What did you or your child do during the admissions process to make you facepalm?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid, applying for sixth grade entrance, decided to tell the interviewer that his favorite class was art and that he really enjoyed watercolors. Great answer, but completely untrue. Later I asked him why he had said that, and he told me, "Well, it's an artsy school, I figured they'd like that." It was funny / alarming because he seemed a bit young to be so smoothly Machiavellian.

He got in and is doing fine, including in his art class, which he doesn't really enjoy.

Kids are learning to play the game early…wonder if they are emulating their parents…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many bad things occurred during this one particular visit during K admissions. The worst was probably DC having a temper tantrum in the parking lot before we entered, a woman offering to help followed by my quip of "I've got this," then having the woman graciously welcome us some minutes later to the group play date. Fortunately, DC had settled down by the the time we entered the building and after flashing a smile with a "hello, I'm X, nice to meet you," ran over to the book shelf, pulled one off and settled down. She gave me a knowing smile - really was gracious and much appreciated. Also penned the kindest admissions letter.

GL to everyone going through this right now!

“Kindergarten Admissions” - are we all seeing how silly this is???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter applying the Holton middle school told the admissions person that she did not like to read and preceded to watch movies.
She got in

Really?? Possible the interview doesn’t really count for anything at that age? Silliness…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid, applying for sixth grade entrance, decided to tell the interviewer that his favorite class was art and that he really enjoyed watercolors. Great answer, but completely untrue. Later I asked him why he had said that, and he told me, "Well, it's an artsy school, I figured they'd like that." It was funny / alarming because he seemed a bit young to be so smoothly Machiavellian.

He got in and is doing fine, including in his art class, which he doesn't really enjoy.

Kids are learning to play the game early…wonder if they are emulating their parents…

PP here -- I'm not big on playing the game, personally. Maybe the kids could give me pointers.

[Anonymous]

After the K playdate I asked me DC how it went. He responded he only burped once and passed gas twice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids shaved their head for a swim meet right before the interview. My younger child started off his interview by explaining that he wasn't a skinhead, and that he wanted to be really sure the admissions officer understood that because he was specifically looking for the kind of school that didn't accept skinheads. The admissions officer assured him that they didn't, and he ended up getting in, but I had to laugh. Of all the things to discuss in your interview, you picked skinheads?

Tone deaf

Humorless troll

[Anonymous]

This thread, more than any on DCUM, reveals that parents (1) stress too much about admissions and (2) take it waaaay too seriously (possibly to the detriment of their kid). A common theme among these stories is that the kid didn't try to be someone else. I'm not at all surprised that, in most instances, the kid discussed was admitted.

Lighten up folks. If for no other reason than it actually *helps* in life not to be uptight and humorless. Everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time, even admissions officers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread, more than any on DCUM, reveals that parents (1) stress too much about admissions and (2) take it waaaay too seriously (possibly to the detriment of their kid). A common theme among these stories is that the kid didn't try to be someone else. I'm not at all surprised that, in most instances, the kid discussed was admitted.

Lighten up folks. If for no other reason than it actually *helps* in life not to be uptight and humorless. Everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time, even admissions officers.

I agree with you in a slightly different way. I told my kids to try to be themselves during their interviews. They asked me what they should say and I forced myself to hold my tongue. The only guidance I gave them was to say something - to engage and answer the questions as well as they could. I cringed at some of the things they said, but my daughter applying to NCS told me that the interviewer burst out laughing at one of her responses and said she had never had an answer like that. Sometimes we as parents can get in our kids way. My daughter was accepted to 9th at NCS so just trust your kids to be themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many bad things occurred during this one particular visit during K admissions. The worst was probably DC having a temper tantrum in the parking lot before we entered, a woman offering to help followed by my quip of "I've got this," then having the woman graciously welcome us some minutes later to the group play date. Fortunately, DC had settled down by the the time we entered the building and after flashing a smile with a "hello, I'm X, nice to meet you," ran over to the book shelf, pulled one off and settled down. She gave me a knowing smile - really was gracious and much appreciated. Also penned the kindest admissions letter.

GL to everyone going through this right now!

“Kindergarten Admissions” - are we all seeing how silly this is???

So what is the correct, not silly term?

[Anonymous]

During a school visit (for High School), my DC had a brief interaction with the HOS:

HOS: Do you like school?
DC: Not really.
HOS: Why not?
DC: Too much homework.

This was for a school known for a higher homework load than most.
Shockingly, DC was accepted.
Fast forward, DC is doing great - despite the homework load....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread, more than any on DCUM, reveals that parents (1) stress too much about admissions and (2) take it waaaay too seriously (possibly to the detriment of their kid). A common theme among these stories is that the kid didn't try to be someone else. I'm not at all surprised that, in most instances, the kid discussed was admitted.

Lighten up folks. If for no other reason than it actually *helps* in life not to be uptight and humorless. Everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time, even admissions officers.

It doesn’t surprise me either. Most people on this board have kids who were admitted to private school somewhere. Most people love to tell the cute story of how their kid “screwed up” but was admitted anyway. Most people here are full pay or close to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread, more than any on DCUM, reveals that parents (1) stress too much about admissions and (2) take it waaaay too seriously (possibly to the detriment of their kid). A common theme among these stories is that the kid didn't try to be someone else. I'm not at all surprised that, in most instances, the kid discussed was admitted.

Lighten up folks. If for no other reason than it actually *helps* in life not to be uptight and humorless. Everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time, even admissions officers.

I agree with you in a slightly different way. I told my kids to try to be themselves during their interviews. They asked me what they should say and I forced myself to hold my tongue. The only guidance I gave them was to say something - to engage and answer the questions as well as they could. I cringed at some of the things they said, but my daughter applying to NCS told me that the interviewer burst out laughing at one of her responses and said she had never had an answer like that. Sometimes we as parents can get in our kids way. My daughter was accepted to 9th at NCS so just trust your kids to be themselves.

Within the boundaries of being kind and respectful, let the kid be themselves. Honestly, they're probably going to be themselves anyway, so best not to stress about it Admissions offices have seen it all, and they're pretty darn good at sussing out fit. You don't want your kid going somewhere they would be supremely uncomfortable anyway. If being themselves--again, within the boundaries of kindness and respect--isn't a fit, then it's better you know on the front end!

Our kid was very much his *full* self at his interviews (he has a big personality), and while I wouldn't have done everything the way he did, the school is for him, not me. As it happened, he got into every single school, so what do I know anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked during GDS interview if they spank the kids to discipline them. True story.

As a kid or as the parent?

I'm the parent. My first kid, so not a lot of recent experience with how schools had evolved since I was a kid. Not my smoothest move.

[Anonymous]

My kid in the interview- with us sitting in the room - told the ad we bribed them to apply. We did. Did not get in. When we asked why, they said it didn't seem like kid wanted to come. Still laugh about it years later.

[Anonymous]

My DD (pre-covid during in-person interviews), fully laid down on the sofa in the Director of Admissions office and said she was tired. The AD was amazing and suggested that they walk to the cafeteria to try to find DD a snack. I sat in the waiting area, they went and found chocolate milk, and she was accepted.

My DS during online interview: asked about book he was reading, and he responded "I listen to lots of audiobooks" while his arm was literally resting on the tome he was reading. Truly sitting right there in front of him. He didn't explain that the family had just driven across the country prior to the interview and that he listened to audiobooks with his family, but that he actually does read. He got in.

My DS during a different online interview: my DS is a quiet child, but the interviewer thought he said that he loved math. He piped up quickly and said "oh, no, I'm sorry, I truly hate math." He did not get in.