If your child got declined admission...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13:48 -- How old was your child? Was this for MS? I'm doing the same right now... researching the public school option more and trying to get jazzed about it. My concern is that he'll speak to friends at school and know that they heard back... so I don't think I have the luxury to wait.

Yes, it was for middle school but he didn't really have friends applying to private school to discuss it with so he didn't know when we would hear. We have a good public option but because of the type of kid he is I was pessimistic on how it would be for him.

This is EXACTLY our position! Deal MS as public, which I consistently hear good things about. He's the type of kid ASKING for more of a challenge. Worried Deal is too large and won't be the best fit.

I hope it works out for you too. There is a lot to be said for large schools. He has managed to find all sorts of kids just like him...tons of clubs and unique opportunities.

Thanks so much! This helps to hear!!

[Anonymous]

Is this fair to say to DC, who was accepted by two great schools, but WL by two favorites:

You did get in (to those schools.) They just don't have room for you.

I don't want to sugarcoat things or pretend that his application was perfect, when obviously, he didn't get in. At the same time, I feel like certain circumstances totally out of our control (legacies/ siblings, primarily) played a role in the fact he was WL. I at least want him to know that, academically, he did meet the bar for this school, for what they are looking for.

Is that right?

[Anonymous]

I think that is fair to say - I understand the idea that they "got in", but not sure that's what you should say. Perhaps they liked you a lot and thought you were qualified to be there, but didn't have room, etc.

[Anonymous]

Why not focus on the positive - you got into these 2 schools. If asked, just say that he did not get in, and that is why you apply to many places, and get excited about the choice at hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember my 4 th grader sitting on the floor with a bunch of rejection letters..and he took them at their word...many qualified applicants and just no space. It broke my heart. He said, I understand they just have no space....He believed what they said hook line and sinker! He is in High School now, at a school that previously wait listed him. He is Honor Roll and Varsity Athelete...he has won awards... What kept him out initially,his average testing ability...I think hard work can not be measured by the test. My thought is ,their loss...the others missed out on a great kid. Fortunately, he is seen for who he is, where he is and it has been great! No kid a finished product and beware of the school that wants that....because what you will often find inside is lazy teachers or a lot and I mean a lot of tutoring at home...or tiger parents, that set the pace...

What a great story, PP. Congrats to your grown up 4th grader!