So what happens if you're accepted?

[Anonymous]

It would be interesting to know which schools offer shadow days after admissions offers and for what grade level?

[Anonymous]

Looking at the school websites there is no info about post-admission shadow visits.
Having the opportunity to visit the school one last time will make a great difference for us

[Anonymous]

How long do you have to decide?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long do you have to decide?

Two weeks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've got some experience at the elementary level from volunteering to help with admissions events at my children's school over several years, and related discussions with the admissions team.

At my children's school, there are several parent volunteers who work hard to make themselves available to admitted families and answer any questions they might have. There is also one all-families event where you'll have a chance to talk to the admissions people, teachers, and lots of other parents. If you are unsure about your decision, definitely call the admissions team to ask for more feedback. In my experience, they are happy to set up additional conversations and meetings with whoever might help you make an informed decision - other parents, reps from particular groups, teachers, etc. My personal experience from talking to newly admitted families is that about 90% of parents seem confident in their decision, but about 10% need more info. Just ask for help, because the admissions team will be happy to help you with more info.

One caution - The admissions teams are under immense time pressure after the first wave of offers goes out, because they really need to know who is going to turn the school down, so they can go to the wait list quickly. So if you are uncertain, it really will help to convey that to the admissions team immediately and very directly, so they can get you the info you need to make a final decision. If you instead spend a week mulling your choices before contacting the admissions team to ask for more info, they will be less able to help you and might have less patience.

Good luck! It's a stressful process for everyone, even if you are lucky enough to have good choices.

What school are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

I just called the schools

You can ShadoW or re visit GP and SJC
GZA doesn't aloud to do so.

[Anonymous]

Some schools, unfortunately, don't offer shadow visits. My child really wants to get a sense of what kids would be in her class, but the best we could do was pop in for five minutes and stare at them a bit. I do wish that shadow visits were allowed at all schools, at the very least for admitted candidates. It makes a world of difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some schools, unfortunately, don't offer shadow visits. My child really wants to get a sense of what kids would be in her class, but the best we could do was pop in for five minutes and stare at them a bit. I do wish that shadow visits were allowed at all schools, at the very least for admitted candidates. It makes a world of difference.

Yes it does, particularly when you several options.
His first shadow was 4 months ago and now he doesn't remember much of the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some schools, unfortunately, don't offer shadow visits. My child really wants to get a sense of what kids would be in her class, but the best we could do was pop in for five minutes and stare at them a bit. I do wish that shadow visits were allowed at all schools, at the very least for admitted candidates. It makes a world of difference.

Yes, it really could help my second grader or anyone for that matter to visit each of the top two schools again. He thinks one is "lame" and too big and thinks he likes the other. I don't exactly know, either. How can anyone know what school they really like with one visit? Unrealistic. I hope some heads of school/admin are reading this! Also, when one school offers (3rd school) offers a shadow day and the other does not, then it puts the ones that don't at a disadvantage because you are no longer comparing with the same data.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just called the schools

You can ShadoW or re visit GP and SJC
GZA doesn't aloud to do so.

Says something about GZA. Not very accommodating.