Anonymous wrote:I am the Potomac vs GDS poster trying to decide. I talked to a college consultant who said GDS is probably 10-20 percent better for college exmissions. Add the fact that GDS students have been recruited for college for our extracurricular, adds another 20 percent. This is for ivy leagues. Counter that with the fact that Potomac is also strong academically and the commute is shorter. Kid can't decide either. Please help deposits due Monday at GDS. Tuesday at Potomac.

Does your DC desire Ivy? If so, GDS. Does your DC hope to be recruited in college for the sport? If so, GDS. If neither of those two things are terribly important than go with Potomac. If by COB you just aren't feeling moved to pay the GDS deposit, then Potomac it is. If none of that helps, flip a coin and move on. I can't imagine that either decision will be a bad one or a perfect one for that matter. Either way there is a kid on a WL at both those schools just hoping you will make a decision so they might get a spot. Oh the joys of having a choice.

I am the Potomac vs GDS poster trying to decide. I talked to a college consultant who said GDS is probably 10-20 percent better for college exmissions. Add the fact that GDS students have been recruited for college for our extracurricular, adds another 20 percent. This is for ivy leagues. Counter that with the fact that Potomac is also strong academically and the commute is shorter. Kid can't decide either. Please help deposits due Monday at GDS. Tuesday at Potomac.

OP, read BOTH enrollment contracts very, very carefully. You may be holding a place by signing and paying the deposit, --OR-- you may be committing to pay the full tuition, period. Many, many schools will sue you for the tuition if you don't pay on-time, in full, even if you're not enrolling. If you sue the school, you might have contracted to defend and indemnify the school from your own suit. Read both of the contracts and all of both schools enrollment and payment policies in full, and very, very carefully.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that GDS is "more selective" than Potomac. In fact, I think the opposite is true. I do think there are other things about GDS that make increase their college placement odds such as legacies, GDS has a more intense parent body, and Potomac kids are often inclined to their VA State schools. Academically their NMF seems to be equal if not better at Potomac.

I think there is truth in this. Besides GDS and Potomac are so different, they attract different kids. On the whole, DC parents may push harder and assign certain status to where their kids go to college whereas VA parents are happy for their kids to go to UVA or W&M.

Anonymous wrote:We are at an impasse about where our child will go to high school. We're just not in agreement and my husband is digging in his heels.

Is it a terrible idea to pay two deposits, just to buy some more time, since contracts are not binding until June? I know this is extending the wait time for folks on the waitlist, which is not a good thing. But I honestly don't now how are going to decide by the 14th.

Anyone else made this choice? How did it work out? Should we just make the call and be done with it?

We have two offers and two difficult decisions but our child will make the decision by the deadline. Paying two deposits is not only foolish but also counter productive for the school and possibly your child. If everyone who received two offers put down deposits and waited as long as they could to be so indiscisive then schools are not able to create the cohesive group of students for that grade. A lot of consideration went into placing your child, he/she is a piece of the puzzle that fills in their mosaic of a diverse student body on many levels (sports, academic, ethnicity, leadership abilities, personality, interest). A few of the reasons private schools are successful is that they chose who will make up a particular class opposed to a public school who has to work with the students they get. By your family holding onto your decision until the very last minute, you make it difficult for the school to find an adequate replacement for your son or daughter, therefore leaving the declining school to make a less desirable match to fill the void. Be considerate, write down the pros and cons of each, request another shadow but most important make your decision by the 14. If you have to ask if it's wrong then you know that it is.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that GDS is "more selective" than Potomac. In fact, I think the opposite is true. I do think there are other things about GDS that make increase their college placement odds such as legacies, GDS has a more intense parent body, and Potomac kids are often inclined to their VA State schools. Academically their NMF seems to be equal if not better at Potomac.

Virginians need a lower score.

I don't think that GDS is "more selective" than Potomac. In fact, I think the opposite is true. I do think there are other things about GDS that make increase their college placement odds such as legacies, GDS has a more intense parent body, and Potomac kids are often inclined to their VA State schools. Academically their NMF seems to be equal if not better at Potomac.

First if all, it's considered bad form and kind of shady to put down two deposits. Our head if school(a K-8) expressly forbids it.

We too are terribly torn between 2 schools but we know the deadline is next week and we will have a decision by then. We are letting our child make the final decisison as she has to go there and she did the shadow days and we like both equally.

Wwjd?

That's just rude to pay two deposits and hold those spots. People are waiting to get off of the waiting list and may put down a deposit at a second choice school because they didn't know there would be a spot at first choice.

You know what the right choice is. It's s hard one to make but my prayers are with you and everyone who is trying to pick the right school right now ?

Two excellent choices, but two very different schools. It really should come down to your child's preference at this point.

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I haven't had time to read all the comments so you may have already addressed this, but it sounds like you are considering something like St. Albans v. Potomac. If your decision is something like that, a big big issue for you as mom will be driving - unless your DH is able to help out, as mine has been able to. It's not only the daily driving that will drive you nuts (especially if you have to drive into the district ?) during rush hour, but it's the playdate driving, the PTA driving, the fundraiser driving. We're currently in private that takes almost an hour roundtrip to make the drive. It has been worth every penny, but the moment DD starts talking about a playdate on the weekend, we shudder because kids live everywhere. The school is just a hub on an enormous wheel. Parties and driving will suck you dry. I've been at it almost 20 years. So I would go with the school most convenient to your home unless there is a bus option. Even with a bus option, remember that the weekend activities will still require one of you to drive to Leesburg or Rockville or Mt. Vernon for parties and playdates. It's just a fact of public school life. Good luck!

Yes! Did that for 5 years...now in a closer school to us, plus to our quality of life!

We are considering Potomac vs GDS for HS. What is the recommendation. Seems like GDS is a little stronger for college placement (10-20 percent). Add to that they have an extracurricular we like. They have the same one at Potomac but GDS is better at it--which may be another plus in college recruiting. Potomac is closer.

I don't have an opinion on either school, but I would not give college placement that much weight, compared to daily life in the next four years. Which school will be a better fit day in and day out? (Commute is part of this, but not the whole part). At which school did your child click better with the other kids, or enjoy classes more, or see herself?

Why would you not consider college exmissions?

Because I'm not convinced (in these two cases) that the school will make any difference at all. I don't think a kid who got into GDS but chose Potomac will have different options than if he/she went to GDS, or vice versa. GDS is a little more selective, I think, which may be part of why their exmissions are a little better. But that doesn't mean it will make a difference for your kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Thanks everyone – I appreciate the comments. I like the solution of lettng our child decide the outcome. I think my husband will be swayed by this.

Wow. Did it really take DCUM to suggest this simple solution to you, OP? No wonder you are at an impasse.

Let us know if we can help you pick between the red and the yellow blouse tomorrow!

Bless your heart, some of us just like to thank people who help us when we ask for their advice. No need to get so heated.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I haven't had time to read all the comments so you may have already addressed this, but it sounds like you are considering something like St. Albans v. Potomac. If your decision is something like that, a big big issue for you as mom will be driving - unless your DH is able to help out, as mine has been able to. It's not only the daily driving that will drive you nuts (especially if you have to drive into the district ?) during rush hour, but it's the playdate driving, the PTA driving, the fundraiser driving. We're currently in private that takes almost an hour roundtrip to make the drive. It has been worth every penny, but the moment DD starts talking about a playdate on the weekend, we shudder because kids live everywhere. The school is just a hub on an enormous wheel. Parties and driving will suck you dry. I've been at it almost 20 years. So I would go with the school most convenient to your home unless there is a bus option. Even with a bus option, remember that the weekend activities will still require one of you to drive to Leesburg or Rockville or Mt. Vernon for parties and playdates. It's just a fact of public school life. Good luck!

Yes! Did that for 5 years...now in a closer school to us, plus to our quality of life!

We are considering Potomac vs GDS for HS. What is the recommendation. Seems like GDS is a little stronger for college placement (10-20 percent). Add to that they have an extracurricular we like. They have the same one at Potomac but GDS is better at it--which may be another plus in college recruiting. Potomac is closer.

I don't have an opinion on either school, but I would not give college placement that much weight, compared to daily life in the next four years. Which school will be a better fit day in and day out? (Commute is part of this, but not the whole part). At which school did your child click better with the other kids, or enjoy classes more, or see herself?

Why would you not consider college exmissions?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I haven't had time to read all the comments so you may have already addressed this, but it sounds like you are considering something like St. Albans v. Potomac. If your decision is something like that, a big big issue for you as mom will be driving - unless your DH is able to help out, as mine has been able to. It's not only the daily driving that will drive you nuts (especially if you have to drive into the district ?) during rush hour, but it's the playdate driving, the PTA driving, the fundraiser driving. We're currently in private that takes almost an hour roundtrip to make the drive. It has been worth every penny, but the moment DD starts talking about a playdate on the weekend, we shudder because kids live everywhere. The school is just a hub on an enormous wheel. Parties and driving will suck you dry. I've been at it almost 20 years. So I would go with the school most convenient to your home unless there is a bus option. Even with a bus option, remember that the weekend activities will still require one of you to drive to Leesburg or Rockville or Mt. Vernon for parties and playdates. It's just a fact of public school life. Good luck!

Yes! Did that for 5 years...now in a closer school to us, plus to our quality of life!

We are considering Potomac vs GDS for HS. What is the recommendation. Seems like GDS is a little stronger for college placement (10-20 percent). Add to that they have an extracurricular we like. They have the same one at Potomac but GDS is better at it--which may be another plus in college recruiting. Potomac is closer.

I don't have an opinion on either school, but I would not give college placement that much weight, compared to daily life in the next four years. Which school will be a better fit day in and day out? (Commute is part of this, but not the whole part). At which school did your child click better with the other kids, or enjoy classes more, or see herself?