Sidwell Lower School Admissions Staff

[Anonymous]

Has anyone been able to get a good read on them or make a personal connection? The process has felt so cold and disconnected, almost like we are just a number. Has anyone been able to get a better feel or is that par for the course with them?

[Anonymous]

Not personally but I have read similar comments to this over the past few years. I think it must be their routine - keep it very professional etc.

[Anonymous]

Par for the course. Don't worry. It doesn't mean a thing. I speak from experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Par for the course. Don't worry. It doesn't mean a thing. I speak from experience.

Thanks. Good to know.

[Anonymous]

I thought this new crew, compared to three years ago, were much warmer and more interested. We had the most awkward meeting ever previously. This time, they actually tried to talk about our child with us, and we stayed the whole 30 minutes.

I know it does not mean anything, but was definitely more pleasant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought this new crew, compared to three years ago, were much warmer and more interested. We had the most awkward meeting ever previously. This time, they actually tried to talk about our child with us, and we stayed the whole 30 minutes.

I know it does not mean anything, but was definitely more pleasant.

Interesting. It's our first time applying and there was nothing bad. Like you said the Parent Interview was great. The interviewer was nice and personable, and we talked the whole 30 minutes. However, we comparing the experience to some of the other schools we applied there was a stark difference in our ability to connect with someone affiliated with the school.

[Anonymous]

You will never have contact with the admissions staff once your kid is in. Simply no reason to "connect" with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will never have contact with the admissions staff once your kid is in. Simply no reason to "connect" with them.

At Sidwell or in general? Of course I can't speak from personal experience but friends with kids at various IS seem to have connections with the admissions staff especially those who do volunteer activities connected to admissions or recruitment.

[Anonymous]

I agree. You can and do stay connected.

For us, the coldness is a turn off, so it's not our top choice this year. Maybe being in demand gives people the idea that they do not need to connect.
My advice is to weigh all options and not think one school is just so much better than others. We are pleasant when we tour and interview, but we don't push too hard. We think things have to feel right.

Oh! I forgot to say that this is our 2nd time around; our first finished at an in-demand private where the admissions staff appeared interested in our child and us. It was a great fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will never have contact with the admissions staff once your kid is in. Simply no reason to "connect" with them.

At Sidwell or in general? Of course I can't speak from personal experience but friends with kids at various IS seem to have connections with the admissions staff especially those who do volunteer activities connected to admissions or recruitment.

In general.

[Anonymous]

Entire admissions staff for school = 4. Number of annual applicants, all grades = 800. Do the math and set your expectations appropriately. Also factor in that developing a deep and personal relationship, when the vast majority of the time the final answer is "no", might not be practical or ethical.

[Anonymous]

If you are rich or a FOH (Hillary) or FOO (Obamas), I wonder if they turn on the warmth and charm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree. You can and do stay connected.

For us, the coldness is a turn off, so it's not our top choice this year. Maybe being in demand gives people the idea that they do not need to connect.
My advice is to weigh all options and not think one school is just so much better than others. We are pleasant when we tour and interview, but we don't push too hard. We think things have to feel right.

Oh! I forgot to say that this is our 2nd time around; our first finished at an in-demand private where the admissions staff appeared interested in our child and us. It was a great fit.

If you didn't have a good reception the first time, why did you go back for #2?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree. You can and do stay connected.

For us, the coldness is a turn off, so it's not our top choice this year. Maybe being in demand gives people the idea that they do not need to connect.
My advice is to weigh all options and not think one school is just so much better than others. We are pleasant when we tour and interview, but we don't push too hard. We think things have to feel right.

Oh! I forgot to say that this is our 2nd time around; our first finished at an in-demand private where the admissions staff appeared interested in our child and us. It was a great fit.

If you didn't have a good reception the first time, why did you go back for #2?

I don't think she meant 2nd time around at Sidwell, but 2nd time around looking at private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Entire admissions staff for school = 4. Number of annual applicants, all grades = 800. Do the math and set your expectations appropriately. Also factor in that developing a deep and personal relationship, when the vast majority of the time the final answer is "no", might not be practical or ethical.

This. But if it's a real turn off, plenty of other schools.