Admissions Consultant— Allyson Weaver or Wendy Wilkinson

[Anonymous]

We are trying to decide between two consultants to help with the admissions process for our daughter. Has anyone worked with Wendy Wilkinson or Allyson Weaver and have feedback?

Some things to note about our particular circumstances:

- Our daughter is in 5th grade at an excellent DCPS elementary school.

- Out daughter has ADHD, some anxiety, and a headache disorder. We need to find a school that fits her learning style and will support her as needed for her headaches.

- We are considering having her repeat 5th grade in a private school rather than going into 6th. This is both because she’s an August birthday, so on the younger side for her grade, and so we can focus on her health this year and reduce her stress in hopes of finding a way to reduce her headache pain. She’s had a constant headaches for 10 months.

[Anonymous]

Wendy definitely knows the landscape of DC schools. She was at Sidwell, NCS and had one of her own kids at another independent. She is super warm and nice.
I don't know the other woman but it doesn't look like she's worked in admissions in the DMV.

I think your challenge will be finding a school for your daughter that is the right fit. Be sure you are open about her learning style (which it sounds like you will be). I have girls at NCS and wouldn't recommend it for anyone with ADHD and anxiety. We often wonder if it's even the best fit for our own neurotypical kids. But I digress...

Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Not familiar with the consultants but if headache disorder means she’s missing a lot of school or frequently not able to complete assignments, you may want to explore a place like Fusion until you are able to find a treatment that works and she can mostly attend school and complete work on time. Best wishes, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wendy definitely knows the landscape of DC schools. She was at Sidwell, NCS and had one of her own kids at another independent. She is super warm and nice.
I don't know the other woman but it doesn't look like she's worked in admissions in the DMV.

I think your challenge will be finding a school for your daughter that is the right fit. Be sure you are open about her learning style (which it sounds like you will be). I have girls at NCS and wouldn't recommend it for anyone with ADHD and anxiety. We often wonder if it's even the best fit for our own neurotypical kids. But I digress...

Good luck!!

Allyson Weaver worked in admissions at Sidwell. She interviewed my daughter (at Sidwell) before she left to start her own independent consulting firm. We had a great experience with her during the interview.

[Anonymous]

Not many have fifth grade as an entrance year so that might be a big challenge, but there are likely some K-8s that have attrition around that time.

[Anonymous]

There is no such thing as an excellent DCPS elementary school, if you are starting to look at top privates as a comparison you will likely be behind. My kids went to what I thought was a great DCPS elementary and had all As, when we moved to a top private we needed tutors to catch up.

[Anonymous]

She did not have the best rep at Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no such thing as an excellent DCPS elementary school, if you are starting to look at top privates as a comparison you will likely be behind. My kids went to what I thought was a great DCPS elementary and had all As, when we moved to a top private we needed tutors to catch up.

Depends on the kid and the DCPS school. My kids needed no tutors or catch-up.

[Anonymous]

Wendy personally knows all the DC admissions officers and can vouch for your kid. Most that work with her get into their first choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She did not have the best rep at Sidwell.

Who? Wendy or Allyson?

[Anonymous]

Wendy Wilkinson was our rep at NCS when my daughter attended and she was lovely.

[Anonymous]

Sillies.

You’re being played by them for free promotion.

They started the thread. 😆

[Anonymous]

Definitely repeat the grade - ask counselor how to manage that. Good to get issues resolved and so many are on older side at these schools. Agree don’t touch ncs if you have adhd or anxiety

[Anonymous]

I cannot speak to Allyson Weaver but can give a ringing endorsement on Wendy Wilkinson. As a parent who has used her services for my children’s admissions seasons she places fit above everything. It is no one size fits most. She is real and honest with your expectations and outcomes. Her breadth of knowledge of the DC schools, what services they can provide to both neurodivergent and neurotypical children is immensely helpful through all points of the process. If you go with her, both you as the parent and your child will be in good hands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She did not have the best rep at Sidwell.

Who? Wendy or Allyson?

It is not a good look to our family for Allyson or Sidwell that it’s admission folks bail when they are fairly young to start their own consulting biz. We had a bizarre interview with her, had a VERY strange Sidwell admission experience (cannot say more without giving away identity), and I cannot imagine this happening at the school we are currently with. I get the vibe that community at Sidwell isn’t exactly what we are looking for — more of an every man for themselves.