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How do you have time to go to all these open houses?!?!
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Anonymous
| My husband and I have very flexible jobs in that we can come and go as we please, absent scheduled meetings. But, it was a tremendous time expenditure, especially when you add in interviews and other admission related activities. BUT, I agree with the PP who noted the difference in time spent communicating with the school. We were formerly in DCPS, and after 4 years of private school, there is a huge difference in the level and efficiency of communication between the school and the parents. The website is up to date; forms are accessible online, teachers and administrators respond promptly, and I just spend a lot less time dealing with administrative issues. Plus, events start and end on time, and they're well organized. I guess that's part of why we spend the money . . . |
Anonymous
| 14:35, admission for certain private schools is very competitive. Depending on the schools on OP's list, she may not be able to bank that her DCs will get into one of three schools. When we applied for DC 1 for K, we applied to seven schools. While DC 1 got into our first choice, DC did not get into some of the "safety" schools. Luck plays a huge role in admissions. When we applied, we went big because there are some factors beyond the applicant's control. Our fall was very hectic, but it was worth the effort. |
Anonymous
| Self-employed so have a pretty flexible schedule. My DH also goes in late/leaves early at times. |
Anonymous
14:35 here. We applied to three schools that we thought were the best fit for our family for a number of reasons. DC was accepted to all three (not legacy, uber-wealthy, minority status, etc.). I would argue that instead of spending your time and energy filling out a half-dozen apps, that you focus on the apps for the schools you really, really want and submit a well thought-out application tailored to each school. I truly believe that ADs can sniff out people who apply to seven schools just because the odds are against you, as opposed to the applicants that apply to a select few schools because those are the schools that are an excellent match. In my admittedly limited perspective, the parents who ended up applying to fewer schools seemed to have a much higher acceptance rate than those who applied more broadly. |
Anonymous
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10:00, I don't agree. I am the pp who applied DC #1 to seven schools. We spent a lot of time on our top apps and, as I indicated, DC #1 got into our top choice (and, BTW, a Big 3). We expanded the pool beyond four schools when we learned about families who only applied to two or three schools and were shut out. In two instances, the families ended up moving from DC to MoCo and sold at losses. As we had waited till K to apply, we knew we did not have another year to make a run at it.
Simply because your approach worked for you does not mean that should be the M.O. for all families. There are so many factors beyond the control of families/applicants. For instance, your DC may have been an outgoing girl in an admission year in which the schools were in short supply due to the large number of boys and shy girls who were either legacy, younger sib, etc. Many folks do not realize that your DC may be a rockstar of an app, but if the school already has similar rockstars on their preferred admit list (e.g., legacy, faculty DC, younger sib, etc) than there is really not much a parent can do about that. |
Anonymous
| Like others, my DH and I both work demanding jobs and it is rare we can both take off at the same time. Other than the interview, can we get away with just 1 of us at a tour or do we both have to do everything? |
Anonymous
I've been on tours where only 1 parent was present. |