Anonymous
08/29/2017 17:56
Subject: B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A 3.7 from my HS was an A- average. Is that what we're talking about? If so, I was unhooked, but with a perfect 2400 SAT, and got into one of HYP early with that GPA (which put me at just below the top 1/3rd of my class, for context). I had other good things on my resume, obviously, but nothing that would remotely qualify as a "hook." (White female with lawyer parents from NYC.)
A 3.7, perfect Sats, no hooks won't get you into HYP today. You'd be very lucky to get into one top 10, and two or three more in the 10-25 range.
I just graduated. I realize it gets harder every year, but the process has not changed entirely in 5 years. I thought I wouldn't get into HYP to be honest, but my guidance counselor approved my list of H/Y/P, H/Y/P, Brown, MIT, UChicago and Michigan without concern (we're only allowed to apply to 5 privates), so clearly didn't share your doom and gloom philosophy. I came from a very competitive HS that sends about 15-20 to HYPS every year, FWIW.
5 years ago. I'm guessing female STEM applicant, as MIT is listed, which would have made a difference in that year. Especially for H and Y as they were building up those programs (still are to a large degree).
Probably still does but to a lesser degree.
Anonymous
08/29/2017 17:32
Subject: B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A 3.7 from my HS was an A- average. Is that what we're talking about? If so, I was unhooked, but with a perfect 2400 SAT, and got into one of HYP early with that GPA (which put me at just below the top 1/3rd of my class, for context). I had other good things on my resume, obviously, but nothing that would remotely qualify as a "hook." (White female with lawyer parents from NYC.)
A 3.7, perfect Sats, no hooks won't get you into HYP today. You'd be very lucky to get into one top 10, and two or three more in the 10-25 range.
I just graduated. I realize it gets harder every year, but the process has not changed entirely in 5 years. I thought I wouldn't get into HYP to be honest, but my guidance counselor approved my list of H/Y/P, H/Y/P, Brown, MIT, UChicago and Michigan without concern (we're only allowed to apply to 5 privates), so clearly didn't share your doom and gloom philosophy. I came from a very competitive HS that sends about 15-20 to HYPS every year, FWIW.
Which school limits your applications to only 5 private colleges?
Our oldest child's (2015) private school limited their total number of college applications to six for most students, and seven or eight only for students on the bubble.
Anonymous
08/29/2017 12:03
Subject: B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I know this often is hard for folks to wrap their heads around, but it's the bottom half of the class at top high schools that are helped the most by their "HS pedigree" at college application time. A "B student" from STA is prepared to do the work at Tulane -- and Tulane knows it. And the Tulane admissions office wants to maintain its relationship with the STA college guidance office. So that student gets in. Same kid, same grades, same scores from good suburban public doesn't get in (because, as far as Tulane knows, he might or might not be prepared to do the work and because there's no relationship to preserve).
That's why the advice that "average performers" in top private schools should switch to public for college admission purposes almost always is terrible. Average performers at top schools generally don't become "stars" at less competitive schools -- they typically dial back their effort and earn about the same grades. And then Tulane is off the table and they're staring down the barrel of Alabama.
No bottom 1/2 is bottom 1/2. The name of the high school just does not matter.
Keep telling yourself that.
Bottom half kids at Big 3s routinely get into NESCACs, big state schools like UVA and Wisconsin, and excellent midsize schools like Wake, Tulane and Emory. That ain't happening at your kids public....
Agree with above. I have had kids at 2 of the Big 3. I think as someone above has stated, these top academic private schools benefit the bottom half students more than the top students, who would do well anywhere.
Agree with above posts. I'd add to the list SMU.
Anonymous
05/30/2017 12:15
Subject: B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
To be fair, I only read the first two pages but these responses strike me as outdated or from those without kids at these schools.
I graduated from NCS four years ago with a 3.66 (we don't weight or class rank and nobody has graduated with a 4.0 in the last 40 years) and ended up at a top LAC, unhooked.
Most of my classmates in the B range ended up at places like Tufts, Northwestern, NYU, UVA, USC, UMD, Vanderbilt, UNC and peer schools with B- ish students heading to Tulane, Swanee, Trinity, and Occidental. My younger sister at GDS also got into a top LAC with a 3.7, unhooked. I think people here are being unnecessarily pessimistic.
I graduated from NCS four years ago with a 3.66 (we don't weight or class rank and nobody has graduated with a 4.0 in the last 40 years) and ended up at a top LAC, unhooked.
Most of my classmates in the B range ended up at places like Tufts, Northwestern, NYU, UVA, USC, UMD, Vanderbilt, UNC and peer schools with B- ish students heading to Tulane, Swanee, Trinity, and Occidental. My younger sister at GDS also got into a top LAC with a 3.7, unhooked. I think people here are being unnecessarily pessimistic.
Anonymous
05/24/2017 19:45
Subject: B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
Villanova, obviously.
Anonymous
05/24/2017 17:43
Subject: B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
UDC
Anonymous
05/24/2017 16:13
Subject: Re:B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Indiana seems like a popular destination.
Which school in Indiana?
i think pp meant IU bloomington.
Anonymous
05/24/2017 14:59
Subject: Re:B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:College admissions officers know that a B at these schools is not the same as a B from the average high school. I wouldn't worry for a second.
+100
LOL
No really. These schools have grade deflation and college admissions officers know it.
That's why your kid needs to do well on the AP tests and send them in with the application (many applicants to top colleges do this). Otherwise the claim that the school is a tough grader vs, I dunno, a magnet, can ring hollow.
Anonymous
05/24/2017 14:43
Subject: Re:B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
Anonymous wrote:Indiana seems like a popular destination.
Which school in Indiana?
Anonymous
05/24/2017 08:15
Subject: Re:B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:College admissions officers know that a B at these schools is not the same as a B from the average high school. I wouldn't worry for a second.
+100
LOL
No really. These schools have grade deflation and college admissions officers know it.
Anonymous
05/24/2017 08:10
Subject: B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
I have a friend whose kid had a great experience at Tulane. Fascinating internships put him on a different career track. Enjoyed many of his courses as well. Seriously, wherever your kid goes to college, point out the strengths/opportunities the schoolhas to offer and urge her/him to make the most of them. There's a lot to be learned and a variety of different paths to a fulfilling life.
Anonymous
05/23/2017 21:55
Subject: B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
If DD ends up at Tulane after Big 3, I'll jump off a bridge. What a massive disappointment that would be.
Anonymous
05/23/2017 17:34
Subject: B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
NE private college like Trinity.
Anonymous
05/23/2017 16:04
Subject: Re:B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
Anonymous wrote:I'm pretty sure the private colleges want the private school kids because those are the parents most willing to pay full price for the name brand. We
I was going to post something like this but you beat me to it....
Most private families at the top area privates have already demonstrated their willingness and ability to pay $40k/year tuition, which won't cover all of Tulane's bill, but is a good start. If your kid applies ED, that drives the point home, because you're unable to compare FA offers from other schools. Whereas public school kids, from the top or bottom half of the GPA distribution, are more likely to need FA to help with that $60k/year tuition. Tulane (and others) needs full-pay kids to help support the FA kids (a good thing imo).
Anonymous
05/23/2017 16:02
Subject: B Students at St Albans and NCS - where end up?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A 3.7 from my HS was an A- average. Is that what we're talking about? If so, I was unhooked, but with a perfect 2400 SAT, and got into one of HYP early with that GPA (which put me at just below the top 1/3rd of my class, for context). I had other good things on my resume, obviously, but nothing that would remotely qualify as a "hook." (White female with lawyer parents from NYC.)
You were a legacy at Harvard right?
No. My mom went to a non-HYP Ivy and my dad went to a second tier Catholic college. I obviously would have mentioned a legacy if it was applicable...