Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does chitchat on the tour really make a difference? I find it hard to believe that is a component of admissions.

Yeah I was going to post that as well. We thought we did poorly in the chit chat and ended up getting admitted. The interview and essays is where you distinguish yourself.

It's less about the student distinguishing him or herself, and more about the impression that kids and parents get on the tour.

Perhaps the kid and the parent need to have a little more self-esteem than how many words were spoken to them by somebody that will have no impact in the admissions' decision. I am a lawyer that does some lobbying and I fall into that trap as well. Senator so and so only spoke to me for 30 seconds when I saw him.

That's not the point I was trying to make. I'm not asking for fawning or counting words spoken to my or my kid. My point is, if the Admission person is chatting up a child about sports and that dominates the conversation during the tour, the takeaway could be that Potomac is a school. where sports are most highly valued. That was my kid's takeaway, even though as I hear from parents on this board, there is more to Potomac than sports.

Nonetheless, it is the point you made.

Potomac has a very strong sibling/alumni policy--perhaps this student already had a connection to the school or people who were leading the tour (beyond just being sporty)?

Either way, I get that it doesn't feel great that others get more attention and that it can lead to hurt feelings (justified or not).

Hopefully the shadow day gives your student the chance to meet others I think you will find the Potomac students polite, friendly and welcoming (but note that shadow days also require the visiting student to be outgoing/willing to put themselves out there too)...

Anonymous wrote:

Yeah I was going to post that as well. We thought we did poorly in the chit chat and ended up getting admitted. The interview and essays is where you distinguish yourself.

You and your kid were applying?

Anonymous wrote:

+1 They just hired a guy named Harry Strong who is the preeminent debate coach in the country. The guy has probably coached more national champions in speech than Coach K at Duke.

Dear Mrs. Strong. Coach K doesn't coach speech, so you are probably right.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does chitchat on the tour really make a difference? I find it hard to believe that is a component of admissions.

Yeah I was going to post that as well. We thought we did poorly in the chit chat and ended up getting admitted. The interview and essays is where you distinguish yourself.

It's less about the student distinguishing him or herself, and more about the impression that kids and parents get on the tour.

Perhaps the kid and the parent need to have a little more self-esteem than how many words were spoken to them by somebody that will have no impact in the admissions' decision. I am a lawyer that does some lobbying and I fall into that trap as well. Senator so and so only spoke to me for 30 seconds when I saw him.

That's not the point I was trying to make. I'm not asking for fawning or counting words spoken to my or my kid. My point is, if the Admission person is chatting up a child about sports and that dominates the conversation during the tour, the takeaway could be that Potomac is a school. where sports are most highly valued. That was my kid's takeaway, even though as I hear from parents on this board, there is more to Potomac than sports.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does chitchat on the tour really make a difference? I find it hard to believe that is a component of admissions.

Yeah I was going to post that as well. We thought we did poorly in the chit chat and ended up getting admitted. The interview and essays is where you distinguish yourself.

It's less about the student distinguishing him or herself, and more about the impression that kids and parents get on the tour.

Perhaps the kid and the parent need to have a little more self-esteem than how many words were spoken to them by somebody that will have no impact in the admissions' decision. I am a lawyer that does some lobbying and I fall into that trap as well. Senator so and so only spoke to me for 30 seconds when I saw him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does chitchat on the tour really make a difference? I find it hard to believe that is a component of admissions.

Yeah I was going to post that as well. We thought we did poorly in the chit chat and ended up getting admitted. The interview and essays is where you distinguish yourself.

It's less about the student distinguishing him or herself, and more about the impression that kids and parents get on the tour.

Anonymous wrote:Does chitchat on the tour really make a difference? I find it hard to believe that is a component of admissions.

Yeah I was going to post that as well. We thought we did poorly in the chit chat and ended up getting admitted. The interview and essays is where you distinguish yourself.

Does chitchat on the tour really make a difference? I find it hard to believe that is a component of admissions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is very strong academically, and a nationally ranked athlete in a sport that Potomac doesn't offer. How does Potomac tend to view excellent students who are serious athletes, but aren't going to help them win any banners?

I was an earlier poster and Potomac parent. I think if you speak to it in the interview and the essays, it can only help. It is not only about winning banners, it is also about having a student body that is academically capable and has a diversity of interests.

I am also an earlier poster and Potomac parent and I agree with this assessment. Although you shouldn't just wait to mention it in an essay. Let the admissions folks know now. It will definetly make your kid stand out from the pack and help with admissions. Its not just about "winning banners" at all.

Anonymous wrote:My kid is very strong academically, and a nationally ranked athlete in a sport that Potomac doesn't offer. How does Potomac tend to view excellent students who are serious athletes, but aren't going to help them win any banners?

I was an earlier poster and Potomac parent. I think if you speak to it in the interview and the essays, it can only help. It is not only about winning banners, it is also about having a student body that is academically capable and has a diversity of interests.

My kid is very strong academically, and a nationally ranked athlete in a sport that Potomac doesn't offer. How does Potomac tend to view excellent students who are serious athletes, but aren't going to help them win any banners?

Anonymous wrote:You are naive if you think Potomc is the only school 'recruiting' academically qualified athletes! Every school is this area are!

The only thing is other school's admin team hides it better.

Oh, and if you are under the impression that kids who are sporty must not be as smart as your non-athletic DC, you have another surprise coming then!

There are many sporty smart kids at Potomac.

Sounds like its still a step up from the previous admissions officer who finally left.

You are naive if you think Potomc is the only school 'recruiting' academically qualified athletes! Every school is this area are!

The only thing is other school's admin team hides it better.