Back into the swing of The Admissions Process

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"We" are not applying anywhere. The children are applying. And once the child gets in, the correct phrase is "my child goes to X school," not "we go to X school." If your husband worked at IBM would you say "we work at IBM"? You are not your husband, and you are not your child.

WRONG! Every school WE have applied to and EVERY family we have talked to have said that the school admits THE ENTIRE FAMILY, not just the child. The schools are looking for kids AND FAMILIES who I'll be a good fit. As parents we will spend a LOT of time at these schools as well...so yes WE are applying...it's a family effort and a family commitment!

[Anonymous]

WE are applying. Some schools don't even ask for DC to fill out a single thing. Other schools have us write more essays than DC. They are definitely looking for families and make that clear in all of their paperwork and on their website.

[Anonymous]

Our school encourages a lot of parent involvement, so I would say parents apply along with their child...especially in the younger years!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What grade are you applying to, OP? We're applying for K and luckily got almost everything done in December. Just two more play dates (and the observation at DS's preschool that one of the school's we applied to does, but I won't have any role in that) and then we wait. I actually think all the interviews and tours and play dates are easier than the waiting!

Also applying to K. We have 4 play dates to go. So far we have only had one. I heard some schools wanted to an observation, but I guess none we applied to do because no one has mentioned it. Where are you applying to?

We're in Baltimore. I think everything might be a little earlier here. Our applications and essays were due right after Thanksgiving, and the schools give admissions decisions on February 19. I think things are as crazy here as with some of the DC schools, but the admission rate at some of the schools is 30% or below so I'm still pretty nervous. Also schools here do their own testing and parents don't get the results until after admissions decisions are made so you have no idea how it's going.


I'm glad to have this thread to get out some of my anxiety. Thanks for starting it, OP!

We are in Baltimore too but my DS is applying for 6th grade so thankfully no parent essays. I wonder how one writes a parent essay wihout bragging or lying? I wonder if the acceptance rate for middle school is also around 30%.

I found the parent essays really tough as well. Like if I say he has things he still struggles with like a normal kid, would that tank his application? I decided that moderate bragging is fine as long as it's true and then sprinkled in the things he is still working on and how we're trying to help him. I hope we came across as thoughtful parents who have a realistic view of our child.

I don't know if things get easier or harder at middle school. I think there are a lot more open spots for middle school than K, but I don't know if there are also a lot more applicants. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"We" are not applying anywhere. The children are applying. And once the child gets in, the correct phrase is "my child goes to X school," not "we go to X school." If your husband worked at IBM would you say "we work at IBM"? You are not your husband, and you are not your child.

Hmmm you must be on another planet. My rising 6th grader is not applying "WE are"... and last time I checked it is my debit card being used to pay the application fee!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What grade are you applying to, OP? We're applying for K and luckily got almost everything done in December. Just two more play dates (and the observation at DS's preschool that one of the school's we applied to does, but I won't have any role in that) and then we wait. I actually think all the interviews and tours and play dates are easier than the waiting!

Also applying to K. We have 4 play dates to go. So far we have only had one. I heard some schools wanted to an observation, but I guess none we applied to do because no one has mentioned it. Where are you applying to?

We're in Baltimore. I think everything might be a little earlier here. Our applications and essays were due right after Thanksgiving, and the schools give admissions decisions on February 19. I think things are as crazy here as with some of the DC schools, but the admission rate at some of the schools is 30% or below so I'm still pretty nervous. Also schools here do their own testing and parents don't get the results until after admissions decisions are made so you have no idea how it's going.


I'm glad to have this thread to get out some of my anxiety. Thanks for starting it, OP!

We are in Baltimore too but my DS is applying for 6th grade so thankfully no parent essays. I wonder how one writes a parent essay wihout bragging or lying? I wonder if the acceptance rate for middle school is also around 30%.

I found the parent essays really tough as well. Like if I say he has things he still struggles with like a normal kid, would that tank his application? I decided that moderate bragging is fine as long as it's true and then sprinkled in the things he is still working on and how we're trying to help him. I hope we came across as thoughtful parents who have a realistic view of our child.

I don't know if things get easier or harder at middle school. I think there are a lot more open spots for middle school than K, but I don't know if there are also a lot more applicants. Good luck!

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there are a lot more open spots for middle school than K, but I don't know if there are also a lot more applicants.

That depends on the school. My children attend a Baltimore private and the K class has more than twice as many openings as the average 6th grade class.

But I also think there may be fewer applications for the higher grades. For my K child, many of the schools would have been a great fit. For my 5th grader, we would have been looking at 2 or maybe 3 schools that were a good fit for middle school, and same for upper school for my 8th grader.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WE are applying. Some schools don't even ask for DC to fill out a single thing. Other schools have us write more essays than DC. They are definitely looking for families and make that clear in all of their paperwork and on their website.

Younger child?

For HS kids, THEY have essays. Parents are not supposed to help.,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WE are applying. Some schools don't even ask for DC to fill out a single thing. Other schools have us write more essays than DC. They are definitely looking for families and make that clear in all of their paperwork and on their website.

Younger child?

For HS kids, THEY have essays. Parents are not supposed to help.,

You really don't believe that parents don't help right? That's pretty funny! Do you turn in work without having anyone read it over at least once? Not even the CEO at my company does that. LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering what the phrase "Make 2016 count!" remotely has to do with school admissions...???

Cranky because you're hung over? Or just always a jerk?

not hungover I don't drink, thanks.

But no, genuinely wondering why a semi-crowd rousing phrase that I'd associate maybe with sports or charitable funding is being applied to the very individual and private process of applications to school.

If you can answer that question, with a thoughtful answer I'd be interested to read it.

Not that difficult to comprehend. Opening statement was a warm "Happy New Year" and closing statement was "Make 2016 Count" -- which both came
across as celebratory and kind.

This. The cranky one sounds like a negative person in general.

Have a nice day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"We" are not applying anywhere. The children are applying. And once the child gets in, the correct phrase is "my child goes to X school," not "we go to X school." If your husband worked at IBM would you say "we work at IBM"? You are not your husband, and you are not your child.

You're right. The phrase "we are at [school]" is a giveaway for helicopter parenting.

BS - WE are applying. The parents are filling out paperwork, being interviewed, helping/telling kids do what they need to do, paying, donating...It's a little about the kids and a lot about the parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"We" are not applying anywhere. The children are applying. And once the child gets in, the correct phrase is "my child goes to X school," not "we go to X school." If your husband worked at IBM would you say "we work at IBM"? You are not your husband, and you are not your child.

Hmmm you must be on another planet. My rising 6th grader is not applying "WE are"... and last time I checked it is my debit card being used to pay the application fee!!

Haha this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WE are applying. Some schools don't even ask for DC to fill out a single thing. Other schools have us write more essays than DC. They are definitely looking for families and make that clear in all of their paperwork and on their website.

Younger child?

For HS kids, THEY have essays. Parents are not supposed to help.,

You really don't believe that parents don't help right? That's pretty funny! Do you turn in work without having anyone read it over at least once? Not even the CEO at my company does that. LOL

One of the schools my DC is applying to had the kids write at the shadow visit. I suspect that is their way to figure out if the kids are actually writing their own essays.

And, yes, my child IS writing her own essays. She's a great student and a decent writer. If she gets in, it will be on her merits. She will not have cheated. If she doesn't, we have a great public option. Maybe it's different if you are desperate. She is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is one of the most ridiculous posts in DCUM.

No, that would be this one.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/522452.page;jsessionid=C92C94B4EC19A8AB77C0C2FFAEB4ED41.dcum1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is one of the most ridiculous posts in DCUM.

No, that would be this one.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/522452.page;jsessionid=C92C94B4EC19A8AB77C0C2FFAEB4ED41.dcum1

That is F___ing hilarious. Good one!