<p>As noted earlier, the problem with that metric is that “success” in 2011 may have been based in large measure on Groton’s greater focus and effectiveness in “helping” the form of 2011 dial back their first choices than in earlier years. In any event, this has been a very informative and enlightening thread.</p>
<p>Honestly this thread had now officially exhausted me- @ThunderingHerd I am sure your kids are in an IMMENSELY superior school. I am happy for you, I really am.
I have repeatedly felt like throwing a temper tantrum and saying : “you are ALL right- we are all fools to be sending our kids to Groton, I really should just leave my kid in her local public school- that is 100% the way for her to go to Harvard- (even though she has no desire to go there) because her straight A average will count for SO MUCH ( even though her sisters straight A average has not). That or I should have sent her to PA or PEA because 100% of those kids get into Harvard too” But I won’t because I am too mature to do that LOL!! 
If you are determined to feel negatively about the school I can’t change your mind no matter what. But please, share the wealth and take pot shots at another school for a change. Thank you- I need the break</p>
<p>Could we return to the question of Prepschool12’s complaint about college placement?
</p>
<p>Classicalmama, I disagree with you that this is clearly a case of “less impressive stats and coming from a far less impressive school”. A rank of 7 out of 650 is impressive. The SAT score might have been impressive, from a student who hails from a poor local public school. The college admissions departments seek to admit a diverse class, not a class of the students who have worked the hardest. We have no idea what sort of strengths the friend might have displayed–extracurriculars, or just a very impressive personality.</p>
<p>The person truly has no idea why their child was not accepted. College is a subjective process…and again, Boarding School is no guarantee…If you are choosing to go to boarding school because of college acceptances, you might think twice. You should go to boarding school (in my opinion) for the experiences, academics, and interesting things you will learn about yourself, including becoming more independent and confident. Boarding School is an awesome opportunity in itself. You win some acceptances, and lose some acceptances in life…whether it is boarding school, college, internships, jobs etc. even if you work hard–or not. OK, I am done being righteous :)</p>
<p>does anyone have any insider info on groton’s waitlist? it’s the only school i haven’t heard a peep from yet… :p</p>
<p>I understand they’re still trying to sort things out. So, for the time being, try to relax . . . no news is good news.</p>
<p>Periwinkle. Agreed. Note I didn’t say anything was a “clear case”, just that this was one person’s very personal story that, hey, I’m glad she shared–it made me think, which is generally a good thing. As D’Andrew posted on the related thread about grade deflation, the true-life experiences of experienced parents are not as easy to find on CC as the idealistic visions of those of us just starting on the journey–and I wish we could just have the discussion with less sarcasm and defensiveness so that people continue to feel comfortable sharing those stories. This kid is hurting just as much as the kids who were waitlisted for bs–and the parent is feeling just as bad. </p>
<p>We have lots of experience being waitlisted by Groton here (!)–if I’m remembering correctly, we got the final, sorry, not taking anyone off the waitlist letter in May. My hunch, though, is that they mostly take people off before April 10.</p>
<p>The fickleness of the college acceptances is not just a Groton issue. Please go to the College Acceptance Threads if you want to hear about the insanity of the college app process these days. With the acceptance rates as low as 6-7% at some Ivy’s, and below 20% at many other great colleges, there is no guaranteed way to get your child “prepped” for an Ivy. The admission offices can pick and chose amoung many qualified applicants, and to get a balanced class they may pick a seemingly less qualified candidate. At some places, they may be looking for a East Coast prep kid. At others, maybe not. And you can’t control this.</p>
<p>What you can do, however, is make sure your son or daughter is in good place for high school. Its fit, fit, fit as many have said. The BS is a better fit for some, and the PS for others. </p>
<p>I think JimC had some insightful comments about BS college acceptance process.</p>
<p>Classical & others:
I understand the parent and child are feeling bad about not getting into the college of their choice. Most of us have had that experience, and can truly relate. It is just that it sounds as if they are blaming Groton for their child not getting in…And, I still didn’t like the whole “be forewarned” sent out there. If their child got into their first choice, guess what, then Groton would be great in college counseling right?</p>
<p>By the way, I have had my bitter grapes posting, and I was called out for it, even accused of overgeneralizing. But–I wouldn’t say something was wrong with my child’s current school for not getting them into the other school we had wanted.</p>
<p>Okay, maybe I need to switch to decaf this afternoon. Your right about the person wishing to share, without all the pretty viewbooks and DVDs around…Note taken.</p>
<p>I have read the Wall Street Journal about Groton college admission and it isn’t saying anything negative about the Groton college placement. It is talking about how nowadays colleges care mostly about alums and money, so yes, it would be harder to get into Harvard (cuz apparantly that’s the only good school out there?) without some hook. But BS, especially Andover, Exeter, SPS and Groton, give you a much better chance at the top schools than an everyday public school. None of us know Prep’s exact experience with Groton and colleges, considering the fact that people resort to the irrational while they are upset and unfortunately with the internet it is possibble to publically complain before one calms themselves down, my guess is that Prep’s child is going to a school that is tremedously better than the majority of public schoolers.</p>
<p>Here is my take based on lots of experience in own family with BS, day privates PrS, and public HS:
- The evaluation is “school by school” BS and PrS kids are their own competition! BS and PrS are compared to one another, and probably to students in other similar schools. There are limits to how many of these the colleges can take.
- Yes, BS and PrS prob do produce more recruited athletes and Legacies than HS, so they “take up the spaces.”
- School profiles and familiarity should and prob do raise awareness of grade deflation, but it does take time and effort on the part of the AdComms…
- However, I am suspicious that colleges actually lump BS and PrS into one “type” of applicant: entitled, spoiled, with helio parents, hugely advantaged. THIS may be one problem with the acceptance rates. IMHO BS students work harder and live much more independently than PrS students- do colleges recognize this? Doubt it-check out the NYC PrS acceptance rates- much higher than BS (I cannot believe that the kids are all that much smarter or that there are that many more legacies/athletes/URM’s percentage wise at NYC PrS the BS).
- On the BS college counseling: starts too late (PS guidance counseling and tracking via AP’s, etc. begin in 9th grade). Goal is to reduce expectations so they can report “success.”
They know it is getting harder and there are limited slots.
OTOH BS and PrS can both have better rapport with AdComms- this can be a huge advantage, we have learned, but it varies school by school- admission results can be very poor from BS and PrS when the rapport is poor. - As to grade deflation at BS, it is a multiple whammy:
a. kids are all bright, tough pool to compete in
b. course work is harder even that PrS, I promise you, and the kids must use their own self-discipline to do it (and all the other stuff they do!)
c. grading is harder, more old-fashioned
d. no or few AP’s or Honors courses offered
e. yet, look at Naviance: bar is HIGHER for BS acceptances than national standards (both test and GPA stats)
f. PLUS remove from Naviance the plurality of legacies and URM’s and athletic recruits, and VOILA, the avgs are even higher for BS!!
g. At BS there really are fewer ways to be subjectively “unique”. Much harder to go off campus or create something.</p>
<p>Even at high achievement PS, there is a curve of student achievement, plus lots of AP’s and lots of ways to stand out or be unique.
At PrS, lots of ways to stand out and be unique, and much more support possible from parents, tutors, etc.</p>
<p>Anyway, the BS situation seems to be a little like the Asian American situation to me- the colleges can take only so many even if or when they are superior.
And perhaps they are a little too similar to each other in vibe.
And I really hope there is no “attitude” about them…</p>
<p>I am so thrilled at my how one of my D’s has done at BS. It has been the “right” way for her to go through adolescence for many reasons. Everything she has done at BS (good and bad!) has been “hers”, and she was ready for that. So it has been the right place.
BUT we did and do know that she probably would get into a better college if she stayed home and went anywhere else, andy type of school. It was a choice we made as a family.
Congrats to all who are deciding about their acceptances.
BS is a life-changer- it is unique experience for a teen, lots of challenges, so much growth.</p>