Turning Down a School

[Anonymous]

Would love some advice here... my DD was accepted at our first choice pre-k program; wait-listed at the other that we really loved, but for different reasons. We accepted first choice, paid deposit, and were thrilled. Waitlist school has called with an opening, which has started the "second guessing." We actually rethought the entire process and ultimately decided to stay with first school. We will call second school very soon to decline this unexpected opportunity. My question is -- and my fear is -- that we are cutting ourselves off permanently from this second school, which I actually think would be an even better fit for DS when he starts the process in another year. Am I foolish to worry about that? Thanks much... we're very new at this, obviously!

[Anonymous]

Do you have a current school with a Head of School that interacts with the AD's on a regular basis? If so, I would talk with the Head of your current school to get feedback. Also, when you do call to decline the offer, you should discuss the issue about your younger child to see how they react. Unfortunately, the strong sibling preferences that we all hate while applying as a non-sibling applicant can be a liability if you want to apply your second child somewhere else.