Official Admissions Decisions Thread 2026

[Anonymous]

Anecdotally, it looks like more there were more kids getting into multiple competitive schools compared with previous years. With most independent schools now charging more than $50k (and sometimes $60k), I wonder whether there are fewer people competing in the full pay pool. I also imagine that more and more candidates are seeking FA than ever before, so that could mean a waitlist for the non full-pay candidates because that pool is increasing every year.

[Anonymous]

I’m guessing that it’s simply that parents whose kids don’t get into schools understandably don’t get close to this board, at least for a period of time. I suspect admissions were tough (as always) and that the results were rough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anecdotally, it looks like more there were more kids getting into multiple competitive schools compared with previous years. With most independent schools now charging more than $50k (and sometimes $60k), I wonder whether there are fewer people competing in the full pay pool. I also imagine that more and more candidates are seeking FA than ever before, so that could mean a waitlist for the non full-pay candidates because that pool is increasing every year.

I know full-pay families have students WL at several schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Accepted (7th): Sidwell, STA, GDS, Maret

So so proud of my DS! We are between Sidwell and GDS, likely picking Sidwell.

Oh please

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A: NPS, St. Pat’s, WES
W: GDS, Maret
R: Sidwell

This is for PK4, except K for Maret.

Thinking of staying where we are and reapplying for K, otherwise likely between NPS and St. Pat’s.

Any school you reject now likely won’t admit you again, so make a decision with that in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accepted (7th): Sidwell, STA, GDS, Maret

So so proud of my DS! We are between Sidwell and GDS, likely picking Sidwell.

Oh please

Don't mind, the pp. Congratulations. The process is stressful. Good luck with your decision-making process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m guessing that it’s simply that parents whose kids don’t get into schools understandably don’t get close to this board, at least for a period of time. I suspect admissions were tough (as always) and that the results were rough.

Yeah, could be. It also seems like they are far fewer posters than previous year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m guessing that it’s simply that parents whose kids don’t get into schools understandably don’t get close to this board, at least for a period of time. I suspect admissions were tough (as always) and that the results were rough.

Yeah, could be. It also seems like they are far fewer posters than previous year.

*there* are

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anecdotally, it looks like more there were more kids getting into multiple competitive schools compared with previous years. With most independent schools now charging more than $50k (and sometimes $60k), I wonder whether there are fewer people competing in the full pay pool. I also imagine that more and more candidates are seeking FA than ever before, so that could mean a waitlist for the non full-pay candidates because that pool is increasing every year.

I actually think this year the enrollments are low for smaller private. I do think there are more full pay parents enrolled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A: NPS, St. Pat’s, WES
W: GDS, Maret
R: Sidwell

This is for PK4, except K for Maret.

Thinking of staying where we are and reapplying for K, otherwise likely between NPS and St. Pat’s.

Any school you reject now likely won’t admit you again, so make a decision with that in mind.

If you reject a lower school, can you reapply to the same high school? But kids change, maybe now single sex is good, but maybe later co-ed is better, and vice versa?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A: NPS, St. Pat’s, WES
W: GDS, Maret
R: Sidwell

This is for PK4, except K for Maret.

Thinking of staying where we are and reapplying for K, otherwise likely between NPS and St. Pat’s.

Any school you reject now likely won’t admit you again, so make a decision with that in mind.

I don’t think this is always the case - kids change, needs change, etc. and schools understand this. I do think it’s important, though, (especially if you think you might be interested in the school in the future) to be gracious when declining. Send a note to the head of admissions telling them how difficult the decision was, that you really like the school and appreciate their time, etc.

I know a boy who declined a high school that his parents wanted him to attend and they insisted he write a letter to the admissions office thanking them and explaining why he was declining. He ended up disliking the school he chose and applied to transfer to the school he declined. They accepted him as a transfer in 10th. I don’t know why, of course, but the letter he sent when declining probably helped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accepted (7th): Sidwell, STA, GDS, Maret

So so proud of my DS! We are between Sidwell and GDS, likely picking Sidwell.

Oh please

That’s really great for GDS…there’s only 1- 2 spots!

[Anonymous]

How difficult/easy is it to gain admission to GDS for 9th?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accepted (7th): Sidwell, STA, GDS, Maret

So so proud of my DS! We are between Sidwell and GDS, likely picking Sidwell.

Oh please

That’s really great for GDS…there’s only 1- 2 spots!

Yeah, you can be all you can be on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How difficult/easy is it to gain admission to GDS for 9th?

Very competitive for all dc private schools.