Do shadow days matter to admissions team?

[Anonymous]

I was a teacher at a local private. If a child shadowed in my classroom, I was expected to write an email to admissions about how the visit went. I don’t know that a visit ever boosted a child’s chance at acceptance. I did see a few visiting students have a hard time following expectations and attempting to participate in in-class activities. At some schools—but certainly not all—that can negatively influence chances of acceptance.

I think the greatest benefit of a shadow day is for the prospective student to get to know the school and feel more comfortable with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will not participating in a school shadow day (assuming it’s voluntary) hurt my child’s admission chances? Do shadow days matter a lot to admission teams?

If child will behave properly and is neuro-typical, then participating in a shadow day very likely will improve applicant’s admissions chances at mainstream privates. Special needs schools might vary from this.

For two identical students, if one applicant did a shadow day and behaved normally and the other applicant skipped shadow day, then many schools will prefer the one who participated and did well. In a world where private school places are always limited, why skip?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They track interaction/interest, and shadowing is one tangible way to check that box.

Practically speaking, most kids apply to multiple schools and it is important to demonstrate your interest in a school.

I can’t imagine why someone wouldn’t shadow.

My daughter does not want to shadow. She does not want to miss school to do it. She knows she wants to go there so there is not really a point to shadowing. (Not OP). We are applying to one school only. It is the only one that works logistically.

Not being combative, but how does she know if she doesn’t shadow? Also, it will not hurt her chances at getting in (unless it is a disastrous visit), and it might help. Missing a bit of school to do shadows is also totally expected, so I really can’t think of a reason NOT to do the visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They track interaction/interest, and shadowing is one tangible way to check that box.

Practically speaking, most kids apply to multiple schools and it is important to demonstrate your interest in a school.

I can’t imagine why someone wouldn’t shadow.

My daughter does not want to shadow. She does not want to miss school to do it. She knows she wants to go there so there is not really a point to shadowing. (Not OP). We are applying to one school only. It is the only one that works logistically.

TBH I would be skeptical of your family if I were admissions. You're committed to the idea of this school to the point of doing no other applications but you aren't willing to give up a day of the current school to show interest and fit?

[Anonymous]

I'm an independent school administrator. Unless an applying family lives out of town (and often they will still visit to tour the school), it is noticed if a prospective student does not visit. If the school has a competitive application process, it would most likely harm your child's chances of acceptance. As others have also noted, shadow days are the best way for your child to get a feel of the school culture, their peers, the teaching style, and expectations. A website and Zoom info session can only tell you so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They track interaction/interest, and shadowing is one tangible way to check that box.

Practically speaking, most kids apply to multiple schools and it is important to demonstrate your interest in a school.

I can’t imagine why someone wouldn’t shadow.

My daughter does not want to shadow. She does not want to miss school to do it. She knows she wants to go there so there is not really a point to shadowing. (Not OP). We are applying to one school only. It is the only one that works logistically.

Odds are your daughter has a day off school when the other school is in session (parent-teacher conferences or a professional day for example). See if you can schedule your shadow visit for that day.

[Anonymous]

My son is doing shadow days for the two schools he is most interested in. One of them we were able to schedule on a day when the private was open and his school was not. I think it's a good opportunity to see what the schools are like on a "normal" day. One of the schools we signed up preemptively, the other he was invited. While not everyone can attend every admission event, I do feel attending something like a shdaow day can show real interest in the school and community. But that's just me.

[Anonymous]

IMHO, The older the kid, the less appropriate it is not to attend. If your kid is entering HS, they'll want to see some skin in the game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They track interaction/interest, and shadowing is one tangible way to check that box.

Practically speaking, most kids apply to multiple schools and it is important to demonstrate your interest in a school.

I can’t imagine why someone wouldn’t shadow.

My daughter does not want to shadow. She does not want to miss school to do it. She knows she wants to go there so there is not really a point to shadowing. (Not OP). We are applying to one school only. It is the only one that works logistically.

I wonder if they attended an Open House or another public event.
They should probably include in their personal statement that this is their one and only choice.

They are so sure, they don't need another visit, and if admitted, they would attend.