Admissions advice?

[Anonymous]

Now that the process is just about over for the year, what's your best single piece of advice for
-getting in
-choosing the right school
-the whole admissions process?

[Anonymous]

It's hard to limit myself to just ONE single piece of advice, but I think it would be to avoid falling in love with just one school or small number of schools. We are fortunate to live in an area with so many really good schools, including some of the public ones. Those who become so focused on getting into one or perhaps three schools may forget to keep looking for schools that truly match the needs of their children. The emotional turmoil you read about on this site is also exacerbated when parents are so narrowly focused -- if only a few schools are seen as suitable options, the importance of getting in goes through the roof! But when you look around and realize that 8 to 10 schools would really be great, and even more would be very good choices, it makes the whole process less stressful. I should probably admit that I was not very good at following this advice myself!

[Anonymous]

Start early. I started calling schools in August about admissions for the next year. I was one of the first interviewed and one of the first applicants for one school. They didn't have room initially for anyone but siblings, but I must have been high up on the wait list because I got offered a somewhat rare admission slot from what I hear. I also started asking initial questions in August/September from a couple admissions officers at good schools (nothing crazy I promise), so they already knew my name at the Fall open house. I got in there also. Additionally, I was third on the next-Fall waiting list for a non-admissions preschool. I was pretty much guaranteed my choice of days and times at that school. Overall, my child got in every place we applied. While I know my child is fabulous, I think my early inquiries were also helpful in establishing interest in the school and setting us apart.

[Anonymous]

I would recommend waiting until after the 1st week of school in the fall for your initial inquiries. Admin staff will have been on break over the summer too, and will have a lot to deal with in those first couple weeks. But I would say that the second half of September is the ideal time to start.

It's also good to get recommendations for testers and to get on their calendars early - even if you schedule the test for November (you want your child to be as mature as possible - at age 3.5, every month can make a difference), it's good to have the slot reserved early.

[Anonymous]

It's also good to get recommendations for testers and to get on their calendars early - even if you schedule the test for November (you want your child to be as mature as possible - at age 3.5, every month can make a difference), it's good to have the slot reserved early.

Don't want to hijack, but, I thought the test is pegged to basically the exact age of your child? Meaning 3.2 year olds are compared against the theoretical pool of other 3.2 year olds, and 3.8 year olds are compared to 3.8 year olds.

[Anonymous]

The test is pegged to the age of the child. But, the reliability increases as the child's age increases. Your child may be better able to sit and follow instructions/pay attention the older s/he is. I also recommend trying to schedule the test as late as possible. The test cannot be re-taken for an entire year. There is no point in taking it early (Sept/Oct).

[Anonymous]

pp that is true especially for kids that might have been premies. it's best to wait as long as possible.

[Anonymous]

Interesting. We didn't consider timing the test at all, since we heard it's supposed to be pegged to age. We just chose a time that was convenient and beat the rush. We signed up in August.

[Anonymous]

Be nice to your child's nursery school teacher b/c you will need LORs. Give them a nice Christmas gift, then get the letters sent. PLEASE don't flame me.

[Anonymous]

Regarding the testing, any recommendations on testers to use? Better still, any comments on who to avoid?

[Anonymous]

we used Beverly Ornberg in Rockville.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Blackwood - Ellis is great

[Anonymous]

My advice regarding the whole admission process would be to really think through what kind of school you are looking for. I see a lot of posters who say they didn't get into any schools, and then reveal that they only applied to Beauvoir, GDS, Sidwell and Maret. That is fine if you would only be content sending your DC to one of those schools. More realistically, however, there are lots of private schools in addition to these elite 4 that would also provide an outstanding education/environment for most children - Sheridan, Green Acres, Potomac, Burgandy Farm, Norwood, Lowell, etc. In other words, if you are going to be devasted at the thought of not sending your DC to private school, you should probably apply to other schools in addition to just Beauvoir, GDS, Sidwell and Maret (becasue while test scores, playdates, pre-schools, intangibles, etc. may be the primary drivers, there simply are not enough slots for everyone that applies and therefore there is a certain amount of blind luck regarding whether or not your DC will get into these elite 4 schools, having nothing to do with how qualified, perfect, special, etc. your child is).

[Anonymous]

Dr. Linda McGhee (Bethesda) is also a great tester.

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of people apply to and hope for the best with Sidwell, GDS, and Maret not only because they are good schools but because they go through high school. The thought of having to go through the process again, even years later, is a harrowing thought.

The truth is, however, the school that is great for your child now may or may not be a great match for high school. So take a deep breath, focus on where you think your child will thrive during the early years and then worry about junior or senior high school later when you have more information to factor in (e.g., child's learning style, academic weaknesses/strengths, etc.).

So, following 12:18's advice, take a look at other schools. You might just be surprised that one of the other programs or campuses strike a chord. You can then start talking to the admissions depts. about how you've really looked broadly and how/why that particular school is high on your list.

We have friends who currently send their kids to Lowell, Cap Hill Day and Potomac and they/their kids seem happy and satisfied.