Odds of getting into Sidwell

[Anonymous]

OP - I suggest you spread your net wide if your child wants to apply for private in 9th. If you do not want to return to public - be sure to have some backups outside of the highly competitive DMV schools.

If she ends up with a very clear favorite after shadow visits and interviews are complete, inform that school by early January. For the school that is your favorite (not the others): if you know someone in that school's community that could write the admissions office on your child's/family's behalf, then ask them to do so. The schools find it helpful if they know they are getting a nice family that would be a positive addition to their community.

Otherwise, just have your child do their best on testing, and putting their best foot forward. These schools will see academic record on paper, be sure she presents herself (and you present her) as being well rounded in other areas. Be honest because they are looking for consistency across the child, the parent, the school recommendations. Just being smart and "wanting more of a challenge" will not set her apart. Also be honest when asked questions about where she could improve. And be sure to pay attention to what the school says is it's values. It is important to craft your responses to match the school you are applying to. Don't edit the facts, but the way you present them.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I suggest you spread your net wide if your child wants to apply for private in 9th. If you do not want to return to public - be sure to have some backups outside of the highly competitive DMV schools.

If she ends up with a very clear favorite after shadow visits and interviews are complete, inform that school by early January. For the school that is your favorite (not the others): if you know someone in that school's community that could write the admissions office on your child's/family's behalf, then ask them to do so. The schools find it helpful if they know they are getting a nice family that would be a positive addition to their community.

Otherwise, just have your child do their best on testing, and putting their best foot forward. These schools will see academic record on paper, be sure she presents herself (and you present her) as being well rounded in other areas. Be honest because they are looking for consistency across the child, the parent, the school recommendations. Just being smart and "wanting more of a challenge" will not set her apart. Also be honest when asked questions about where she could improve. And be sure to pay attention to what the school says is it's values. It is important to craft your responses to match the school you are applying to. Don't edit the facts, but the way you present them.

Good luck.

Helpful post. You mentioned notifying your top pick by January. How would one communicate that they are their #1 choice. By this point in time all applications have been submitted.

[Anonymous]

Does Sidwell have a girls powerpuff team? If so, they might be more a more effective options vs the rest of the MAC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does Sidwell have a girls powerpuff team? If so, they might be more a more effective options vs the rest of the MAC.

I know the rejection still burns but, damn.....time to move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I suggest you spread your net wide if your child wants to apply for private in 9th. If you do not want to return to public - be sure to have some backups outside of the highly competitive DMV schools.

If she ends up with a very clear favorite after shadow visits and interviews are complete, inform that school by early January. For the school that is your favorite (not the others): if you know someone in that school's community that could write the admissions office on your child's/family's behalf, then ask them to do so. The schools find it helpful if they know they are getting a nice family that would be a positive addition to their community.

Otherwise, just have your child do their best on testing, and putting their best foot forward. These schools will see academic record on paper, be sure she presents herself (and you present her) as being well rounded in other areas. Be honest because they are looking for consistency across the child, the parent, the school recommendations. Just being smart and "wanting more of a challenge" will not set her apart. Also be honest when asked questions about where she could improve. And be sure to pay attention to what the school says is it's values. It is important to craft your responses to match the school you are applying to. Don't edit the facts, but the way you present them.

Good luck.

Helpful post. You mentioned notifying your top pick by January. How would one communicate that they are their #1 choice. By this point in time all applications have been submitted.

You send them a separate letter for first choice (or email, but I'd say letter). Note that the "support letter" also needs to be sent by early January. They need these in hand before they start considering your application.

[Anonymous]

Are you hooked at the school? You don’t have the k-8 private school pipeline hook. Are you full pay (plus capital campaign for Sidwell), LGBQT, URM, legacy, athlete, otherwise connected? If not, get out that wide net.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While about a half dozen of the kids from DC's day school class applied to Sidwell, only one said it was his first choice. And he turned out to be the only one admitted, though he was probably not as strong a student as most of the other applicants. It makes sense that they only want the kids who really want to be there. I think it also makes a big difference whether the headmaster of your K-8 school is a strong advocate.

How do kids from public school even get in because they have no advocate from schools speaking on their behalf?

Sidwell looks at public school kids to bring in diversity, so don’t let that discourage your if you’re African American or Latinx.

There are also plenty of kids from Deal, Hardy and MoCo middle schools who aren't of color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you hooked at the school? You don’t have the k-8 private school pipeline hook. Are you full pay (plus capital campaign for Sidwell), LGBQT, URM, legacy, athlete, otherwise connected? If not, get out that wide net.

LGBQT don’t get preference.

[Anonymous]

Has your daughter toured or shadowed at Sidwell? My DC didn’t like the vibe during her shadow day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has your daughter toured or shadowed at Sidwell? My DC didn’t like the vibe during her shadow day.

Please elaborate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has your daughter toured or shadowed at Sidwell? My DC didn’t like the vibe during her shadow day.

Please elaborate.

DP - Every individual is different and thee schools, while similar to the core, all have different personalities. Some will simply "feel" more comfortable than others. Its like the way some people like Boston and others New York, but it is pretty visceral in terms of preference eventhough both are great cities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has your daughter toured or shadowed at Sidwell? My DC didn’t like the vibe during her shadow day.

Please elaborate.

DP - Every individual is different and thee schools, while similar to the core, all have different personalities. Some will simply "feel" more comfortable than others. Its like the way some people like Boston and others New York, but it is pretty visceral in terms of preference eventhough both are great cities.

I believe the pp was asking you about the “vibe” your daughter didn’t like. Your answer is vague and doesn’t answer the question. If you are concerned about outing yourself, you shouldn’t have responded instead of writing this nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has your daughter toured or shadowed at Sidwell? My DC didn’t like the vibe during her shadow day.

Please elaborate.

DP - Every individual is different and thee schools, while similar to the core, all have different personalities. Some will simply "feel" more comfortable than others. Its like the way some people like Boston and others New York, but it is pretty visceral in terms of preference eventhough both are great cities.

I believe the pp was asking you about the “vibe” your daughter didn’t like. Your answer is vague and doesn’t answer the question. If you are concerned about outing yourself, you shouldn’t have responded instead of writing this nonsense.

DP mean "different poster"

[Anonymous]

Save your time and effort. When a school tells you they are only accepting 30-40 kids it should let you know admissions are rigged. In a town like DC, plenty of VIP kids taking majority of those slots. Sidwell may throw in a FA child to appear fair but they already know who they will be accepting.

[Anonymous]

And there’s the sibling hook. Others need to get behind the siblings.