Is it worth applying to Potomac School for 4th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will show poorly that you applied the week before the deadline while many other families applying stated the process in October…. They spent time at the events, interview, getting transcripts there in time vs squeezing everything in the last week before the deadline.

It will put you at a severe disadvantage if your even allowed to set up an interview at this point. And yes, there are probably 30-40 families already applying for the 12 spots…

You are scared your child will have more competition. Op, apply! Dates don’t matter if you meet the deadline. This is stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will show poorly that you applied the week before the deadline while many other families applying stated the process in October…. They spent time at the events, interview, getting transcripts there in time vs squeezing everything in the last week before the deadline.

It will put you at a severe disadvantage if your even allowed to set up an interview at this point. And yes, there are probably 30-40 families already applying for the 12 spots…

Lol. You really think that people are dinged even if they get things in on time? First come first served? Gmafb.

[Anonymous]

4th is a good year to start there bc it’s the beginning of their middle school. I think there are maybe 10 or 12 spots? 5th is only by attrition and 6th adds maybe 8 spots?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will show poorly that you applied the week before the deadline while many other families applying stated the process in October…. They spent time at the events, interview, getting transcripts there in time vs squeezing everything in the last week before the deadline.

It will put you at a severe disadvantage if your even allowed to set up an interview at this point. And yes, there are probably 30-40 families already applying for the 12 spots…

Lol. You really think that people are dinged even if they get things in on time? First come first served? Gmafb.

Right?! A deadline is a deadline if you meet it early or late. Plus, nothing is totally normal right now with the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will show poorly that you applied the week before the deadline while many other families applying stated the process in October…. They spent time at the events, interview, getting transcripts there in time vs squeezing everything in the last week before the deadline.

It will put you at a severe disadvantage if your even allowed to set up an interview at this point. And yes, there are probably 30-40 families already applying for the 12 spots…

You are scared your child will have more competition. Op, apply! Dates don’t matter if you meet the deadline. This is stupid.

I am applying for a different year so no skin in this game, but I don’t see how OP can get to know the school well enough to write a thoughtful essay and have a thoughtful interview in that short of a time period…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will show poorly that you applied the week before the deadline while many other families applying stated the process in October…. They spent time at the events, interview, getting transcripts there in time vs squeezing everything in the last week before the deadline.

It will put you at a severe disadvantage if your even allowed to set up an interview at this point. And yes, there are probably 30-40 families already applying for the 12 spots…

This is terrible advice--must be written by somebody who does not want you competing with their child for entry. It will not show poorly. it is still before the deadline. If you are a good fit your child will get consideration. 12 spots--6 for girls, 6 for boys--but probably more like 8 spots after you subtract sibling applications, legacies, and teacher kids who move to the front of the line. So 4-5 per gender...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will show poorly that you applied the week before the deadline while many other families applying stated the process in October…. They spent time at the events, interview, getting transcripts there in time vs squeezing everything in the last week before the deadline.

It will put you at a severe disadvantage if your even allowed to set up an interview at this point. And yes, there are probably 30-40 families already applying for the 12 spots…

This is terrible advice--must be written by somebody who does not want you competing with their child for entry. It will not show poorly. it is still before the deadline. If you are a good fit your child will get consideration. 12 spots--6 for girls, 6 for boys--but probably more like 8 spots after you subtract sibling applications, legacies, and teacher kids who move to the front of the line. So 4-5 per gender...

Does PP's statement that it's probably 30-40 families applying sound right to others? I like those odds but I thought that the number of applicants would at least be double that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will show poorly that you applied the week before the deadline while many other families applying stated the process in October…. They spent time at the events, interview, getting transcripts there in time vs squeezing everything in the last week before the deadline.

It will put you at a severe disadvantage if your even allowed to set up an interview at this point. And yes, there are probably 30-40 families already applying for the 12 spots…

Lol. You really think that people are dinged even if they get things in on time? First come first served? Gmafb.

Right?! A deadline is a deadline if you meet it early or late. Plus, nothing is totally normal right now with the pandemic.

Wrong.

Since admissions is part quantitative and part qualitative, it does matter.

Yes, you can get your essay in last minute and documents. Maybe request a last minute interview and get one?

But the qualitative part also looks at the applicant and family as their sincere interest and participation in the application process and interest in the school community. Did the family attend the open houses, did the family attend on campus events during the fall, did the family show interest in the school from the beginning and get their docs sent in early.

If you have 2 similar applicants, the ones who showed interest and participation from the beginning will get In over the last minute applicant that has not completed any of the school open houses/events and is just throwing in a application last minute.

[Anonymous]

isnt 6th an entry year? 4th is about 10-12 but definitely not easier than 7th...about the same

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will show poorly that you applied the week before the deadline while many other families applying stated the process in October…. They spent time at the events, interview, getting transcripts there in time vs squeezing everything in the last week before the deadline.

It will put you at a severe disadvantage if your even allowed to set up an interview at this point. And yes, there are probably 30-40 families already applying for the 12 spots…

Lol. You really think that people are dinged even if they get things in on time? First come first served? Gmafb.

Right?! A deadline is a deadline if you meet it early or late. Plus, nothing is totally normal right now with the pandemic.

Wrong.

Since admissions is part quantitative and part qualitative, it does matter.

Yes, you can get your essay in last minute and documents. Maybe request a last minute interview and get one?

But the qualitative part also looks at the applicant and family as their sincere interest and participation in the application process and interest in the school community. Did the family attend the open houses, did the family attend on campus events during the fall, did the family show interest in the school from the beginning and get their docs sent in early.

If you have 2 similar applicants, the ones who showed interest and participation from the beginning will get In over the last minute applicant that has not completed any of the school open houses/events and is just throwing in a application last minute.

We decided to apply to a school that DCUM salivates over last year in early January. We applied just under the deadline and then got things like transcripts and letters of rec in by the later deadline. We had an interview after applying, maybe even in February. I toured the school in late January but DH didn’t see it until after our children were admitted, one for an entry year and one for another more odd year. The schools know that people are balancing a lot of things in their lives and decisions get made when they get made. We are full pay and have nice kids, but there is nothing special about us that the school would need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will show poorly that you applied the week before the deadline while many other families applying stated the process in October…. They spent time at the events, interview, getting transcripts there in time vs squeezing everything in the last week before the deadline.

It will put you at a severe disadvantage if your even allowed to set up an interview at this point. And yes, there are probably 30-40 families already applying for the 12 spots…

Lol. You really think that people are dinged even if they get things in on time? First come first served? Gmafb.

Right?! A deadline is a deadline if you meet it early or late. Plus, nothing is totally normal right now with the pandemic.

Wrong.

Since admissions is part quantitative and part qualitative, it does matter.

Yes, you can get your essay in last minute and documents. Maybe request a last minute interview and get one?

But the qualitative part also looks at the applicant and family as their sincere interest and participation in the application process and interest in the school community. Did the family attend the open houses, did the family attend on campus events during the fall, did the family show interest in the school from the beginning and get their docs sent in early.

If you have 2 similar applicants, the ones who showed interest and participation from the beginning will get In over the last minute applicant that has not completed any of the school open houses/events and is just throwing in a application last minute.

We decided to apply to a school that DCUM salivates over last year in early January. We applied just under the deadline and then got things like transcripts and letters of rec in by the later deadline. We had an interview after applying, maybe even in February. I toured the school in late January but DH didn’t see it until after our children were admitted, one for an entry year and one for another more odd year. The schools know that people are balancing a lot of things in their lives and decisions get made when they get made. We are full pay and have nice kids, but there is nothing special about us that the school would need.

You failed to mention of you actually got in or just “applied”…

[Anonymous]

Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Wow…another washed up by 4th grade story??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will show poorly that you applied the week before the deadline while many other families applying stated the process in October…. They spent time at the events, interview, getting transcripts there in time vs squeezing everything in the last week before the deadline.

It will put you at a severe disadvantage if your even allowed to set up an interview at this point. And yes, there are probably 30-40 families already applying for the 12 spots…

Lol. You really think that people are dinged even if they get things in on time? First come first served? Gmafb.

Right?! A deadline is a deadline if you meet it early or late. Plus, nothing is totally normal right now with the pandemic.

Wrong.

Since admissions is part quantitative and part qualitative, it does matter.

Yes, you can get your essay in last minute and documents. Maybe request a last minute interview and get one?

But the qualitative part also looks at the applicant and family as their sincere interest and participation in the application process and interest in the school community. Did the family attend the open houses, did the family attend on campus events during the fall, did the family show interest in the school from the beginning and get their docs sent in early.

If you have 2 similar applicants, the ones who showed interest and participation from the beginning will get In over the last minute applicant that has not completed any of the school open houses/events and is just throwing in a application last minute.

We decided to apply to a school that DCUM salivates over last year in early January. We applied just under the deadline and then got things like transcripts and letters of rec in by the later deadline. We had an interview after applying, maybe even in February. I toured the school in late January but DH didn’t see it until after our children were admitted, one for an entry year and one for another more odd year. The schools know that people are balancing a lot of things in their lives and decisions get made when they get made. We are full pay and have nice kids, but there is nothing special about us that the school would need.

You failed to mention of you actually got in or just “applied”…

HAHAHA. You should try actually reading the post before you get snotty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will show poorly that you applied the week before the deadline while many other families applying stated the process in October…. They spent time at the events, interview, getting transcripts there in time vs squeezing everything in the last week before the deadline.

It will put you at a severe disadvantage if your even allowed to set up an interview at this point. And yes, there are probably 30-40 families already applying for the 12 spots…

This is terrible advice--must be written by somebody who does not want you competing with their child for entry. It will not show poorly. it is still before the deadline. If you are a good fit your child will get consideration. 12 spots--6 for girls, 6 for boys--but probably more like 8 spots after you subtract sibling applications, legacies, and teacher kids who move to the front of the line. So 4-5 per gender...

Does PP's statement that it's probably 30-40 families applying sound right to others? I like those odds but I thought that the number of applicants would at least be double that.

That is low. Generally more like 60. Still decent odds relative to 5 or 6 which has no additive spots and lots of applicants applying for like 3-4 attrition spots…