Sidwell Playdate Question

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know what parents are supposed to do, if anything, during playdates. Do both parents typically attend or is one fine?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

When we applied for my DC there was a parent test. You should both go so you can resent it together.

[Anonymous]

During the lower school playdate, I think parents participate in a Q&A session with the admissions people. I don't know if it makes any difference whether one parent or both attend, since the Q&A session is a big group situation.

[Anonymous]

Ah, they got rid of the parent test? Good thing.

[Anonymous]

I actually thought doing the Parent questionnaire there during the meeting was better than agonizing over it at home and limited how much you could write!

[Anonymous]

Be sure to sit in the back row during the parent info session so you can roll your eyes at the self-serving questions other parents ask ("How does Sidwell handle exceptionally bright children who are several grade levels ahead in math?").

[Anonymous]

Now, instead of the "what kind of vegetable would your child be" parent test, you get to listen to the admissions director and head of school talk at you for 1.5 hours or so. Not sure which is worse. Total turn-off for the school--now the parent test is part of the parent questionnaire on the application. I highly recommend a glass of wine and a sense of humor when completing it--more detailed than a college app. Gag.

[Anonymous]

I have gone through the Sidwell application process at various age levels for my children and am continuously amazed at how badly they treat families. Its like "you've coming to us on your knees, so we don't need to be civil to you."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have gone through the Sidwell application process at various age levels for my children and am continuously amazed at how badly they treat families. Its like "you've coming to us on your knees, so we don't need to be civil to you."

I totally disagree. I actually found them to be the most down-to-earth and direct of the bunch. Different stroke for different folks, I guess. Of course, I also think poop jokes are wildly funny, so maybe my taste is not the most reliable.

[Anonymous]

What happens on the Sidwell playdate?

[Anonymous]

II still can't get over the question on the Sidwell application (maybe they've gotten rid of this too), "was your child adopted?" Huh? Why would they ask this question? The only information it gives is the genetic relationship between parents and child, which tells you what? If the parents can be suitable kidney donors?

[Anonymous]

Is there 2 Sidwells in DC? (besides the 2 campus that is?) For this thread I can say I went to another one this morning. People very down to earth, the director of admission was very welcoming (a bit silly), The process was easy and fun for my child. Not high expectations here, a regular school. If you want anything different go an apply to an international school in switzerland or France, you'll see the difference.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Ah, they got rid of the parent test? Good thing.[/quote]


Ah yes, the wallet biopsy disquised as a "parent/family statement surprise essay".

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]II still can't get over the question on the Sidwell application (maybe they've gotten rid of this too), "was your child adopted?" Huh? Why would they ask this question? The only information it gives is the genetic relationship between parents and child, which tells you what? If the parents can be suitable kidney donors?[/quote]


What it tells you honey is whether or not the applicant family is truly a "single" parent as it related to the FA application. It also speaks to social activism.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I have gone through the Sidwell application process at various age levels for my children and am continuously amazed at how badly they treat families. Its like "you've coming to us on your knees, so we don't need to be civil to you."[/quote]
I totally disagree. I actually found them to be the most down-to-earth and direct of the bunch. Different stroke for different folks, I guess. Of course, I also think poop jokes are wildly funny, so maybe my taste is not the most reliable.[/quote]


Yes, victim of their own success. It reminds me of the "our pick" syndrome of the guest houses found in the Lonely Planet Guide series.