Turning down admissions offers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I could see trying to make an argument that you made the wrong choice and kid is unhappy, but that won’t work at places like NCS/STA, Sidwell, or Potomac. Schools like Flint Hill might be willing to give you another shot.

What is it about Flint Hill that makes you say that?

Just that it’s less competitive and probably more willing to give a second chance. Potomac et al are harder to get into to begin with, and they are not going to feel inclined to admit you after you’ve turned them down.

Nothing against Flint Hill, which I think is a great school and was our #2 choice. The pressure cooker of the most elite schools are not the right fit for DC.

[Anonymous]

Does it affect future sibling applications?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does it affect future sibling applications?

It likely will impact future sibling applications. Exceptions could exist, but that is at best a dice roll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What would be some good reasons to decline so the school won’t hold it against you?

Unexpected snd job-driven relocation to a different metro area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is turning down an admissions offer and reapplying the following school year to the more exclusive privates heavily frowned upon? Our family is a having hard time determining which school year would be best to switch the kids to private due to some work issues. We are not sure how bad it would look to apply, be accepted, turn down, then reapply the following year?

Depends on the school. Do NOT turn Sidwell down. It's the Harvard of the USA's private schools so they never need to chase you. But at other schools maybe.

Sorry, no, Sidwell is not the Harvard of USA Private Schools. That is at best a parochial view, from someone who is not aware of the top schools in the NE, on the west coast, etc. Most folks would say Exeter & Andover, maybe along with Grottlesex, are the Ivys of private schools.

Certainly, we would reject Sidwell in favor of several other local schools - actually, we would not bother to apply because even we’d pick our public over Sidwell. Clearly some other folks here will have alternative views.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Our family is a having hard time determining which school year would be best to switch the kids to private due to some work issues.

This should have been decided BEFORE applying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is turning down an admissions offer and reapplying the following school year to the more exclusive privates heavily frowned upon? Our family is a having hard time determining which school year would be best to switch the kids to private due to some work issues. We are not sure how bad it would look to apply, be accepted, turn down, then reapply the following year?

Depends on the school. Do NOT turn Sidwell down. It's the Harvard of the USA's private schools so they never need to chase you. But at other schools maybe.

Sorry, no, Sidwell is not the Harvard of USA Private Schools. That is at best a parochial view, from someone who is not aware of the top schools in the NE, on the west coast, etc. Most folks would say Exeter & Andover, maybe along with Grottlesex, are the Ivys of private schools.

Certainly, we would reject Sidwell in favor of several other local schools - actually, we would not bother to apply because even we’d pick our public over Sidwell. Clearly some other folks here will have alternative views.

You would reject Sidwell in favor of which local private school? With the exception of special cases (i.e., preference for single gender, religious or public/free), I honestly can’t think of a single local school I would choose over Sidwell. Btw, I’m not (currently) a Sidwell parent. My children attend a private K-8th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is turning down an admissions offer and reapplying the following school year to the more exclusive privates heavily frowned upon? Our family is a having hard time determining which school year would be best to switch the kids to private due to some work issues. We are not sure how bad it would look to apply, be accepted, turn down, then reapply the following year?

Depends on the school. Do NOT turn Sidwell down. It's the Harvard of the USA's private schools so they never need to chase you. But at other schools maybe.

Sorry, no, Sidwell is not the Harvard of USA Private Schools. That is at best a parochial view, from someone who is not aware of the top schools in the NE, on the west coast, etc. Most folks would say Exeter & Andover, maybe along with Grottlesex, are the Ivys of private schools.

Certainly, we would reject Sidwell in favor of several other local schools - actually, we would not bother to apply because even we’d pick our public over Sidwell. Clearly some other folks here will have alternative views.

You would reject Sidwell in favor of which local private school? With the exception of special cases (i.e., preference for single gender, religious or public/free), I honestly can’t think of a single local school I would choose over Sidwell. Btw, I’m not (currently) a Sidwell parent. My children attend a private K-8th.

GDS, NCS, Maret, Holton, STA - if you want intense/rigorous.

Many more if you want a gentler school experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does it affect future sibling applications?

It likely will impact future sibling applications. Exceptions could exist, but that is at best a dice roll.

Really? Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is turning down an admissions offer and reapplying the following school year to the more exclusive privates heavily frowned upon? Our family is a having hard time determining which school year would be best to switch the kids to private due to some work issues. We are not sure how bad it would look to apply, be accepted, turn down, then reapply the following year?

Depends on the school. Do NOT turn Sidwell down. It's the Harvard of the USA's private schools so they never need to chase you. But at other schools maybe.

Sorry, no, Sidwell is not the Harvard of USA Private Schools. That is at best a parochial view, from someone who is not aware of the top schools in the NE, on the west coast, etc. Most folks would say Exeter & Andover, maybe along with Grottlesex, are the Ivys of private schools.

Certainly, we would reject Sidwell in favor of several other local schools - actually, we would not bother to apply because even we’d pick our public over Sidwell. Clearly some other folks here will have alternative views.

You would reject Sidwell in favor of which local private school? With the exception of special cases (i.e., preference for single gender, religious or public/free), I honestly can’t think of a single local school I would choose over Sidwell. Btw, I’m not (currently) a Sidwell parent. My children attend a private K-8th.

GDS, NCS, Maret, Holton, STA - if you want intense/rigorous.

Many more if you want a gentler school experience.

I can’t imagine choosing any of those schools over Sidwell (especially NCS/STA if you’re seeking a “gentler school experience”). If I’m paying anything close to $50K annually, I’m going for the school with the best overall reputation and name recognition…and that’s objectively Sidwell.

To each his/her own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is turning down an admissions offer and reapplying the following school year to the more exclusive privates heavily frowned upon? Our family is a having hard time determining which school year would be best to switch the kids to private due to some work issues. We are not sure how bad it would look to apply, be accepted, turn down, then reapply the following year?

Depends on the school. Do NOT turn Sidwell down. It's the Harvard of the USA's private schools so they never need to chase you. But at other schools maybe.

Sorry, no, Sidwell is not the Harvard of USA Private Schools. That is at best a parochial view, from someone who is not aware of the top schools in the NE, on the west coast, etc. Most folks would say Exeter & Andover, maybe along with Grottlesex, are the Ivys of private schools.

Certainly, we would reject Sidwell in favor of several other local schools - actually, we would not bother to apply because even we’d pick our public over Sidwell. Clearly some other folks here will have alternative views.

You would reject Sidwell in favor of which local private school? With the exception of special cases (i.e., preference for single gender, religious or public/free), I honestly can’t think of a single local school I would choose over Sidwell. Btw, I’m not (currently) a Sidwell parent. My children attend a private K-8th.

GDS, NCS, Maret, Holton, STA - if you want intense/rigorous.

Many more if you want a gentler school experience.

C’mon—Maret’s not really rigorous. The school is still trying to outrun its historical reputation as the school students attended when they were counseled out of NCS/STA/Sidwell (and maybe GDS).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is turning down an admissions offer and reapplying the following school year to the more exclusive privates heavily frowned upon? Our family is a having hard time determining which school year would be best to switch the kids to private due to some work issues. We are not sure how bad it would look to apply, be accepted, turn down, then reapply the following year?

Depends on the school. Do NOT turn Sidwell down. It's the Harvard of the USA's private schools so they never need to chase you. But at other schools maybe.

Sorry, no, Sidwell is not the Harvard of USA Private Schools. That is at best a parochial view, from someone who is not aware of the top schools in the NE, on the west coast, etc. Most folks would say Exeter & Andover, maybe along with Grottlesex, are the Ivys of private schools.

Certainly, we would reject Sidwell in favor of several other local schools - actually, we would not bother to apply because even we’d pick our public over Sidwell. Clearly some other folks here will have alternative views.

You would reject Sidwell in favor of which local private school? With the exception of special cases (i.e., preference for single gender, religious or public/free), I honestly can’t think of a single local school I would choose over Sidwell. Btw, I’m not (currently) a Sidwell parent. My children attend a private K-8th.

GDS, NCS, Maret, Holton, STA - if you want intense/rigorous.

Many more if you want a gentler school experience.

I can’t imagine choosing any of those schools over Sidwell (especially NCS/STA if you’re seeking a “gentler school experience”). If I’m paying anything close to $50K annually, I’m going for the school with the best overall reputation and name recognition…and that’s objectively Sidwell.

To each his/her own.

We didn’t even apply to Sidwell. Enrolling at Beauvoir for greatest chance at the Cathedral Schools. I was totally unimpressed with Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is turning down an admissions offer and reapplying the following school year to the more exclusive privates heavily frowned upon? Our family is a having hard time determining which school year would be best to switch the kids to private due to some work issues. We are not sure how bad it would look to apply, be accepted, turn down, then reapply the following year?

Depends on the school. Do NOT turn Sidwell down. It's the Harvard of the USA's private schools so they never need to chase you. But at other schools maybe.

Sorry, no, Sidwell is not the Harvard of USA Private Schools. That is at best a parochial view, from someone who is not aware of the top schools in the NE, on the west coast, etc. Most folks would say Exeter & Andover, maybe along with Grottlesex, are the Ivys of private schools.

Certainly, we would reject Sidwell in favor of several other local schools - actually, we would not bother to apply because even we’d pick our public over Sidwell. Clearly some other folks here will have alternative views.

You would reject Sidwell in favor of which local private school? With the exception of special cases (i.e., preference for single gender, religious or public/free), I honestly can’t think of a single local school I would choose over Sidwell. Btw, I’m not (currently) a Sidwell parent. My children attend a private K-8th.

GDS, NCS, Maret, Holton, STA - if you want intense/rigorous.

Many more if you want a gentler school experience.

I can’t imagine choosing any of those schools over Sidwell (especially NCS/STA if you’re seeking a “gentler school experience”). If I’m paying anything close to $50K annually, I’m going for the school with the best overall reputation and name recognition…and that’s objectively Sidwell.

To each his/her own.

If I’m paying $50k per year I want it to be the right fit for my kid and give them the best chance of success in high school and beyond. That’s going to mean different schools are “best” for different kids. It’s mind boggling to me how boosters of any given school (Sidwell and Basis perhaps most stridently on DCUM) cannot seem to fathom that other parents and students might make different choices than they do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is turning down an admissions offer and reapplying the following school year to the more exclusive privates heavily frowned upon? Our family is a having hard time determining which school year would be best to switch the kids to private due to some work issues. We are not sure how bad it would look to apply, be accepted, turn down, then reapply the following year?

Depends on the school. Do NOT turn Sidwell down. It's the Harvard of the USA's private schools so they never need to chase you. But at other schools maybe.

Sorry, no, Sidwell is not the Harvard of USA Private Schools. That is at best a parochial view, from someone who is not aware of the top schools in the NE, on the west coast, etc. Most folks would say Exeter & Andover, maybe along with Grottlesex, are the Ivys of private schools.

Certainly, we would reject Sidwell in favor of several other local schools - actually, we would not bother to apply because even we’d pick our public over Sidwell. Clearly some other folks here will have alternative views.

You would reject Sidwell in favor of which local private school? With the exception of special cases (i.e., preference for single gender, religious or public/free), I honestly can’t think of a single local school I would choose over Sidwell. Btw, I’m not (currently) a Sidwell parent. My children attend a private K-8th.

GDS, NCS, Maret, Holton, STA - if you want intense/rigorous.

Many more if you want a gentler school experience.

I can’t imagine choosing any of those schools over Sidwell (especially NCS/STA if you’re seeking a “gentler school experience”). If I’m paying anything close to $50K annually, I’m going for the school with the best overall reputation and name recognition…and that’s objectively Sidwell.

To each his/her own.

If I’m paying $50k per year I want it to be the right fit for my kid and give them the best chance of success in high school and beyond. That’s going to mean different schools are “best” for different kids. It’s mind boggling to me how boosters of any given school (Sidwell and Basis perhaps most stridently on DCUM) cannot seem to fathom that other parents and students might make different choices than they do.

This is the parent that I want to associate with at my child's school not PP with rigid expectations and obviously no understanding of nuance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is turning down an admissions offer and reapplying the following school year to the more exclusive privates heavily frowned upon? Our family is a having hard time determining which school year would be best to switch the kids to private due to some work issues. We are not sure how bad it would look to apply, be accepted, turn down, then reapply the following year?

Depends on the school. Do NOT turn Sidwell down. It's the Harvard of the USA's private schools so they never need to chase you. But at other schools maybe.

Sorry, no, Sidwell is not the Harvard of USA Private Schools. That is at best a parochial view, from someone who is not aware of the top schools in the NE, on the west coast, etc. Most folks would say Exeter & Andover, maybe along with Grottlesex, are the Ivys of private schools.

Certainly, we would reject Sidwell in favor of several other local schools - actually, we would not bother to apply because even we’d pick our public over Sidwell. Clearly some other folks here will have alternative views.

You would reject Sidwell in favor of which local private school? With the exception of special cases (i.e., preference for single gender, religious or public/free), I honestly can’t think of a single local school I would choose over Sidwell. Btw, I’m not (currently) a Sidwell parent. My children attend a private K-8th.

Other than Basis in McLean, I can think of good reasons to turn down Sidwell for nearly any private school in the area (albeit not the same reasons in each case) and, could also see choosing Sidwell above any other. Assuming, of course, you care more about your kid's experience than the magnet on the back of your overpriced SUV.