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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]When I came to DC years ago, I began interviewing a dozen Metro area high school seniors for my Ivy each fall.   I also started keeping tabs on how many DCPS graduates apply annually, and how many are offered a spot - the admissions office is willing to release these stats.

While you often hear about DCPS, and now Latin, graduates cracking Ivies, the truth isn't as rosy as many a Wilson or Walls parent would have you believe.   In a given year, there are a dozen suburban schools sending more students to my Ivy, each, than all DC public.  DCPS normally sends one, two tops.  The main problem doesn't seem to be subpar academics, it's limited guidance counseling.  The Wilson kids report that they only get 10-15 minutes with their college counselor a quarter.  The SWW and Banneker kids seem to get more help, but not much.  Latin kids have access to the best public school college counseling services around, but few are in the running yet.

Without applications savvy parents involved, a DCPS kid rarely plans ahead to build the academic, extra-curricular and "competitions" profile to stand out in an Ivy admissions pool.  This a shame, because many DCPS students have the right stuff.

[/quote]

Interesting. Well, what do I need to do as a DCPS parent to advocate for my child? Based on the above, make sure she is on competitive teams, gets good grades, and what else? Do I advocate at my child's school or hire an outside counselor. We don't have big bucks to hire tutors or experts, per se. What would you recommend for me to do to increase my child's chances (assuming an Ivy is where she wants to go)?[/quote]

Not ivy poster but I have a stepdaughter that is graduating from an ivy college.  Good grades and competitive teams are a dime a dozen.  The kids you see at Yale, Harvard etc., in many cases have made a name for themselves in other ways, whether it be through community service or otherwise.  They have done something that makes them standout.  She graduated from an excellent public school in a Boston suburb and their guidance services were intense and very thorough.  I can't speak to DC but from our experience the high school took the college application process very seriously.  I'm sure there are people out there who will be more than happy to take your money and lead you in a direction.[/quote]

Wow, I guess I should start saving now! Or maybe there are Ivy alumni that are willing to help DC parents and students. If so, I'd sign up.[/quote]

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