Sibling admissions

[Anonymous]

Do most schools give siblings an advantage in admissions?

[Anonymous]

Well, I don't know about "most" schools, but at the school with which I am familiar, the school thinks long and hard about denying admission to the sibling of an already enrolled student.

They recognize the unhappiness and potential discord associated with not accepting a sibling.

BUT they do do it. I know of several instances through the years. But in these cases, it was a no-brainer for them as the second sibling had academic or behavioral issues or both.

Sibling connection will not guarantee admission.

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but if the enrolled student has had some behavioral challenges - calls home, comments on report card, etc. - but has still been offered reenrollment and is noticeably improving, and the family has been working hard and collaboratively with the school on said challenges, would a "less than perfect" older siblings being enrolled possibly count against the younger sibling applicant (who has had no such issues at their respective current school)? If it's material, children are in early elementary and early childhood, so these aren't high school level behavioral problems. Full pay, decent sized annual fund donations. Asking for a friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but if the enrolled student has had some behavioral challenges - calls home, comments on report card, etc. - but has still been offered reenrollment and is noticeably improving, and the family has been working hard and collaboratively with the school on said challenges, would a "less than perfect" older siblings being enrolled possibly count against the younger sibling applicant (who has had no such issues at their respective current school)? If it's material, children are in early elementary and early childhood, so these aren't high school level behavioral problems. Full pay, decent sized annual fund donations. Asking for a friend.

I think it would only negatively influence things if the older student’s behavior was declining and they weren’t going to be asked back. Then it might be too complicated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but if the enrolled student has had some behavioral challenges - calls home, comments on report card, etc. - but has still been offered reenrollment and is noticeably improving, and the family has been working hard and collaboratively with the school on said challenges, would a "less than perfect" older siblings being enrolled possibly count against the younger sibling applicant (who has had no such issues at their respective current school)? If it's material, children are in early elementary and early childhood, so these aren't high school level behavioral problems. Full pay, decent sized annual fund donations. Asking for a friend.

Also, if the younger child is applying for PK or K they will get the biggest boost. Definitely more siblings turned away in later years.

I think it would only negatively influence things if the older student’s behavior was declining and they weren’t going to be asked back. Then it might be too complicated.

[Anonymous]

Most schools do give sibling preference most of the time. Exceptions absolutely do exist. A child who has a bad report (whether for academics, behavior, or other reasons) from the prior school might not be given an offer at all.

[Anonymous]

Also, many siblings aren't initially accepted but eventually do after another try or two.

[Anonymous]

When more siblings than available seats apply for a grade, some of the siblings have to be put on waitlist. This is mostly a school capacity issue. If they apply again in future years they have a chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do most schools give siblings an advantage in admissions?

Depends but I think yes many do. Beauvoir and NPS do while I think Sidwell does not. Most Catholics I think give priority to siblings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When more siblings than available seats apply for a grade, some of the siblings have to be put on waitlist. This is mostly a school capacity issue. If they apply again in future years they have a chance.

Yes maybe but if you’ve applied twice and didn’t get in you should really take a hint that the school doesn’t think it’s a good fit. I know a family that applied to the same school twice and considering a third time. They seem obsessed with getting their child into the school and for whatever reason it doesn’t seem like the school thinks it is a good fit. The school I think is in the wrong here they should be honest and upfront with the family instead of leading them on and giving false hope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When more siblings than available seats apply for a grade, some of the siblings have to be put on waitlist. This is mostly a school capacity issue. If they apply again in future years they have a chance.

Yes maybe but if you’ve applied twice and didn’t get in you should really take a hint that the school doesn’t think it’s a good fit. I know a family that applied to the same school twice and considering a third time. They seem obsessed with getting their child into the school and for whatever reason it doesn’t seem like the school thinks it is a good fit. The school I think is in the wrong here they should be honest and upfront with the family instead of leading them on and giving false hope.

I know kids who've gotten in the third time around at Sidwell. Not getting in doesn't always mean the child wouldn't do well there. Certain years are harder than others and if the family has another child at the school, it makes sense why they'd keep trying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do most schools give siblings an advantage in admissions?

Depends but I think yes many do. Beauvoir and NPS do while I think Sidwell does not. Most Catholics I think give priority to siblings.

Sidwell has sibling priority, but less so than other schools

[Anonymous]

I’ve seen siblings rejected at a Catholic school almost certainly because of the school’s experience with the parents of the enrolled student. Schools tolerate helicoptering, attendance issues and outsized use of faculty and staff time. But they don’t necessarily want to sign up for several more years or a double dose of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When more siblings than available seats apply for a grade, some of the siblings have to be put on waitlist. This is mostly a school capacity issue. If they apply again in future years they have a chance.

Yes maybe but if you’ve applied twice and didn’t get in you should really take a hint that the school doesn’t think it’s a good fit. I know a family that applied to the same school twice and considering a third time. They seem obsessed with getting their child into the school and for whatever reason it doesn’t seem like the school thinks it is a good fit. The school I think is in the wrong here they should be honest and upfront with the family instead of leading them on and giving false hope.

I know kids who've gotten in the third time around at Sidwell. Not getting in doesn't always mean the child wouldn't do well there. Certain years are harder than others and if the family has another child at the school, it makes sense why they'd keep trying.

That is ridiculous. They could make room if they wanted to. Obviously by the second denial you should move on and not put your kid through that again.

[Anonymous]

There has been trouble with siblings applications at Beauvoir the last couple of years