Was admissions harder this year than last?

[Anonymous]

I'm on the BOT of our independent PK-8, and yes, admissions was harder this year. Our 22-23 1st grade class has 0 new students, for example, when in previous years we may have brought in up to 5 new children in 1st.

[Anonymous]

Required scores this year so harder than prior year, but not harder/the same as 2019.

[Anonymous]

I think schools are also more selective due to drama.

Some applications have some things that red flags to admissions team
-child is very bright but "needs a challenge"
-four schools in five years
-children social challenges
-incomplete applications

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm on the BOT of our independent PK-8, and yes, admissions was harder this year. Our 22-23 1st grade class has 0 new students, for example, when in previous years we may have brought in up to 5 new children in 1st.

Did the school accept applications for first grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Required scores this year so harder than prior year, but not harder/the same as 2019.

Most schools didn’t require scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know it’s speculation but curious as to what you think?

People say the same thing every.single.year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Required scores this year so harder than prior year, but not harder/the same as 2019.

Most schools didn’t require scores.

Very few schools required or would even accept scores this year for 9th grade admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Required scores this year so harder than prior year, but not harder/the same as 2019.

Most schools didn’t require scores.

Very few schools required or would even accept scores this year for 9th grade admissions.

Making the process even more opaque and allowing the schools to give even more weight to hooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Required scores this year so harder than prior year, but not harder/the same as 2019.

Most schools didn’t require scores.

Very few schools required or would even accept scores this year for 9th grade admissions.

Making the process even more opaque and allowing the schools to give even more weight to hooks.

For crying out loud the schools have ALWAYS had a spectrum of test scores. They want a combination of talents and based on my experience even surprise admits based on people’s preconceived notions on who should get in have five exceptionally well at these schools. The simple fact is you don’t know what special talents a particular school covers on any given year, hot shot soccer phenom may get admitted one year and a similar kid is rejected the next. Having a 99% on one test is not how schools make their decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Required scores this year so harder than prior year, but not harder/the same as 2019.

Most schools didn’t require scores.

Very few schools required or would even accept scores this year for 9th grade admissions.

Making the process even more opaque and allowing the schools to give even more weight to hooks.

For crying out loud the schools have ALWAYS had a spectrum of test scores. They want a combination of talents and based on my experience even surprise admits based on people’s preconceived notions on who should get in have five exceptionally well at these schools. The simple fact is you don’t know what special talents a particular school covers on any given year, hot shot soccer phenom may get admitted one year and a similar kid is rejected the next. Having a 99% on one test is not how schools make their decisions.

Exactly. It’s a black box

[Anonymous]

Agreed but would any of us want our kids in a class where all the kids got 99%. There are other factors that make kids and a school community interesting and beneficial

[Anonymous]

Applications were definitely up. If you ask any of the 8th grade teachers they will tell you that the # of forms they completed this year was up significantly in both unique # of students and applications per student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Required scores this year so harder than prior year, but not harder/the same as 2019.

Most schools didn’t require scores.

Very few schools required or would even accept scores this year for 9th grade admissions.

Making the process even more opaque and allowing the schools to give even more weight to hooks.

Yes. Not requiring standardized test courses may have some unintended consequences.

[Anonymous]

Was this true for K as well, or primarily 9th?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anecdotally I think last year was maybe a little harder overall. Seems like some schools this year were harder than is typical - St. John’s fr what I’ve heard. But I think the COVID book is probably over now and next year admissions should be slightly easier than this year. But knows for sure?

I think the fall out on public schools from COVID will take years to fix. I know many families who were planning on sending children to public middle and high school who are reconsidering that path and now seriously looking at private for the next admissions cycle.