Anonymous wrote:It seems schools are in a very tough balancing act -- admit the siblings vs. admit the most qualified applicants. It works out best if the siblings ARE the most qualified, but unfortunately that doesn't always happen. No matter which side of the balance they favor, they will suffer lots of criticism.

I feel for the disappointed parents posting here too. It's sad there's no easy answer that makes everyone happy.

Not wanting to argue because you seem sincere but I can guarantee my sib was extremely qualified. Less qualified kids were admitted. This was not a case of underqualified sibling. I Kind of feel now that it was a rejection of the family even though they barely knew us. They knew other families better I suppose. Trust me, parents from the School dont believe me when I tell them kid was rejected. thye say it must have been a mistake . I dont explain that no it was definitely intentional. I know other people keep trying but it seemed pretty cruel to do that to dc.

My ds didn't get into the school my youngest attends now. They applied at different ages, which might have contributed to his rejection. It actually doesn't bother me because he is very happy at his school. I think more often than not these thing bother parents far more than the kids and far more than it should.

I can understand this for later grades but not for nursery or prek or K--sorry kids are kids then and I am so tired of hearing..oh well this one if more qualified-WTF? Unless a child has a SN that would be so dispruptive and then they could have an IEP..no they are all basically the same.

I know two Maret families this happened to last year -- younger sib not accepted. Both very upset (moms were anyway). One reapplying, the other I think isn't.

I personally know families where a younger sibling did not get into the lower schools at Maret, Sidwell, GDS and an older sibling not getting into GDS for Grade 7 but admitted in Grade 9. (By personally I mean I could email them right now and hear back by bedtime this PM!)

It seems schools are in a very tough balancing act -- admit the siblings vs. admit the most qualified applicants. It works out best if the siblings ARE the most qualified, but unfortunately that doesn't always happen. No matter which side of the balance they favor, they will suffer lots of criticism.

I feel for the disappointed parents posting here too. It's sad there's no easy answer that makes everyone happy.

One of the saddest things I have ever heard was that a fundraiser called asking for a donation and the parent replied that he would not be giving anymore to the school because "you didn't want the best thing I had to give, my son."

Did not happen in a k-6. I am not saying it was better or worse for my child. I am just saying as a family I do not feel particularly loyal to a school who turned down my extremely qualified kid. Twice.

I wish people would have the courage to say which schools they're talking about. Because I have never once heard of this happening in a lower (K-6) grade in D.C. and close in.

For 9th grade, sure, because the child himself has a book of work and it will be totally clear if he cannot handle the work load of a GDS or a Sidwell.

But, again, I've never heard of Maret of Sheridan or St. Pat's telling a K applicant (who's not SN, this is important distinction), 'nah, we just don't want you.'

Anonymous wrote:We had one child accepted and one rejected the same year (different grades). Reapplied rejected child and was rejected again. Was assured this would not happen. Have actually come to really resent the school for this. Nothing wrong with rejected kid. Top student/athlete. Went to a great college. Have no loyalty to "top three" because of this.

At first it didn't bother me that much but over time it has actually bothered me more. Go figure. If they had taken both kids I would be much more of a supporter. I suppose they know they are creating hard feelings when they do this and do it anyway.

We had the same thing happen to us and I feel the same way about the school. This was for a lower grade. It was especially frustrating when a number of other sibs were taken who ended up with major behavior problems in the school. The schools concern was that my son did not have good enough attention. Funny how so many others ended being worse. Consistency would have made the decision easier to handle but then again we were not big donors so I am sure this had something to do with it.

However, my son has done great where he went and in the long run, it was better for him.

We had one child accepted and one rejected the same year (different grades). Reapplied rejected child and was rejected again. Was assured this would not happen. Have actually come to really resent the school for this. Nothing wrong with rejected kid. Top student/athlete. Went to a great college. Have no loyalty to "top three" because of this.

At first it didn't bother me that much but over time it has actually bothered me more. Go figure. If they had taken both kids I would be much more of a supporter. I suppose they know they are creating hard feelings when they do this and do it anyway.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a sib that didn't get in to the school where the other sib(s) are?

I have seen this happen a number of times.

Sometimes younger siblings just wouldn't be able to handle the academic challenge at that school. It happens. The older siblings were brighter than the younger one. Or the younger kid had some soort of learning problem. The school can see this and won't want to bring in someone that will be a problem.

Sometimes after dealing with the "issues" of the first child, the school is reluctant to sign up for Act II.

Sometimes the school just doesn't want to continue to deal with parents they consider disruptive or overbearing. If enough teachers and administrators complain, the younger sibling(s) will not be admitted. Admissions officers and members of the Admissions Committee have to live in he small world of the school. This happens much more frequently than people think.

I can think of one case where the older sibling was frequently absent and the sense at the school was that the parents allowed this. The second son didn't get in.

The reverse can be true. Some parents are easy for the school to work with. These younger siblings have an edge.

One of my children didn't get in on the first try, but did on the second.

Are you asking for children to respond? Not many children on this forum, nor should there be.

Anyone have a sib that didn't get in to the school where the other sib(s) are?