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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:possibly dumb question, but how did people get an in-person GDS tour prior to applying? The only option available via Ravenna was a virtual "tour" (I think they called it an "open house") which was so sterile and unhelpful in terms of getting to know the culture of the school that we ended up not applying. But we hear people here referencing getting in-person tours, so what did I miss?

For this current application season that just ended in March....GDS's Ravenna list had in-person and virtual interview options. (Maybe in-person were filled by the time you signed up?) We chose the in-person option, which starts with a tour led by a current student. This was the same process with our older child pre-COVID.

+1 In Fall 2023 there were the following options (via Ravenna) for GDS high school admissions events

- an in person interview - which also included an in-person tour led by a student

- a virtual interview

- multiple virtual open houses where you had time to choose which "rooms" to enter (by subject area). I think there was only time to visit 3 sessions.

We chose the in person interview and attended two separate virtual open house (so we could explore more "rooms/subjects" across the two different nights).

Maybe by the time you went into Ravenna, the in person options were already taken??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:possibly dumb question, but how did people get an in-person GDS tour prior to applying? The only option available via Ravenna was a virtual "tour" (I think they called it an "open house") which was so sterile and unhelpful in terms of getting to know the culture of the school that we ended up not applying. But we hear people here referencing getting in-person tours, so what did I miss?

For this current application season that just ended in March....GDS's Ravenna list had in-person and virtual interview options. (Maybe in-person were filled by the time you signed up?) We chose the in-person option, which starts with a tour led by a current student. This was the same process with our older child pre-COVID.

+1 In Fall 2023 there were the following options (via Ravenna) for GDS high school admissions events

- an in person interview - which also included an in-person tour led by a student

- a virtual interview

- multiple virtual open houses where you had time to choose which "rooms" to enter (by subject area). I think there was only time to visit 3 sessions.

We chose the in person interview and attended two separate virtual open house (so we could explore more "rooms/subjects" across the two different nights).

Maybe by the time you went into Ravenna, the in person options were already taken??

PP already said they were looking for a tour before submitting an application. GDS doesn’t offer tours until after the application and fee have been submitted.

[Anonymous]

2025 bump

Parent panel at one of the schools had a parent say that since both her and her husband were alumni that this was the only school they applied to. Then went on to say how their kid had never been to preschool and had certain accommodations that the school was great about meeting. This is in an environment where an unhooked kid (and family) have to be no less than perfect to even have an outside shot at admission. Very tone deaf on the part of the admission team, imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2025 bump

Parent panel at one of the schools had a parent say that since both her and her husband were alumni that this was the only school they applied to. Then went on to say how their kid had never been to preschool and had certain accommodations that the school was great about meeting. This is in an environment where an unhooked kid (and family) have to be no less than perfect to even have an outside shot at admission. Very tone deaf on the part of the admission team, imo.

Name the school

[Anonymous]

We had a bizzare and unpleasant GDS interview last year. The interviewer didn't ask us any questions. We were so confused. Wondered if we were in a holding room waiting to go in to meet with the actual interviewer, but guess what? That was the interviewer! We were not impressed, didn't feel welcome, and lost interest in the school.

[Anonymous]

We had the same experience with GDS. So cold and unwelcoming.

[Anonymous]

All these GDS complaints. Is there any hint that the school is aware of the problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a bizzare and unpleasant GDS interview last year. The interviewer didn't ask us any questions. We were so confused. Wondered if we were in a holding room waiting to go in to meet with the actual interviewer, but guess what? That was the interviewer! We were not impressed, didn't feel welcome, and lost interest in the school.

I could have written your post, exactly. We withdrew our kid's application after the shadow day. Could have just been an off year, I guess.