Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone I know who applies to GDS considers it a back-up and they all get acceptances and most decline. GDS must know it has an exceptionally low yield and so completely over-accepts in anticipation of these declines.

Anecdotical evidence

Everyone you know is wrong

In terms of academics and seriousness, I am sorry to say (as a GDS Parent), that I have come to believe that there are really only a "Big 2" anymore, that would be Sidwell and STA/NCS.

That was not always the case, and I honestly believe that
a competitive and valid Big 3 (which included GDS) did exist when our child started at GDS so many years ago. STA/NCS was conservative and religious, GDS was liberal and progressive, and Sidwell was old establishment with a conscience.

Today it is only a Big 2. After that you can make an equal argument for a number of Independent Schools, based on your particular needs and preferences.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So one of the so called Big 3 is a back up? That's pretty funny. If it's a back up for almost everyone who applies, exactly what the first choices? Sidwell and Albans/NCS certainly can't be everyone's first choice. LOL

The ONLY people who consider GDS a big 3 ARE GDS people. LOL.

So I posted earlier we chose a MD or VA school considered top flight though we loved GDS because of geography. I still consider GDS Big 3 but if you don't, please share who your Big 3 are. I assume it is Sidwell, Cathedral Schools, and wherever your kid goes (which is probably like Bullis, Flint Hill, or something).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So one of the so called Big 3 is a back up? That's pretty funny. If it's a back up for almost everyone who applies, exactly what the first choices? Sidwell and Albans/NCS certainly can't be everyone's first choice. LOL

The ONLY people who consider GDS a big 3 ARE GDS people. LOL.

Your love of GDS is well documented. Thanks for keeping your nasty streak alive. Hope it's fun for you because it's pretty boring for us.

Anonymous wrote:So one of the so called Big 3 is a back up? That's pretty funny. If it's a back up for almost everyone who applies, exactly what the first choices? Sidwell and Albans/NCS certainly can't be everyone's first choice. LOL

The ONLY people who consider GDS a big 3 ARE GDS people. LOL.

Anonymous wrote:I think that after today there will likely be a few more people coming off of the 9th grade waitlist at GDS. The school is quickly devolving into a shadow of its former self.

Please. The only difference between GDS and other schools is that they took the time to talk about their issues in an open forum. Nice of you to be so supportive, though.

I think that after today there will likely be a few more people coming off of the 9th grade waitlist at GDS. The school is quickly devolving into a shadow of its former self.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So one of the so called Big 3 is a back up? That's pretty funny. If it's a back up for almost everyone who applies, exactly what the first choices? Sidwell and Albans/NCS certainly can't be everyone's first choice. LOL

The poster who said GDS is viewed as a back up for most applicants/ everyone she knows who applies there is ridiculous (& most likely a troll).

That being said, not everyone's first choice is one of the "Big 3". Believe it or not, there are students accepted at GDS who decline in order to attend schools other than Sidwell or STA/NCS.

Correct, we chose another school generally not considered big 3 for fit though we got into GDS (thing Geography and schools like Potomac, Holton, etc).

Anonymous wrote:Everyone I know who applies to GDS considers it a back-up and they all get acceptances and most decline. GDS must know it has an exceptionally low yield and so completely over-accepts in anticipation of these declines.

Do you have to work that hard to be a jerk, or does it just come naturally?

Please do not factor in anonymous threads on an anonymous forum in your decision on whether or not to send your child to private school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So one of the so called Big 3 is a back up? That's pretty funny. If it's a back up for almost everyone who applies, exactly what the first choices? Sidwell and Albans/NCS certainly can't be everyone's first choice. LOL

The poster who said GDS is viewed as a back up for most applicants/ everyone she knows who applies there is ridiculous (& most likely a troll).

That being said, not everyone's first choice is one of the "Big 3". Believe it or not, there are students accepted at GDS who decline in order to attend schools other than Sidwell or STA/NCS.

I wasn't suggesting that everyone's first choice is a Big 3. I was making fun of the absurdity of the posters comment that everyone who is applying to GDS (which happens to be a Big 3) doesn't apply because it's a first choice. I completely agree that many people don't pick Big 3 as their first choice; present company included. We applied to both GDS and Sidwell and neither was a 1st choice because we didn't think it was a right fit for our family. Simmer down, I was being factious more than anything.

Isn't it nice that some kids don't get caught up in the labels and actually attend the school they feel is the right fit for THEM? Yes, not everything is about going to a Big 3. People do get in and sometimes decide it's note the best fit for them. Gasp! Imagine that.

Anonymous wrote:So one of the so called Big 3 is a back up? That's pretty funny. If it's a back up for almost everyone who applies, exactly what the first choices? Sidwell and Albans/NCS certainly can't be everyone's first choice. LOL

The poster who said GDS is viewed as a back up for most applicants/ everyone she knows who applies there is ridiculous (& most likely a troll).

That being said, not everyone's first choice is one of the "Big 3". Believe it or not, there are students accepted at GDS who decline in order to attend schools other than Sidwell or STA/NCS.

So one of the so called Big 3 is a back up? That's pretty funny. If it's a back up for almost everyone who applies, exactly what the first choices? Sidwell and Albans/NCS certainly can't be everyone's first choice. LOL

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone I know who applies to GDS considers it a back-up and they all get acceptances and most decline. GDS must know it has an exceptionally low yield and so completely over-accepts in anticipation of these declines.

Anecdotical evidence

If it is evidence at all....