Official Admissions Decisions Thread 2026

[Anonymous]

We applied for 4th to only one school: GDS. We were waitlisted. No legacy or sibling preference. No major connection other than friends who go there. After we were waitlisted, two friends sent in a letter of recommendation. We haven’t heard anything on the waitlist yet.

We will apply again in fifth grade and sixth grade, but realize fifth grade is not an entry year. For sixth grade, do they look at different factors ? Will academics be more important? WISC score was 123 (94th percentile) so we think our child is academically inclined. Any other advice on how we can strengthen our application next year or for sixth grade.

[Anonymous]

Every year older, academics become more important. And at many schools, they start testing in the 5th and 6th grade, so the WISC score isn't looked at it. It is often the mid-years SSAT, ISEE, or the school's own test.

Have 1-2 letters sent during the application period next year and continue to check in with the admissions office and let them know you remain interested. You can also tell them it is your first and only choice.

[Anonymous]

Depending on why you're focused on GDS, it seems like a questionable strategy. If you love your public and there's just something about GDS that uniquely appeals to you, great. But short of that, the notion of putting all of your eggs into a basket where the overwhelming majority of incredibly qualified applicants are rejected (or in the case of GDS, waitlisted), is not wise. Just like colleges, build a list of two or three super competitive admits and a few that are more likely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Beauvoir and Maret. Chose Beauvoir.

wow congrats! what year?

Our family made the same choice- for K!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Amazing great athletic smart kid with great test scores and grades, waitlisted at all of his 8th grade applications. We got great feedback from each school and are being encouraged to stay in touch and apply again on a really entry year which we plan to do. But still heartbroken for our great son.

Well you’ve put yourself in a better position for 9th, but I get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We applied for 4th to only one school: GDS. We were waitlisted. No legacy or sibling preference. No major connection other than friends who go there. After we were waitlisted, two friends sent in a letter of recommendation. We haven’t heard anything on the waitlist yet.

We will apply again in fifth grade and sixth grade, but realize fifth grade is not an entry year. For sixth grade, do they look at different factors ? Will academics be more important? WISC score was 123 (94th percentile) so we think our child is academically inclined. Any other advice on how we can strengthen our application next year or for sixth grade.

Suggest preparing for SSAT and ISEE. You can apply to fifth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We applied for 4th to only one school: GDS. We were waitlisted. No legacy or sibling preference. No major connection other than friends who go there. After we were waitlisted, two friends sent in a letter of recommendation. We haven’t heard anything on the waitlist yet.

We will apply again in fifth grade and sixth grade, but realize fifth grade is not an entry year. For sixth grade, do they look at different factors ? Will academics be more important? WISC score was 123 (94th percentile) so we think our child is academically inclined. Any other advice on how we can strengthen our application next year or for sixth grade.

There are a few advantages of applying to more than one school. First, the student/parents practice interviewing and interacting with different school admissions officers. Second, you might find during your tour, the ideal school is not ideal as you thought but another school is more suitable. You will get a feel for the different communities. And of course, you might have more choices at the end. Our experience is that some students get into multiple schools this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Beauvoir and Maret. Chose Beauvoir.

wow congrats! what year?

Our family made the same choice- for K!

Us too for K!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We applied for 4th to only one school: GDS. We were waitlisted. No legacy or sibling preference. No major connection other than friends who go there. After we were waitlisted, two friends sent in a letter of recommendation. We haven’t heard anything on the waitlist yet.

We will apply again in fifth grade and sixth grade, but realize fifth grade is not an entry year. For sixth grade, do they look at different factors ? Will academics be more important? WISC score was 123 (94th percentile) so we think our child is academically inclined. Any other advice on how we can strengthen our application next year or for sixth grade.

Also, the friends should send the letter before the deadline to be helpful. But I am not sure these letters matter. Your kid's application is the most important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Amazing great athletic smart kid with great test scores and grades, waitlisted at all of his 8th grade applications. We got great feedback from each school and are being encouraged to stay in touch and apply again on a really entry year which we plan to do. But still heartbroken for our great son.

I am sure the "great" son will get into a "great school"!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Amazing great athletic smart kid with great test scores and grades, waitlisted at all of his 8th grade applications. We got great feedback from each school and are being encouraged to stay in touch and apply again on a really entry year which we plan to do. But still heartbroken for our great son.

I am sure the "great" son will get into a "great school"!!!

Or not, too great to fit in anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Amazing great athletic smart kid with great test scores and grades, waitlisted at all of his 8th grade applications. We got great feedback from each school and are being encouraged to stay in touch and apply again on a really entry year which we plan to do. But still heartbroken for our great son.

I am sure the "great" son will get into a "great school"!!!

Why so mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depending on why you're focused on GDS, it seems like a questionable strategy. If you love your public and there's just something about GDS that uniquely appeals to you, great. But short of that, the notion of putting all of your eggs into a basket where the overwhelming majority of incredibly qualified applicants are rejected (or in the case of GDS, waitlisted), is not wise. Just like colleges, build a list of two or three super competitive admits and a few that are more likely.

It's really funny to see all these helicopter parents desperately falling all over themselves to overpay a school like GDS for a basic education. The school is a sham money generator and has a checker-ed past if that was not made clear from the recent sexual assault incident that the school tried to discredit the child and keep quite. You really have to be stupid to send a kid there. The people that run are not role models you want your child to learn from. The school is a bunch of scammers. You people make no sense, have not looked at the colleges that pull GDS students... it is not impressive, there is your answer.