Anonymous
09/11/2025 09:39
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Vanderbilt, USC, if ECs really compelling REA Stanford
lol. now you're just making crazy sh&*t up. Vanderbilt and Stanford are not taking middle of the class kids, even at top privates, certainly not top DC privates. For example, Stanford rejected our Big3 valedictorian REA this year.
S is different from HYPM. PP said IF ECs are really compelling. There is a chance for S.
No. Only one that is different is MIT… mediocre but type A(ish)kids aplenty at H/S/P.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 09:33
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is this Horace Mann? They send a lot of kids to Chicago.
Yup - I think they had 20+ kids go to Chicago a year or two ago. I guess those kids really like the color maroon.
HM is super rigorous and definitely where fun goes to die, so if you’re chasing brand name and can’t get into Ivies, Chicago would feel like home
Don’t put all ivies in one basket and think they are all alike. The bottom 4 ivies - low and lying- are so so..nothing to write home about.
Which are the bottom 4 ivies?
Anonymous
09/11/2025 09:10
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Vanderbilt, USC, if ECs really compelling REA Stanford
lol. now you're just making crazy sh&*t up. Vanderbilt and Stanford are not taking middle of the class kids, even at top privates, certainly not top DC privates. For example, Stanford rejected our Big3 valedictorian REA this year.
None of the DC privates are top 20 privates so there is that. Of the top 20 privates, I know one that sent 14 to Harvard in 2024 and over 50 to an Ivy and several to Stanford. You are comparing apples to oranges.
Are we not talking about DC schools on a DC board? I am so confused.
Just read the posts. Not hard to follow. Regardless, several of the top 20 privates are boarding schools where DC area students attend.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 09:06
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Vanderbilt, USC, if ECs really compelling REA Stanford
lol. now you're just making crazy sh&*t up. Vanderbilt and Stanford are not taking middle of the class kids, even at top privates, certainly not top DC privates. For example, Stanford rejected our Big3 valedictorian REA this year.
None of the DC privates are top 20 privates so there is that. Of the top 20 privates, I know one that sent 14 to Harvard in 2024 and over 50 to an Ivy and several to Stanford. You are comparing apples to oranges.
Are we not talking about DC schools on a DC board? I am so confused.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 09:04
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Vanderbilt, USC, if ECs really compelling REA Stanford
lol. now you're just making crazy sh&*t up. Vanderbilt and Stanford are not taking middle of the class kids, even at top privates, certainly not top DC privates. For example, Stanford rejected our Big3 valedictorian REA this year.
None of the DC privates are top 20 privates so there is that. Of the top 20 privates, I know one that sent 14 to Harvard in 2024 and over 50 to an Ivy and several to Stanford. You are comparing apples to oranges.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 08:50
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So it’s one of these top 20 high schools?
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-high-schools/
Non-boarding day school list:
https://thebestschools.org/rankings/k-12/best-private-schools/
At any of these schools, this kid gets into Brown level schools ED. Provided not a lot of other hooked peers EDing.
No.
NCS, Sidwell, and Gilman are all on the list. Not for 3.5 gpa kids.
I thought gpa was 3.7/3.75uw?
Did OP say that? I must have missed it. The title says middle of the class, which is typically 3.5 in a top private that does not inflate.
Since rigorous privates have competitive admission, they can usually choose strong/A students coming in from middle school so there are few average students academically. That said, from my experience a middle 50% gpa at a rigorous private would be around 3.6 due to the lack of inflation. Top half ranges from just below an A- (very high B+) to an A average. Ofc, rigor matters a lot!
Not at our top private. No one gets a solid A average. 2 A, 2 A- and 1 B+ would put you in top 25%. Last year a core subject teacher gave majority of her class C’s in the final.
Same at our private. And my kid got into T10 with that grade…
Got into T10 with what grade?
B-
this didn't happen. Not even for a multi-million donor.
There’s one really hard grader at our private. Never gives an A. Most get B or B-. Occasionally a few B+ but no more than 2-3.
Many pf these kids at T10. Yes a well known non-DC private. Colleges know all about this class. Best prep for college tbh.
My kid is a B-. Attending a T10.
Your kid had a B-, or is a B-?
Had a B- in one class is drastically different from being a B- kid.
“is a B-“ means average gpa is 2.8. That would not make it at T10.
No one had a 2.8. Read the thread responding to.
Kid Had a B-. Also had a B in one other class I think. 3.8uw gpa. Private HS.
Read the original. It’s not about all As at rigorous privates or even close to a 4.0:
“Not at our top private. No one gets a solid A average. 2 A, 2 A- and 1 B+ would put you in top 25%. Last year a core subject teacher gave majority of her class C’s in the final. ”
So let's get this straight: you think your school is so special and your kid is so great that only going there and/or being your kid can get you into a top 10 college with a single B-?
I got news for you -- it's not the special. My kid got into a top 10 from a public school with a C.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 08:39
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
I know kids having a D in one class 9-th grade made it to T10. That could happen.
But never heard of 2.8 gpa made it.
But never heard of 2.8 gpa made it.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 08:39
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So it’s one of these top 20 high schools?
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-high-schools/
Non-boarding day school list:
https://thebestschools.org/rankings/k-12/best-private-schools/
At any of these schools, this kid gets into Brown level schools ED. Provided not a lot of other hooked peers EDing.
No.
NCS, Sidwell, and Gilman are all on the list. Not for 3.5 gpa kids.
I thought gpa was 3.7/3.75uw?
Did OP say that? I must have missed it. The title says middle of the class, which is typically 3.5 in a top private that does not inflate.
Since rigorous privates have competitive admission, they can usually choose strong/A students coming in from middle school so there are few average students academically. That said, from my experience a middle 50% gpa at a rigorous private would be around 3.6 due to the lack of inflation. Top half ranges from just below an A- (very high B+) to an A average. Ofc, rigor matters a lot!
Not at our top private. No one gets a solid A average. 2 A, 2 A- and 1 B+ would put you in top 25%. Last year a core subject teacher gave majority of her class C’s in the final.
Same at our private. And my kid got into T10 with that grade…
Got into T10 with what grade?
B-
this didn't happen. Not even for a multi-million donor.
There’s one really hard grader at our private. Never gives an A. Most get B or B-. Occasionally a few B+ but no more than 2-3.
Many pf these kids at T10. Yes a well known non-DC private. Colleges know all about this class. Best prep for college tbh.
My kid is a B-. Attending a T10.
Your kid had a B-, or is a B-?
Had a B- in one class is drastically different from being a B- kid.
“is a B-“ means average gpa is 2.8. That would not make it at T10.
No one had a 2.8. Read the thread responding to.
Kid Had a B-. Also had a B in one other class I think. 3.8uw gpa. Private HS.
Read the original. It’s not about all As at rigorous privates or even close to a 4.0:
“Not at our top private. No one gets a solid A average. 2 A, 2 A- and 1 B+ would put you in top 25%. Last year a core subject teacher gave majority of her class C’s in the final. ”
Anonymous
09/11/2025 08:34
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So it’s one of these top 20 high schools?
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-high-schools/
Non-boarding day school list:
https://thebestschools.org/rankings/k-12/best-private-schools/
At any of these schools, this kid gets into Brown level schools ED. Provided not a lot of other hooked peers EDing.
No.
NCS, Sidwell, and Gilman are all on the list. Not for 3.5 gpa kids.
I thought gpa was 3.7/3.75uw?
Did OP say that? I must have missed it. The title says middle of the class, which is typically 3.5 in a top private that does not inflate.
Since rigorous privates have competitive admission, they can usually choose strong/A students coming in from middle school so there are few average students academically. That said, from my experience a middle 50% gpa at a rigorous private would be around 3.6 due to the lack of inflation. Top half ranges from just below an A- (very high B+) to an A average. Ofc, rigor matters a lot!
Not at our top private. No one gets a solid A average. 2 A, 2 A- and 1 B+ would put you in top 25%. Last year a core subject teacher gave majority of her class C’s in the final.
Same at our private. And my kid got into T10 with that grade…
Got into T10 with what grade?
B-
this didn't happen. Not even for a multi-million donor.
There’s one really hard grader at our private. Never gives an A. Most get B or B-. Occasionally a few B+ but no more than 2-3.
Many pf these kids at T10. Yes a well known non-DC private. Colleges know all about this class. Best prep for college tbh.
My kid is a B-. Attending a T10.
Your kid had a B-, or is a B-?
Had a B- in one class is drastically different from being a B- kid.
“is a B-“ means average gpa is 2.8. That would not make it at T10.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 08:30
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So it’s one of these top 20 high schools?
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-high-schools/
Non-boarding day school list:
https://thebestschools.org/rankings/k-12/best-private-schools/
At any of these schools, this kid gets into Brown level schools ED. Provided not a lot of other hooked peers EDing.
No.
NCS, Sidwell, and Gilman are all on the list. Not for 3.5 gpa kids.
I thought gpa was 3.7/3.75uw?
Did OP say that? I must have missed it. The title says middle of the class, which is typically 3.5 in a top private that does not inflate.
Since rigorous privates have competitive admission, they can usually choose strong/A students coming in from middle school so there are few average students academically. That said, from my experience a middle 50% gpa at a rigorous private would be around 3.6 due to the lack of inflation. Top half ranges from just below an A- (very high B+) to an A average. Ofc, rigor matters a lot!
Not at our top private. No one gets a solid A average. 2 A, 2 A- and 1 B+ would put you in top 25%. Last year a core subject teacher gave majority of her class C’s in the final.
Same at our private. And my kid got into T10 with that grade…
Got into T10 with what grade?
B-
this didn't happen. Not even for a multi-million donor.
There’s one really hard grader at our private. Never gives an A. Most get B or B-. Occasionally a few B+ but no more than 2-3.
Many pf these kids at T10. Yes a well known non-DC private. Colleges know all about this class. Best prep for college tbh.
My kid is a B-. Attending a T10.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 08:26
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Vanderbilt, USC, if ECs really compelling REA Stanford
lol. now you're just making crazy sh&*t up. Vanderbilt and Stanford are not taking middle of the class kids, even at top privates, certainly not top DC privates. For example, Stanford rejected our Big3 valedictorian REA this year.
S is different from HYPM. PP said IF ECs are really compelling. There is a chance for S.
Very slim chance but agree S looks for EC distinction. More than grades.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 08:26
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Vanderbilt, USC, if ECs really compelling REA Stanford
lol. now you're just making crazy sh&*t up. Vanderbilt and Stanford are not taking middle of the class kids, even at top privates, certainly not top DC privates. For example, Stanford rejected our Big3 valedictorian REA this year.
She said it’s not DC.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 08:19
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Vanderbilt, USC, if ECs really compelling REA Stanford
lol. now you're just making crazy sh&*t up. Vanderbilt and Stanford are not taking middle of the class kids, even at top privates, certainly not top DC privates. For example, Stanford rejected our Big3 valedictorian REA this year.
S is different from HYPM. PP said IF ECs are really compelling. There is a chance for S.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 07:07
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:+ male
+ full pay
+ regional awards (multi state)
Interests in applied ethics and AI. Could apply as philosophy.
School is reallly pushing Chicago and he doesn’t want that so looking at options p
School is pushing Chicago because that is likely the highest ranked school kid can get into with the relative rank.
If you do not like it, ask for other "target" options.
Top boarding and day schools are all over the Boston area, and they publish their SAT ranges on profiles for families. Some of these would be considered T20 high schools. Maybe one is yours. Not a single one of these top high schools has a median SAT of 1560(many are at or just above 1500 though). In other words, your kid has a top SAT score but average grades: that says to AOs that they are not studying as hard as they could, and might not be ready for the competition of ivy-level. The average unhooked kids from these schools go to ND, Bowdoin, NYU, Emory etc. UChicago is not common for truly average, most are top-30-40%, but with the 1560 and since the CC is pushing, it must be in range for your kid. That is pretty impressive to have a shot at a T12 as an average student! Is he sure he does not like it? That school opens almost as many doors as an ivy. Ask specific colleges that would be good ED besides Chicago. Your CC will know your high school's track record better than anyone on the internet.
Obviously this poster didn't attend a "top 20" private or presumably they would have learned to write cohesively.
In any event, the bolded sentence leaves no doubt that they're pulling schools out of their ass and have no idea what they're talking about. Why? Middle of the class grads of top 20 privates don't go to Notre Dame for two reasons. One -- they wouldn't get in. Two -- they don't even apply. Notre Dame is simply not a target for students attending non-Catholic top tier privates. They're just not interested. Take a look at the websites for virtually every non-Catholic top tier private and their college matriculations and you'll barely see Notre Dame in any of them.
This website was bad enough with its misinformation and bullshit before it was overrun with non-DMV people. Now it's worse because we're stuck with the clueless from all over the country.
Agree ND seems odd. Regis is the only one I know of that sends middle of the class to ND. But Regis doesn’t feed Bowdoin. They do feed NYU.
LORs matter a lot at these high schools. And letters from school. GPA heavily depends on when kid came into school (if k-12) or where they came from. The son of the doorman who comes to Regis from a bad public and gets a year of 3.5s before blooming will wreck their GPA but not their college chances.
Anonymous
09/11/2025 06:57
Subject: Where to apply: middle of the class but from T20 private hs. 1560 sat. Very good EC in school and outside.
Anonymous wrote:Vanderbilt, USC, if ECs really compelling REA Stanford
lol. now you're just making crazy sh&*t up. Vanderbilt and Stanford are not taking middle of the class kids, even at top privates, certainly not top DC privates. For example, Stanford rejected our Big3 valedictorian REA this year.