Wow, this is a whole new world to me. We just got into the first preschool of our choice and are super excited to be going there, but it wasn't one of the "selective" schools or whatever you want to call them. Nonetheless, it's a fantastic school.

I think some of the PPs are going a little overboard. This is seriously PRESCHOOL. And it's not like it's a personal affront that you or your child were waitlisted. Some kids get in, and some don't. It might have had to do with ratios of girls to boys or birthdays -- they try to balance these things for a cohesive and diverse class. It doesn't mean you did anything wrong.

As for thank-you notes, I sent one to the preschool we most wanted to get into -- but only because I had a tour separate from the regular tour time because we had missed the open houses, and the director literally spent 1.5 hours with me and me alone, walking me around and telling me everything about the school. I was honestly grateful to her on a personal level more than anything else. I didn't get that kind of attention anywhere else we looked and just felt that she treated me like a human being, which I genuinely appreciated. So I felt a thank-you was worth it (also, it was an email, not a card).

Any WL calls yet?

I believe it was today.

Can someone let those of us on the waitlist know the deposit due date for admitted families? Thanks!

Ok -whatever floats your boat - but thank you notes to preschools, whom you already have paid a fee to even consider your application, and who are taking you and every other family through an elaborate application process just because they happen to be on the demand side of a sweet supply/demand curve (for them), is over the top and unnecessary. I completely get why families go to that level, given the dearth of options out there, but it really is ridiculous and preschools should not be swayed one way or the other by a thank you note.

My kid got in off the waitlist a few years ago, too. Got a call the 1st week of April. We had also already committed to our 1st choice but it definitely does move. Call them and let them know that it's your 1st choice and you'd send your kid if a spot opened up. That's what they want to know if they are in fact turning to a wait list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child got into NCRC and we had zero connections. We also changed schools after a year. All that glitters is not gold.

I also never wrote a thank you note. Why would you do that? It's a school. We got into all of the schools we applied to and I never wrote a thank you note or "did any research" beyond location and curriculum. I find many of the parents on this board to be weird and intense. It isn't graduate school people!

Seriously. I think the schools can see the "thank you note writing, pain in the ass parents" from a mile away. It's preschool!!!
We also never wrote a single thank you or had any communication with the school and got into 4/4 preschools including NCRC, Aidan, and St Columba's.

Well, I took 5 minutes to write short notes and we got into NCRC, Aidan, River and Little Folks - if you want to play that game. I actually enjoyed seeing the schools, meeting the teachers and having the playdates. My thank you notes were sincere and I think it's common courtesy.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child got into NCRC and we had zero connections. We also changed schools after a year. All that glitters is not gold.

I also never wrote a thank you note. Why would you do that? It's a school. We got into all of the schools we applied to and I never wrote a thank you note or "did any research" beyond location and curriculum. I find many of the parents on this board to be weird and intense. It isn't graduate school people!

Seriously. I think the schools can see the "thank you note writing, pain in the ass parents" from a mile away. It's preschool!!!
We also never wrote a single thank you or had any communication with the school and got into 4/4 preschools including NCRC, Aidan, and St Columba's.

Well, I took 5 minutes to write short notes and we got into NCRC, Aidan, River and Little Folks - if you want to play that game. I actually enjoyed seeing the schools, meeting the teachers and having the playdates. My thank you notes were sincere and I think it's common courtesy.

Here is a little secret about NCRC. If you really want your child to get in, live in the neighborhood.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child got into NCRC and we had zero connections. We also changed schools after a year. All that glitters is not gold.

I also never wrote a thank you note. Why would you do that? It's a school. We got into all of the schools we applied to and I never wrote a thank you note or "did any research" beyond location and curriculum. I find many of the parents on this board to be weird and intense. It isn't graduate school people!

You write a thank you note because:

1. You're not sure if you're supposed to, but it seems like it can't hurt, and perhaps everyone does it and you'll stand out for not doing it. Plus, it takes like 5 minutes, so why not?
2. You want to try and be memorable, but in a nice way. Sure, it's mostly random who gets in, but hey, if it's down between your kid and one other, maybe they'll think "Oh, they wrote that nice note. They seem like good people. Eh, why don't we pick that kid."

And btw, don't pat yourself on the back too hard for all the work you didn't do regarding preschool. You still found the schools, figured out the application process, applied, and attended at least the play date (and some schools require you to attend an open house before applying, although I can't remember if NCRC is one of them). So, conservatively, you spent 2 hours applying and saved yourself 15 more minutes of work, which you probably spent being nasty on DCUM anyway. Way to go.

Or "wow, these are potential pain-in-the-ass schmoozers".

You run the risk of this perception for sure.

Anonymous wrote:21:59-- could you elaborate, since many folks on this thread are hoping to send their kids there?

Yes, I would be interested in finding out more also. Why did you take your child out after a year? Currently on the wait list there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child got into NCRC and we had zero connections. We also changed schools after a year. All that glitters is not gold.

I also never wrote a thank you note. Why would you do that? It's a school. We got into all of the schools we applied to and I never wrote a thank you note or "did any research" beyond location and curriculum. I find many of the parents on this board to be weird and intense. It isn't graduate school people!

Seriously. I think the schools can see the "thank you note writing, pain in the ass parents" from a mile away. It's preschool!!!
We also never wrote a single thank you or had any communication with the school and got into 4/4 preschools including NCRC, Aidan, and St Columba's.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child got into NCRC and we had zero connections. We also changed schools after a year. All that glitters is not gold.

I also never wrote a thank you note. Why would you do that? It's a school. We got into all of the schools we applied to and I never wrote a thank you note or "did any research" beyond location and curriculum. I find many of the parents on this board to be weird and intense. It isn't graduate school people!

You write a thank you note because:

1. You're not sure if you're supposed to, but it seems like it can't hurt, and perhaps everyone does it and you'll stand out for not doing it. Plus, it takes like 5 minutes, so why not?
2. You want to try and be memorable, but in a nice way. Sure, it's mostly random who gets in, but hey, if it's down between your kid and one other, maybe they'll think "Oh, they wrote that nice note. They seem like good people. Eh, why don't we pick that kid."

And btw, don't pat yourself on the back too hard for all the work you didn't do regarding preschool. You still found the schools, figured out the application process, applied, and attended at least the play date (and some schools require you to attend an open house before applying, although I can't remember if NCRC is one of them). So, conservatively, you spent 2 hours applying and saved yourself 15 more minutes of work, which you probably spent being nasty on DCUM anyway. Way to go.

22:05 good for you! Pats on the back! You're obviously too smart for us weirdos.

21:59-- could you elaborate, since many folks on this thread are hoping to send their kids there?