<p>Its easier to get in as a 10th grader. I go to Andover and--without naming names--I can honestly state that a fair share of new Lowers were previously denied entrance. The percentages are identical and this only speaks to the comparative weakness of the 10th grade pool. My touring confirms that a fair amount of kids reapply after a 9th grade rejection. </p>
<p>Additionally, I would love to see stats to corrobrate that one's GPA rises at Andover the later one enters, but I simply find this logically false. Four year seniors have an earlier adjustment period and condition themselves to the school year grind before their later entranced peers. Everyone tanks their first term at Andover and tell me: does it make a difference if you tank it your freshman fall--with 11 remaining terms?--or your upper fall--with 5, and college looming? </p>
<p>Anyway, I don't mean to get caught up in the nasty name calling that has been going on, just wanted to get some things straight. If anyone wants to set me straight, by all means go ahead--I'm interested in the truth. Good luck to everyone.</p>
<p>@ suze: Well, I don't know if my assessment is so apocalyptic as all that. But, yeah, there's a lot of chaff to separate from the wheat. On a positive note, there's still a loaf or two of grist for the mill before I'd call this place toast (if I may extend my mixed metaphors).</p>
<p>I've gotten some great advice and insights here. I personally appreciate the reality checks. And, absolutely! -- the best information of all seems to come via PMs. But if you don't engage here...those PMs don't happen. I joined here AFTER my S had completed his applications...at the stage when I thought, "Whoa! He might just get accepted to one or more schools and all I know is what's in the view books and what the schools decided to unveil during a 1-2 hour tour. I've got work to do that I'd better not wait until March 10 to start on." </p>
<p>This board is part of that process and I have to say I'd be dazed and confused without having engaged here. </p>
<p>As happy-clappy as it may be at times, there are a lot of centered cats here doling out level-headed, feet-planted-on-terra-firma advice. I count you among that group, suze. Why would you ignore those resources, even if you end up having to exchange the "best" information via PM?</p>
<p>And my desire for anonymity is not because this is more like a playground. No matter how serious this place was a year ago, I'd have done it the same back then. The concern I have -- for my S and all the kids here -- is the 20 minute time limit on editing. If you regret something you post, for the myriad reasons one might later regret a message they fire off over the Internet, it could sit there, fermenting, only to zap you later on. I'm much more candid with people who I "know" here via PM.</p>
<p>Maybe it's more work than last year. Maybe it's not as abundantly useful. But it's too valuable to flat out ignore...if that's what you're suggesting you plan on doing.</p>
<p>suze, if you have learned so much from PMs, why don't you share that info anonomously for the benefit of all. You could be a type of conduit, changing names, etc but still giving helpful info for all.</p>
<p>well I just learned from experience that it is really a challenge to get in as a senior. I only applied to Taft because I had been chosen to start college a year early, Taft was just like a second option. Taft did reject me though, I've been told it was because I was applying for senior year.</p>
<p>I too have found the best part of this forum happens in the PM world. You can share stuff that you wouldn't want googled. And believe it or not there are many participants who have an account on CC and ONLY participate in PM. Some of them later come out and participate fully as they become more comfortable with the medium.</p>
<p>Like D'yer, I try to keep some things out of the public like where my D attends school. Personally, I find it is more of a distraction once that information comes out for many of the parent participants, because you get the generalized questions coming your way. Plus, quite frankly, I believe it is for each family to find their own child's best fit. Who am I to push my D's school on the general public. I do let a few members know privately so they can better understand my situation when I discuss things and to a couple of others who may have specific interest in the more unusual programs at my D's school. I will call out other schools which I am familiar with that some students may want to consider.</p>
<p>A little more history on me... When I first started on CC, I made a couple of posts asking very specific questions in threads where I found members who might have relevant information. I then discovered PM and how much more information is available underground. And a place to sound out thinking that may be more sensitive. </p>
<p>I am grateful to those who helped me when I came aboard and feel that I owe it to those who follow to help where I can.</p>
<p>The great thing about CC is that next year, we will get to answer the same questions again and share the same thrill of acceptance and agony of denial come mid-March. </p>
<p>I hope to see more of the regulars stay active as we enter the slow season ahead in a month or 2. I should be here...</p>
<p>Reading this board for the past few days has been at times informative, funny and unfortunately even heartbreaking. I don't think you can assume that the kids posting on this board who may still be desperately clinging to hopes of an acceptance or of getting in off the wait list are not getting good support and info from their parents, perhaps they are going on this board to get support and to commiserate with others they view as peers. It is not unlike sending a fan letter to Justin Timberlake ( is he even popular anymore?? I can just hear lots of girls going "ewwwww" if he is not!) and hoping he will pick your letter out and become your new boyfriend. It is part of growing up, and learning about rejection. So let’s be kind, and remember for the most part we are dealing with 14 year old kids.
Good luck to you Suze, I hope as you get older you will realize that honesty doesn't always have to be "brutal honesty".</p>
<p>9th grades is harder not only becoz the pool is much bigger, most legacies and developmental cases apply to 9th grade, obviously. they take up a huge chunk of the spaces..........</p>
<p>I've been lurking until now. I have found Suze's opinions useful, more useful than many others. What others have called "cruel," I find to be honest. Again and again, she has made the point that an applicant needs to apply to a range of schools. An applicant could do much worse than to follow her advice to be realistic about the chances for admission.</p>
<p>I do not believe that the young posters here are all able to weigh the relative worth of the advice received. I also think that this discussion board may have the unfortunate effect of increasing the "snob appeal" of a handful of schools. If you want a solid education, you can prepare well for college in many venues.</p>
<p>I am taken aback by the obsession with "stats". Prep school admissions officers are looking to build a class of kids. Even the most competitive school does not want to admit an entire class of strictly academic kids. I also have doubts about the wisdom of submitting a self-description to a group composed of one's competitors.</p>
<p>I think there is a lot of talk about stats because it is something that can be quantified, so it can be listed, how does one list other qualities... hmmmm, I am well liked and have a good smile. If you have been lurking on this board, you should know that this discussion thread as well as the majority of the college threads are similar. I think most people come here to be part of a community of people who are in the same "situation", ( these past few days, it has been the kids/parents who have been getting admission results from schools). I agree that honesty is a good thing, and I think for the most part it has been given kindly, but I have to note that usually the honest advice tempered with the most kindness is usually given by someone with a screen name that includes "mom" or "parent" in it, perhaps there is some truth to the adage with age comes wisdom.</p>
<p>"most legacies and developmental cases apply to 9th grade, obviously. "</p>
<p>No, that's not obvious at all. A great many of traditional prep feeders have a 9th grade program--St. Bernard's in NYC, Pike in Andover, Fessenden, etc.--and a sizeable amount of developments/legacies come from these schools, or similar ones. For example, all the South Korean "chaebol" children came to Andover in 10th grade, and those are one of the biggest development cases around. </p>
<p>Here's one thing that the 10th grade pool features that the 9th grade one doesn't: repeat applicants.</p>
<p>Suze gave me and DD the best advice and most help when we chose. Here and in person. It's funny how taken aback people here are with plain spoken honesty. Don't change Suze. There's a reason you were so successful at Andover and you now are in your Wall Street job, you're one in a million, truly.</p>
<p>Anyone else have a kid working to pay for college? You define class in my book Suze and being disarmingly beautiful is something you should enjoy! She throws people off, they expect a woman who looks like her to be dumb which is why I believe she's learned to be blunt and speak her mind.</p>
<p>I agree with xGods. My uncle attended an elite private day school in the Boston area. It was Pre-K-9, had plenty of legacies, developmental candidates, etc. who stayed throught the 9th grade year, and sent kids to all the top preps for 10th.</p>
<p>Suze is brutally honest but not completely accurate. For example a great athlete has much better chances at the top tier as does a musician/artist. Her advice is right on for those who are primarily academic, but without special talents. My son is far from perfect but he hit it off with several interviewers, coaches, and music contacts and is fortunate to be accepted at a top school (AESD) and two other excellent ones.</p>
<p>Yeah, I guess it just really depends on how well you prove to the school that you want to be challenged more and have already done all that you could at your current school to be admitted for a latter grade. I know that that was the case for me and I got admitted to Exeter for 11th grade- the school that I put the most effort into and had the best interview for. Having applied to three schools, I was waitlisted at Deerfield (crappy interview, I thought--very tired), and rejected at Lawrenceville (least amount of effort, didn't even interview).</p>