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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We are six weeks into Kindergarten at a wonderful local independent school. I've been thinking a lot about the experience of the application process now that we are settling in and wanted to share some reflections for those who are starting the process now.

- We found the school that is right for our kid, but wouldn't have ended up here if we got into other schools we thought we liked more. We decided to apply to only the three schools we were most excited about. We were waitlisted at two and accepted at the third, where DD is attending. We wouldn't have applied if we didn't think it was a wonderful place, but at the time admissions decisions were communicated, we were disappointed.

- Generally speaking, I'm a pretty level-headed person and don't get swept up by a lot of the BS in this city.  I entered the admissions process thinking I'd stay cool as a cucumber but I found the K admissions process to be a real mindf*ck. Our DD attended a local private preschool that is wonderful but also one of the "feeders" to the private schools, which means that in the spring of your kiddo's final year, you find yourself in the middle of a sea of competitive and anxious parents, most trying to get their kids into the top private school, surely envisioning how that will lead to a future ivy school acceptance. I saw it all happening and could diagnose it -- feeling gross to be in the midst of it -- and it STILL messed with my head. Looking back, it's clear that my disappointment about where DD did and didn't get in was far more about what this group of parents thought of as the top schools as opposed to which school stood out to our family as the best fit for DD. I'm not proud to admit that but it's true. I remember coming home from a school event in tears because of the sympathetic look I got from another parent when I told her where DD was attending. So messed up - both that she reacted that way and that I cared!

- Thankfully, things worked out and DD is at a school that is wonderful for her. It's been a natural transition and she is developing a genuine love of learning. We are seeing her blossom and so far the experience is all we hoped for. But i am reminded that we wouldn't be here if we got in elsewhere and we'd allowed ourselves to be swayed by other's opinions.

So, this is a cautionary tale but one that ultimately worked out great for us. As you head into this process, please stay focused on what matters. What is the school that is the best fit for YOUR child at THIS time? This is SUCH an obvious statement and yet I find that this is not how most parents seem to choose the schools for their kids. And it's a trap that I fell into myself!!

Would you rather choose a school where people will "ooh" and "aah" that your kid is at the same place some Presidents' kids went (which may be a great school but probably isn't the RIGHT school for all the kids whose parents are fighting to get them in), or the school where YOUR child will blossom? So grateful that life worked out as it should for us - despite what I might have chosen if all the options were available to us.

[/quote]

Sorry that this thread, like everything else on this site, devolved into a petty argument. I'm just starting to look at preschools for my first child and find the whole process of applying to preschool to be baffling and overwhelming. I can easily see how parents who want to remain chill can get caught up in it. I really appreciate your perspective. Thank you for sharing it[/quote]

I could have written the post. +1.[/quote]

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