I think the kids who are really going to flourish at a top 25 college are those who would be in/near the top of their HS class no matter where they attended.

Anonymous wrote:The difference between high schools is that the Ivies/MIT/Stanford do not require straight As or 15 AP classes from the Big 3 while they pretty much require it from the public schools or the other privates. A couple Bs on a transcript is not a disqualifier at a "Big 3" while it can drop a student out of the running at many public and independent high schools because the colleges perceive (whether it is true or not) that the Big 3's standards are substantially tougher.

Exactly. Insofar as college admissions are concerned, there are no guarantees with private but you are usually "buying" a greater margin for error re: report cards. Which could mean less pressure depending on the school. I can't imagine (if those are the colleges one is targeting) what it must feel like these days at a public knowing that you can't slip up with any Bs without putting class rank at some risk. Not that private is a breeze of course, just saying it's all relative.

Anonymous wrote:Middle of the pack kids at strong privates have more polish, soft skills, and writing chops than all but maybe the top 2% of public grads. It's not all about SAT, grades, or college placement. Savvy private kids will flourish at UVA ... I've known wicked smart public kids who felt like isolated rubes at Ivies.

I went to a fancy private high school and got my ass handed to me in my college math classes by a whole range of kids from public schools. I was a better writer, true, but it became pretty clear quickly that the kids from public had better math and science grounding. I think that's true to this day. All other factors being equal, IMO kids come out of private with better writing skills but weaker STEM skills.

Also I think you delusional if you think colleges will pick a private school grad with middling numbers over a public grad with excellent numbers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I know is that a 35 ACT and 800 math 2 SAT with meh grades at a big 3 got absolutely no competitive admits for my kid. Big waste.

Fake comment.

Don't know if the comment is fake or not, but "meh grades" (with accompanying "meh" teacher recommendations) at any school will make getting in to a super competitive college next to impossible. The fastest rejection to elite colleges is to have stellar test scores and so-so grades/teacher recs at a really good high school because it screams over-privileged under achiever. They will give an extra read and consideration for the best students at bad schools, but not for the smart kids who don't even try.

The difference between high schools is that the Ivies/MIT/Stanford do not require straight As or 15 AP classes from the Big 3 while they pretty much require it from the public schools or the other privates. A couple Bs on a transcript is not a disqualifier at a "Big 3" while it can drop a student out of the running at many public and independent high schools because the colleges perceive (whether it is true or not) that the Big 3's standards are substantially tougher.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I know is that a 35 ACT and 800 math 2 SAT with meh grades at a big 3 got absolutely no competitive admits for my kid. Big waste.

Fake comment.

Nope. True as Trump in the White House

There is a lot more to a kid than test scores and name brand school. Perhaps the great test scores and mediocre grades painted a picture that the kid had a lousy work ethic. Who knows? Just speculation. And honestly, probably not applicable to my kid because they are all different.

Human value is about more than a diploma, fancy or otherwise.

The only right answer regarding public v private, top-ranked college v regional school is what is right for your child and family. I trust that each family weighs these decisions and makes their best effort on behalf of their child.

Do what is right for you and don't second guess it on an anonymous forum.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I know is that a 35 ACT and 800 math 2 SAT with meh grades at a big 3 got absolutely no competitive admits for my kid. Big waste.

Fake comment.

Nope. True as Trump in the White House