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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I went to school in Boston (Harvard). There were tons of students from the prep schools in Boston at Boston College, Wellesley, Tufts, etc.

I don't know about the Big 3 from DC but I know I think the worst college a kid can get into from a school like Exeter is Boston University.[/quote]There is no guarantee just because you went to Exeter that you're guaranteed a spot at an Ivy.  And while Exeter is an excellent school, it is not the end all to end all, and that is for any boarding school.  Contrary to popular belief, privates and top publics are equal competition to all colleges.  The colleges aren't looking to fill their slots exclusively from any one school and that includes Harvard.

And no, I'm not some parent who was jealous because their kid didn't get into Exeter.  We did along with Andover and St. Paul's School but not enough dough.  But DC is happy that we didn't force boarding school.  They are wonderful choices but it's all about fit just as Boston U. is about fit for anyone including kids from Exeter.[/quote]

[b]Hahaha. Dream on! The top boarding schools have the highest rates overall acceptance to the Ivies. Do some research[/b]![/quote]Maybe it's you who's living in a dream world and should do some research.  Just a few posts from experienced posters from College Confidential.

Yesterday, 07:11 PM	   #33
ExieMITAlum
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,070
 
My sibling and I both went to Exeter. My child now goes to Taft along with siblings of many classmates. I see absolutely no difference in educational quality. I do see more "hands-on" engagement of students and a better quality of life at Taft. That doesn't mean I don't love my school, I do. But I'm amazed at how many people look at stats and reputation and think that Exeter's stats means the same will apply to them. If anything, Exeter tends to attract a well connected constituency because those families have the same desire - "the best" and thus can cherry pick top students. Hence why there is so much competition and why so many students who limit themselves only to ACRONYMS end up with nothing to show for the effort. Even if they didn't cherry pick, there are too many applicants for too few dorm beds and all well qualified.

Go big shouldn't mean go blindly. And one quick note: Going to a school with prestige does not necessarily mean you're going to be in "the club." Some of those things are not functions of the school, but the class system and political connections already established within the incoming families. Add to that some "star" students who are not connected but have hooks. And you've got the big ole donut hole in the middle that is left over. The kids who went in dreaming of "going big" and found themselves with no acceptance letters - or worse, were accepted and discover upon graduation they're not the "stats" the IVY's are looking for.

Be realistic in how you define "the best." If you're satisfied staying put if you are declined. So be it. No harm no foul. The odds are that is going to be the outcome from that strategy.

[b]And another.....[/b]

Yesterday, 10:47 PM	   #36
2prepMom
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 355
 
If HYPMS college matriculation is the reason to go to Exeter or Andover, stay home.

That is the advice of most of the threads discussing this topic on CC, and the Andover students themselves (online newspaper Phillipian polled in May, 2012 "Andover hurts college chances more than it helps" now agreed to by the majority of the student body for the first time since this question has been asked every year)

About 10 kids a year from Exeter go to Harvard - out of 300. 5 are typically early cum laude (top 5% of class) and 5 are athletic/hook/legacy/development. Stats are similar for Yale and Princeton, and lower for MIT and Stanford. Andover is usually pretty close to the same matriculation numbers, although 2012 was a little lower than usual.

YOU ARGUABLY HAVE A SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER CHANCE BEING VALEDICTORIAN AT HOME.

Go for the education, the peers, and most people are very glad they went to boarding school. But even A and E are no longer a ticket to top schools.

[b]And another.....[/b]

Yesterday, 10:46 AM	   #30
PhotographerMom
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 38
 
If you're only concerned with brand, acceptance rates and college matriculation, you have completely missed the point of a Secondary School education.
  	[/quote]

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