2009 Private School Admission Results - Share them as you get them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Several people have mentioned receiving positive feedback from the DC's school visit/playdate. Is this just from your DC, or do you call the admissions office afterwards to discuss it?

In our case, we were pulled to the side by team evaluating our DC. In another case one of the teachers came over to our DC and said how much she enjoyed having DC. She then went on to say how wonderful DC was in the group. Unsolicited feedback!

[Anonymous]

this makes a lot of sense, when my DD had playdate at BIG 3 last year for Pre-K had the same experience and got w/l, this year for DD for K did not get this feedback at visit and DD was rejected!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So then are you saying the preschool directors sit around with all of the AD's to make sure that each of their star pupils (or familiesthat give the most cash) get into at least one place but not two?

For some preschools, I think this scenario is quite plausible--not in the form that you present it, but in the sense that the directors can maximize customer satisfaction by helping to place different families at different schools.

Yes, maybe at some preschools. At our preschool some kids got multiple offers. Some kids got none, and in my opinion not because they weren't star pupils.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So then are you saying the preschool directors sit around with all of the AD's to make sure that each of their star pupils (or familiesthat give the most cash) get into at least one place but not two?

For some preschools, I think this scenario is quite plausible--not in the form that you present it, but in the sense that the directors can maximize customer satisfaction by helping to place different families at different schools.

Yes, maybe at some preschools. At our preschool some kids got multiple offers. Some kids got none, and in my opinion not because they weren't star pupils.

If it was not the student was there anything about the parents that may have indicated who got accepted or not (wealth, power, personality, willingness to volunteer a lot)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So then are you saying the preschool directors sit around with all of the AD's to make sure that each of their star pupils (or familiesthat give the most cash) get into at least one place but not two?

For some preschools, I think this scenario is quite plausible--not in the form that you present it, but in the sense that the directors can maximize customer satisfaction by helping to place different families at different schools.

Yes, maybe at some preschools. At our preschool some kids got multiple offers. Some kids got none, and in my opinion not because they weren't star pupils.

If it was not the student was there anything about the parents that may have indicated who got accepted or not (wealth, power, personality, willingness to volunteer a lot)?

Again, just my opinion but I completely don't understand why they didn't get any offers. Great kids. Great parents. No significance in terms of wealth or power. Volunteerism may have been a factor.

[Anonymous]

Positive feedback in our case directly correlated with acceptances, lack of feedback with rejections/WL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If it was not the student was there anything about the parents that may have indicated who got accepted or not (wealth, power, personality, willingness to volunteer a lot)?

Again, just my opinion but I completely don't understand why they didn't get any offers. Great kids. Great parents. No significance in terms of wealth or power. Volunteerism may have been a factor.

According to a well-connected PSD with whom I spoke, volunteerism and other forms of preschool support are big factors.

It's not just about the child - it's about the family as well.

Schools want to admit capable children whose families will be part of a loyal and enthusiastic community of support for the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Positive feedback in our case directly correlated with acceptances, lack of feedback with rejections/WL.

A parent friend is delusional about just how disruptive and all around not nice her DC is... She applied to a few schools and was waitlisted at all of them. I am positive that the teacher recs were her downfall. She seems to be the only one clueless about how "challenging" her DC can be. I dread playdates, social visits and time that DC spends in my home. It is exhausting. The DC is very engaging but challenging nonetheless. It amazes me how parents are clueless but think that the teachers are "not qualified". If I am exhausted after two hours, imagine what the teachers feel after a full 8+ hours, 5 days per week ALL YEAR ROUND. It is reflected in the recs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Positive feedback in our case directly correlated with acceptances, lack of feedback with rejections/WL.

Ditto.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Positive feedback in our case directly correlated with acceptances, lack of feedback with rejections/WL.

Ditto.

Not here! Not at all. In fact, the playdate at which I viewed the teachers' as being super-duper enthusiastic about DD at the end of the playdate -- unsolicitedly -- was the only one where she is WL. The other places, where there was no feedback, she was accepted.

[Anonymous]

That's what I figured. No actual relationship.

[Anonymous]

i am beginning to experience big time burnout on all of this, is anyone else feeling the same? such a process and for those of us NOT accepted at the Big 3, it's just seems to be some bad luck! Some people are saying they have no connections, not a lot of money, etc. etc. and their DC got in to 1 or more, some with connections, etc. DC did not get in.... i am coming to the conclusion we are not going to be able to figure this out
At least Sidwell will provide direct feedback on each w/l or rejection. Has anyone been able to speak with GDS Admissions office since receiving w/l or rejection?
thanks!

[Anonymous]

I am probably identifying myself by saying this but my DC was rejected for pre-k at Sidwell despite everyone in her family having gone to Sidwell for 80 years, including her father, an older brother and sister, cousins, etc. She is also perfectly qualified on her own merits. I think this definitively puts to rest the question of whether legacy or sibling relationship means anything.

[Anonymous]

WOW, this is UNbelievable, can't imagine how you are feeling, something is wrong with the process!!!

[Anonymous]

Or, it is simply not the right fit for this child, or there could be a spot next year for K, or.....