The Annual Waitlist / Waiting Pool Reality Check Thread

[Anonymous]

Honestly, plan on whatever Plan B may have been. How many schools and are you still waiting for more decisions?

[Anonymous]

I bet there is more movement this year than usual as there will be families who lose their income due to the RIFs at federal agencies and contractors. It's probably the contractor cuts that will have a greater impact on the private school community and there will be very deep ones coming (based on the statement made by the government this week.)

I'm a current family and we are waiting to see where we stand by June 1. If our income is cut significantly or is looking like it will be very unstable we'll withdraw.

That said--everyone should be aware that once the contracts lock on June 1, you will be in for the tuition money for the year and the schools WILL come after you for it, even if there is complete job loss. They have very little to no financial aid available for emergency situations like this. We spoke to our school (a top private) and they were clear: we will not forgive the tuition or make exceptions even if you don't have a dime to your name--we have staff to pay. Understandable for sure!! But before signing, make sure you know that there is no escape hatch or safety net after June 1.

It's a crazy time. Good luck to all and I hope that our kids all land in an ideal spot for 25-26!!

[Anonymous]

Time will tell. I think that even though there is obviously tumult in the local economy, patterns will follow previous years. While there will probably be more movement (among existing students more than new ones) at the relatively less expensive schools (the Catholics - both ADW and independents), the ones normally bandied about on these boards will probably not be impacted too much. At our school, I am unaware of anyone who works directly for the federal government and nearly nobody who is a contractor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bet there is more movement this year than usual as there will be families who lose their income due to the RIFs at federal agencies and contractors. It's probably the contractor cuts that will have a greater impact on the private school community and there will be very deep ones coming (based on the statement made by the government this week.)

I'm a current family and we are waiting to see where we stand by June 1. If our income is cut significantly or is looking like it will be very unstable we'll withdraw.

That said--everyone should be aware that once the contracts lock on June 1, you will be in for the tuition money for the year and the schools WILL come after you for it, even if there is complete job loss. They have very little to no financial aid available for emergency situations like this. We spoke to our school (a top private) and they were clear: we will not forgive the tuition or make exceptions even if you don't have a dime to your name--we have staff to pay. Understandable for sure!! But before signing, make sure you know that there is no escape hatch or safety net after June 1.

It's a crazy time. Good luck to all and I hope that our kids all land in an ideal spot for 25-26!!

I agree that there could be more WL movement this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Time will tell. I think that even though there is obviously tumult in the local economy, patterns will follow previous years. While there will probably be more movement (among existing students more than new ones) at the relatively less expensive schools (the Catholics - both ADW and independents), the ones normally bandied about on these boards will probably not be impacted too much. At our school, I am unaware of anyone who works directly for the federal government and nearly nobody who is a contractor.

There are zero parents at Booz, Leidos, Deloitte, or myriad other niche contractors? Seems hard to believe.

[Anonymous]

I think there are certainly some but I don’t expect those that would be directly impacted by the current happenings are making the financial difference between kids being in privates. Again, time will tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a child is waitlisted what is the rationale for pushing? My gut feel is if they don’t want my child but another place does, I should send my child to where they are wanted and valued.

Yes, but if it's your kid's first choice then they fight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there are certainly some but I don’t expect those that would be directly impacted by the current happenings are making the financial difference between kids being in privates. Again, time will tell.

Time will tell but both DH and my companies have already lost clients because of a trickle down effect from what’s happening in the government right now. We are not feds or contractors yet these loses still impact our company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are certainly some but I don’t expect those that would be directly impacted by the current happenings are making the financial difference between kids being in privates. Again, time will tell.

Time will tell but both DH and my companies have already lost clients because of a trickle down effect from what’s happening in the government right now. We are not feds or contractors yet these loses still impact our company.

Are you thinking about pulling your kid(s) out of private school?

[Anonymous]

I think getting in off the waitlist for HS is a tad easier if coming in from a K-8 that will advocate for your child. Every year a few kids from our k-8 get off waitlists at some of the competitive schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Time will tell. I think that even though there is obviously tumult in the local economy, patterns will follow previous years. While there will probably be more movement (among existing students more than new ones) at the relatively less expensive schools (the Catholics - both ADW and independents), the ones normally bandied about on these boards will probably not be impacted too much. At our school, I am unaware of anyone who works directly for the federal government and nearly nobody who is a contractor.

There are zero parents at Booz, Leidos, Deloitte, or myriad other niche contractors? Seems hard to believe.

I work at Deloitte. We’re seeing the impact but I’m not planning to pull my child out of private even if I lose my job. I have enough savings to bridge the gap until I find a new job. It’ll be an inconvenience but I’m confident I will land somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Time will tell. I think that even though there is obviously tumult in the local economy, patterns will follow previous years. While there will probably be more movement (among existing students more than new ones) at the relatively less expensive schools (the Catholics - both ADW and independents), the ones normally bandied about on these boards will probably not be impacted too much. At our school, I am unaware of anyone who works directly for the federal government and nearly nobody who is a contractor.

There are zero parents at Booz, Leidos, Deloitte, or myriad other niche contractors? Seems hard to believe.

I work at Deloitte. We’re seeing the impact but I’m not planning to pull my child out of private even if I lose my job. I have enough savings to bridge the gap until I find a new job. It’ll be an inconvenience but I’m confident I will land somewhere else.

Good luck and good planning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think getting in off the waitlist for HS is a tad easier if coming in from a K-8 that will advocate for your child. Every year a few kids from our k-8 get off waitlists at some of the competitive schools.

I think most K-8 will advocate for kids to get into at least one school but will probably not break a heavy sweat to get kids into multiple schools (particularly if the target school accepted others from the K-8).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are certainly some but I don’t expect those that would be directly impacted by the current happenings are making the financial difference between kids being in privates. Again, time will tell.

Time will tell but both DH and my companies have already lost clients because of a trickle down effect from what’s happening in the government right now. We are not feds or contractors yet these loses still impact our company.

Are you thinking about pulling your kid(s) out of private school?

We are not. We are very conservative financially, so we have always saved enough of a rainy day fund to cover downtowns like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a child is waitlisted what is the rationale for pushing? My gut feel is if they don’t want my child but another place does, I should send my child to where they are wanted and valued.

If they don't want your child, they won't take them off the waitlist. Most schools wish they could take double or triple the number of kids that they can. Don't go in with this attitude or you may miss an opportunity to send your kid to a school that is a great fit.