Reply to "I love you" letter or "first choice letter"

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Reply to ""I love you" letter or "first choice letter""

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]When you come from a private K-8, K-6, K-3, or K-2 and apply to a new school, the HOS advocates on your child behalf and let’s the new school know if it’s your first choice. If it’s a competitive school, we were told our child would not be accepted unless they know you plan to accept.[b] We were told by HOS when looking at schools like Sidwell, GDS, or Cathedral School that we should pick one to apply to because there was no point in applying to 2 or more.[/b] The schools want control of their yield so don’t want to risk accepting someone that will say no and go to the other school. So first choice letters play a role at some schools with some kids. [/quote]

This may have been advice targeted towards your child in particular...our child applied to 4 of these highly competitive schools and was not redirected by HOS to do otherwise.  Child was accepted to 3 of 4.  Child had no favorite and we were worried it would affect their chances if they didn't indicate their specific interest in one of them.  We were told not to worry about it.  For some of the schools, it was merely the case that writing a letter wouldn't make a difference because they assume they are everyone's favorite.  For others, I think it was because the HOS could honestly communicate to the schools that there was sincere interest of attending.

On the backside, however, if your child ends of WL somewhere for HS that they really want to attend, I have seen it make a difference if the child (not the parent) reaches out and shows interest.  Perhaps by including an additional piece of work or achievement that wasn't available at the time of the application process.  Such as a significant writing assignment done in 8th grade or some significant art project, instrumental or musical performance.

All this aside - I do think a favorite letter could matter at places like Potomac - that competes with DC schools or at some of the catholic schools that compete against each other. You'll want to let them know they are top choice so they don't assume your child has credentials to get into the competition and might prefer the competition to their own school.  I've seen many be WL at Potomac or at competing catholic schools in such cases.[/quote]

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