Nope, I think it is the head of admissions that the complaints are about and I suspect any issues stem from that source. Very cold. It is the first place you see of the school - new and nicely redone - yet VERY cold. No hello on arrival, no smiles. Just cold. It gave my DD the creeps (she told me in the car after). Me too. The school may be great, the faculty great, the students great, but if the first view is of a cold sterile environment (reminded me of a hospital where you are waiting for a bad diagnosis) ... then it is a way of weeding people out. Maybe that is what they want - people truly desperate to be at Potomac because of legacy, location, or what have you? Just very different from any other school in the area (and we have toured several).

The LS admissions person from a couple years ago is now at another school. Is it possible that's who some of the complaints are about?

The AD was terribly cold toward us as well. Until she realized that we're close with several board members. A complete turn off. I had heard about her from several current Potomac parents who also felt she was inappropriately kurt and unfriendly. Their kids seem to have "made the cut" since they are at the school now, so I don't think it's about that. Have no idea why she's the school's initial interface with the school. For other reasons we decided not to apply.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We met the AD years ago and were totally turned off. I think she should be warm, at least (preferably warm and fuzzy). She is an ambassador for the school. You think upon meeting her that she represents the attitudes and mindset of the teachers and administration. I think most of us want "warm and fuzzy" for our children's kindergarten teachers, which is the class for which our dc was applying. Potomac admins, PLEASE get rid of this person. She does your school a huge disservice.

You sure you weren't looking for someone to blow smoke up your a$$ or make you feel special like your gardener, cleaning lady or service advisor at MB. It's an admissions process and we had a positive experience with the AD (and her associates). Keep this in mind, Potomac does a wonderful job of selecting parents as well as their kids, maybe you didn't cut it...

Wow. What a bitchy comment. Sure hope that other Potomac parents are not so arrogant as you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We met the AD years ago and were totally turned off. I think she should be warm, at least (preferably warm and fuzzy). She is an ambassador for the school. You think upon meeting her that she represents the attitudes and mindset of the teachers and administration. I think most of us want "warm and fuzzy" for our children's kindergarten teachers, which is the class for which our dc was applying. Potomac admins, PLEASE get rid of this person. She does your school a huge disservice.

You sure you weren't looking for someone to blow smoke up your a$$ or make you feel special like your gardener, cleaning lady or service advisor at MB. It's an admissions process and we had a positive experience with the AD (and her associates). Keep this in mind, Potomac does a wonderful job of selecting parents as well as their kids, maybe you didn't cut it...

We too had a very bad experience with the AD. OP it is not about getting that smoke blown up you +++. But, considering the amount o ftuition you pay, it is about some common courtesy. Ture, there are plenty of applicants to take the spot of those (like us) who walked away because of it. So, the administration doesn't really care.

Given the number of gripes posted abpit the AD. tjere's definitely a problem.

I guess one could say that where there's some smoke....there;s a fire......

Anonymous wrote:

Why do parents need warm and fuzzy from admissions staff? It was my expectation for my child, not for me. How did the AD/staff treat your child?

They bribed her with a cookie, which I felt was totally inappropriate.

I also still stand by my belief that the admissions staff should be warm and welcoming. I wouldn't care if a surgeon was warm and welcoming or an asshole. But a person that is supposed to represent the school and make me and my kid feel good about the place should be warm and welcoming.

Kind of odd, I don't remember my DD having to deal directly with the admissions staff outside of directing her to the classrooms for her playdate. We arrived for the playdate, sat with other parents and their kids at tables set up in the LS. The teachers and other LS staff picked up the kids and carted them off, then the AD stayed in the room and told us about the school. I don't remember cookies.

Anonymous wrote:We met the AD years ago and were totally turned off. I think she should be warm, at least (preferably warm and fuzzy). She is an ambassador for the school. You think upon meeting her that she represents the attitudes and mindset of the teachers and administration. I think most of us want "warm and fuzzy" for our children's kindergarten teachers, which is the class for which our dc was applying. Potomac admins, PLEASE get rid of this person. She does your school a huge disservice.

You sure you weren't looking for someone to blow smoke up your a$$ or make you feel special like your gardener, cleaning lady or service advisor at MB. It's an admissions process and we had a positive experience with the AD (and her associates). Keep this in mind, Potomac does a wonderful job of selecting parents as well as their kids, maybe you didn't cut it...

Wow - we have met a number of Potomac Admissions staff while looking at the HS and have found them quite friendly and inviting, although interaction is very limited. . I do find it interesting that Potomac is the only school that does not require individual parent interviews with the AD for HS so overall it has a bit of a cattle call feel (although, DC really liked it, so they must be okay with the kids).

Why do parents need warm and fuzzy from admissions staff? It was my expectation for my child, not for me. How did the AD/staff treat your child?

They bribed her with a cookie, which I felt was totally inappropriate.

I also still stand by my belief that the admissions staff should be warm and welcoming. I wouldn't care if a surgeon was warm and welcoming or an asshole. But a person that is supposed to represent the school and make me and my kid feel good about the place should be warm and welcoming.

I am curious about curriculum for the lower school-if there are any ls parents looking. How would you say their reading program is for K and above? Do you think the teachers are warm?

Why do parents need warm and fuzzy from admissions staff? It was my expectation for my child, not for me. How did the AD/staff treat your child?

We met the AD years ago and were totally turned off. I think she should be warm, at least (preferably warm and fuzzy). She is an ambassador for the school. You think upon meeting her that she represents the attitudes and mindset of the teachers and administration. I think most of us want "warm and fuzzy" for our children's kindergarten teachers, which is the class for which our dc was applying. Potomac admins, PLEASE get rid of this person. She does your school a huge disservice.

That's too bad 22:47 that you felt that way about the school, however I am glad that you found a good fit for your child. That's what it's all about. The kids at Potomac have been very accepting of the new kids and my child feels right at home. I've met some nice parents, as well. Are all the parents warm and running up to me to be friends? No. But that is true no matter what school you choose. Was the AD warm and fuzzy? No. Personally, I don't think that is her role. She was thorough and professional. More importantly, I thought she was warm and nice to the kids. I found this forum last year, after our parent interview, and heard people talk about the AD and I was shocked. I'm glad 21:09 had a nice tour too.

We also thought hard about Potomac. So many great things about the school, and were very excited DC got in since it is hard to get accepted. But we felt the same as many others on this board - it was just cold and uninviting. Objectively, it seemed like a good choice, but ultimately we had to go with our gut and go to a school where we felt a warm and welcoming community. Potomac was not that school.

I was worried about meeting her based on what I've read here and heard from others but we had a nice tour and a good experience overall.