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Knowing someone on the board of governors at the school.
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Anonymous
| If you knew someone on the board of governors at your BIG school that you hoped to send DC to would you call that person to let them know you were applying? Do members of the board of governors of a school have any power in the admission process. Anyone done something similiar or have any thoughts about this idea? |
Anonymous
| Only worthwhile if the trustee knows both you and your child well. If s/he is just a casual/business acquaintance, I'd forget about it. |
Anonymous
| Does not know child other than holiday xmas card but I have had numerous conversations over the years with this person at my spouse work functions and spouse works with the other spouse. What do you think about that connection. Am I stretching it and would it backfire to call this person? Thanks for your advice. |
Anonymous
| Board members are not involved in the admissions process. They set financial aid policy and think about strategic issues with admissions (e.g., diversity) but have no role in the process itself. The only way i can see that it would be useful is if the person was willing to write a letter on your child's behalf, or could say something about how your family would be a good addition to the school community because for example you are active (e.g. on the Board) of your child's current school or something like that. But just chatting with the person to let them know you are applying will not show up in the admissions file. |
Anonymous
|
Personally, I would do it. The bottom line is, pulling strings and connections count, especially at the big schools, so if you have an in, I'd use it. I thought I was too above that with DC 1 and didn't seek out any favors -- and child was "wait listed" at our #1 choice school. I did not make the same mistake with DC 2 and the results were different. So go figure.
But PP is right, you have to actually ask the person to write a recommendation for you. Merely chatting them up and expressing interest in the school is not enough. If you feel comfortable enough to ask them point blank to go that extra mile and contact the admissions team on your behalf, then by all means do it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. |
Anonymous
|
Absolutely approach board member if you know them well enough (do not worry about child's relationship). Be honest and grateful when approaching them and give them an "out", such as "I understand you may not involve yourself in the admissions process." A letter from a board member could help a great deal as long as your child doesn't have issues.
The board member may ask to meet your child again, so the letter can be more personal, and you can offer that scenario when you "meet up." |
Anonymous
| What if child had bad playdate-- that is an issue right? |
Anonymous
|
Look at it from the perspective of the school and trustee. Trustees can have some influence in admissions, but it's generally not because they hold that title; it's because they are deeply involved with the school and well-known to the administration. The AD will not say, "Let's admit X to make Y happy," but may say, "let's take a good look at X because Y says s/he would be a great fit for the school, and Y generally knows what s/he is talking about." A strong (preferably written) recommendation from the trustee will help here; an offhand mention ("My husband has a colleague whose son is applying for next year, and they seem like nice people") is unlikely to make much difference. Also bear in mind that many trustees don't want to abuse/strain their relationship with the administration by recommending people left and right or seeming to expect extra consideration.
If you know this person well enough to ask him/her to write a letter (and the best letters show that the writer knows the child), then go ahead (but even then don't expect it to be a magic bullet). If not, asking won't "backfire" unless you come off as so desperate that the trustee means THAT to the AD (highly unlikely), but it's unlikely to be much help. |
Anonymous
We know somebody who did this, and it worked for a "big" school. The trustee was a business acquaintance, and wrote a letter. But the school probably wanted the kid already (big money involved too). |
Anonymous
Perhaps the letter pointed out the parents' deep pockets, rather than the value of the child? |
Anonymous
| I will call the trustee on Monday and let you all know how it goes. Wish me luck! |
Anonymous
| Good luck! Like another pp said you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. |