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09.10.19, 18:38 PM General Topics
63 replies
How likely are we to get into the SS girls schools on a non-traditional entry year? Brearley, Spence, Chapin, Sacred Heart, Marymount and Nightingale ? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 09.10.19, 06:38 PM Flag
 

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too many variables. depends on how many spots are open in the given grade due to kids leaving and then whether or not your DD gets in. some schools might not have one opening. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 06:41 PM Flag
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OP- thanks I know it’s hard to do. Should we hire one of those consultants? For like 10k I’m very reluctant. dd is the strongest in her class, great report cards and teacher recommendations. We don’t know which schools have seats open so we’re applyong to all of the above. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 06:44 PM Flag
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I wouldn't bother w a consultant when you first need spots to be open. the schools don't even usually know how many spots until the time of year when contracts are due for the following year (Jan or Feb usually) and also some people sign the contract and then get work transfer months later so the spot opens up last minute. Which grade is this for? I have DD at one of the schools you mention. Best to reach out to school admissions office and ask if they are accepting apps for x grade next fall. Even if they have no spots, they can keep you on a wait list if they like you and let you know when something opens up. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 06:49 PM Flag
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OP- thanks so much for your answer. We would be applying for 2 and 4th grades. I’ve reached out to most of them and they all said it’s too early to tell, and to send indications of interest. Is that just a nice no? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 06:52 PM Flag
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no -- it means they really don't know. for no traditional entry years, they won't really know until January or so. you care going to have to apply widely and be patient. you need attrition. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 06:53 PM Flag
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Thanks. Sounds like maybe I should Cast our net wider. And maybe move to a good zoned school in case we have to wait a few years. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:01 PM Flag
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they are in public now? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:04 PM Flag
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They’re at a well regarded private. Not too traditional but not progressive. Large city in the Midwest. Our public’s here are huge. But I’ve heard the public’s in nyc like PS6 are more manageable. So it wouldn’t be such a shock [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:10 PM Flag
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Definitely plan to move to a great school district in case - PS6 is fabulous. We love 290, which is also on the UES. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:52 PM Flag
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+1 PS6, 290 and 267 are all quite good. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 08:00 PM Flag
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Op here. Thank you! We have friends at 527 and they love it. But not at the others. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 08:41 PM Flag
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it is too early to tell since the school yr just started and contracts wont go out for the following year for another few months. that being said, only one year so far at our school were there no openings. Most grades have one to four spots open up in the lower grades every yr [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 06:54 PM Flag
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Thanks much appreciated! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:01 PM Flag
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does this mean you are applying two DDs at the same time? or first trying in 2nd grade and then again in 4th? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:00 PM Flag
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Correct. Yikes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:01 PM Flag
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what kind of school are they in now? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:02 PM Flag
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I responded above. I’d like for them to be in the same school but realize they may not be able to at first. Academically they’re both very similar. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:10 PM Flag
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do you need them to be together in the next school too? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:02 PM Flag
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This is actually going to be quite hard unless you both have something remarkable to offer AND are very lucky. If you're open to public, that would be a great back up plan for the moment. 6th grade is generally a bigger entry point. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:54 PM Flag
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+1 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:57 PM Flag
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I wouldn't hire a consultant. I would apply widely and be gently communicative with the admission teams throughout the process. also, if my kid was two years advance in math or language, but the school generally advanced students in that grade only by one year, I would make it clear that I was fine with my kid technically re-doing the year "because the depth of teaching at your school will be so good for DD." [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 06:52 PM Flag
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So I wouldn’t mind holding them back but I think that would be very tough on the kids. They’re old enough to know [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:02 PM Flag
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np I wouldn't hold back [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:03 PM Flag
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that wasn't what I was suggesting - see below. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:06 PM Flag
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I was mostly thinking of older kids -- it was before you posted their ages. for example, if your kid was taking algebra as a 7th grader at a public school, but you were apply to a SS girls school where 8th graders take algebra, not geometry, I would recommend telling the schools you were supportive of your DD taking algebra in 8th grade. they are looking for girls who will easily slot into a class --not be scheduling difficulties. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:05 PM Flag
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Thanks. No my kids are too young for this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:33 PM Flag
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Wow - this is very interesting insight. We have a new child at a ss girls school and she was a quirky one to place. And I was surprised that they weren't too accommodating of the difference. So interesting that they'd rather have a dd repeat the same class a second year than place the child in a class more appropriate for her level. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:57 PM Flag
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not sure it is the same for traditional entry years, but I do think it is that way for non traditional entry years, and I think it makes sense. FWIW, I have had friends' kids re-take algebra in this same scenario and the kid did had to work very hard to do well so "appropriate level" is really all relative. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 08:15 PM Flag
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all fair points [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 08:45 PM Flag
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the repeat is not hard and fast. know a kid where parent wanted to repeat and private school insisted on continuing the grade in in public. agewise parents still think the kid would have been better in the repeat grade. my guess is that school had a kid drop in the non-attrition year and was an easy way to fill the gap. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 11:36 PM Flag
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What grade is your DD in now? What kind of school is she in? Public? private? progressive? traditional? If she is top of her class (depending on type of school) there are a few on your list that aren't really worth it [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 06:52 PM Flag
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Thanks I responded above. Good local private but probably not as strong as privates in NYC. They’re certainly strong academically but I don’t see any of the schools on the list as being weak. Plus everyone here is just plain “nicer” even if they’re strong academically. I’ve heard from a few friends that some of the schools in nyc are tough socially. Regardless of the academics. Would love to hear from people with experience. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:13 PM Flag
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the social stuff varies from grade to grade and school to school. you will have incredible wealth at all the ones you listed and also more diversity than you are expecting at several. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:46 PM Flag
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Dd just staring a tt ss girls high school. we were afraid of the social dynamics. So far the girls have been absolutely lovely. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:58 PM Flag
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what grade? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 08:02 PM Flag
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9th [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 08:42 PM Flag
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yes by 9th grade they are thrilled to have new kids to meet. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 08:59 PM Flag
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That social stuff is largely just rumors. You've gotta take everything you hear about this town with a grain of salt! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.11.19, 05:30 PM Flag
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There is not one bad school on that list. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:39 PM Flag
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no bad schools on the list but OP said her DD is top of her class. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:51 PM Flag
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Yes but outside of NYC. Her DD is likely not the same caliber as the nyc kids at Trinity for example. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 08:43 PM Flag
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Oh FFS [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.11.19, 10:08 AM Flag
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eyeroll... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.11.19, 05:31 PM Flag
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Low ime. We applied to many schools (not just ss girls) for two years. About four or five apps a year. Only got one interview each year - the schools only had one spot and they don't interview if they don't have a spot. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 06:54 PM Flag
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but many will still take your money. one school returned our app fee when no spots opened. if i were rich i would donate to them just for that! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 11:37 PM Flag
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Have you talked to the head of your current school? Sometimes the heads of similar schools in different cities have relationships and will take off-year transfers as a professional courtesy. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:23 PM Flag
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Ours doesn’t have this kind of relationship with nyc schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 07:32 PM Flag
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Curious why you left Hewitt off of this list? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 08:01 PM Flag
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+ 1 - worth looking into Hewitt as well [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 08:46 PM Flag
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+2 It’s. A lovely school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 09:20 PM Flag
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Hewitt does not have the greatest academics. I'd go to 290 or PS 6 before I went to Hewitt - unless my kid was sensitive and needed a gentler atmosphere. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 09:47 PM Flag
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+3 great school [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.11.19, 01:20 AM Flag
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+4. It’s lovely and yes, the curriculum is challenging and engaging. Wonderful staff and administration who are genuinely invested in the success and happiness of each girl. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.11.19, 12:51 PM Flag
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Hewitt’s academics are not challenging at all. Whatsoever. Consider how little they’ve improved in the last thirty years. Whereas Browning, their brother school is much stronger. I get up here and it’s still the same! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 10:17 PM Flag
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But considering OPs situation, Hewitt would be a decent school to start in and then they can always apply out if not challenging enough. She has two DD to get into school [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 11:26 PM Flag
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+5 Hewitt is a great school. The head of school is phenomenal and is really taking Hewitt to the next level. Unfortunately Hewitt tends to get short changed on UB by people who are not in the know. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.11.19, 02:39 PM Flag
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It will take a decade for the college admissions to improve. And unless they do, no one will consider Hewitt a desirable school. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.11.19, 05:04 PM Flag
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https://www.hewittschool.org/academics/college-guidance. This is actually a very impressive college matriculation list. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.12.19, 02:33 AM Flag
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it is all a numbers game. apply to all of them. let admissions folks knows you are interested. you want them to think of you if there are openings. remember that it is a numbers game and just b/c there is room for jane does not mean they will then take alice if there is no opening. do not hire a consultant. they can do nothing for you here. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.10.19, 11:33 PM Flag
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why not just go public. there's tons of great publics in Brooklyn too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.11.19, 12:30 AM Flag
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One thing we were told is to realize that there may be siblings trying to transfer over to those schools in off-years too. I would try to schedule visits to each place, attend an open house if you can, and write genuine notes of interest with specific things you like about each school. My impression of the girls schools (and my kids don't go to SS schools) is that they don't want to be viewed as interchangeable. They each feel strongly in their own identities and wouldn't want to be under the impression that you're looking for a girls school, any girls school will do. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.11.19, 01:57 AM Flag
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Going to be difficult to impossible to get both kids into the same school at the same time at a lot of the schools on your list (B, S, C come to mind in particular). They tend to fill spots on an as-needed basis, based on attrition, and these schools dont have a lot of attrition to begin with. Also when those spots actually open up, a lot of the schools tend to ask around the parent body for recommendations/friends as well.. Have heard of families at other schools getting calls from these schools who invite them to apply because their daughters are in the correct grades of the spots that need filling, and they were recommended by existing parents. If you don't need to have your daughters in an all-girl school, make sure to move to a good zoned Public school area, but also consider applying to other privates as well. There are a lot! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.11.19, 02:51 PM Flag
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It is very tough as it depends entirely on attrition which varies year to year with families moving, getting counseled out, etc. My dd is at a tt ss and there were no new girls in 1st, 1 in second, none in 3rd, 3 in 4th, none in 5th, 5 or so in 6th, 2 in 7th, none in 8th. So your dd will be applying for a tiny number of spots, but there are also fewer applications in off years. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 09.11.19, 05:33 PM Flag
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