Private School Admissions - 2018 (Dallas: how much, top school, to live)

[dadfromdallas]

All excellent points above, but to my point/question:


If GH (or another top school) were to reject the kid of CEO of large corporation/elected office, etc., would that add to the prestige of that school?... maybe?


With the substantial endowments of the top schools and their ability to now guarantee 'full rides' for 14 years at the pre-k level, wealth/power could be less of an influence... it seems that the proper mix ('connected' and 'non-connected') might be a goal of the admissions staff?...


I don't know the answer... (and not really that concerned about it...)... Admission staff's have difficult decisions to make and they apparently are very good at what they do... Private school admissions might not be fair--but that's life... welcome to the real world...

[jennifw]

Originally Posted by stan4

However, there's no "more connected." There's connected or not connected. You don't get bonus points for each way you are connected.

I disagree with you. I think there is a difference between being someone with siblings at the school, someone with siblings at the school with a parent who writes big checks and someone with a "big name" parent be it a professional athlete, a CEO, a city-council-person, etc. I think there are varying degrees of "connected"

[stan4]

Originally Posted by jennifw

I disagree with you. I think there is a difference between being someone with siblings at the school, someone with siblings at the school with a parent who writes big checks and someone with a "big name" parent be it a professional athlete, a CEO, a city-council-person, etc. I think there are varying degrees of "connected"

You may disagree, but I am telling you word for word what the head of school told an auditorium full of connected families last month.
Connected = sibling, parent is alum, parent works there. You don't get triple connected points for being a graduate who works there who has one kid in already. You get ONE point regardless of the connection(s).

Being rich and famous is not what 'connected' means in this context.

[dadfromdallas]

WHAT!... No triple connected points!... Man.


So riddle me this: What if you work for a parent that is the sibling of an alum? Is that 1/3 of a connected point?


Maybe legacy would be a more appropriate term? I dunno.

[Waterdragon8212]

Originally Posted by dadfromdallas

All excellent points above, but to my point/question:


With the substantial endowments of the top schools and their ability to now guarantee 'full rides' for 14 years at the pre-k level, wealth/power could be less of an influence... it seems that the proper mix ('connected' and 'non-connected') might be a goal of the admissions staff?...

So, while the top schools all have substantial endowments, there are significant differences in these endowments (which you can look up freely on their websites, but some are almost 5 times that of others.) All of the schools are facing rising tuition costs and tuition doesn't cover the full amount of funds needed for these schools to operate - hence the constant fundraising and donation pressure. No one is "guaranteed" a full ride for 14 years. Financial aid applicants have to reapply every year, regardless of whether their financial situation has changed. Plus, even if the SSS indicates you have a financial need of X dollars, the schools don't have to offer you that amount. Some of the schools are suggesting increasing the number of full tuition paying students to offset the rising tuition costs, so I think full-rides at the pre-K level all the way through are incredibly unlikely/rare (I don't know of one kid for whom that is the case FWIW.)

That said, I do think the top schools want a mix of students as you suggest. Wealth and power will always be an influence, but your kid has to be able to cut the mustard or else his/her admission lowers the reputation of the school.

[MurphyPl1]

Originally Posted by 4Movingeast

LOL at FW and their 4 private schools, (really 3 because FWA is for everyone that doesn't get into FWCD, TVS or AS) and FWISD as back up. Nope!

Was mocking really neccesary? The idea is actually a good one. Maybe not all the schools will participate but it would be easier on everyone.

[Waterdragon8212]

Originally Posted by stan4

You may disagree, but I am telling you word for word what the head of school told an auditorium full of connected families last month.
Connected = sibling, parent is alum, parent works there. You don't get triple connected points for being a graduate who works there who has one kid in already. You get ONE point regardless of the connection(s).

Being rich and famous is not what 'connected' means in this context.

You are right as far as "connected" is concerned, but it's hard to imagine that if someone's name is on a building (and their kid meets the school's standard), they wouldn't edge out another connected kid...

[EDS_]

So among some of the catholic schools.......

Ursuline announces at 3 or just after.
BL and JPII right at 5.
Jesuit at 7.

[stan4]

Originally Posted by Waterdragon8212

You are right as far as "connected" is concerned, but it's hard to imagine that if someone's name is on a building (and their kid meets the school's standard), they wouldn't edge out another connected kid...

Right. That was just the definition of 'connected.' You can reference my other post where I said you'd have to live in fairy la la land to not think that some people get in just cuz their parents are muckity mucks.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by stan4

Well.
Today I was SHOCKED to see a very well connected kid denied admission. I mean, jaw drop shocked.

So what I thought might be lip service was indeed not (they told us in a special meeting not to count on connections).

In other news, our kid did get in and we are grateful and excited.

Congrats on kiddo #2's admission! Happy Spring Break!