St Andrew's Episcopal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Demand for co-ed private high schools in the DC area in the last few years has way outstripped demand. This has made SAES and Bullis in particular way more popular than even 3 years ago. SAES is much smaller than Bullis so this has really started to show in admissions at SAES this year and last. Where it was mostly true that admissions was less competitive if coming from a private K-8 a few years ago that is less and less true each year. Our K-8 head was surprised last year when a couple kids that normally would have been admitted in years past were waitlisted. The change is real and perverse effect of them waitlisting more kids is that it will make SAES seem more desirable and thus increase demand further. The only thing I really see countering this trend is an economic downturn, which definitely seems possible (but that is another conversation).

K-8 here. The strange thing is that the kids who were admitted were not the strongest candidates. Meanwhile the WL kids were. 🤷🏽‍♀️

yes, and you know a strong candidate because how?
Is it just the kid with straight A's and sports? Give me a break. Admissions teams aren’t splitting hairs over an A, A-, or B+. Personality, interests, and talents matter just as much—if not more. My kid is a B+ student and got into every school she applied to last week, while three "straight-A students" ended up on waitlists. She’s outgoing, connects effortlessly with adults, and the admissions team clearly took notice. After her interviews, they practically winked at us, making it obvious she was getting in—B’s and all.

It must be quite burdensome to parent such an extraordinary and peerless child. Congratulations on your success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Demand for co-ed private high schools in the DC area in the last few years has way outstripped demand. This has made SAES and Bullis in particular way more popular than even 3 years ago. SAES is much smaller than Bullis so this has really started to show in admissions at SAES this year and last. Where it was mostly true that admissions was less competitive if coming from a private K-8 a few years ago that is less and less true each year. Our K-8 head was surprised last year when a couple kids that normally would have been admitted in years past were waitlisted. The change is real and perverse effect of them waitlisting more kids is that it will make SAES seem more desirable and thus increase demand further. The only thing I really see countering this trend is an economic downturn, which definitely seems possible (but that is another conversation).

K-8 here. The strange thing is that the kids who were admitted were not the strongest candidates. Meanwhile the WL kids were. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I do think that the schools are paying closer attention to whether their school is truly the applicant's top pick vs a back up plan. Maybe they felt the "strongest kids" at your school weren't likely to attend? There are a lot of other factors that you might not see that could have come into play.

Having sat on an admissions review committee several years (including the last 2 years), this is 100% true. Schools are more likely to accept you if you indicate that they are your #1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Demand for co-ed private high schools in the DC area in the last few years has way outstripped demand. This has made SAES and Bullis in particular way more popular than even 3 years ago. SAES is much smaller than Bullis so this has really started to show in admissions at SAES this year and last. Where it was mostly true that admissions was less competitive if coming from a private K-8 a few years ago that is less and less true each year. Our K-8 head was surprised last year when a couple kids that normally would have been admitted in years past were waitlisted. The change is real and perverse effect of them waitlisting more kids is that it will make SAES seem more desirable and thus increase demand further. The only thing I really see countering this trend is an economic downturn, which definitely seems possible (but that is another conversation).

K-8 here. The strange thing is that the kids who were admitted were not the strongest candidates. Meanwhile the WL kids were. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I do think that the schools are paying closer attention to whether their school is truly the applicant's top pick vs a back up plan. Maybe they felt the "strongest kids" at your school weren't likely to attend? There are a lot of other factors that you might not see that could have come into play.

Having sat on an admissions review committee several years (including the last 2 years), this is 100% true. Schools are more likely to accept you if you indicate that they are your #1.

Our k-8 asked families to specify a top choice if we had one so that they could convey that in their meetings with schools. Of course some families try to game the system (eg say Y school is their top choice because they think it’ll help them when they know if they got into X school that’s where they’d go). And not all families get into the school that was their top choice even when they do specify. I do think it helps though

[Anonymous]

Has anyone heard of waitlist or wait pool movement yet? Am I too early to think we could get a call and its most likely Friday afternoon or early next week?

[Anonymous]

I mean I suppose it’s possible to get a call next week because families need to make a decision by 3/14, but whether or not you get a call depends on how many admitted families accept/decline in the grade you applied for. There’s no way anyone on DCUM can tell you that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:K-8 grade kid here also WL. Very tough day.

If it's your first choice, tell them! Wait lists do move at most schools.

+1 I agree, especially if you are full pay. Good luck, PP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Demand for co-ed private high schools in the DC area in the last few years has way outstripped demand. This has made SAES and Bullis in particular way more popular than even 3 years ago. SAES is much smaller than Bullis so this has really started to show in admissions at SAES this year and last. Where it was mostly true that admissions was less competitive if coming from a private K-8 a few years ago that is less and less true each year. Our K-8 head was surprised last year when a couple kids that normally would have been admitted in years past were waitlisted. The change is real and perverse effect of them waitlisting more kids is that it will make SAES seem more desirable and thus increase demand further. The only thing I really see countering this trend is an economic downturn, which definitely seems possible (but that is another conversation).

K-8 here. The strange thing is that the kids who were admitted were not the strongest candidates. Meanwhile the WL kids were. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I do think that the schools are paying closer attention to whether their school is truly the applicant's top pick vs a back up plan. Maybe they felt the "strongest kids" at your school weren't likely to attend? There are a lot of other factors that you might not see that could have come into play.

Having sat on an admissions review committee several years (including the last 2 years), this is 100% true. Schools are more likely to accept you if you indicate that they are your #1.

This is helpful! Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone heard of waitlist or wait pool movement yet? Am I too early to think we could get a call and its most likely Friday afternoon or early next week?

What grade are you waiting for?

[Anonymous]

I told them they are our first choice, my son wrote an email and we would be fir 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

Any movement on the waitlists for SAES?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they are definitely more likely to accept kids from schools they have good relationships with. So, I'd say it depends on what grade you are applying for and what school they are coming from.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Demand for co-ed private high schools in the DC area in the last few years has way outstripped demand. This has made SAES and Bullis in particular way more popular than even 3 years ago. SAES is much smaller than Bullis so this has really started to show in admissions at SAES this year and last. Where it was mostly true that admissions was less competitive if coming from a private K-8 a few years ago that is less and less true each year. Our K-8 head was surprised last year when a couple kids that normally would have been admitted in years past were waitlisted. The change is real and perverse effect of them waitlisting more kids is that it will make SAES seem more desirable and thus increase demand further. The only thing I really see countering this trend is an economic downturn, which definitely seems possible (but that is another conversation).

And MCPS is not helping curb demand. 2 lockdowns in less than a week at B-CC

100%
This is true for us on both accounts.We really are only considering coed and MCPS no longer feels like a reliable option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Demand for co-ed private high schools in the DC area in the last few years has way outstripped demand. This has made SAES and Bullis in particular way more popular than even 3 years ago. SAES is much smaller than Bullis so this has really started to show in admissions at SAES this year and last. Where it was mostly true that admissions was less competitive if coming from a private K-8 a few years ago that is less and less true each year. Our K-8 head was surprised last year when a couple kids that normally would have been admitted in years past were waitlisted. The change is real and perverse effect of them waitlisting more kids is that it will make SAES seem more desirable and thus increase demand further. The only thing I really see countering this trend is an economic downturn, which definitely seems possible (but that is another conversation).

K-8 here. The strange thing is that the kids who were admitted were not the strongest candidates. Meanwhile the WL kids were. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I do think that the schools are paying closer attention to whether their school is truly the applicant's top pick vs a back up plan. Maybe they felt the "strongest kids" at your school weren't likely to attend? There are a lot of other factors that you might not see that could have come into play.

Having sat on an admissions review committee several years (including the last 2 years), this is 100% true. Schools are more likely to accept you if you indicate that they are your #1.

+1

[Anonymous]

9th may open up to more girls not boys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:9th may open up to more girls not boys.

Where are you getting this information?