Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 06:56     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
Brearley pushed out its longtime 20+ admissions director and put someone in the role who wasn’t ready under their new head. They used to have a very smooth process and let you know almost immediately. I’m
so sorry they had you first choice it only to reject you, but the new head is found scorched earth and gutting the school despite never having worked Manhattan independent schools before. It’s a mess. You dodged a bullet.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 06:53     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
I personally know of 3 girls who have gotten into Spence off the WL in the last 2 years. Definitely email the school now and let them know you are still very interested and would immediately accept a spot if offered (assuming that is true). Stay in contact with the admissions office next week too. When schools go to the WL, they want to take families who really want them. Good luck!
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 00:18     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Spence not Spense

Your application won’t be competitive if you get the name of the school wrong


She got it correct in the post. Did you just open and respond after seeing the title just to be a jackass?


Exactly. Today has been stressful and I was typing quickly. I am a bit overwhelmed and simply wanted clarification on the process, as my daughter was waitlisted at both schools. That is all.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 00:15     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Spence not Spense

Your application won’t be competitive if you get the name of the school wrong


Why be a jerk on a tough day?


Why make a post that shows you clearly don’t know the school or how to spell?


Did your child get into either school?


Never applied--this is a DC area board. But I still know how to spell the school name.


Huh? The title is "Metropolitan New York City". You're correcting the poster but can't read or figure out how message boards worK? Stop trolling and head back to the DC board then. Jerk.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 00:15     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Spence not Spense

Your application won’t be competitive if you get the name of the school wrong


Why be a jerk on a tough day?


Why make a post that shows you clearly don’t know the school or how to spell?


Did your child get into either school?


Never applied--this is a DC area board. But I still know how to spell the school name.


I’ve already clarified that this was a simple typo in the forum title. Focus on getting your child into a school in DC then?
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 00:14     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
Anonymous wrote:Spence not Spense

Your application won’t be competitive if you get the name of the school wrong


She got it correct in the post. Did you just open and respond after seeing the title just to be a jackass?
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 00:08     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Spence not Spense

Your application won’t be competitive if you get the name of the school wrong


Why be a jerk on a tough day?


Why make a post that shows you clearly don’t know the school or how to spell?


Did your child get into either school?


Never applied--this is a DC area board. But I still know how to spell the school name.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 23:45     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Spence not Spense

Your application won’t be competitive if you get the name of the school wrong


Why be a jerk on a tough day?


Why make a post that shows you clearly don’t know the school or how to spell?


Did your child get into either school?
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 23:41     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
Thank you for sharing this. I really appreciate hearing another perspective.

My daughter attends a private daycare in Brooklyn and does not come from a feeder school. I was the only parent navigating the application process, and no first choice letter or additional letters were sent. My daughter was nominated to take the Gifted and Talented assessment. I am realizing how much nuance there is to this process and how differently families experience it depending on background and connections. Your insight is very helpful as I try to better understand how these decisions are made.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 23:37     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
Anonymous wrote:Spence not Spense

Your application won’t be competitive if you get the name of the school wrong


Why be a jerk on a tough day?
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 23:33     Subject: Re:Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
It was a typo in the post title only. The school name was spelled correctly in the application and in my response, as you would see if you read it.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 23:25     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
Anonymous wrote:I’m seeing mixed information about how waitlists or wait pools are used at The Brearley School and The Spence School. Some say the pool functions as a soft rejection, while others say it is actively used to manage yield and fill spots if they open.

We did not come from a feeder preschool and applied through the standard process, and it has become clear that there is a lot of behind the scenes insight that we were not aware of. For those with recent, direct experience, do these schools still issue outright rejections, or are most non admitted applicants placed into the wait pool?

we got rejection from Brearley after FC letter and positive feedback from a top feeder school, with a sibling at another TT
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 23:24     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
Spence not Spense

Your application won’t be competitive if you get the name of the school wrong
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 23:22     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
Anonymous wrote:I’m seeing mixed information about how waitlists or wait pools are used at The Brearley School and The Spence School. Some say the pool functions as a soft rejection, while others say it is actively used to manage yield and fill spots if they open.

We did not come from a feeder preschool and applied through the standard process, and it has become clear that there is a lot of behind the scenes insight that we were not aware of. For those with recent, direct experience, do these schools still issue outright rejections, or are most non admitted applicants placed into the wait pool?


Out of curiosity (we are coming from a non feeder next year’s cycle), what kind of school did you end up at? TT, 2T? Manhattan or BK?
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 23:11     Subject: Does Brearley and Spense Waitlist Everyone?
I’m seeing mixed information about how waitlists or wait pools are used at The Brearley School and The Spence School. Some say the pool functions as a soft rejection, while others say it is actively used to manage yield and fill spots if they open.

We did not come from a feeder preschool and applied through the standard process, and it has become clear that there is a lot of behind the scenes insight that we were not aware of. For those with recent, direct experience, do these schools still issue outright rejections, or are most non admitted applicants placed into the wait pool?