We received an email around 10am and a swag box later that day.

Educational consultants, especially those who are well connected and do the advocacy piece, will have a decent sense of your chances once the application is complete and they have done their rounds. If you are fortunate enough to have a school (generally a Pre-K/K through 8) that is heavily involved in the HS process (handles transcripts, letters of recommendations, meets with all of the prospective HS admissions people on behalf of their students, etc.), they will likely have a good idea of where their applicants stand after those meetings and in some cases may find out where students are admitted ahead of time depending on their relationship with those schools. They typically won't share with their students or families ahead of time, which is the right call. There are also things that are encouraging signs, but nothing is ever guaranteed. For example, I've heard (and have no reason to doubt) that some students did mini-recitals for music at a school and the instructor implied they could offer music scholarships to a few of them--and this was ahead of formal offers. Sports are another one. Some kids already play for coaches on club or travel teams for HS coaches at their prospective schools and may get implicit tells. For certain programs, usually sports, but sometimes for other areas like performing arts and music, a coach or instructor may reach out to the family directly, especially after the application deadline. If the tone of these e-mails is more about why their student should pick the school, that is probably a positive sign. But stranger things have happened. We should all know soon enough. Good luck to everyone!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Watch for posts on instagram/facebook of schools mailing them tomorrow!

Oh niceeee.... they tell you about sending out swag or admission decisions?

Last year, one school had a video of their staff going to the post office to mail the packages on their social media. I think it was Landon. Other schools had a photo of the package (or mailing of the package) on their Instagram. I recall seeing similar last week when Catholic school decisions came out.

What school was this?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Watch for posts on instagram/facebook of schools mailing them tomorrow!

Oh niceeee.... they tell you about sending out swag or admission decisions?

When my DD was accepted for middle school, a volunteer just left a box of swag outside the door. They did this for everyone who got accepted. The community is close and the volunteer network is big.

^^^forgot to mention. They dropped it off about noon and notifications came out at 4pm.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Watch for posts on instagram/facebook of schools mailing them tomorrow!

Oh niceeee.... they tell you about sending out swag or admission decisions?

When my DD was accepted for middle school, a volunteer just left a box of swag outside the door. They did this for everyone who got accepted. The community is close and the volunteer network is big.

Anonymous wrote:Watch for posts on instagram/facebook of schools mailing them tomorrow!

Oh niceeee.... they tell you about sending out swag or admission decisions?

Watch for posts on instagram/facebook of schools mailing them tomorrow!

Anonymous wrote:Congratulations on your success in this and all of life’s endeavors.

Congrats. What school?

Anonymous wrote:I got an email that seems hopeful

What school and grade?

Anonymous wrote:Any package notifications yet?????

nope

Any package notifications yet?????

I got an email that seems hopeful

Congratulations on your success in this and all of life’s endeavors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think educational consultants often know in advance but part of the implicit arrangement with the school is that they withhold the info from the client. The same closeness that creates “influence” with the school is what prevents them from leaking.

While some do not liaise, several in the area are former admission counselors at the schools. They maintain strong ties that allow them to suggest students that would be genuinely good fits and the admissions offices take them seriously. Not knowing in advance is a small price for clients to pay in exchange for at least getting the kid a solid look and evaluation in a sea of similars.

Our consultant told us we could be optimistic about a certain school, although specified that the schools do not explicitly tell them who is getting in and who isn’t. I think once you’ve been doing this long enough, the consultants know the questions schools ask for kids that are on the admit track or on the fence.

A consultant for private school? This is insane....Can you not get in off of your own merit/research?

Clearly you are new to these parts.

For many, it’s faster and more accurate to have someone who understands the lay of the land to suggest schools that might be a good fit for a kid. All of the schools are different - some more than others - and having a guide can be helpful. It’s not a question of “merit,” it’s not like Varsity Blues. The kids still needs to get in based on their grades, extracurriculars, interviews, and essays. But focusing the search and narrowing the schools is helpful.

The alternative is reading thousands of posts on this board only to realize that everyone has their own agenda.

I just researched a handful of school, attended open houses, and then applied on behalf of my child (for PK). I trust my instincts more than a strangers when it comes to my children and I also try not to set money on 🔥 just ‘cause.