Why so hard to get into private school

[Anonymous]

My kids entered a top private in 3rd grade each: if you are applying to top, want a great test score, community service, humble parents in interview/ dress low key, a stay at home parent a plus (can volunteer more), and then just LUCK. The school is engineering the entry class to meet balance of genders, affinity/ethnicities, parent profiles, and introverts/extroverts, and kids that may add to a team in future (sports, model UN, arts, etc) and show promise or spike in some area

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is really no different from applying to colleges. You have reaches, targets, and safeties. Ideally, have schools in all three boxes.

We did not find this to be true for 4th grade entry year. Our “safety’s” were WL and our reaches we got in. It was the opposite of what I expected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is really no different from applying to colleges. You have reaches, targets, and safeties. Ideally, have schools in all three boxes.

Since privates don't publish things like admissions rates, test score ranges, etc., it's a lot harder to zero in on reaches, targets, and safeties. Never mind which schools give legacies a little bump vs. a significant bump vs. a 100% guarantee of admission. It's a guessing game and sifting through a lot of hearsay on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is really no different from applying to colleges. You have reaches, targets, and safeties. Ideally, have schools in all three boxes.

We did not find this to be true for 4th grade entry year. Our “safety’s” were WL and our reaches we got in. It was the opposite of what I expected.

Your safeties knew they were safeties and were managing for yield.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok. We are looking at 3 rd grade. Seems competitive even that young.

It’s not really “competitive,” it’s just that they only have seats in third grade from attrition. So like, if you’re looking at a private in third grade that had a gender imbalance towards girls and two boys happened to move away, your girl might have a zero percent chance of acceptance. But a full pay boy might just have to prove he’s breathing. It’s not because the school is “competitive.”

[Anonymous]

As a teacher it doesn’t feel like admissions is competitive at all. If you’re from Congressional or CC clubs you’re guaranteed a spot it seems

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is really no different from applying to colleges. You have reaches, targets, and safeties. Ideally, have schools in all three boxes.

Since privates don't publish things like admissions rates, test score ranges, etc., it's a lot harder to zero in on reaches, targets, and safeties. Never mind which schools give legacies a little bump vs. a significant bump vs. a 100% guarantee of admission. It's a guessing game and sifting through a lot of hearsay on DCUM.

Of course there's some educated guesswork involved, but I doubt it involves rocket science to draw reasonable enough inferences about which school are most likely to be reaches, targets, or safeties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher it doesn’t feel like admissions is competitive at all. If you’re from Congressional or CC clubs you’re guaranteed a spot it seems

But for that first you have to get into the club...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What or how to prepare to get into private school. Seem so hard to get accepted.

Now that public schools have become war zones, you simply have to know someone to help get you into a private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What or how to prepare to get into private school. Seem so hard to get accepted.

Now that public schools have become war zones, you simply have to know someone to help get you into a private school.

Not at all true. Students with no connection get in to all schools and all levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What or how to prepare to get into private school. Seem so hard to get accepted.

Now that public schools have become war zones, you simply have to know someone to help get you into a private school.

Ridiculous hyperbole!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What or how to prepare to get into private school. Seem so hard to get accepted.

Now that public schools have become war zones, you simply have to know someone to help get you into a private school.

Ridiculous hyperbole!

Easy for people who live in white UMC suburbs to say...check your privilege.

[Anonymous]

What about SR? It's similar to Holton and a great school.

Also, don't worry, OP. It takes time and effort to find a fit but it's worth it. You'll get there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is really no different from applying to colleges. You have reaches, targets, and safeties. Ideally, have schools in all three boxes.

We did not find this to be true for 4th grade entry year. Our “safety’s” were WL and our reaches we got in. It was the opposite of what I expected.

Your safeties knew they were safeties and were managing for yield.

Agreed. This definitely can happen.