Now that it's over, tell me about the good and bad experiences you had with admissions offices

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS and DD applying -

Sidwell: nope. We are not going to make the cut (they made it clear) so did not bother.

How did you know? What were the signs?

[Anonymous]

How were admissions at STA/NCS?

[Anonymous]

Our best admissions experience by far was at Bishop McNamara. They were the most organized and responsive, and everyone we met seemed to take a genuine interest in our child. We ultimately enrolled elsewhere due to more financial aid, but I was impressed.

[Anonymous]

STA was great. Super engaged, clearly passionate about the school, seemed to genuinely care about our son, and very responsive throughout the whole process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How were admissions at STA/NCS?

NCS was perfectly fine. Very responsive and our daughter felt very positive about the school from her visits. I couldn’t tell based on visits and communications whether she’d get in but she did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We never even applied to GDS because when we showed up for the tour (that we booked, online, well in advance) it was as if the admissions office had forgotten there was a tour at all--they were super late, we were waiting around the lobby area. Then finally they grabbed a parent volunteer to lead the tour who seemed to know very little about the school (she couldn't answer basic questions). Very off-putting and disorganized.

This was our experience as well at GDS. The tour guide didn’t even show us the whole school, was done in 15 mins, and didn’t show us the art floor - which is DCs interest and something we asked about. The AO was surprised we were done so early and we had to wait in the lobby for 45 mins. Every kid was buried in their cell phone and barely looked up.

We decided to not finish the application and actually thought that this could not possible be the same GDS that had such high reviews. We were googling on the way home to make sure we went to the right school. Now that I think about it… no one even followed up to see how our tour was, if we had any questions, if we were going to finish the application. We have a very high performing DC that was accepted everywhere else we applied. It was weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We never even applied to GDS because when we showed up for the tour (that we booked, online, well in advance) it was as if the admissions office had forgotten there was a tour at all--they were super late, we were waiting around the lobby area. Then finally they grabbed a parent volunteer to lead the tour who seemed to know very little about the school (she couldn't answer basic questions). Very off-putting and disorganized.

This was our experience as well at GDS. The tour guide didn’t even show us the whole school, was done in 15 mins, and didn’t show us the art floor - which is DCs interest and something we asked about. The AO was surprised we were done so early and we had to wait in the lobby for 45 mins. Every kid was buried in their cell phone and barely looked up.

We decided to not finish the application and actually thought that this could not possible be the same GDS that had such high reviews. We were googling on the way home to make sure we went to the right school. Now that I think about it… no one even followed up to see how our tour was, if we had any questions, if we were going to finish the application. We have a very high performing DC that was accepted everywhere else we applied. It was weird.

God, this sounds completely off putting. I don’t blame you for not applying.

[Anonymous]

Sidwell HS learning specialist seemed irritated she had to meet with families. Had a rude tone and making a face the entire time. I wondered if it was because we are not white. Gave a very bad impression of the school.

NCS, Holton, GDS admissions people and interviewers all very nice in comparison.

[Anonymous]

GDS tour guide was great. It sounds like they need to train the kids a bit better and screen out the ones who are not that enthusiastic about doing the tours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:STA was great. Super engaged, clearly passionate about the school, seemed to genuinely care about our son, and very responsive throughout the whole process.

What grade level?

[Anonymous]

Maret at the lower school level did a fantastic job: great admissions volunteers and head of admissions was fantastic and personable

[Anonymous]

Bullis- no open house (virtual only), no shadow day until you’ve been accepted. They make it incredibly difficult to get a sense of the school until after you apply. Applied to Landon, Sidwell, Prep. Good experiences with all of those but Bullis was so unwelcoming we didn’t bother applying. Clearly what they are doing works for them, as they dont seem to struggle with application volume but hate how much of a PITA they make it to even check them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell- Impersonal
Washington Episcopal- Welcoming
GDS- Rushed
Maret - Dull and seemed uninterested

Where did you end up?

[Anonymous]

Potomac (HS) was amazing. Too good, really, because they made it seem like they really wanted our kid (well, and every other kid) - then waitlisted her! They were too nice!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We never even applied to GDS because when we showed up for the tour (that we booked, online, well in advance) it was as if the admissions office had forgotten there was a tour at all--they were super late, we were waiting around the lobby area. Then finally they grabbed a parent volunteer to lead the tour who seemed to know very little about the school (she couldn't answer basic questions). Very off-putting and disorganized.

This was our experience as well at GDS. The tour guide didn’t even show us the whole school, was done in 15 mins, and didn’t show us the art floor - which is DCs interest and something we asked about. The AO was surprised we were done so early and we had to wait in the lobby for 45 mins. Every kid was buried in their cell phone and barely looked up.

We decided to not finish the application and actually thought that this could not possible be the same GDS that had such high reviews. We were googling on the way home to make sure we went to the right school. Now that I think about it… no one even followed up to see how our tour was, if we had any questions, if we were going to finish the application. We have a very high performing DC that was accepted everywhere else we applied. It was weird.

Other than automatic email pushes in Ravenna (or other platforms) to remind us of application deadlines - I have never had a school follow up after a tour or ask if we were going to finish an applications. We've gone through the process twice for HS.