Change in the Enrollment Binding Date at Bullis

[Anonymous]

This is the letter from the HoS at Bullis:

"We also want you to be aware of an important date in the admissions calendar. The Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington (AISGW) has recommended to schools in the association that the binding date for enrollment contracts going forward should be May 1. Previously, it was June 1. Bullis will be following this recommendation. This means that if you have executed a school enrollment contract, you can withdraw from it before May 1 and only lose the non-refundable deposit. After May 1, the contract becomes fully enforceable, and the entire tuition for the following year is payable.

This change has been made to avoid the time crunch at the end of May when school is extremely busy and the school year is ending. It is a less-than-ideal time for both schools and waitlisted students to make decisions about the following year. The May 1 deadline gives families plenty of time to reconsider their enrollment decision, if necessary, and waitlisted students time to consider late offers."

This applies to most private schools. What do you think about this?

a. It just benefits schools by making the contract stricter.
b. It benefits families.
c. I do not care; I have other things to worry about.

[Anonymous]

It is obviously better for the school to have a guarantee sooner, but also 90% of families really won't care or truly notice... it only sucks for those that still have moving pieces they are sorting through...

[Anonymous]

I think almost all schools are doing this now.

[Anonymous]

This is not new, it’s been publicized all school year and the topic of plenty of discussion here on DCUM. I imagine Bullis is just trying make sure some folks didn’t gloss over it and assume the timeline was the same as previous years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not new, it’s been publicized all school year and the topic of plenty of discussion here on DCUM. I imagine Bullis is just trying make sure some folks didn’t gloss over it and assume the timeline was the same as previous years.

It would have been nice to also have the honest explanation not the PR one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not new, it’s been publicized all school year and the topic of plenty of discussion here on DCUM. I imagine Bullis is just trying make sure some folks didn’t gloss over it and assume the timeline was the same as previous years.

It would have been nice to also have the honest explanation not the PR one.

The hones not PR spin? Schools have gotten more data driven in watching the shifts in recent years and realized that most of the uncertainty that came from parents holding onto seats waiting on the waitlist could be moved up to May pretty easily if they collectively moved the date from June 1st to May 1st... and so a majority decided to do it... In reality schools have always known who is holding out hope for another spot and how likely the other school is to get that spot because Admissions people talk, your transcripts were requested, and they can see how you are engaging. The process moves faster than it used to because it is digital so they can and decided collectively to call the game sooner.

[Anonymous]

AISGw made this change last August or so. I’m sorry you didn’t know until the Bullis letter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not new, it’s been publicized all school year and the topic of plenty of discussion here on DCUM. I imagine Bullis is just trying make sure some folks didn’t gloss over it and assume the timeline was the same as previous years.

It would have been nice to also have the honest explanation not the PR one.

The hones not PR spin? Schools have gotten more data driven in watching the shifts in recent years and realized that most of the uncertainty that came from parents holding onto seats waiting on the waitlist could be moved up to May pretty easily if they collectively moved the date from June 1st to May 1st... and so a majority decided to do it... In reality schools have always known who is holding out hope for another spot and how likely the other school is to get that spot because Admissions people talk, your transcripts were requested, and they can see how you are engaging. The process moves faster than it used to because it is digital so they can and decided collectively to call the game sooner.

Actually, I think the honest answer would be something about how Trump screwed everyone in the DMV by gutting the federal government as well as his immigration policies. Last year, schools were generous with faculty and families who needed extensions to figure out how much their lives would be upended by this. Now, we know things are off balance and can at least plan for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not new, it’s been publicized all school year and the topic of plenty of discussion here on DCUM. I imagine Bullis is just trying make sure some folks didn’t gloss over it and assume the timeline was the same as previous years.

It would have been nice to also have the honest explanation not the PR one.

The hones not PR spin? Schools have gotten more data driven in watching the shifts in recent years and realized that most of the uncertainty that came from parents holding onto seats waiting on the waitlist could be moved up to May pretty easily if they collectively moved the date from June 1st to May 1st... and so a majority decided to do it... In reality schools have always known who is holding out hope for another spot and how likely the other school is to get that spot because Admissions people talk, your transcripts were requested, and they can see how you are engaging. The process moves faster than it used to because it is digital so they can and decided collectively to call the game sooner.

Actually, I think the honest answer would be something about how Trump screwed everyone in the DMV by gutting the federal government as well as his immigration policies. Last year, schools were generous with faculty and families who needed extensions to figure out how much their lives would be upended by this. Now, we know things are off balance and can at least plan for that.

I mean as much as I don't like the Orange man either, I think it is a bit of a stretch to think he had anything to do with it... back in the day when you had to stand in line with a physical contract signed, it was like mid April and that truly was to prevent the gaming of the system. I'm not sure when it loosened to June, but honestly I was bit surprised when I heard it was that late nowadays. I'm sure it was an experimental time period they are just pulling back on now.

[Anonymous]

The only thing I know is that I have 1 month less to make a decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only thing I know is that I have 1 month less to make a decision.

Are you unsure? Most people know by now if they want to continue or pursue another avenue. If you wanted to accept somewhere else, the enrollment would most likely have passed for that other option as well...

[Anonymous]

It's better for those on the WL, as they get in sooner as families make decisions sooner. We don't care, we are staying, so it doesn't really matter to us

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only thing I know is that I have 1 month less to make a decision.

Complain all you want. You will stay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only thing I know is that I have 1 month less to make a decision.

Complain all you want. You will stay.

With the elimination of large chunks of federal work force, there are several slots popping up in private schools after the admission cycle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only thing I know is that I have 1 month less to make a decision.

Complain all you want. You will stay.

With the elimination of large chunks of federal work force, there are several slots popping up in private schools after the admission cycle.

Where? Which schools? What grades?