Open Houses versus Private Tours

[Anonymous]

We will be applying to a number of private schools next year for the preschool class. I noticed that a number of the schools we are looking at offer private tours as well as open houses. Does anyone have any advice as to whether it is better to arrange for a private tour instead of the open house? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I think many of the schools expect you to go to both if they are offered. I would highly recommend not showing up late, too. We were in a small group tour and the start time was very early - at drop off time for our prospective applicant's current school. Since both parents were supposed to attend, it was quite difficult to get there on time. We barely made it on time. Another family came in about 4 minutes late - the woman came in while the husband tried to find parking. She had a newborn (weeks old) with her who slept the entire time. (Another big no-no apparently).

The admissions director was incredibly rude to her - when she asked a question after the introduction, the AD said "Well if you had been here on time like the others you wouldn't need to ask that question" or something to that effect. It was shocking how incredibly rude the AD was. And, before anyone asks, no it was not Beauvoir.

[Anonymous]

That kind of rudeness should not be tolerated. Just walk out, and move on to the next school. That said, I think that the group tours have the advantage of hearing others' questions and allowing other people to take the chance to ask the daring questions. Go with the group tour if you have only one choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think many of the schools expect you to go to both if they are offered. I would highly recommend not showing up late, too. We were in a small group tour and the start time was very early - at drop off time for our prospective applicant's current school. Since both parents were supposed to attend, it was quite difficult to get there on time. We barely made it on time. Another family came in about 4 minutes late - the woman came in while the husband tried to find parking. She had a newborn (weeks old) with her who slept the entire time. (Another big no-no apparently).

The admissions director was incredibly rude to her - when she asked a question after the introduction, the AD said "Well if you had been here on time like the others you wouldn't need to ask that question" or something to that effect. It was shocking how incredibly rude the AD was. And, before anyone asks, no it was not Beauvoir.

I'll bet ten bucks that it was the GDS AD. She was the only one that we spoke to who was that bitchy.

[Anonymous]

The tour / open house isn't just your chance to see the school - it's their opportunity to evaluate you. Choose the private tour, then go to the open house too if you are serious about the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll bet ten bucks that it was the GDS AD. She was the only one that we spoke to who was that bitchy.

I don't think GDS does "group tours" like the ones offered at Sidwell and Beauvoir (and others I'm sure). At least they didn't when we applied. It's been a while, but I think parents make an appointment with the admission director for an "interview" after which a current parent takes you on a tour of the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bet ten bucks that it was the GDS AD. She was the only one that we spoke to who was that bitchy.

I don't think GDS does "group tours" like the ones offered at Sidwell and Beauvoir (and others I'm sure). At least they didn't when we applied. It's been a while, but I think parents make an appointment with the admission director for an "interview" after which a current parent takes you on a tour of the school.

Yes, and the GDS AD was so unbelievably unfriendly and hostile at this tour, it was hard to credit how she can remain in her position! (And no, we don't have an axe to grind, as DS was ultimately accepted, although we ended up going elsewhere for other reasons.) I have heard numerous other remarks as well about how unpleasant the GDS AD is. Sorry to get off-topic, but I just wanted to chime in about this.

[Anonymous]

We felt the same about the GDS AD. She was not unfriendly but made it clear that we had very little chance of being accepted and was a bit arrogant in general. We chose not to apply because of her.

[Anonymous]

do both the private tour and the open house. they are both helpful. at the tour you see the kids in action. at the open house, you often have the chance to talk to the teachers. each offer valuable information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We felt the same about the GDS AD. She was not unfriendly but made it clear that we had very little chance of being accepted and was a bit arrogant in general. We chose not to apply because of her.

I don't know which GDS admissions person you are talking about, but one of them actually called me after our application packet was complete and prior to the mailing of admit/deny letters, and she asked me to explain my relationship with my kids' father..... I kid you not. I had to explain we were never married, split up, still get along well, etc. She did this in the guise of asking me where I wanted the decision letter sent. Even though the application form was very clear about whom to contact, she still asked and when I gave her the appropriate information, she didn't stop there and continued to ask, "so, what is the deal with you two..."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think many of the schools expect you to go to both if they are offered. I would highly recommend not showing up late, too. We were in a small group tour and the start time was very early - at drop off time for our prospective applicant's current school. Since both parents were supposed to attend, it was quite difficult to get there on time. We barely made it on time. Another family came in about 4 minutes late - the woman came in while the husband tried to find parking. She had a newborn (weeks old) with her who slept the entire time. (Another big no-no apparently).

The admissions director was incredibly rude to her - when she asked a question after the introduction, the AD said "Well if you had been here on time like the others you wouldn't need to ask that question" or something to that effect. It was shocking how incredibly rude the AD was. And, before anyone asks, no it was not Beauvoir.

St. Patricks, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We felt the same about the GDS AD. She was not unfriendly but made it clear that we had very little chance of being accepted and was a bit arrogant in general. We chose not to apply because of her.

I don't know which GDS admissions person you are talking about, but one of them actually called me after our application packet was complete and prior to the mailing of admit/deny letters, and she asked me to explain my relationship with my kids' father..... I kid you not. I had to explain we were never married, split up, still get along well, etc. She did this in the guise of asking me where I wanted the decision letter sent. Even though the application form was very clear about whom to contact, she still asked and when I gave her the appropriate information, she didn't stop there and continued to ask, "so, what is the deal with you two..."

Agreed. One category of our DC's test scores were not in the 95% percentile. Everything else was. She was pretty harsh about it. Blunt is one thing. This was just tinged with condescension.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many of the schools expect you to go to both if they are offered. I would highly recommend not showing up late, too. We were in a small group tour and the start time was very early - at drop off time for our prospective applicant's current school. Since both parents were supposed to attend, it was quite difficult to get there on time. We barely made it on time. Another family came in about 4 minutes late - the woman came in while the husband tried to find parking. She had a newborn (weeks old) with her who slept the entire time. (Another big no-no apparently).

The admissions director was incredibly rude to her - when she asked a question after the introduction, the AD said "Well if you had been here on time like the others you wouldn't need to ask that question" or something to that effect. It was shocking how incredibly rude the AD was. And, before anyone asks, no it was not Beauvoir.

I'll bet ten bucks that it was the GDS AD. She was the only one that we spoke to who was that bitchy.

It might also be the Assistant AD at St. Patrick's. It wasn't really bitchy. She was just very rough around the edges and dismissive. She did the minority outreach, and you certainly got the sense that if you were not a minority, she wasn't particularly interested in you.

[Anonymous]

It might also be the Assistant AD at St. Patrick's. It wasn't really bitchy. She was just very rough around the edges and dismissive. She did the minority outreach, and you certainly got the sense that if you were not a minority, she wasn't particularly interested in you.

That is Shavonne Pegues and she is not like that at all. She is warm, friendly, funny and cares a lot about all students regardless of race, color, creed, etc... I acknowledge that sometimes she seems to be a bit rough but its not who she is. We are white and she intereviewed us. It was the best interview experience in our admission odyssey. We also had an interview with GDS' AD. She was perhaps a bit arrogant/rough too, but really not that bad and certainly not nasty or mean.

[Anonymous]

You know, this is funny to see
I decided against applying to Lowell cos of the snitty guy at the front desk...I just felt if even the receptionist had attitude, it was NOT going to work for me...
glad to see others are catching heck with the admissions process