Does calling admissions help with acceptance?

[Anonymous]

PP, thank-you notes have nothing to do with getting admitted but everything to do with being polite. Teach your children the social graces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, thank-you notes have nothing to do with getting admitted but everything to do with being polite. Teach your children the social graces.

What are you thanking them for? I teach my child to thank people for gifts and invitations that do not include a gift, I would think if you are sending a thank you note to a school it would come from the parent, thanking them for their time? I am not being funny I really do not understand what a child's thank you would be for during admissions. My DD got into her first choice "Big 5"school without any thank you notes. Perhaps it would have been proper for her to have written one, I just do not know why, please enlighten me. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

With older kids, sure, have them write a thank you note. That makes sense to me for third graders and older. For the little ones entering pre-k or k, a thank you note strikes me as either too precious (writing in the 4-year-old's voice) or too weird (thanking them for testing, observing etc. jr. at a sat. play date.). The only thank you note I could imagine writing as a parent is to the admissions office thanking them for taking the time to provide you (the parent) with an informational interview. But that is just one person's opinion. Frankly, we didn't write any notes at all and our kids were accepted. So, at minimum, I can assure you it isn't a deal breaker.

[Anonymous]

I think it is reasonable for an older child to write a thank you note for an interview, or for the parents to write one for a younger child. Just as it would be reasonable to thank someone for a job interview in a job search. It is not necessary, but certainly polite, and should not be considered a bad thing to thank an interviewer for their time. But I think it is likely to be viewed as overkill or even a social no-no to call and say thank you. At that point, you are taking more of the interviewer's time. Good luck

[Anonymous]

Non-thank you note writing PP here. Why would I thank them? It seem pretentious to thank them. I think we have very different views on education/role of private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Non-thank you note writing PP here. Why would I thank them? It seem pretentious to thank them. I think we have very different views on education/role of private schools.

Well, the fact that you took the time to write a letter that isn't required demonstrates your interest in the school for starters. If you didn't really care, you'd only do the minimum that is required (fill out the application, attend the interview and playdate).

[Anonymous]

In

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Non-thank you note writing PP here. Why would I thank them? It seem pretentious to thank them. I think we have very different views on education/role of private schools.

Well, the fact that you took the time to write a letter that isn't required demonstrates your interest in the school for starters. If you didn't really care, you'd only do the minimum that is required (fill out the application, attend the interview and playdate).

If I really didn't care, I wouldn't waste my time filling out the application or going to the interview. I am entirely sure the schools get that *vibe* from us. We aren't typical people here in DC. I don't view applying to a school as if it is a country club.

[Anonymous]

No call. Write a check. Might as well acquaint yourself with the development office early because these are the people you'll hear from the most at your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No call. Write a check. Might as well acquaint yourself with the development office early because these are the people you'll hear from the most at your school.

LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Non-thank you note writing PP here. Why would I thank them? It seem pretentious to thank them. I think we have very different views on education/role of private schools.

Well, the fact that you took the time to write a letter that isn't required demonstrates your interest in the school for starters. If you didn't really care, you'd only do the minimum that is required (fill out the application, attend the interview and playdate).

If I really didn't care, I wouldn't waste my time filling out the application or going to the interview. I am entirely sure the schools get that *vibe* from us. We aren't typical people here in DC. I don't view applying to a school as if it is a country club.

I so agree with you, the whole process, essays including is just so much darn work. I did send a thank you email to two of the shadows she had, which is different from an official TY note.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Non-thank you note writing PP here. Why would I thank them? It seem pretentious to thank them. I think we have very different views on education/role of private schools.

Well, the fact that you took the time to write a letter that isn't required demonstrates your interest in the school for starters. If you didn't really care, you'd only do the minimum that is required (fill out the application, attend the interview and playdate).

If I really didn't care, I wouldn't waste my time filling out the application or going to the interview. I am entirely sure the schools get that *vibe* from us. We aren't typical people here in DC. I don't view applying to a school as if it is a country club.

I so agree with you, the whole process, essays including is just so much darn work. I did send a thank you email to two of the shadows she had, which is different from an official TY note.

Finally! Someone else who agrees with me. Lord, this city has a large population of crazy people. Thank you, you made me think there are other sane people out there, somewhere!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Non-thank you note writing PP here. Why would I thank them? It seem pretentious to thank them. I think we have very different views on education/role of private schools.

Well, the fact that you took the time to write a letter that isn't required demonstrates your interest in the school for starters. If you didn't really care, you'd only do the minimum that is required (fill out the application, attend the interview and playdate).

If I really didn't care, I wouldn't waste my time filling out the application or going to the interview. I am entirely sure the schools get that *vibe* from us. We aren't typical people here in DC. I don't view applying to a school as if it is a country club.

I so agree with you, the whole process, essays including is just so much darn work. I did send a thank you email to two of the shadows she had, which is different from an official TY note.

Finally! Someone else who agrees with me. Lord, this city has a large population of crazy people. Thank you, you made me think there are other sane people out there, somewhere!

You're quite welcomed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Non-thank you note writing PP here. Why would I thank them? It seem pretentious to thank them. I think we have very different views on education/role of private schools.

Well, the fact that you took the time to write a letter that isn't required demonstrates your interest in the school for starters. If you didn't really care, you'd only do the minimum that is required (fill out the application, attend the interview and playdate).

If I really didn't care, I wouldn't waste my time filling out the application or going to the interview. I am entirely sure the schools get that *vibe* from us. We aren't typical people here in DC. I don't view applying to a school as if it is a country club.

I so agree with you, the whole process, essays including is just so much darn work. I did send a thank you email to two of the shadows she had, which is different from an official TY note.

Finally! Someone else who agrees with me. Lord, this city has a large population of crazy people. Thank you, you made me think there are other sane people out there, somewhere!

Yes, we can all be assured that this city is full of ill-mannered people. Ah, feel better now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Non-thank you note writing PP here. Why would I thank them? It seem pretentious to thank them. I think we have very different views on education/role of private schools.

Np here. (kid had 3 accepts 2 yrs ago). They're selling you something. Why would you show gratitude to an entity that is hoping to sell you a product?

When you tour Equinox, LA fitness and Sport and Health, because you want to find a good gym for you, do you hand write a letterhot the membership manager thanking for his time after he gives you a tour and after your 1hr complimentary workout (playdate)? Would it occur to you at all to wax on about how you could "really see yourself there" and how Equinox seems like such a great fit?

Private school is the same business model but with more limited membership. And that's the crux --competition. Not manners. Writing letters to school is about competing. So do write if you think it means you're more likely to win, but stop insulting everyone by claiming you're more "polite" and demonstrating good manners by writing.

[Anonymous]

I love this time of year on this forum!