Sidwell Application Process- Blech

[Anonymous]

So silly to revive this thread. So transparent. Do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, Sidwell dropped to the bottom of our list after the admissions process.

But it's still on the list lol

Of course! And she’ll accept the offer if her child is admitted to Sidwell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is an athlete and has received an invite to go to a game and talk to the coach. And we spoke to the admissions directly for the interview.
GDS interview was with admin but they asked NO questions fwiw

We had similiar experience, not saying I was impressed by the experience but its nothing like the what others are sharing on here until this post. Had interview back in the fall with a department head on faculty, attended open house executed by the admissions team, DC attended group interview again run by admissions team who had nametags and introduced themselves to us. And the only thing extra my DC got was an invite to join sports team for a game. I doubt athletes at SFS get anything different than any high level donor kid at in that environment, but what do I know? Just a DCPS family striving for a slice of the pie, should expectations be higher?

[Anonymous]

Spring has Sprung and Sidwell Threads are a-Blooming!

[Anonymous]

I went to Sidwell, as did one of my kids, but that was a long time ago so I have no current information.

But I do wonder if Sidwell gets exponentially more applications per grade than other similar schools. If so, the cost of having enough admission staff to interview all of these potential applicants would be higher for Sidwell than other schools and they may not wish to spend their money that way.

Of course, if they were not satisfied with the results of their admissions process each year, then they would likely change the process even if it was more expensive.

[Anonymous]

They are changing the process this year. They mentioned that they had reworked it a bit, but it seemed a bit disorganized/not yet solidified. For example, I asked if there was a step in the process that involved a real shadow day, even if that’s after offers go out - like GDS - and one of the admissions people was not sure. She said they were thinking about that but had not yet decided. By Oct/Nov, you should have your process locked down, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, Sidwell dropped to the bottom of our list after the admissions process.

DP. Dropped OFF of our list.

Because your kids will be interfacing with the admissions department so much during their time as a student

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our parent interview was with a member of the admissions team. The tours are given by parents because having the admissions team do all the tours would not scale. Also, the tour is a time to ask questions and see the community - not a time to name drop and try to impress the admissions office.

I think people don't understand the sheer volume of applicants these schools get. Perhaps my expectations were different but I didn't have issues with the process. And my kids both love the school.

Your post is 100% spot on.

It was one thing 40 years ago when there were 2 or 3 applications for every spot. Now it is more than 10:1 and the sheer numbers are very hard to manage.

[Anonymous]

I remember rolling my eyes at the people on the tours who were obvious about dropping information about their bank accounts and being weird about how much they loved the Quakers. And it was super awkward because the parent who was leading the tour was like, "oooookaaaay....so who has questions about the school??"

[Anonymous]

I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but this is just so transparent. Anxiety among parents is high, so out they come to trash the schools they don’t think their kid will get into. Don’t believe anything you read here right around admissions decision time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but this is just so transparent. Anxiety among parents is high, so out they come to trash the schools they don’t think their kid will get into. Don’t believe anything you read here right around admissions decision time.

I think it will be worse on March 1 after 4 pm when people know!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the tour with the older kid was not useful. waste of time

Same experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but this is just so transparent. Anxiety among parents is high, so out they come to trash the schools they don’t think their kid will get into. Don’t believe anything you read here right around admissions decision time.

+109. Anxious their DC won't get in and trying to decrease the odds by scaring others off of applying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but this is just so transparent. Anxiety among parents is high, so out they come to trash the schools they don’t think their kid will get into. Don’t believe anything you read here right around admissions decision time.

+109. Anxious their DC won't get in and trying to decrease the odds by scaring others off of applying.

Do people really make their kids jump through all the admissions hoops and then turn down an admit because of what they read on an anonymous internet message board? Are parents that shallow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but this is just so transparent. Anxiety among parents is high, so out they come to trash the schools they don’t think their kid will get into. Don’t believe anything you read here right around admissions decision time.

+109. Anxious their DC won't get in and trying to decrease the odds by scaring others off of applying.

As a Sidwell parent - I find this to be the most ridiculous argument each year. There are valid issues at every school and many of the ones listed about Sidwell are true. People aren't just coming on DCUM to dissuade others. Give me a break.