Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP but this is the case everywhere. I own a business and without any sophistication, the development people at schools to which my kid applied were all over my LinkedIn. They didn't even fork over the $20/month to be able to do it anonymously.

All over your LinkedIn. Why is this a reliable measure of VIP status?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Private school AD's use a software program that allows them to see your professional background, University & Grad schools attended and , importantly same for your parents, boards you serve on and same for your parents, assets, and donor profile.

That should make you barf, but this is Washington.

You might be right that your kid and theirs' are same/same in terms of ability and talents, but that is the myth about these schools and it is a cruel one. Yes, they are looking for bright and talented kids, but they are also always looking towards their endowment, their prestige and how much influence their alumni network can exert.

Best rec in DC for a private: is from one of the main partners in the old, long time DC law firms especially if said law partner is a founding member and say the GP of the kid applicant. In the last 10-15 years Cyber, Defense and Tech Company Counsel is also throwing its weight around town and these schools want these parents in their schools and on their boards.

I am sorry I dug this out. If this is true, it is truly unethical and depressing. oh well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you being honest with yourself?

Are your kids participating, and theirs are excelling? Are your kids on the team, but theirs are player of the game/all tournament types? Are all of the kids in the all state band/orchestra, but their kids are the concert master or section leader?

Take your mommy goggles off and be realistic.

Yes so what should one do? Go to deal and hope for the best?



It is nearly impossible to see these differences in kids in 4th/5th grade applications. Everybody is RSM, everybody is 2-3 level in Levine, everyone is in DC/PPA soccer, some are slightly more outgoing than other. The only significant difference is the parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP but this is the case everywhere. I own a business and without any sophistication, the development people at schools to which my kid applied were all over my LinkedIn. They didn't even fork over the $20/month to be able to do it anonymously.

All over your LinkedIn. Why is this a reliable measure of VIP status?

Anonymous wrote:NP but this is the case everywhere. I own a business and without any sophistication, the development people at schools to which my kid applied were all over my LinkedIn. They didn't even fork over the $20/month to be able to do it anonymously.

Anonymous wrote:Private school AD's use a software program that allows them to see your professional background, University & Grad schools attended and , importantly same for your parents, boards you serve on and same for your parents, assets, and donor profile.

That should make you barf, but this is Washington.

You might be right that your kid and theirs' are same/same in terms of ability and talents, but that is the myth about these schools and it is a cruel one. Yes, they are looking for bright and talented kids, but they are also always looking towards their endowment, their prestige and how much influence their alumni network can exert.

Best rec in DC for a private: is from one of the main partners in the old, long time DC law firms especially if said law partner is a founding member and say the GP of the kid applicant. In the last 10-15 years Cyber, Defense and Tech Company Counsel is also throwing its weight around town and these schools want these parents in their schools and on their boards.

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, you should not underestimate ability to pay full freight. That goes a long way.

Anonymous wrote:Are you being honest with yourself?

Are your kids participating, and theirs are excelling? Are your kids on the team, but theirs are player of the game/all tournament types? Are all of the kids in the all state band/orchestra, but their kids are the concert master or section leader?

Take your mommy goggles off and be realistic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't realize private middle school = Harvard admissions

Have you seen some of the acceptance rates? Many of the schools only accept 20-60 new students per class. When you consider hundreds apply, it’s very competitive.

For our DD, who applied during non-entry year, her school only accepted 4-6 students. It felt like a dry-run for college applications.