<p>So, approximately 30% of a freshman class pay the full ride, i.e 30% have parents with annual income over $180,000 and no extenuating financial circumstances. So, high income (and wealth) may get your kid a higher percentage chance than a purely random selection would provide, but income under $180,000 does not keep you out.</p>
<p>Seems the power prep school choice provides a battlefield for the top 3% in income to give their kid a leg up on other kids of that wealth.</p>
<p>“So, approximately 30% of a freshman class pay the full ride, i.e 30% have parents with annual income over $180,000 and no extenuating financial circumstances. So, high income (and wealth) may get your kid a higher percentage chance than a purely random selection would provide, but income under $180,000 does not keep you out”</p>
<p>but only 60% get need based aid. That means (at least) 10% get merit aid. but harvard does NOT offer merit aid. That implies a full 10% of the class gets outside merit aid - National Merit, etc. </p>
<p>We chose an inexpensive home in a nice, “transitioning” neighborhood and sent D to tip-top day school (one that ALWAYS on the list, and always close to the top); then, seeking a change of venue after 8 yrs, D went to prep/boarding school - - both thanks to generous need-based aid. D is now at top LAC, again thanks to generous finaid.</p>
<p>Brooklynborndad, is it possible the 10% discrepancy accounts for not only outside sources of merit, but also FA in the form of grants, loans and work study? I ask only because of their use of the word “scholarships.”</p>
<p>– About 70 percent of our students receive some form of aid, with nearly 60 percent receiving need–based scholarships. –</p>
<p>DD’s school must not be listed because no famous graduates???</p>
<p>As if that were a criterion.</p>
<p>Personally, I’m sure your DD’s school was not listed simply because 1) they knew that to some people these listings are oh so important; 2) they knew that some people believe that secondary education is only important if it gets a kid into an Ivy; and 3) they knew that if they left your DD’s school off that your anxiety would trigger a post which would produce free publicity for yet another arbitrary HYPed school-related ranking.</p>
<p>As Forbes tautologically said: “This list (of colleges), while arbitrary, reflects the fact that many parents send their kids to prep school specifically so they can get into the most prestigious universities.”</p>
<p>P.S. When you say “(since) it shows the % admittance at Ivy+MIT+Stanford is as high as 41% at the top Trinity pre school . . . (then) going to prep High school certainly increases your probability to get into a top school” you heartily confuse cause and effect.</p>
<p>I’m sure your DD’s school teaches one how to identify that kind of logical error.</p>
<p>I had wondered about whether the top feeder prep schools have financial aid. I know that in Dallas, the preps with the top prestige feeder percetages have substaintial need based financial aid.</p>
<p>First I also hope the DD’s school teaches it too otherwise she would be in the same boat as you.
I must have been getting old otherwise I used to feel very proud of my GRE analytical score of 780/800 since everyone I knew had a GRE Math > 750 but rarely I used to find > 750 on Analytical.
Still I would like to understand where I got confused with cause and effect. Would you like to explain?</p>
<p>Nowhere did I express any inflammatory or condescending remarks. You interpreted them to be that way because I expressed views you did not agree with, but you were the first one to be uncivil in this discussion. If you really believe I posted something inflammatory, do point out where it is, and I’ll explain it for you. My posts have been nothing but a mere expression of my OWN understanding of how prep schools confer an advantage in certain cases (repeatedly saying it’s not “fit” for everybody), but you continue to assume I believe prep schools are inherently better.</p>
<p>You know what. When you get to college, you will learn that just because you disagree with somebody doesn’t give you the right to dismiss their character. I have expressed nothing here but my views and in your inability to dispute them, resort to personal attacks.</p>
<p>I caution those of you who will attack me to attack my views, not my character. Quote specifically where you disagree with what I said, and let’s discuss it. I have been in situations where I vehemently disagreed with another person’s views, but I have always managed to maintain my composure. It’s really good practice and healthy for you physiologically and psychologically.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Prep school is not inherently better for everybody. One example I gave is a high-achieving student who would not do well in such a high-pressure environment and would prefer to be a big fish in a small pond. However, for some people, it is a great fit and they might benefit from attending. These schools also have generous FA, and it’s worth exploring how much the final package will cost if you think these schools are worth it.</p></li>
<li><p>Being at an elite prep school does confer some admissions advantage. You get personalized attention from teachers and house advisors who can then write you a great recommendation. You get personalized attention from guidance counselors who have strong relationships with admissions officers at elite colleges. If you’re at a boarding school, living away from home in an intellectually rich environment can optimize your personal development so you come out more mature than you otherwise would. At some schools, having a strong academic record and strong leadership to go along with it can increase one’s chances at an elite college, whereas attaining that same record at a regular HS might require more vetting. I guess this is true of high-powered schools in general that have an established reputation with elite colleges; if you make it to the top at those schools, elite colleges have a better idea of what that kind of achievement means, whereas at a regular HS, they might have to investigate a little further.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I don’t know where you guys are getting the impression that I believe prep school is the only way to go to get an excellent education.</p>
<p>Oh - that was not a personal attack. It was simply an observation based on years of experience working with students.</p>
<p>FYI - I am way past college, with both undergrad and graduate degrees and work toward a doctorate. I grew up in a family full of college administrators/teachers, and attended a private middle/high school. I spent many years as a college adviser and doing recruiting and admissions (all at both the undergrad and grad level, both public and private universities). I have taught career counseling, hired students for internships, and hired students for full-time jobs. </p>
<p>The problem is that you don’t see how your written posts come across to others. My hope is that this is not an indication of how you come across in real life.</p>
<p>IF that is your goal (or you child’s goal), fine. Keep in mind that there are many people who have NO DESIRE to “matriculate @ 'Ivy+MIT+Stanford.”</p>
<p>What about how I express my views do you have a problem with? I have been nothing but civil in this discussion. I have to say, with your alleged experience, I expected more well thought-out reasoning about where you disagree.</p>
I was critiquing the fact that you attacked me without expressing your own views and where you disagreed with me. Also, there is no view that you expressed for me to attack, and that’s why I felt the need to state that. If you want to have a discussion, then let’s go ahead.</p>
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