<p>They actually increase their chances to get in worse colleges. This is one edge of the sword.</p>
<p>some kids are not that smart , but study really hard, they can get very good grades. If they go to Top boarding schools, they actually will be downgraded to worse colleges.</p>
<p>“Non-smart” kids are not admitted to “top” boarding schools.</p>
<p>…and your command of the language, as well as your logic, is mind-boggling.</p>
<p>look at where 2 phillips graduates go, you can figure out why I said so. 60+% of their graduates went to so-so colleges.</p>
<p>Where are you getting your statistics? I just looked at the 2012 matriculation data. While obviously not everyone went to HYPMS, I saw only a very small handful of schools I’d consider “so-so”. Certainly not 60%. Most were excellent LACs or specialty colleges.</p>
<p>don’t feed the ■■■■■.</p>
<p>I know, I know! But one doesn’t want unsuspecting new searchers to come across a post like the OP and not see at least SOME rational response. I think it’s time to close this thread ;-)</p>
<p>@FlyHighFly,</p>
<p>Are you an int’l family? I am puzzled as to why you (or your son) are even bothering to apply to top U.S. BS’s if you are so critical of the schools’ college matriculation stats.<br>
<a href=“http://www.exeter.edu/documents/2012_Profile_for_College(1).pdf[/url]”>http://www.exeter.edu/documents/2012_Profile_for_College(1).pdf</a>
<a href=“http://www.andover.edu/Academics/CollegeCounseling/Documents/School_Profile_2011-2012.pdf[/url]”>http://www.andover.edu/Academics/CollegeCounseling/Documents/School_Profile_2011-2012.pdf</a>
[Boarding</a> School Stats : Matriculation Stats](<a href=“http://matriculationstats.org/boarding-school-stats]Boarding”>http://matriculationstats.org/boarding-school-stats)</p>
<p>You seem very smug about your son’s Dec SSAT performance. Be advised that high SSAT scores do not ensure admission into the top schools—this is not like the gaokao in China. My own son had tip top SSAT scores, grades, EC’s, recs, and an unusual life story, but still did not get into every school he applied.</p>
<p>GMTplus7, I checked the link, it is 60+% went to so-so colleges. Only 1/3 made their dreams come true.</p>
<p>ECs etc are used to determine potential, they want to see how much time a student spend on studying. for example, 2 students at same level, one studies 12 hours a day, one studies 6 hours a day. So the 2nd is much smarter than the first.</p>
<p>FHF, I ask again, having read your other posts, and since you seem sincere, if utterly misguided: by what measure are the schools these kids matriculate to “so-so”??? </p>
<p>And regarding the students, how do you know what “their” dreams might be??? Do you mean only HYPMS matriculation will make a student’s “dreams come true?” If so, I think you may be sorely disappointed in the entire U.S. boarding school and college application and matriculation process.</p>
<p>Let us be honest, everybody wants to go to top Universities, right?</p>
<p>It depends on how you define “top”. My child did not apply to a single Ivy league school. It wasn’t the type of school they were looking for. </p>
<p>Kids have many different reasons for looking at a variety of schools - size, location, sports, cost (merit aid, state schools), a particular programs (the arts for example). </p>
<p>Not everyone is brand name conscious and it can be argued that many schools offer a better undergraduate education and experience vs. Ivies.</p>
<p>If your goal for BS is purely getting your child into Harvard or Yale or Princeton, I think you need to reconsider your motivations.</p>
<p>Um, gee, golly, FHF. As the parent of a kid who turned down PEA even with their generous FA offer, I’d have to say… nope.</p>
<p>@FlyHighFLy</p>
<p>So-So colleges are subjective. What do you consider a “top” university? Certainly a number of some of the best companies in the world were started by people who went to one of those “so so” colleges. </p>
<p>US boarding school students are encouraged to apply to colleges that offer the specific degree program they want. So if you are interested in theater - you go to the school where you’ll get the best training. Want to be an artist, you go to a school with a national reputation. Etc. Even for math and science there are good strong schools beyond my own, that offer top notch educations but are pooh-poohed by the college snobs who lack self-esteem and assume that going to a Top University will fill that vacuum. It won’t. No one cares. What people care about is what you do with the education you have, not the name on your diploma. </p>
<p>There are a lot of universities in the US that are considered “top” universities. Start broadening your mind.</p>
<p>I pose the question to you again: </p>
<p>If you are so unimpressed by these BS’s, then why are you bothering to apply to them?</p>