Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 12:43     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
Anonymous wrote:I love this thread. I don't know what's better, desperation of the OP, the snark in response, other posters chiming in with, "you just don't understaaaaaand!!" - it's all fantastic.

It makes the DC private school forum look positively sane and well-adjusted by comparison. And that's no easy feat.


I would never be snarky with a parent who is fighting for what’s best for their child, so long as it doesn’t disparage other children or directly affect them beyond what is already a zero sum game. Sorry your child didn’t have an advocate in you.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 12:32     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
I love this thread. I don't know what's better, desperation of the OP, the snark in response, other posters chiming in with, "you just don't understaaaaaand!!" - it's all fantastic.

It makes the DC private school forum look positively sane and well-adjusted by comparison. And that's no easy feat.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 09:09     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
Anonymous wrote:If the school that changed to waitlist is Trinity, that’s par for the course with them. Happens every year. I hope your PSD advised you about it before you first-choiced them. If it’s not them then something happened — someone cut the line, your PSD dropped the ball, or you did something that rubbed someone the wrong way. Obviously just guessing, but speaking from several years of experience in this realm


This is the most helpful answer I’ve read so far. When you mention “something that rubbed someone the wrong way,” could you share an example?
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 22:39     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
Good lord, I thought with the overreaction this was a college decision. Good grief OP.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 22:32     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If the school that changed to waitlist is Trinity, that’s par for the course with them. Happens every year. I hope your PSD advised you about it before you first-choiced them. If it’s not them then something happened — someone cut the line, your PSD dropped the ball, or you did something that rubbed someone the wrong way. Obviously just guessing, but speaking from several years of experience in this realm


Does T say yes, then waitlist, or do they just give generic strong positive feedback but never actually commit to anyone before decisions are released?


In my experience, they commit. I think families get positive feedback and send a FCL really early. We waited a long time to send a FCL. Things shift because ongoing schools are still visiting preschools, reading files and going to committee. So we waited until we had as much information as possible.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 22:12     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If the school that changed to waitlist is Trinity, that’s par for the course with them. Happens every year. I hope your PSD advised you about it before you first-choiced them. If it’s not them then something happened — someone cut the line, your PSD dropped the ball, or you did something that rubbed someone the wrong way. Obviously just guessing, but speaking from several years of experience in this realm


Does T say yes, then waitlist, or do they just give generic strong positive feedback but never actually commit to anyone before decisions are released?


They say a tentative yes and the WL, but the people get a heads up a few days in advance so at least they can pivot. But you could miss the boat for another TT during that period.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 21:25     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
Anonymous wrote:If the school that changed to waitlist is Trinity, that’s par for the course with them. Happens every year. I hope your PSD advised you about it before you first-choiced them. If it’s not them then something happened — someone cut the line, your PSD dropped the ball, or you did something that rubbed someone the wrong way. Obviously just guessing, but speaking from several years of experience in this realm


Does T say yes, then waitlist, or do they just give generic strong positive feedback but never actually commit to anyone before decisions are released?
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 19:15     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I honestly thought I had posted this myself. The same thing happened to us and we still don’t know why.


Are you getting the first choice or did someone bump your spot? Is this also for the girls schools


we were waitlisted for our first choice school, and we don’t know why.


Had your preschool director expected you to get in? Did you send a first choice letter?


Yes and Yes, but our school was supportive and spoke with us on the calls, and it likely just came down to numbers.


If it’s just a line cutter then you’re still high on the waitlist. If you were in until this week, they want you. Just make sure they know you are standing by to sign the contract immediately if they make an offer.


we don’t know the reason but thank you for your advice!
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 18:59     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If the school that changed to waitlist is Trinity, that’s par for the course with them. Happens every year. I hope your PSD advised you about it before you first-choiced them. If it’s not them then something happened — someone cut the line, your PSD dropped the ball, or you did something that rubbed someone the wrong way. Obviously just guessing, but speaking from several years of experience in this realm


The OP said it’s a TT girls’ school, not Trinity.


Spence did this to someone I know last year


I know someone who cut the line at Spence at the last minute after being bumped from a co-ed. For sure someone’s yes went to a WL for that, but they probably got in because the WL does move.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 18:58     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I honestly thought I had posted this myself. The same thing happened to us and we still don’t know why.


Are you getting the first choice or did someone bump your spot? Is this also for the girls schools


we were waitlisted for our first choice school, and we don’t know why.


Had your preschool director expected you to get in? Did you send a first choice letter?


Yes and Yes, but our school was supportive and spoke with us on the calls, and it likely just came down to numbers.


If it’s just a line cutter then you’re still high on the waitlist. If you were in until this week, they want you. Just make sure they know you are standing by to sign the contract immediately if they make an offer.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 17:56     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If the school that changed to waitlist is Trinity, that’s par for the course with them. Happens every year. I hope your PSD advised you about it before you first-choiced them. If it’s not them then something happened — someone cut the line, your PSD dropped the ball, or you did something that rubbed someone the wrong way. Obviously just guessing, but speaking from several years of experience in this realm


The OP said it’s a TT girls’ school, not Trinity.


Spence did this to someone I know last year
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 17:40     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I honestly thought I had posted this myself. The same thing happened to us and we still don’t know why.


Are you getting the first choice or did someone bump your spot? Is this also for the girls schools


we were waitlisted for our first choice school, and we don’t know why.


Had your preschool director expected you to get in? Did you send a first choice letter?


Yes and Yes, but our school was supportive and spoke with us on the calls, and it likely just came down to numbers.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 17:34     Subject: Re:Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
How much do the boys K-8s respect FC letters and positive feedback?
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 17:07     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
Anonymous wrote:If the school that changed to waitlist is Trinity, that’s par for the course with them. Happens every year. I hope your PSD advised you about it before you first-choiced them. If it’s not them then something happened — someone cut the line, your PSD dropped the ball, or you did something that rubbed someone the wrong way. Obviously just guessing, but speaking from several years of experience in this realm


The OP said it’s a TT girls’ school, not Trinity.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2026 16:53     Subject: Told we are waitlisted for our top choice school
If the school that changed to waitlist is Trinity, that’s par for the course with them. Happens every year. I hope your PSD advised you about it before you first-choiced them. If it’s not them then something happened — someone cut the line, your PSD dropped the ball, or you did something that rubbed someone the wrong way. Obviously just guessing, but speaking from several years of experience in this realm