Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Confused. Why should the school dictate how many apps? It’s up to you, isn’t it?

They do it because they want kids to listen to their counseling and apply to the schools they actually have a chance of getting into.

Some parents are mad because they think Larla has a chance at certain schools and should apply even though the counselors know the kid isn't competitive. Those mean counselors don't understand with their years of experience and expertise that we pay five figures for every year.

That is not why they do it. I went to prep school in the 80s and, different scene, but they did it back then, too. They do it so the top few of the class don't keep the others from getting in. They can't explain it that way because no college will ever admit to having a quote from Prep School Academy. not will the high school openly admit in this day and age to restricting your child's choices. But realistically speaking, top colleges know that they can reliably get x number of successful students per year from Prep School Academy. So the counselor doesn't want the strongest kid to take that spot at all the Ivies.

To give an example, I got into Harvard early back in the day but thought about applying to Yale and Princeton to see which I preferred. My counselor had a Frank conversation with me and said, I think you'll get in but you'll take your classmates's spots. Do you want to do that? Of course I said, no. I didn't want to do that and felt like a jerk for even thinking about my friends getting rejected so that I could have a choice.

There are so many things wrong with the way things used to work and, to a much lesser extent, still do work. But I don't have a problem with this one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Confused. Why should the school dictate how many apps? It’s up to you, isn’t it?

The majority don’t buy a substantial minority (usually private) do, for a variety of reasons that are logical to them (many applicants would disagree). Because the schools control things like sending transcripts and LORs, they can enforce their limits.

I’m surprised schools like this haven’t faced lawsuits over this practice. Telling a child they can’t send their academic records wherever they want seems like it infringes upon something. It limits the kids opportunities. I wonder if this stupid practice is allowed in California. I can’t imagine it would be.

It's the gratuitous blanketing of applications that limits opportunities. If you think an unlimited number of applications is great, then you can move to NYC and send your child to Stuyvesant and Bronx Science where all the sweaty 2nd gen kids apply to a gazillion schools. I'm so happy not to be a parent with a child in that environment.

nasty
you sound jealous

Anonymous wrote:Set up a one on one with the school counselor, explain the need and request more.

Schools typically do this so kids do not horde acceptances or over saturate a school.

You are asking for other reason AND as long as you are not oversaturating, they should work with you.

+1

Exactly this.

Anonymous wrote:Imagine paying for private HS and then expecting financial aid for college! Oh the irony!

You do realize how much financial aid high schools give, right? We have paid $13-15k per year for high school but will likely need to pay $40k or even more for college. I understand the stigma, but not all private school families are rich!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Confused. Why should the school dictate how many apps? It’s up to you, isn’t it?

The majority don’t buy a substantial minority (usually private) do, for a variety of reasons that are logical to them (many applicants would disagree). Because the schools control things like sending transcripts and LORs, they can enforce their limits.

I’m surprised schools like this haven’t faced lawsuits over this practice. Telling a child they can’t send their academic records wherever they want seems like it infringes upon something. It limits the kids opportunities. I wonder if this stupid practice is allowed in California. I can’t imagine it would be.

It's the gratuitous blanketing of applications that limits opportunities. If you think an unlimited number of applications is great, then you can move to NYC and send your child to Stuyvesant and Bronx Science where all the sweaty 2nd gen kids apply to a gazillion schools. I'm so happy not to be a parent with a child in that environment.

I have a kid at Hunter College High School (similar to Stuy/Bronx), and they limit to 10 private apps. It is a very controversial policy, but I am a fan. I don't want my child applying to 25 schools. And anecdotally I hear it winds up doing them no favors.

Yes, bc Hunter is not run by the DOE.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Confused. Why should the school dictate how many apps? It’s up to you, isn’t it?

The majority don’t buy a substantial minority (usually private) do, for a variety of reasons that are logical to them (many applicants would disagree). Because the schools control things like sending transcripts and LORs, they can enforce their limits.

I’m surprised schools like this haven’t faced lawsuits over this practice. Telling a child they can’t send their academic records wherever they want seems like it infringes upon something. It limits the kids opportunities. I wonder if this stupid practice is allowed in California. I can’t imagine it would be.

It's the gratuitous blanketing of applications that limits opportunities. If you think an unlimited number of applications is great, then you can move to NYC and send your child to Stuyvesant and Bronx Science where all the sweaty 2nd gen kids apply to a gazillion schools. I'm so happy not to be a parent with a child in that environment.

I have a kid at Hunter College High School (similar to Stuy/Bronx), and they limit to 10 private apps. It is a very controversial policy, but I am a fan. I don't want my child applying to 25 schools. And anecdotally I hear it winds up doing them no favors.