<p>"If only the college admissions process was a pure meritocracy"</p>
<p>Pretty much, for most state schools, it is. If you want to play the private school game, you are playing by their rules, which don't even pretend to be "fair".</p>
<p>I'm not at all impressed with a 1 million dollar donation. I mean, the elite colleges cost almost $150,000 these days anyway.</p>
<p>There is nothing to deserve, janet lover. A school is a school, a good school is a good school. Whatever ..good for the kid that he got into a good school. I'm sure he will pull off an alright gpa. I think people are making these things a bigger deal than they need to be. When people attend private schools, I think it is almost manditory that the school makes sure that the kid does well in school. I mean you're paying money for the education, and for the college preparation. I would be annoying if I was paying 50k a year for my child's high school and he came home with C's.</p>
<p>And about "Stealing someones spot at college"..there is no such thing. You don't choose colleges, colleges choose you and they have their reasons to choose you. Whether it is because your a minority, unique, a genius or just RICH it is up to them and it does not matter who gets what spot it is a competition and people will do whatever it takes alright.</p>
<p>I think development admits should have their status stamped on their degree. They should get to study if their parents are paying a huge amount to their school, but I don't think they should get the same degree. It's not like these kids really even need a degree.</p>
<p>I also think it would be fun if colleges were more transparent about it. For example, they should list how much it takes for an admissions spot. Maybe have a sliding scale. Like if you've got a C average, it'll take a 5 million dollar donation to get you into Harvard. Or maybe they should auction spots off on eBay.</p>
<p>To me it's a sad thing that some "students would kill for" these "advantages". Hanging out here, you might believe "any" kid would (What kid wouldn't kill for that chance? ), but FWIW, I think most kids (and families) are putting their dreams and energies elsewhere. I know you guys know this but I believe there are more families struggling to get their kids to even CARE about their grades then there are worrying about getting into elite colleges.</p>
<p>Happens every day. Lucky kid. Hope he makes the best of it and becomes successful. Kids who have to make the hard climb up the face of the mountain will be better prepared than those who or dropped off at the top by helicopter or private jet. It won't be easy for this kid, esp if he doesn't really have what it takes to be successful at said college. I would love to know "the ending" in 4 years...</p>
<p>I feel really sorry for this kid. Imagine what his life must be like if he has to live up to his father's warped fantacies about what constitutes a 'good' school for him. Here's a father who doesn't know his kid, doesn't care about what's best for his son, and isn't interested in helping his kid figure out what would be the best fit. Too sad. And the doormat wife isn't doing herself or her son any favors.</p>
<p>collegealum,
Re your comments on developmental admits, do you feel the same way about other students who get preferential treatment in the admissions process? Should their degrees be similarly stamped?</p>
<p>^^No, I don't. </p>
<p>I think paying for admission is about as corrupt as you can get. The only example that I can think of that is worse is when a high-ranking Duke official ended up on the board of Ralph Lauren after admitting Ralph Lauren's development admit kids.</p>
<p>^^ i think that was Brown, but i'm not sure. I read Daniel Golden too :)</p>
<p>which parents wouldn't do that if they had enough money to do so? The child will now make more money than others b/c he's attend a more prestigious school</p>
<p>
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The child will now make more money than others b/c he's attend a more prestigious school.
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</p>
<p>Oh that life were so simple. But in reality, one has very little to do with the other.</p>
<p>Why wouldn't you just put all the money that you would've spent on tutors and bribes into a trust fund? People with trust funds that garner sufficient interest don't have to get high-paying jobs.</p>
<p>Please.....do you really think its not a big deal? The deceitfulness and bending of the rules on the high schools' part is unconsciousable. THAT to me is far worse than the college bending the rules, agreed that without developemental admits, these schools would not have the endowments and means to pay for improved facilities, new buildings, profressors,etc.......they are a reality here to stay and whether we like it or not, we have to accept that they exist. We can only hope that these lucky kids take advantage of the gifts bestowed upon them and take advantage to work hard and make something of themselves on their own accord. HOWEVER I am very shocked at what the school did, Ithink it would be fair to say that nearly every senior in his class has a class or a grade that they wish they could "airbrush" given the chance, how they wish if they knew the opportunity exists, that they could make up a test, or do extra credit work and have their quarter grades "delayed" in being reported or have their grades amended. I mean where do you draw the line? Why not just let the parents pay for an A or a B at this rate because essentially this is what is happening here. His own mother complains about how the kid is almost saying going there is not important, he is not showing up for meetings with the teachers, not showing up for extra help,etc....all these adults are fluttering around him like a busy swarm of bees and the kid is not producing. At what point does a sensible adult stop and say wait, this kid obvioulsy doesn't want this (nor deserves it but that is another issue). At what point does someone, say he isn't earning it, he isn't getting it. When he is ready to work hard and earn it, he will pure and simple. Frankly it sickens me that a parent would go to the lengths that his father is...I will keep you all posted if he gets in. Warped is all I can say.</p>
<p>maybe you can blame the father, not the kid.
Who is this guy?? he might as well give that money to his kids haha..after all, the purpose of life is not just to make money?</p>
<p>Believe me I am sure there is a trust fund already in place...I don't necessarily blame the kid, clearly this is all the Dad's doing....sadly his son is not taking away any life lessons other than the fact that almost anything can be bought and there is no glory in getting something without having worked for it.</p>
<p>I find what the high school did absolutely disgusting.</p>
<p>I'm not saying it's "not a big deal." I'm just saying I'm not surprised; perhaps I'm just more cynical than the rest of you. And it's not just in schools. It's in employment (or maybe you believe that all the kids of business owners got their senior management jobs on their own merit?), in politics, in the arts; doors are opened and opportunities given based on who you know and often who you know is based on how much money you have.</p>
<p>So maybe this kid will grow up with the rich sense of entitlement, and become the male version of Paris Hilton. And will you then be surprised?</p>
<p>Whenever I hear such stories about schools I remember that there are small details that could change a lot.
I know that some private shools are likely to allow ANY child to re-take the test. Some teachers consider re-takes a good teaching strategy because no student is free to go untill he gets at least a see a C (in a private school parents expect that the kid is taught till he learned the material). Whenever I encountered such approach, teachers usually subtract points on every re-take so that the competition remains fair, you cannot get an A after re-take.<br>
There may be specific rules for a particular course. DD mentioned that at her school some teachers had a "one excuse per semester" rule allowing students either to hand one paper late, or to cross out one lowest test score. Maybe this teacher allowed one re-take.
Finally, it is possible that the teacher and the principal were offered a very compelling excuse, that would justify the re-take. Kid's mom told the truth to her friend, but she could tell something very different to the teacher.</p>
<p>ctmomof3:</p>
<p>i honestly dont see the point of this thread...i also can make much money and maybe someday your kids can ben benenfit from you...</p>