, it was kick---, but boy did she love the experience. She is now happily pursuing that topic as a major and doing very well. GPA might be important, but it's not everything. Far better to have a few struggles you can overcome with resilience than to think you deserve to be handed a perfect grade for showing up. Could not have asked for a better school or a better outcome for my DD. You should be humbled and thankful to even be at the reception.

On your knees, supplicant!

LOL -- my reaction too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And great GPAs with shitty test scores aren't a red flag?

Actually, no, not if the school is a good school and the student took rigorous courses. In such situations the GPA is a much better predictor than the scores. Can't emphasize enough how much the reverse is a red flag -- colleges are really worried about the student who will just stop going to class (and if a boy, play video games all day). Probably the best option for a student with mediocre grades super high scores is a UK school -- they put a lot of weight on test scores and they love American $$$$$$$.

IDK I had great test scores and mediocre grades at a challenging private and I excelled at a well regarded NESCAC school. Not having to struggle through science and calc with middling grades did the trick. Luckily, in college you can focus on what you like! Not all of us 3.0 students are lazy -- many are just uneven, though probably would have done better in the weak subjects in a less academically rigorous environment.

[Anonymous]

Why assume the kid would play video games? Why not give the kid a chance and assume that the school would light an inspirational flame for him?

[Anonymous]

Did the counselors suggest the UK for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Huge waste of money for us. Totally on us. Thought that DD would take advantage of the opportunity. Her grades were just above a 3.0 and not in line with her stellar test scores. We thought that these scores might have been enough for a couple of reach colleges - given that the so so grades were from NCS and not a Podunk public- but she wasn't accepted anywhere that's considered competitive at all. Hope it works out for you!

if you don't mind me asking, what were her test scores? My DD graduated NCS in 2014, with a 3.0something GPA, 2100 SATs and got accepted at Tulane, Northeastern, GWU, University of Pittsburgh, and some others along those lines. Not Ivy League or equivalent, obviously, but still fairly competitive, solid schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did the counselors suggest the UK for you?

Yes, exactly. Pull some B minuses in tough classes at one of the most competitive, demanding private schools in the United States and you are banished to go abroad indefinitely. In all seriousness, I'm starting to think that the PP with the daughter who didn't get into any good schools may be a troll. But it's been nice to see how quick some are to assume the worst about an average student at a place like NCS -- hey, if it weren't for us, how could your higher achievers shine so bright? They can't give A's to everyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did the counselors suggest the UK for you?

Yes, exactly. Pull some B minuses in tough classes at one of the most competitive, demanding private schools in the United States and you are banished to go abroad indefinitely. In all seriousness, I'm starting to think that the PP with the daughter who didn't get into any good schools may be a troll. But it's been nice to see how quick some are to assume the worst about an average student at a place like NCS -- hey, if it weren't for us, how could your higher achievers shine so bright? They can't give A's to everyone!

Yep, exactly, I think she is a troll. I questioned earlier why she felt the need to post and she became very defensive. I am keeping my daughter's acceptance to the class of 2020 despite attending the qoute "no frills" reception and the PP with the daughter who didn't get into any good schools.

[Anonymous]

2320. 800 math level 2. Not a troll. Just saying hit the books.