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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I really think college outcomes have very little to do with which DMV-area private school a kid is in. A kid capable of getting into Yale is going to be capable of getting into Yale from Sidwell or SSSAS. A kid who really loves the College of Charleston is going to go there from NCS or Flint Hill. [/quote]

With all due respect, these points are in conflict. Sure, it's true that nearly every public and private school has at least an elite handful who would do well anywhere, Yale or otherwise. And sure, maybe someone has their heart set on a school that isn't their highest ranked option. But that is very different from saying that college outcomes aren't greatly influenced by which DMV school you go to. If you are able to engage with the right admissions officers on this, you'll hear with some clarity that there is a very definitive hierachy between the top 5-10 schools in the area and others. SSSAS is not considered in the same tier, and it may not even be in the next tier. Fairly or unfairly, the rigor issue is well known and carries a reputational penalty.[/quote]

Among some schools.  Among many of the popular schools today, I am not convinced it matters at all.  SSSAS has very respectable admissions with lots going to William and Mary and Wake.  And guess what, there are a lot of us who don’t want to deal with commuting to DC for many reasons.  [b]And Sidwell is a reach for almost anyone[/b].  Its first among equals.  So let’s be a bit more reasonable in the comparisons.  Is SSSAS a step up from Alexandria City High School? 100%.  From Arlington.  Yes.  From Fairfax, let me tell you… yes.  Not everyone is comparing to Sidwell.  For many of us, Sidwell is irrelevant to the entire discussion. [/quote]

I think you are putting Sidwell on a bit of a pedestal with that take, but agreed that the commute makes it irrelevant for a majority of parents looking at SSSAS...  [/quote]

I mean they get about 500 applicants for maybe 20-30 Freshman spots.  You do the math.  [/quote]

Yea, but they have 125 kids in their Freshman class... only about 300 applying in the pre-k years and ability to apply every year in between... if you truly want Sidwell... you can figure out how to get in... it's a school for children not the Olympics...[/quote]

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