Does Sidwell reject kids or is everyone on the waitlist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid was wait listed. The worst part about that is that we never heard from them again, so the poor kid held out hope all the way up to the first day of starting school somewhere else (no matter what we told him; he's a kid after all). It would have been kind to get a note letting him know the class was full.

The class was full as soon as they finish making admissions offers. The wait pool is if someone unexpectedly drops out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know ppl here say it’s a real WL (so I’m trying to be optimistic) and it may be more “real” than GDS and Potomac, but even if only 20% of applicants are on it, that is a pretty big WL pool. Right? And, only a couple get off if the expected yield estimates are off a little so those are slim chances.

Actually, if we are being candid, if you respond in a positive way to the WL your chances of getting in can actually be higher than the original admissions cohort. For starts, already cleared in the academically capable category to get on the waitlist. Then the overwhelming majority of people don't respond to the waitlist because they assume it is a soft rejection. The majority of those who do respond, respond in a way that quietly gets them removed from the waitlist. If you respond that this school is still your top choice, are gracious/understanding that they are sought after and appreciate being on the waitlist, and are transparent about your deadlines as far as committing to another school, when a spot opens up you are suddenly in competition with maybe 3-5 other kids for best fit.

[Anonymous]

I know someone this year who got off the waitlist within a couple of weeks after decisions came out for 9th. My guess is it happens quickly and maybe is only a handful of kids depending if others turn them down etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've read that Sidwell does go to its wait lists. Is everyone waitlisted, though, or do applicants receive rejection letters? I am trying to determine how real the wait list is even though I know that's probably impossible to tell.

Sidwell definitely rejects. I know two students who were trying to enter from other K-12 privates (for 9th grade) who were rejected. One is a younger sibling of a recent Sidwell graduate, but she didn’t even receive a soft no (waitlist spot).

[Anonymous]

DC (who’s at one of the other so-called Big 3s) has been both rejected and WLed at Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t even apply and got rejected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were a sibling and flat out rejected

Could you please provide more details? Were you applying for an expansion year? We are thinking to apply next year assuming sibling preference would help. I guess we need to manage expectations.

[Anonymous]

They reject a lot, especially at the HS entry point for 9th. With the new HS building (~$100M) opening up for next year, fair to assume that interest is only going to rise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were a sibling and flat out rejected

Could you please provide more details? Were you applying for an expansion year? We are thinking to apply next year assuming sibling preference would help. I guess we need to manage expectations.

Do not assume a sibling preference and don't be upset if your younger kid doesn't get in. There are only so many spaces and what might be good fit for one kid in a family may not be a good fit for 1 or more siblings. Don't take it personally.

[Anonymous]

Why are all these Sidwell seniors getting thrown out couple weeks before graduation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are all these Sidwell seniors getting thrown out couple weeks before graduation?

What do you mean?

[Anonymous]

Couple senior boys expelled few weeks shy of graduation. I think sending them off campus to just do “senior projects” is just a reason for them to get bored and do really dumb stuff…leading to a expulsions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Couple senior boys expelled few weeks shy of graduation. I think sending them off campus to just do “senior projects” is just a reason for them to get bored and do really dumb stuff…leading to a expulsions

Sounds like you are either trolling OR making a new thread, cause this is a pre-entry level conversation that you are bringing the Senior-itis to...