Official Admissions Decisions Thread 2026

[Anonymous]

Ditto. Really sad, and feeling like it’s my fault. like I could have done more.

[Anonymous]

It’s really a numbers game, much like the college process. There are simply more qualified students and more people with lots of money than there are slots in the most desirable schools. Hang in there and embrace the one the loves you back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is a first grade waist list at Potomac total BS and just a NO?

Potomac is a serial waitlisted. There is more than a 0% chance but it's essentially a soft no.

My DC is just one data point but they did get off the WL for 4th grade admission at Potomac. So there is always a glimmer of a chance. We didn't take the risk initially though, and we had put a deposit down at another school. DC didn't get off the WL at Potomac for 2 weeks...we lost the first deposit but it was our over whelming first choice and we don't regret it. Fingers crossed for those waitlisted!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ditto. Really sad, and feeling like it’s my fault. like I could have done more.

Same here, I have a knot in my stomach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re feeling really sad. Our DC was only accepted to one school that was the last on our list.

what entry year?

If it's not 9th grade, then apply and apply again. My child had a favorite "Big3" school and applied in 6th, 7th and 9th.
Waitlisted for 6th and 7th, admitted in 9th. We saved $175K, they joined with a larger cohort in 9th, maintained a bonus group of friends from their previous school, had an awesome high school experience, graduated near the very top of the class, went on to an Ivy.

This is much more common than you think at the top schools. There are many re-applicants.

[Anonymous]

In at Sidwell, NCS, Holton, and Stoneridge for middle school. Bit surprised, but pretty set on SR

[Anonymous]

Shut out. WL at maret and potomoc for 7th grade entry and rejected at sidwell. Feeling pretty bummed but kid is doing pretty well overall at current school so trying to keep perspective. We were hoping to circumvent the high school application process

[Anonymous]

Coming from MCPS, accepted GDS. Got two very different waitlist messages. STA said on waitlist, movement off waitlist may happen around March 13th. Landon waitpool, no indication on dates waitpool may move. Felt like STA was a real WL and possibility from note, while Landon felt like a soft no.
Felt optimistic about STA WL based on the message (esp compared to Landon), but after reading these threads not sure.

[Anonymous]

Non-entry year (2nd) twin boys WL across the board. Not shocked - knew it would be an uphill battle to get two spots at a top tier school in an off year - but discouraged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ditto. Really sad, and feeling like it’s my fault. like I could have done more.

What year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ditto. Really sad, and feeling like it’s my fault. like I could have done more.

It’s not your fault, there simply are too many qualified kids competing for a finite number of spots. I know it’s disappointing but these things have a way of working out in the end. Depending on the year, I would keep trying next cycle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Indeed. The parent obviously has one of their kids at one of the Catholic schools that no one really would rank where they are ranked in that list.

Amusing that this self-proclaimed ranker has neglected Holton, Maret and others that most would tier higher than their “2nd tier” Catholic schools.

Also looking forward to the “humble” St. Anselm’s parents talking about their “intellectually curious and kind boys” that go to a school that is so rigorous, most couldn’t hack it and most (including college admissions officers) simply don’t understand.

You and that PP would get along great irl. So much aggression towards other schools and children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shut out. WL at maret and potomoc for 7th grade entry and rejected at sidwell. Feeling pretty bummed but kid is doing pretty well overall at current school so trying to keep perspective. We were hoping to circumvent the high school application process

This cannot be a surprise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re feeling really sad. Our DC was only accepted to one school that was the last on our list.

That was me last year - applied to 4 schools for both kids and got waitlisted everywhere. This year applied to 3 schools and got into our top 2. Have hope!

[Anonymous]

Did you re-apply to the same schools? I wonder if it hurts your child’s chances if they were waitlisted or were rejected in the past.