Is waitlist code for No?

[Anonymous]

Depends on the school and the grade, OP. Some schools WL everyone and the WL does not move MOST years (GDS and Maret comes to mind). Some schools utilize the WL to make sure they don’t over enroll and will take a handful of kids off the WL most years (Sidwell, NCS, STA). I think in the past few years the WL has not moved at all for 9th grade anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got into BVR; Sidwell; NPS and will only pick one (BVR) so that opens up some spots at both schools and we are receiving a good FA packet so hopefully freeing up some money as well

Listen to this person, OP.

I'd add that, in some respects, needing FA might actually help you on the WL because clearly you check a SEC diversity box. Now, all you need to have happen is for one of the other families offered Admit spot with same amount of FA you need to decline. The school needs to offer that FA/ spot because THAT is how they maintain their non-profit status.

So, best chance is another family was also accepted at Sidwell or Maret or GDS and has decided that they would prefer to be One and Done and not have to re-apply for 4th in a few years

That is literally all you need to have happen.... send in that 1st choice letter AND call ONCE to follow up

no, because they over-admit. Traditionally they go over by about 30%. I've had kids admitted twice to a Big3 and at the accepted student days the number present was over the desired yield by about 30% (e.g. goal was to form a class of 12 but 17 accepted students were at the event). Last year they got burnt with higher yields so they were probably more cautious this year.. but still. They all had a cushion. Maybe this year it's 10-20% but I'm sure they built it in. Their numbers don't work if 10-20% of kids decline

oops. I meant to write:

Their numbers don't work if 10-20% of kids DON'T decline

[Anonymous]

Not always; many schools use it to make sure they don't overfill a class. Lots of school got it wrong last year and ended up with classes too big; they may be more conservative with offers this year. I would expect wait lists to move.

[Anonymous]

For most applicants the wait list is a softer version of a rejection. An unintended consequence is that it provides false hope to many. That said, some applicants are accepted everywhere they applied and are in the fortunate position of being able to decline all but one offer. An admissions director recently shared that if there is movement, it will be after Wednesday 9th, as that is when they will have a clearer picture of who is coming and who is declining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got into BVR; Sidwell; NPS and will only pick one (BVR) so that opens up some spots at both schools and we are receiving a good FA packet so hopefully freeing up some money as well

Listen to this person, OP.

I'd add that, in some respects, needing FA might actually help you on the WL because clearly you check a SEC diversity box. Now, all you need to have happen is for one of the other families offered Admit spot with same amount of FA you need to decline. The school needs to offer that FA/ spot because THAT is how they maintain their non-profit status.

So, best chance is another family was also accepted at Sidwell or Maret or GDS and has decided that they would prefer to be One and Done and not have to re-apply for 4th in a few years

That is literally all you need to have happen.... send in that 1st choice letter AND call ONCE to follow up

How do you know that this person requesting FA "checks a SEC diversity box?" Are you just assuming it's a family of color?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got into BVR; Sidwell; NPS and will only pick one (BVR) so that opens up some spots at both schools and we are receiving a good FA packet so hopefully freeing up some money as well

Listen to this person, OP.

I'd add that, in some respects, needing FA might actually help you on the WL because clearly you check a SEC diversity box. Now, all you need to have happen is for one of the other families offered Admit spot with same amount of FA you need to decline. The school needs to offer that FA/ spot because THAT is how they maintain their non-profit status.

So, best chance is another family was also accepted at Sidwell or Maret or GDS and has decided that they would prefer to be One and Done and not have to re-apply for 4th in a few years

That is literally all you need to have happen.... send in that 1st choice letter AND call ONCE to follow up

How do you know that this person requesting FA "checks a SEC diversity box?" Are you just assuming it's a family of color?

Uh, the E in SEC stands for economic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child was waitlisted at NPS and Beauvoir. I have been told different things but finally a friend said it was code for "No" so I could move on soon if it happened. This is for K

I am curious, 0P, what ended up happening?

[Anonymous]

Reviving this thread in case there is new insight.
It's interesting because I've been waitlisted for 2 schools and I submitted applications for one DC- both in entry years. One school sent a personal follow up email notifying me of the waitlist status for 1 child, but not the other. I can't tell if it was different due to the specific Admission staff's style or if 1 DC is indeed on the WL and the WL status for the other child was a polite rejection, hence why we received no personal follow up (only an automated message).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this thread in case there is new insight.
It's interesting because I've been waitlisted for 2 schools and I submitted applications for one DC- both in entry years. One school sent a personal follow up email notifying me of the waitlist status for 1 child, but not the other. I can't tell if it was different due to the specific Admission staff's style or if 1 DC is indeed on the WL and the WL status for the other child was a polite rejection, hence why we received no personal follow up (only an automated message).

You need to check in and demonstrate interest with both of the schools. If you have a preference, let them know they are your #1. Very important and absolutely what got my DD in at K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this thread in case there is new insight.
It's interesting because I've been waitlisted for 2 schools and I submitted applications for one DC- both in entry years. One school sent a personal follow up email notifying me of the waitlist status for 1 child, but not the other. I can't tell if it was different due to the specific Admission staff's style or if 1 DC is indeed on the WL and the WL status for the other child was a polite rejection, hence why we received no personal follow up (only an automated message).

You need to check in and demonstrate interest with both of the schools. If you have a preference, let them know they are your #1. Very important and absolutely what got my DD in at K.

Thanks. Very helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got into BVR; Sidwell; NPS and will only pick one (BVR) so that opens up some spots at both schools and we are receiving a good FA packet so hopefully freeing up some money as well

Listen to this person, OP.

I'd add that, in some respects, needing FA might actually help you on the WL because clearly you check a SEC diversity box. Now, all you need to have happen is for one of the other families offered Admit spot with same amount of FA you need to decline. The school needs to offer that FA/ spot because THAT is how they maintain their non-profit status.

So, best chance is another family was also accepted at Sidwell or Maret or GDS and has decided that they would prefer to be One and Done and not have to re-apply for 4th in a few years

That is literally all you need to have happen.... send in that 1st choice letter AND call ONCE to follow up

How do you know that this person requesting FA "checks a SEC diversity box?" Are you just assuming it's a family of color?

If you need FA, waitlisted definitely means NO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got into BVR; Sidwell; NPS and will only pick one (BVR) so that opens up some spots at both schools and we are receiving a good FA packet so hopefully freeing up some money as well

Listen to this person, OP.

I'd add that, in some respects, needing FA might actually help you on the WL because clearly you check a SEC diversity box. Now, all you need to have happen is for one of the other families offered Admit spot with same amount of FA you need to decline. The school needs to offer that FA/ spot because THAT is how they maintain their non-profit status.

So, best chance is another family was also accepted at Sidwell or Maret or GDS and has decided that they would prefer to be One and Done and not have to re-apply for 4th in a few years

That is literally all you need to have happen.... send in that 1st choice letter AND call ONCE to follow up

How do you know that this person requesting FA "checks a SEC diversity box?" Are you just assuming it's a family of color?

If you need FA, waitlisted definitely means NO.

That wasn’t the case for us, but we were pre-covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got into BVR; Sidwell; NPS and will only pick one (BVR) so that opens up some spots at both schools and we are receiving a good FA packet so hopefully freeing up some money as well

Listen to this person, OP.

I'd add that, in some respects, needing FA might actually help you on the WL because clearly you check a SEC diversity box. Now, all you need to have happen is for one of the other families offered Admit spot with same amount of FA you need to decline. The school needs to offer that FA/ spot because THAT is how they maintain their non-profit status.

So, best chance is another family was also accepted at Sidwell or Maret or GDS and has decided that they would prefer to be One and Done and not have to re-apply for 4th in a few years

That is literally all you need to have happen.... send in that 1st choice letter AND call ONCE to follow up

How do you know that this person requesting FA "checks a SEC diversity box?" Are you just assuming it's a family of color?

If you need FA, waitlisted definitely means NO.

That wasn’t the case for us, but we were pre-covid.

What does that have to do with it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got into BVR; Sidwell; NPS and will only pick one (BVR) so that opens up some spots at both schools and we are receiving a good FA packet so hopefully freeing up some money as well

Listen to this person, OP.

I'd add that, in some respects, needing FA might actually help you on the WL because clearly you check a SEC diversity box. Now, all you need to have happen is for one of the other families offered Admit spot with same amount of FA you need to decline. The school needs to offer that FA/ spot because THAT is how they maintain their non-profit status.

So, best chance is another family was also accepted at Sidwell or Maret or GDS and has decided that they would prefer to be One and Done and not have to re-apply for 4th in a few years

That is literally all you need to have happen.... send in that 1st choice letter AND call ONCE to follow up

How do you know that this person requesting FA "checks a SEC diversity box?" Are you just assuming it's a family of color?

If you need FA, waitlisted definitely means NO.

That wasn’t the case for us, but we were pre-covid.

What does that have to do with it?

It seems like things have substantially changed since covid. Many more applicants- lower chance of acceptance and financial aid. This is what I gather from threads here and DCs at independent schools. Only an observation.

[Anonymous]

Both Sidwell, friends, school and Saint Andrews Episcopal School both state clearly that they do in fact send out rejections “regrets” as well as acceptances and wait lists.

I am not sure about the other privates. My guess is if you can’t find it on their official website, they want it to be ambiguous. I’d also guess if that means the waitlist is a combination of real waiters with people who were rejected.