How much do admitted family events sway your decision?

[Anonymous]

Just came from a new admit night that was decidedly lackluster. Kid will do shadow day, so that will be key of course. But how much should I care about the event tonight? Not at all, right?

[Anonymous]

I just came home from the Bullis Upper School admitted families event. We thought it was great, nice performances, good speeches, we met a lot of teachers and fellow parents and current students -- I think we're sold!

[Anonymous]

Disagree. What you saw represents the school. Not everything but certainly the administration, other families, and the vibe of the school. There can be great teachers who have nothing to do with the PR events but they still work under that leadership. I would not dismiss the feelings you got. This is them trying to sell you. If that’s the best they got then I’d consider what happens once you’ve paid the tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just came home from the Bullis Upper School admitted families event. We thought it was great, nice performances, good speeches, we met a lot of teachers and fellow parents and current students -- I think we're sold!

This sounds exactly like the Bullis poster after the LS event. Do you work for the school?? Sure sounds like a planted troll.

[Anonymous]

Admissions night was for show. I wasn’t sold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Admissions night was for show. I wasn’t sold.

At bullis?

[Anonymous]

We've been to one so far for K. It made me do a 180 in my thinking so we'll see how the next one balances

[Anonymous]

I find it hard to separate the marketing and sales pitch of some places from the actual education and school environment. It provides a glimpse but is a packaged version of things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've been to one so far for K. It made me do a 180 in my thinking so we'll see how the next one balances

Mind sharing which school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just came home from the Bullis Upper School admitted families event. We thought it was great, nice performances, good speeches, we met a lot of teachers and fellow parents and current students -- I think we're sold!

This sounds exactly like the Bullis poster after the LS event. Do you work for the school?? Sure sounds like a planted troll.

Nope. I was only at tonight's event. Not a troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it hard to separate the marketing and sales pitch of some places from the actual education and school environment. It provides a glimpse but is a packaged version of things.

Right- and it can go both ways. Shiny sales pitch, poor school experience. But can’t it also be a weak sales pitch but good educational experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it hard to separate the marketing and sales pitch of some places from the actual education and school environment. It provides a glimpse but is a packaged version of things.

Right- and it can go both ways. Shiny sales pitch, poor school experience. But can’t it also be a weak sales pitch but good educational experience?

Very true.

[Anonymous]

Not a lot. What sways my opinion is the shadow day and talking to current parents.

[Anonymous]

Accepted students events are great opportunities to talk to current parents. While the school is not likely to have families there that are disgruntled (and those families would likely not volunteer), as a parent who does volunteer - I try to be very honest. I think it's really important that parents know what they are getting into and determine that their values are in alignment with the school. Nobody wants a situation where a parent feels baited and switched.

When I was doing second visits a year ago, the Bullis show was extremely off putting to me. But there are some people who loved it. And I love that for them. The school is going to speak to their people - we were just not their people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a lot. What sways my opinion is the shadow day and talking to current parents.

This is helpful. Thanks.

-op