Was your communication with AO at top school telling or no?

[Anonymous]

If your DC had some communication pre-decision with an AO, primarily via email or virtually, was it telling? Could you read between the lines and feel like they were actually interested in your kid, or were you blindsided on decision day?

Just trying to read between the lines. I know there's no way to know, but I wonder if others could tell beforehand or no. I suppose it depends on the AO's personality, but I think in general you can often read in to response times and types.

[Anonymous]

My DC emailed some with their AO at a top SLAC. I felt like it was a positive interaction and they ended up getting in. They had applied ED so it's not like the AO needed to sell them on the school, which made the interaction seem more meaningful.

My other DC, however, had some in person communication at a school visit with their AO. It was pleasant but nothing special. They were denied.

These AOs meet so many kids, it's really hard to stand out.

[Anonymous]

I want to say yes but I feel like they gaslight you

[Anonymous]

I actually think the AOs remember kids more than you think. Remembering info is a big part of the job. Every interaction matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your DC had some communication pre-decision with an AO, primarily via email or virtually, was it telling? Could you read between the lines and feel like they were actually interested in your kid, or were you blindsided on decision day?

Just trying to read between the lines. I know there's no way to know, but I wonder if others could tell beforehand or no. I suppose it depends on the AO's personality, but I think in general you can often read in to response times and types.

Can you give an example of reading between the lines that you can think of in general, or a specific situation that happened to your kid when interacting with an AO?

[Anonymous]

I think you can tell based on how they respond, what they say, how nice it is, and how fast they get back to you if at all

[Anonymous]

Wait, are they supposed to call their AO?! what did I miss?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually think the AOs remember kids more than you think. Remembering info is a big part of the job. Every interaction matters.

At the same time, someone working at a school that needs to enroll a class isn't going to be rude or dismissive to a student inquiry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, are they supposed to call their AO?! what did I miss?

You were supposed to invite them over for dinner, serve wine and let them spill all the details of their school's admissions. It's too late now probably.

[Anonymous]

Nope. Kid met both regional reps when they came to school. Emailed one of them.

Was deferred early. Got into both regular decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, are they supposed to call their AO?! what did I miss?

NAH. Sometimes it happens, but it's a fine line between a real question and becoming annoying.

[Anonymous]

This is so stressful. I want the early 90s back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is so stressful. I want the early 90s back.

When SATs were required?

[Anonymous]

I notice they’re less friendly and responsive at the selective schools.
At schools where they need to recruit, they’re great!

[Anonymous]

Yes. Even before getting back the official pre-read, we got a pretty strong steer.