Anonymous wrote:yes they are buying their way in. and what about people, and I hope there are more than a few of them, who have problems with this from an ethical standpoint? is it fair that I can essentially afford to overrule a no decision for my child, while other parents might not have the means to, or even know it's a possibility? This is not how you pull a class of the best and brightest together.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ pity the people who cant afford the $350 but may have equally well qualified kids don't get in.

I don't know how much the reduction is, but GMU offers a reduced fee to children who qualify for free and reduced-price meals - http://cap.gmu.edu/Fee.html.

+1 Barring true, documented need, affording or not affording is often a choice of how one wishes to spend one's money -- vacations, cable TV, private school tuition, nice home, designer clothes, helping aging parents, donating to charities, pool membership, new car, WISC. The WISC costs the same or less than a typical children's birthday party at a bounce house, laser tag arena, etc. Less than some iPhones.

Yes, but why should parents have to pay for a test that determines their placement in a public schools? I don't think that parents are talking about choosing between a blowout birthday or a WISC or pool membership (though I know what I'd opt for). I think some rightly wonder why something optional should be a determining factor in an AAP decision.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ pity the people who cant afford the $350 but may have equally well qualified kids don't get in.

I don't know how much the reduction is, but GMU offers a reduced fee to children who qualify for free and reduced-price meals - http://cap.gmu.edu/Fee.html.

+1 Barring true, documented need, affording or not affording is often a choice of how one wishes to spend one's money -- vacations, cable TV, private school tuition, nice home, designer clothes, helping aging parents, donating to charities, pool membership, new car, WISC. The WISC costs the same or less than a typical children's birthday party at a bounce house, laser tag arena, etc. Less than some iPhones.

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone received a decision yet? I heard the committee has finished with the process!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PS Before I get flamed with "Who the heck are you and what do you know" let me just say I'm nothing more than a Mom who has been somewhat obsessively following the scores for the past 9 years (while my kids have been passing through the process) and I have read virtually every "scores" thread available during that time. So no, I'm not an AART or committee member but I have been following closely. One thing I can tell you is that, historically, the committee seems to be pretty generous during the appeals process (maybe because they understand that the parents, by and large, feel strongly enough that they have paid for private testing). More than half seem to get in on appeal each year. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing your experience! I compiled the list to help others, see where the appeal cut-offs are this year and get feedback from experienced members like you!

Anonymous wrote:PS Before I get flamed with "Who the heck are you and what do you know" let me just say I'm nothing more than a Mom who has been somewhat obsessively following the scores for the past 9 years (while my kids have been passing through the process) and I have read virtually every "scores" thread available during that time. So no, I'm not an AART or committee member but I have been following closely. One thing I can tell you is that, historically, the committee seems to be pretty generous during the appeals process (maybe because they understand that the parents, by and large, feel strongly enough that they have paid for private testing). More than half seem to get in on appeal each year. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ pity the people who cant afford the $350 but may have equally well qualified kids don't get in.

I don't know how much the reduction is, but GMU offers a reduced fee to children who qualify for free and reduced-price meals - http://cap.gmu.edu/Fee.html.

+1 Barring true, documented need, affording or not affording is often a choice of how one wishes to spend one's money -- vacations, cable TV, private school tuition, nice home, designer clothes, helping aging parents, donating to charities, pool membership, new car, WISC. The WISC costs the same or less than a typical children's birthday party at a bounce house, laser tag arena, etc. Less than some iPhones.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ pity the people who cant afford the $350 but may have equally well qualified kids don't get in.

I don't know how much the reduction is, but GMU offers a reduced fee to children who qualify for free and reduced-price meals - http://cap.gmu.edu/Fee.html.

Anonymous wrote:^ pity the people who cant afford the $350 but may have equally well qualified kids don't get in.