<p>I don’t know…my most cynical self says that that the two CEO parents can pony up some pretty decent contributions to the annual fund…which might make up for the fact that junior’s community service all took place in Tahiti in February. </p>
<p>I agree that the AO is going to expect that a student who has been given more has taken full advantage of that privilege, whereas the inner city school kid who, say, never took a foreign language because it wasn’t offered isn’t going to be penalized for that as long as he/she also made the most of opportunities offered in the community. I don’t see this, though, as it being harder for either kid–both are expected to make the most of what they’ve been handed. </p>
<p>Don’t know that the AO’s would go so far as to consider the good fall-backs that the more privileged kids have…I just can’t imagine how that consideration would work. Sounds too much like the “bs’s talk to each other about who they’re accepting” theory. I could be wrong though.</p>
<p>I think that the desire to increase diversity at BS has benefitted everyone both FP (creating a better stronger school) and FA (giving them an opportunity that they wouldn’t otherwise have). </p>
<p>I do think that for a C from an impoverished background to rise to the top of whatever group that he/she does is still harder than for a child from an affluent background with every advantage. In the end these students have to overcome so much in order to even be considered eligble for admission.</p>
<p>IMHO the C from the disadvantage background has to pass a much higher bar than the child from the better background who is just expected to have taken advantage of the opportunities that were presented…</p>
<p>I read these comments from the perspective of a mom to a fantastic-in-every-way daughter who was turned down by Exeter as a full pay applicant. We took it in stride: there just aren’t enough beds for every fantastic-in-every-way kid, FP or FA. The most competitive schools have plenty of either category, and getting in can be the luck of the draw, or a question of whether the orchestra needs a French horn or not. (Another explanation is that they had plenty of applicants more fantastic than my daughter, but that seems highly improbable :).) She’s doing just fine at Andover.</p>
<p>Nicely said lemonade, classical, neato and flowers. I worry when some give definitive pronouncements about the system from “outside.” Those “opinions” are speculative at best.</p>
<p>First - FP has the advantage. Always. Doesn’t mean “guarantee.”</p>
<p>One need only look at the stats to see that FP comprises - on average - 70% of the slots enrolled at most of the top boarding schools. More than 2/3rds.</p>
<p>Second, it’s well known in BS circles that being FP also makes it easier to transfer to another school (even mid semester) if the “fit” at the first school is off. Schools never post the percentage of students that drop out or transfer - nor would they tell you (if they did) what percentage is FP kids (higher than FA).</p>
<p>Third, it’s lesser known that after admissions letters are sent out, it is possible to squeeze in another student - FP - if the student is a good fit and the parents are flexible. For instance, if you apply for a specific grade and there are no slots but you are willing to repeat a lower grade.</p>
<p>The problem stems from thinking that every FP will get a slot. If there are 1600 applications for 150 slots, that’s not likely no matter what your FA position is. </p>
<p>Not all FA or FP are qualified, fit the school, or are compelling applicants. It’s the circle of life - and a lesson learned early. Too much competition for too few slots. It will be the same process and lesson learned come college entrance time (shudder…)</p>
<p>Kids who cast a broad net will likely find a “match” compared to those who cast a limited one in terms of quantity, breadth or depth.</p>