Fall Admissions and Open House Question

[Anonymous]

We plan to apply to schools this Fall for the 2024 school year. However, we attended a few open houses last year as we considered transferring a year earlier. Do we need to attend the same open houses again this Fall to can we simply just apply to schools? Does it impact the application process?

[Anonymous]

It is marked if a family attends an open house as it indicates interest, and schools want the highest yield. I would attend the open houses at your top three choices.

[Anonymous]

It’s worth attending again for your top 3-5. The schools have databases and track who attends, so it reinforces your interest in them, plus it’s additional time for you to talk with teachers, students, and admin. Sometimes you discover new aspects that change your preferences.

[Anonymous]

I would go to as many admissions events as you can. It’s important to show interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would go to as many admissions events as you can. It’s important to show interest.

+1 - especially at the highly competitive schools (but at least once this Fall at every school you apply to)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would go to as many admissions events as you can. It’s important to show interest.

+1, even if you did so in prior years. Schools prefer students who really want that school. Admissions staffs often use attendance at school admissions events THAT YEAR as a proxy for wanting that specific school.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you’ll have to attend again. Most schools have a checklist of tasks that much be completed before an application is considered, and a tour is one of the tasks. Most use Ravenna to schedule this and I don’t think it will let you check it off without actually scheduling the tour for the current application season. In any event, tours will be a good way to refresh your memory. Hopefully last year’s tours will help you narrow your list as well. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you’ll have to attend again. Most schools have a checklist of tasks that much be completed before an application is considered, and a tour is one of the tasks. Most use Ravenna to schedule this and I don’t think it will let you check it off without actually scheduling the tour for the current application season. In any event, tours will be a good way to refresh your memory. Hopefully last year’s tours will help you narrow your list as well. Best of luck.

*must be

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We plan to apply to schools this Fall for the 2024 school year. However, we attended a few open houses last year as we considered transferring a year earlier. Do we need to attend the same open houses again this Fall to can we simply just apply to schools? Does it impact the application process?

I don't think it impacts anything. They care about the interview, not the open house.

[Anonymous]

It’s not necessary if you already have been or have enough knowledge. You can absolutely just apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not necessary if you already have been or have enough knowledge. You can absolutely just apply.

I wouldn't skip a two-hour open house if it's the school where you want to be. Admissions are competitive. Showing your face and reiterating your admiration of the school can't possibly hurt.

[Anonymous]

Go for the opportunity to talk with school admin and the admissions officers. Bring your kid if possible. You might learn something new or interesting.

Some schools track attendance at these events in Ravenna. I don’t know about other platforms but if it’s a box to check during application time you don’t want it empty.

[Anonymous]

Schools get 500 families coming through open houses. They’ll never know.