Official Admissions Decisions Thread 2026

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our 8th grader got into Maret - GDS - Field - St. Andrews and was waitlisted and Sidwell - which was our first choice. Not sure if it's worth waiting or not - or just going with one of the schools he got into. If he's waitlisted at SFS - then tell me - what are his chances of getting in?

0.2%. What’s your first choice among the four acceptances?

[Anonymous]

Accepted at Gonzaga, SSSAS, and DJO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is a first grade waist list at Potomac total BS and just a NO?

Potomac is a serial waitlisted. There is more than a 0% chance but it's essentially a soft no.

What’s your next choice? DD also waitlisted there for 1st

[Anonymous]

We really wanted Sidwell for our 8th grader - because we think the academic challenge is something he wants (not that he won't be challenged elsewhere). He got into the other schools (GDS/Maret/Field/SA - but WL for SFS. But Sidwell was the only school that didn't have an interview session for the parents - or a 1:1 interview with the kids. Just the group interview. I really wish they gave us a chance for those conversations vs. group interview and essays alone. But we know we're lucky regardless

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In at Madeira!

Congratulations! Our DD loves it there! Welcome!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We really wanted Sidwell for our 8th grader - because we think the academic challenge is something he wants (not that he won't be challenged elsewhere). He got into the other schools (GDS/Maret/Field/SA - but WL for SFS. But Sidwell was the only school that didn't have an interview session for the parents - or a 1:1 interview with the kids. Just the group interview. I really wish they gave us a chance for those conversations vs. group interview and essays alone. But we know we're lucky regardless

Same. They never talked with my child or us. Kind of weird. But I guess that is their process

[Anonymous]

WL at Sidwell for 9th. The note says WL is an "unranked pool". How in the world does that work?

[Anonymous]

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1259632.page

[Anonymous]

Admitted at Sidwell, NCS, and Stone Ridge for 6th grade; waitlisted at Maret and GDS.

Applicant from MCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We really wanted Sidwell for our 8th grader - because we think the academic challenge is something he wants (not that he won't be challenged elsewhere). He got into the other schools (GDS/Maret/Field/SA - but WL for SFS. But Sidwell was the only school that didn't have an interview session for the parents - or a 1:1 interview with the kids. Just the group interview. I really wish they gave us a chance for those conversations vs. group interview and essays alone. But we know we're lucky regardless

Were you applying for 8th? Or are you saying “my 8th grader” meaning he applied for 9th? If you applied for 8th and got waitlisted I’d wait a year and re-apply.
No one has a lot of spots for 8th.

[Anonymous]

My son got into St. Alban's, Prep and St. John's for 9th grade. Coming from MCPS. Excellent grades and test scores. BUT he did not get into the honors program at St. John's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In at Madeira!

Congratulations! Our DD loves it there! Welcome!

+1. It’s an amazing place!

[Anonymous]

for 6th In at Maret and GDS. WL for Sidwell and Potomac

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is a first grade waist list at Potomac total BS and just a NO?

First is hard bc not very many spots, but the waitlist is real. They outright reject people. We know one family who got off the first grade wl in August a few years ago. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WL at Sidwell for 9th. The note says WL is an "unranked pool". How in the world does that work?

That is how it is at all schools. They have their desired class composition (number of boys/girls, athletes, musicians, live in dc, live in Va, theater kids, etc). They accept slightly more than they need based on their usual rate of families accepting offers. Then if more families turn down the offer than expected or there’s unanticipated attrition, they turn to the wait pool and give offers to what they need to keep their desired class composition.