<p>Special housing for security reasons? Of course. LOTS of those situations. Preferential housing offered to the average (no need for security) entering student as some kind of admissions enticement? That's what I have never heard of.</p>
<p>ColdWind....for Pete's sake.....aside from the rare security requirement, kids are not enticed by "upgraded housing," regardless of how special the parents think that their kids are. The whole thought is nauseating.</p>
<p>I know when kids are proctors and or leadership they do tend to get the better rooms.
Maybe this person is confused? Not being snarky.</p>
<p>Yes, that's definitely true. Bigger rooms are almost always awarded to proctors and prefects, but that's for earned value per se. </p>
<p>ColdWind subscribes to the idea that elite schools have a "special" set of room options for those kids who are just a little more wonderful than the rest, an elite school's way of doling out an admission's bennie for an especially desired kid. I have never seen it among the top ten schools. In fact, during freshmen year, I often see just the opposite: ultra rich kids rooming in the same gnarly double with an FA kid, which is as it should be. A School that promotes class distinctions in its admission's process (security aside) would not be a place you'd want your child to learn a values system. I'm interested in knowing the specific Schools to which ColdWind is referring, and not just the "elite" or "top four or five." My guess is that they would absolutely deny the kind of preferential behavior for an applicant that he is convinced occurs.</p>
<p>Parlabane- are you sure we're not friends in real life? ;-) That's exactly what I meant to say.</p>
<p>Wait!!!!! You mean this isn't real life? :)</p>
<p>I was a dorm proctor many moons ago and did have the largest room. We also had very high profile brothers in the dorm. Their security guys set up shop in our common room. They had a room no different than the other kids. When ever we got the chance and the body guards weren't looking we use to get on their radio and call in "Adam 12 Adam 12" or call in pizza (obviously a long time ago). Always started a lot of commotion and we all got a kick out of it. Once in awhile I see them on TV, and I think how I put them both up against the wall for waking me up playing war in the hallway. They had this toy tank about 2 feet long that would shoot missiles the whole length of the dorm hallway and hit my door. Reminiscing.</p>
<p>Ha ha- I remember a little prince once who told the person on duty, "You do not please me!" He was promptly told "You do not please me either!" and given 3 demerits!</p>
<p>Some people think that because their kid has talent and or brains they are a shoe in to get into schools, let alone special treatment.
From a sports standpoint I have seen kids who were/are great hockey players not make it into mediocre preps d/t their grades and or not bringing much else to the table.
Some parents dont realize that there are so many kids applying that preps can afford to be choosy.
i have also seen kids get into a school with the promise from a HC that they would make a Varsity team and that didnt happen either.
Not good to put your kid on a pedestal, the fall is hard sometimes.</p>
<p>I apologize Coldwind for giving you offense. I find your comments actually incorrect. I do not think that boarding schools, elite or otherwise, dole out housing upgrades to applicants whom they believe are top notch. It’s certainly your prerogative to think that there is a separate reality for superior specimens, one that we, the great unwashed, do not see. </p>
<p>One of the wonderful virtues of any excellent boarding school is that it doesn’t perpetuate class distinctions, but puts all manner of gifted children on a level playing field. It is a time honored tradition at the best schools to mix people with an even hand and let merit, whether it’s sports, artistic, academic, leadership etc lift students up and bind them together. </p>
<p>As to my own boarding school experience and those of my children and friends, it’s extensive.</p>
<p>To bring the thread back around....</p>
<p>I started this thread to see if parents with previous experience had a gut feeling about the decisions. I appreciate everyone's responses. Unfortunately, no school has gone out of their way to recruit, offer special rooms, or otherwise entice my son to apply. Obviously, ColdWind's experience is not the norm for those on this board. </p>
<p>The only thing that we can be relatively sure of is whether our children are academically up to snuff - but that is a given. My understanding is that ssat scores, gpa, etc is more of a sieve than a determining factor in admissions. It is assumed that the kids are talented.</p>
<p>That leaves me with a gut feeling. I began the thread to see if other parents (or students) had this gut feeling.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, we got a little off track with one person's somewhat unique experience. I sincerely apologize for any animosity that has occurred because of a question that I posed. I had no idea it would lead to anything so contentious.</p>
<p>Sorry, I know I got side tracked. Yes, I got / get that feeling of one day yes and the next day not so good. I think it's only normal. I would not be putting my kid(s) thru this whole process if I did not think it possible. Of course it's the not knowing that is in the back of all our minds.</p>
<p>Thanks ops. </p>
<p>ColdWind: I don't think I'm very knowledgeable, but I certainly am frustrated by the personal attacks. You gave a great example in the third and final(?) edit of your last post. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you had to add the bit about shoveling horse crap to serve as an example of a personal attack?</p>
<p>Where is Thacher?
I havent heard of it.
Nevermind, i googled it.</p>
<p>"It seems as if this thread is best for those currently going through the process for the first time as a way to comfort one another's anxieties & to speculate." </p>
<p>I wish that post was just like that (maybe first edition). It is actually a funny line. We can call the group "CC Anonymous". Haha.</p>
<p>horse shoveling?!</p>
<p>wow. seems as though emotions are becoming as frayed and frazzled as the hair of a student who desperately reaches for a straightening iron during AP Bio class.</p>
<p>but I digress...</p>
<p>Gut feeling? My gut isn't speaking to me and hasn't for several weeks. Probably pretty sick me using it as a tool for comfort and speculation.</p>
<p>It seems as if perhaps we should collectively wrench this thread back to the original topic. Gut feelings - my son was clearly a good fit for BUA in terms of both ability and culture, so I'm not sure if I would call what I felt a 'gut feeling' - it was based on data and emotion. But I also went back and forth. I would say that it is pretty easy to know if your child's basic numbers are reasonable for a given school, but that doesn't give a strong feeling. Cultures vary hugely. My sense, based just on a few families I know, is that if you and your child don't feel comfortable, at some level, then the chances are lower. (Comfortable in terms of the feel, which is different than just being nervous about getting in.)</p>
<p>"seems as though emotions are becoming as frayed and frazzled as the hair of a student who desperately reaches for a straightening iron during AP Bio class."</p>
<p>Love it!!! If anyone doesn't get the joke check out the best looking prep schools thead- actually don't it is painful to read!</p>
<p>"My gut isn't speaking to me and hasn't for several weeks. Probably pretty sick me using it as a tool for comfort and speculation."
Here here! :)</p>
<p>OK- I have tried hitting quote, tried searching directions and I still can't figure out how to quote in a response. Anyone that can give me a quick tutorial? TIA</p>
<p>Yeah....my gut could use some Pepto-Bismal, especially after that best looking prep school thread. I still can't believe I got sucked into that.</p>
<p>When my child went through the process a few years ago, the one I thought would be a yes, was waitlisted and the one I didn't feel strong about, was an acceptance. My gut did not work!</p>
<p>(trying to bring this back to the orignal discussion)</p>
<p>I really dislike the "best looking schools" thread and truly hope some of those young people do not show up at my child's school in September. :(</p>