First Choice Letter
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Anonymous
| DC is applying for 9th grade. |
Anonymous
|
Sorry - hit send too quickly.
DC is applying to 9th grade. Our applications have been to the Big 3 and a couple of others that are usually included in the Big 5. We are new to the area and just heard about the "First Choice" letter. Is it really common for people to send such letters to the school of choice? And more importantly, do people think it actually makes a difference to the decision? We always thought that SFS would be our top choice if DC got in but DC really enjoyed the shadow day at one of the Cathedral schools (NCS/STA) so now we're not so sure whether we really have a top choice. But at the same time if these letters do make a difference in acceptance then we will have a family discussion and agree on a first choice school to which we can then send a letter. Please Help!!!! |
Anonymous
| I have it on good authority, that yes, they make a difference. Good luck. |
Anonymous
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If you don't really have a 1st choice, don't do it. DC may change his/her mind.
Also they probably matter less at a school like SFS/STA that assumes it is the top choice of many. |
Anonymous
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What exactly is it? Beyond the obvious, I mean. Should it be sent at lower levels? DC is applying to 7th grade, and has a very clear preference for one school.
What did those of you who did it write? |
Anonymous
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The letters are basically a clear and unequivocal expression of your intent to accept any offer of enrollment.
Dear Fabulous School, We loved you so much! Son/daughter loves you so much! If you say yes, we'll immediately say yes. Signed, Overjoyed Parents Excited to go to Your School |
Anonymous
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Hhhhmm. 13:39 here. Seems a little cheesy. Does this really matter? The new admin director at Potomac, for instance, doesn't seem like the kind of guy who'd be swayed be that.
Anyone know any differently for the other schools? |
Anonymous
With FCPS and APS rapidly degrading, the line out the door at high quality privates is getting longer. These schools are getting 5 or 6 applications for every slot. |
Anonymous
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They may not seem likely to be swayed, but yield is important and a school would rather take someone they're pretty sure will come over someone they're not certain will come.
Of course, they run the risk you're "just saying it", which is why it helps if you have someone who's a repeat player (outplacement at previous school; admissions advisor) who can vouch for it. |
Anonymous
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School s like to accept students that they know will attend, so yes they make a difference.
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Anonymous
I would most certainly send one. I would tell NCS/STA that it's your child's number one choice and, if offered a spot, you will enroll him/her. |
Anonymous
| We haven't written a first choice letter even though I have a clear preference. I feel it's a little too ass-kissy for me. And a total turn off to me if the schools use this sort of stuff to influence who they accept. I don't really want to be surrounded by parents who take that approach to be honest. Seems disingenuous to me since, for all the school knows, the parents have written this letter to every school that is hard to get a spot in. |
Anonymous
| We only applied to one school and told them if our DS didn't get in we would do public. He got in. So I think it does help to tell a school its your first chice. |
Anonymous
I can't imagine lying about first choice. If you get in to both, it would be very obvious you lied when you turn down one of them. |
Anonymous
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I can't imagine lying about first choice. If you get in to both, it would be very obvious you lied when you turn down one of them.
What does it matter at that point? You can burn the bridge since you got the spot you actually wanted. |