Potomac - admissions vs. real experience

[Anonymous]

My child was accepted to potomac and a few other schools- and we had planned to send ds to potomac based on the tours, what we saw, heard, read, researched and learned....... i had heard that the potomac admission process was a bit drier than other schools. Now that the acceptance letter has been sent, we have received calls from parents of kids at other schools to which we were accepted who seemed excited.... nothing else from potomac. I am fine if the admission process at potomac doesn't give the "warm fuzzies" but want to be sure that i understand the environment of potomac. When does that excitement start at potomac?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child was accepted to potomac and a few other schools- and we had planned to send ds to potomac based on the tours, what we saw, heard, read, researched and learned....... i had heard that the potomac admission process was a bit drier than other schools. Now that the acceptance letter has been sent, we have received calls from parents of kids at other schools to which we were accepted who seemed excited.... nothing else from potomac. I am fine if the admission process at potomac doesn't give the "warm fuzzies" but want to be sure that i understand the environment of potomac. When does that excitement start at potomac?

How about the first day of school? No connection but have met lots of happy families. If you liked it, don't second guess yourself based on marketing.

[Anonymous]

People seem to really love Potomac school once they are there. It does have a bit of an elite atmosphere, though.

[Anonymous]

For a slightly different perspective, DS was accepted last year at a school known on this forum for being on the warm & fuzzy side. But there were no calls from parents, and not much communication between the time we sent the deposit and mid-August. I remember feeling a little funny about it, and wondering whether we'd made the right choice, but DS is so happy now and we love the place. So, OP, pick the school that's best for your kid, and don't worry too much about the admissions gloss.

[Anonymous]

OP here- Thanks so much for these responses. It is hard to know.... i think that it is the right fit and don't want the lack of admission "gloss" to impact my decision. I just don't want to ignore signs if it is an impersonal school ...

[Anonymous]

OP, it's probably a sign that it's the best school you applied to. Seriously, for us one that was by far academically superior had the least marketing glitz. Simply put, they don't need to sell themselves.

Go to accepted parent events if there are any, meet some current parents, find out what like the schools actually like. Don't decide by who has the best marketing department.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child was accepted to potomac and a few other schools- and we had planned to send ds to potomac based on the tours, what we saw, heard, read, researched and learned....... i had heard that the potomac admission process was a bit drier than other schools. Now that the acceptance letter has been sent, we have received calls from parents of kids at other schools to which we were accepted who seemed excited.... nothing else from potomac. I am fine if the admission process at potomac doesn't give the "warm fuzzies" but want to be sure that i understand the environment of potomac. When does that excitement start at potomac?

Current Potomac family. I recall getting a call after we put down our initial deposit. That's when the school knows you are serious. They do things differently than the DC schools, but you shouldn't read too much into it. You will eventually hear from a family and will be invited to new parent meeting, etc. It is just on a different timetable than the DC schools ("big 3," anyway). My DC loves Potomac, and we are amazed at how warm his teachers are, etc. DC comes home happy every day and everyone we have met (parents, teachers, etc.) are very nice.

[Anonymous]

Another current Potomac family. They do calls, but probably not until next week. It lets the dust settle a bit.

We called and asked for another tour because we were having a tough time deciding. It was not a problem at all.

More of the "welcoming" of new families with a lot of excitement starts in the fall. It is a school with a lot of excitement and warmth once the school year starts.

[Anonymous]

OP, we are (likely to be) a new family, too. I hadn't thought about it until I read your post, but we haven't gotten any calls, either. That said, I do know four or five families with kids already there and they are all fantastic. Honestly, some of the most normal, down to earth, want a great education for their kids kind of people. I suspect that there are some snooty kids there, but there are everywhere in the DC area. Please go to the welcome event and see what kind of feel you get there. Maybe I'll see you!

[Anonymous]

Another current Potomac family here. I agree with PP - the school is very warm and welcoming to new families, but most of that begins in the fall. There are lots of opportunities to get to know other families and learn about the school and curriculum. It's actually so much activity, it's a little overwhelming!

FWIW, we are also very happy at Potomac. The school does an excellent job of fostering community and we have developed so many great friendships there. Our teachers know my children well and are really nurturing when my kids need it. My kids love school and are excited to get on the bus each day.

[Anonymous]

Op here- thanks so much. This has been so helpful to read! Appreciate current families responses!

[Anonymous]

If there is too much marketing I would be skeptical. The "products" that are good don't need any marketing.