Anonymous
10/31/2019 07:25
Subject: Re:Odds of getting into Sidwell
Add idioms was supposed to be admissions.
Anonymous
10/31/2019 07:25
Subject: Odds of getting into Sidwell
Anonymous wrote:Everyone has their stories and ideas on what does and doesn't give you an advantage. The reality of it is, admission needs change year to year.
First choice letters do make a difference. Yield matters to schools. Further, if you have two similar applicants and one is enthusiastic and really wants to be there, I.e. they clearly value ad,idioms highly, vs one who doesn’t, who would you choose?
A letter that just says you’re my first choice helps, but what helps more is an articulation of WHY it’s a first choice, I.e why the candidate thinks it is a good match. The sincerity, quality, and persuasiveness of the letter matters.
Anonymous
10/31/2019 07:22
Subject: Odds of getting into Sidwell
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:That a girl's powerpuff team can play real tackle football?
From what I've seen over the years, Sidwell football is basically powerpuff football.
Why do folks keep pivoting to the football team. Not a SFS parent but football has no relevance to the thread.
It makes mean spirited people feel better. It’s true Sidwell doesn’t have the strongest football team, but that’s not what most applicant parents are looking for when they are considering high schools for their children.
Anonymous
10/31/2019 07:11
Subject: Odds of getting into Sidwell
Anonymous wrote:If you are coming from an independent K-8 school, where that school advocates for you is your best chance of getting in. Our K-8 school tells your 1st choice school that they are your 1st choice. This was the difference between who got accepted at Sidwell v a Cathedral school. Every kid who got into either Sidwell or NCS/STA also got accepted at GDS. GDS has more slots to fill in 9th grade than the others.
And this is why coming from a private k-8 is considered a hook. These schools have a symbiotic relationship, a mutual interest. Kids who get into schools through other hooks as five or six yr olds can ride it all the way to US.
Anonymous
10/31/2019 02:34
Subject: Odds of getting into Sidwell
If you are coming from an independent K-8 school, where that school advocates for you is your best chance of getting in. Our K-8 school tells your 1st choice school that they are your 1st choice. This was the difference between who got accepted at Sidwell v a Cathedral school. Every kid who got into either Sidwell or NCS/STA also got accepted at GDS. GDS has more slots to fill in 9th grade than the others.
Anonymous
10/30/2019 22:05
Subject: Odds of getting into Sidwell
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:That a girl's powerpuff team can play real tackle football?
From what I've seen over the years, Sidwell football is basically powerpuff football.
Why do folks keep pivoting to the football team. Not a SFS parent but football has no relevance to the thread.
Anonymous
10/30/2019 16:40
Subject: Odds of getting into Sidwell
Anonymous wrote:That a girl's powerpuff team can play real tackle football?
From what I've seen over the years, Sidwell football is basically powerpuff football.
Anonymous
10/30/2019 15:13
Subject: Re:Odds of getting into Sidwell
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Which school did he apply from?
LOL, like PP is going to provide such easily identifiable information.
Without this info, it’s impossible to judge the acceptance.
Anonymous
10/30/2019 14:38
Subject: Odds of getting into Sidwell
That a girl's powerpuff team can play real tackle football?
Anonymous
10/30/2019 14:32
Subject: Odds of getting into Sidwell
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Does Sidwell have a girls powerpuff team? If so, they might be more a more effective options vs the rest of the MAC.
I know the rejection still burns but, damn.....time to move on.
Lame follow-up by you. The guy is 100% right.
Anonymous
10/30/2019 09:20
Subject: Re:Odds of getting into Sidwell
Anonymous wrote:Which school did he apply from?
LOL, like PP is going to provide such easily identifiable information.
Anonymous
10/29/2019 22:49
Subject: Odds of getting into Sidwell
Numbers game. You could cure AIDS and still be rejected.
Anonymous
10/29/2019 18:57
Subject: Odds of getting into Sidwell
Everyone has their stories and ideas on what does and doesn't give you an advantage. The reality of it is, admission needs change year to year.
Anonymous
10/29/2019 18:00
Subject: Re:Odds of getting into Sidwell
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP - I suggest you spread your net wide if your child wants to apply for private in 9th. If you do not want to return to public - be sure to have some backups outside of the highly competitive DMV schools.
If she ends up with a very clear favorite after shadow visits and interviews are complete, inform that school by early January. For the school that is your favorite (not the others): if you know someone in that school's community that could write the admissions office on your child's/family's behalf, then ask them to do so. The schools find it helpful if they know they are getting a nice family that would be a positive addition to their community.
Otherwise, just have your child do their best on testing, and putting their best foot forward. These schools will see academic record on paper, be sure she presents herself (and you present her) as being well rounded in other areas. Be honest because they are looking for consistency across the child, the parent, the school recommendations. Just being smart and "wanting more of a challenge" will not set her apart. Also be honest when asked questions about where she could improve. And be sure to pay attention to what the school says is it's values. It is important to craft your responses to match the school you are applying to. Don't edit the facts, but the way you present them.
Good luck.
Helpful post. You mentioned notifying your top pick by January. How would one communicate that they are their #1 choice. By this point in time all applications have been submitted.
You send them a separate letter for first choice (or email, but I'd say letter). Note that the "support letter" also needs to be sent by early January. They need these in hand before they start considering your application.
All this is good advice and applies to any school your child is applying to for 9th grade. DC was accepted for 9th - good grades/score but not VIP, not athlete, no "hook". DC wrote a letter to the admissions office stating Sidwell was first choice and explaining why. Who knows how much this helps, but all schools prefer to accept applicants they know will come.
When did he write the letter and who did he address it to?
Wrote letter after all applications and shadow visit were complete - sent to Diana Lazarus, I think.
So does your child go to Sidwell?
Anonymous
10/29/2019 17:56
Subject: Re:Odds of getting into Sidwell
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP - I suggest you spread your net wide if your child wants to apply for private in 9th. If you do not want to return to public - be sure to have some backups outside of the highly competitive DMV schools.
If she ends up with a very clear favorite after shadow visits and interviews are complete, inform that school by early January. For the school that is your favorite (not the others): if you know someone in that school's community that could write the admissions office on your child's/family's behalf, then ask them to do so. The schools find it helpful if they know they are getting a nice family that would be a positive addition to their community.
Otherwise, just have your child do their best on testing, and putting their best foot forward. These schools will see academic record on paper, be sure she presents herself (and you present her) as being well rounded in other areas. Be honest because they are looking for consistency across the child, the parent, the school recommendations. Just being smart and "wanting more of a challenge" will not set her apart. Also be honest when asked questions about where she could improve. And be sure to pay attention to what the school says is it's values. It is important to craft your responses to match the school you are applying to. Don't edit the facts, but the way you present them.
Good luck.
Helpful post. You mentioned notifying your top pick by January. How would one communicate that they are their #1 choice. By this point in time all applications have been submitted.
You send them a separate letter for first choice (or email, but I'd say letter). Note that the "support letter" also needs to be sent by early January. They need these in hand before they start considering your application.
All this is good advice and applies to any school your child is applying to for 9th grade. DC was accepted for 9th - good grades/score but not VIP, not athlete, no "hook". DC wrote a letter to the admissions office stating Sidwell was first choice and explaining why. Who knows how much this helps, but all schools prefer to accept applicants they know will come.
When did he write the letter and who did he address it to?
Wrote letter after all applications and shadow visit were complete - sent to Diana Lazarus, I think.