Anonymous wrote:I graduated high school in 1976. In those days, no one took prep courses. I didn't score the highest in my class in either math or verbal but I did get the highest composite score. I guess I was sort of a jack of all trades master of none sort of student. I went to a small private college preparatory school in Phoenix from first grade through twelve and my graduating class had 25 students. 5 of us went East, two to Columbia, one to Princeton, one to Wesleyan, and one to the pre-medical program at Johns Hopkins. The rest went to California, one to Stanford, one to what was then called Claremont Men's College, and I don't remember where the rest went. I don't think money mattered in those days since, as far as I know, there were no prep courses. If money matters now, it's a terrible shame.

The good old days. :// Not like that anymore. Kids are groomed from primary school. And the newest thing is parents pretending it's effortless ... pretending they don't make their kids do activities, or prep for tests ... but behind the scenes they're orchestrating everything to make their kid perfect.

Anonymous wrote:Great. I'll tell my poor kid to get better at throwing out the kitchen garbage, since you seem to think since she's poor, she'll never amount to anything.

Did you even read the article?

Anonymous wrote:I graduated high school in 1976. In those days, no one took prep courses. I didn't score the highest in my class in either math or verbal but I did get the highest composite score. I guess I was sort of a jack of all trades master of none sort of student. I went to a small private college preparatory school in Phoenix from first grade through twelve and my graduating class had 25 students. 5 of us went East, two to Columbia, one to Princeton, one to Wesleyan, and one to the pre-medical program at Johns Hopkins. The rest went to California, one to Stanford, one to what was then called Claremont Men's College, and I don't remember where the rest went. I don't think money mattered in those days since, as far as I know, there were no prep courses. If money matters now, it's a terrible shame.

that is a fantastic outcome for all who graduated your year, but to be fair, it was 41 years ago. I don't know if anyone / anywhere can compare to this now?

I graduated high school in 1976. In those days, no one took prep courses. I didn't score the highest in my class in either math or verbal but I did get the highest composite score. I guess I was sort of a jack of all trades master of none sort of student. I went to a small private college preparatory school in Phoenix from first grade through twelve and my graduating class had 25 students. 5 of us went East, two to Columbia, one to Princeton, one to Wesleyan, and one to the pre-medical program at Johns Hopkins. The rest went to California, one to Stanford, one to what was then called Claremont Men's College, and I don't remember where the rest went. I don't think money mattered in those days since, as far as I know, there were no prep courses. If money matters now, it's a terrible shame.

Taking the SATs in middle school through the Johns Hopkins talent search was the best thing that happened in my education. I got a high score and was not intimidated by the test from then on. When I took the PSAT in high school I scored high enough to be a National Merit scholar. I then bought the 10 SAT practice book and worked through it and got a super high score, which gave me access to elite schools and scholarships.

It was all dumb luck and being slightly savvy. My parents were immigrants and had no idea what was going on.

Anonymous wrote:I grew up poor. My parents didn't go to college. It's amazing the things I didn't know to do. I attended a decent high school where kids got into ivy league schools but without some parental guidance it's difficult to navigate college admissions. They knew to push me to study and I got excellent grades but that was it. I went to community college and then an ok state school. Looking back I think I could have gotten into a decent college, got scholarship money, and then who knows. It never occurred to me to try for those things even though I was surrounded by kids doing just that. It seemed foreign and out of reach. I now volunteer as a mentor for high school students because I think for kids like me the individual attention and guidance would have made the difference. Even at schools where there is a lot of outreach to parents they're just not going to get it if it seems unattainable. It's like holding workshops on how to buy a house when no one attending has a job.

Thank you for your perspective. I am the PP who wrote about outreach. It never occurred to me that people may not think it realistic to get into good schools
I wonder what guidance counselors are thinking.

I grew up poor. My parents didn't go to college. It's amazing the things I didn't know to do. I attended a decent high school where kids got into ivy league schools but without some parental guidance it's difficult to navigate college admissions. They knew to push me to study and I got excellent grades but that was it. I went to community college and then an ok state school. Looking back I think I could have gotten into a decent college, got scholarship money, and then who knows. It never occurred to me to try for those things even though I was surrounded by kids doing just that. It seemed foreign and out of reach. I now volunteer as a mentor for high school students because I think for kids like me the individual attention and guidance would have made the difference. Even at schools where there is a lot of outreach to parents they're just not going to get it if it seems unattainable. It's like holding workshops on how to buy a house when no one attending has a job.

You won't believe how much parental outreach happens in our Title 1 school. Dinner is served, transportation and interpretation provided. If you are still clueless/can't be bothered, then nothing will help you, and kids pick up on that type of attitude.
it's not like there are not councelors, libraries, or internet access. It's the culture of not bothering.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/10/opinion/how-i-learned-to-take-the-sat-like-a-rich-kid.html

I've been emailed this article about 10 times. It's interesting.

Long story short: Most low and mid income kids have no chance.

Or, do like the author did and look to inexpensive options or test prep. Have parents call upon the guidance counselors to provide a 30 minute how-to session for kinds interested in more competitive colleges and in seeking aid. How long does it take to tell families to look for test prep materials, and that PSAT tests are helpful in obtaining merit scholarships and families should look into it at a few of the major web sites? In the 1980s I could figure out how to find test prep books (much less sophisticated than now) and increase my scores. It's not rocket science. And certainly doesn't require going to a fancy boarding school's summer program.

Honestly, how many big decisions are there in parenting? Not so, so many, and education is high on the list. Do you really think that parents who go to the public library, use books there and search online "how to get ready to apply to college" or "how to get money for college" wouldn't find their way to the basics pretty darn quickly. Take the initiative.

Great. I'll tell my poor kid to get better at throwing out the kitchen garbage, since you seem to think since she's poor, she'll never amount to anything.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the article. Practice is the way to go. Just put time and effort in it and kids will be rewarded. I think the internet is a great equalizer and I see private schools fearing for their existence.

? Could you explain this? I don't see how the article suggests this at all.

This is my personal observation after 5 years at a top tier private school. I have seen and heard their never ending sales pitches. Parents are more powerful than ever thanks to the internet. It's not as hopeless as the poster of the article makes one believe.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the article. Practice is the way to go. Just put time and effort in it and kids will be rewarded. I think the internet is a great equalizer and I see private schools fearing for their existence.

? Could you explain this? I don't see how the article suggests this at all.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/10/opinion/how-i-learned-to-take-the-sat-like-a-rich-kid.html

I've been emailed this article about 10 times. It's interesting.

Long story short: Most low and mid income kids have no chance.

Good article.

Thanks for the article. Practice is the way to go. Just put time and effort in it and kids will be rewarded. I think the internet is a great equalizer and I see private schools fearing for their existence.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/10/opinion/how-i-learned-to-take-the-sat-like-a-rich-kid.html

I've been emailed this article about 10 times. It's interesting.

Long story short: Most low and mid income kids have no chance.