What would you do if waitlisted at your top choice but accepted at another school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wrote a heartfelt note to Beauvoir after DD got WLed for PK. Didn’t work.

Did you get a response to your heartfelt note?

[Anonymous]

Nope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sent a follow-up note expressing continued interest for DS at his top choice school. The Admissions Director responded the next day thanking me for the note and said that DS will definitely stay on the list as the process unfolds.

Just a courtesy or should I have hope?

Has anyone ever received a similar response to a WL follow-up email?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sent a follow-up note expressing continued interest for DS at his top choice school. The Admissions Director responded the next day thanking me for the note and said that DS will definitely stay on the list as the process unfolds.

Just a courtesy or should I have hope?

Has anyone ever received a similar response to a WL follow-up email?

Yes. From NCRC and GDS during different admissions cycles

Btw, the cynical poster who thinks only Society Families are admitted to the lower grades in the most competitive schools is full of $h!t, confidently

There are many, many basic professional DC-type families at all thr upper NW schools, starting in preK/K (Except Maret. I do think PP is spot on for Maret) Maybe the parents went to a top 20 school, sure, but thats kind of par in tbese neighborhoods anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sent a follow-up note expressing continued interest for DS at his top choice school. The Admissions Director responded the next day thanking me for the note and said that DS will definitely stay on the list as the process unfolds.

Just a courtesy or should I have hope?

Has anyone ever received a similar response to a WL follow-up email?

Yes. From NCRC and GDS during different admissions cycles

Btw, the cynical poster who thinks only Society Families are admitted to the lower grades in the most competitive schools is full of $h!t, confidently

There are many, many basic professional DC-type families at all thr upper NW schools, starting in preK/K (Except Maret. I do think PP is spot on for Maret) Maybe the parents went to a top 20 school, sure, but thats kind of par in tbese neighborhoods anyway.

Did you get off the waitlist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are many, many basic professional DC-type families at all thr upper NW schools, starting in preK/K (Except Maret. I do think PP is spot on for Maret) Maybe the parents went to a top 20 school, sure, but thats kind of par in tbese neighborhoods anyway.

That doesn't change the fact that it's still exceedingly hard to get into these PK/K programs due to the overwhelming high number of qualified "basic professional DC-type families" competing for a few spots at each school after you take away spots already allocated to legacies, siblings, the uber-rich/connected, et al.

It basically becomes a lottery where all you can rely on is luck. Too many qualified families in this area.

[Anonymous]

OP: what grade did you apply to? If Kindergarten, my strategy would actually be to enroll at the school that offered you a spot, and then apply to your top choice for first grade. First grade is an expansion year at many of the schools and it sends a strong message to the admissions committee that you’re committed to the school. It’s also less competitive because not that many folks are moving their kids from public to private, and the folks who’ve just been through the PK/ K application process are also not as likely to switch so soon. I know many families who’ve got in at their top choice by reapplying in first grade. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are many, many basic professional DC-type families at all thr upper NW schools, starting in preK/K (Except Maret. I do think PP is spot on for Maret) Maybe the parents went to a top 20 school, sure, but thats kind of par in tbese neighborhoods anyway.

That doesn't change the fact that it's still exceedingly hard to get into these PK/K programs due to the overwhelming high number of qualified "basic professional DC-type families" competing for a few spots at each school after you take away spots already allocated to legacies, siblings, the uber-rich/connected, et al.

It basically becomes a lottery where all you can rely on is luck. Too many qualified families in this area.

PP that you're quoting. We agree that the odds are long for preK/K admission.

[Anonymous]

We got off WL last year for MS but did have some positive feedback from the AD after we wrote an email to them upon receiving the news reiterating our interest in the school. So yes, I think if your child is high up in the wait pool you can potentially get that information out of the AD through a call or email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: what grade did you apply to? If Kindergarten, my strategy would actually be to enroll at the school that offered you a spot, and then apply to your top choice for first grade. First grade is an expansion year at many of the schools and it sends a strong message to the admissions committee that you’re committed to the school. It’s also less competitive because not that many folks are moving their kids from public to private, and the folks who’ve just been through the PK/ K application process are also not as likely to switch so soon. I know many families who’ve got in at their top choice by reapplying in first grade. Good luck!

How does this work in terms of teacher recommendations and life at your current school? Is it awkward to sag we had a great year but we still want to go somewhere else and we hope you’ll give us a great recommendation? How does the e school treat you if they know (obviously) you really wanted to leave? Just curious because it seems first is such a long shot with so few spots open.

[Anonymous]

Not awkward. These schools deal with it constantly - it’s not unusual and they are professionals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not awkward. These schools deal with it constantly - it’s not unusual and they are professionals.

I’m worried if DC gets rejected then and he has to stay at current school. They will know we wanted to leave.