The Annual Waitlist / Waiting Pool Reality Check Thread

[Anonymous]

I agree that obviously the government situation is tumultuous, but most people with kids in independent schools are not dependent upon a federal salary. Either neither parent works for the Feds or the non-bread winning spouse does. Very few families are fed-dependent. Yes, there are contractors and lawyers, but I don’t think it will impact yield.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that obviously the government situation is tumultuous, but most people with kids in independent schools are not dependent upon a federal salary. Either neither parent works for the Feds or the non-bread winning spouse does. Very few families are fed-dependent. Yes, there are contractors and lawyers, but I don’t think it will impact yield.

There are a lot of parent Feds in Catholic schools though.

[Anonymous]

We were waitlisted to three schools last year. One of the letters varied ever so slightly from the others (something about them being sincerely hopeful they’d have a spot for him). Lo and behold, we were called the day before decisions were due and admitted. It does happen! Wishing you all the results you hope for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that obviously the government situation is tumultuous, but most people with kids in independent schools are not dependent upon a federal salary. Either neither parent works for the Feds or the non-bread winning spouse does. Very few families are fed-dependent. Yes, there are contractors and lawyers, but I don’t think it will impact yield.

There are a lot of parent Feds in Catholic schools though.

This is true and fair - I was more describing the secular independents but you are correct for sure.

[Anonymous]

My son got off WL for 9th grade at a top school.

Got call in late May, right before contracts lock in. Seems like someone dropped out right before they became binding.

This year, I am almost sure there will be more movement off the WL, as some people accept, and the situations change between now and 6/1.

Also when people applied in November and December, no way could they have imagined the instability in the govt workforce. I bet the yields will be lower this year as well.

[Anonymous]

While I don't have admissions data to back this up, I would venture to say that the top schools likely don't over-admit because there is a higher likelihood for someone to accept. If you don't want to end up in an over enrolled state, its smarter to admit for the spaces you have and pull from the waitlist as spots open up. That's why I would tell people that deciding to lose all hope (and therefore not express pro-active interest in continuing the process) is a mistake. Worst case it doesn't help, but best case you get one of the slots when someone drops out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While I don't have admissions data to back this up, I would venture to say that the top schools likely don't over-admit because there is a higher likelihood for someone to accept. If you don't want to end up in an over enrolled state, its smarter to admit for the spaces you have and pull from the waitlist as spots open up. That's why I would tell people that deciding to lose all hope (and therefore not express pro-active interest in continuing the process) is a mistake. Worst case it doesn't help, but best case you get one of the slots when someone drops out.

Yes to this. My child got in at a big 3 in 9th less than a week after admission decisions were sent out. Probably from a kid who went to another top private so the spot opened. Don’t lose all hope!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While I don't have admissions data to back this up, I would venture to say that the top schools likely don't over-admit because there is a higher likelihood for someone to accept. If you don't want to end up in an over enrolled state, its smarter to admit for the spaces you have and pull from the waitlist as spots open up. That's why I would tell people that deciding to lose all hope (and therefore not express pro-active interest in continuing the process) is a mistake. Worst case it doesn't help, but best case you get one of the slots when someone drops out.

Yes to this. My child got in at a big 3 in 9th less than a week after admission decisions were sent out. Probably from a kid who went to another top private so the spot opened. Don’t lose all hope!

I wonder if they have a formula where if X number of students decline by a week after decisions are sent out, it triggers the wait pool and they find a kid who fills in? Its just interesting how the wait pool moves differently at every school.

[Anonymous]

You underestimate the capacity of the top schools to know their yield. While not a certainty, a kid who gets into GDS or Sidwell or Maret has a decent chance to have gotten into one of the others. Certainly the yields at those schools are higher than others, but they are not 100% and they know it. The absolutely accept more people than they have slots - just like an airline overbooks flights. They know what they’re doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this year is going to be different with all the instability of the govt workforce and will perhaps have more WL movement as families decide if they can afford private if they lose their jobs.

Yes, there are families who may withdraw by June 1. I'm in this demographic and have talked to a few others who are as well. We tend to know each other as we're the lower earners at a school.

[Anonymous]

When finally given a chance to get off the waitlist. How long does a family have to decide to enroll? From the moment of getting the “your off the waitlist call” to the moment of making the deposit (or lose your spot)…how long is that?

[Anonymous]

Typically no more than 48 hours (sorry, but true).

[Anonymous]

And while there are exceptions, usually financial aid pools are exhausted before they hit a waiting pool. Not always, but usually.

[Anonymous]

We got off waitlist at a big three (kindergarten) a few years ago. The call came the Friday acceptances were due (I think 2 weeks after decisions were due.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And while there are exceptions, usually financial aid pools are exhausted before they hit a waiting pool. Not always, but usually.

They say that, but let a 5 star athlete express interest after they claim the pool is exhausted and I bet they get the aid they need.