Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We decided not to apply for 9th grade next year. Program is too uncertain, and the Visi app has a number of additional requirements beyond the standard. Hope they get everything settled. We had strong recommendations on the school from alumnae, parents, and lacrosse people, but it's December this week and no idea who will coach.

What were the additional requirements beyond standard. Please be specific because I think you are full of it.

PP here. Not sure what about that balanced post above made you decide I was full of it, but happy to specify.

The Visi application has several requirements beyond those mandated by the applications for most top privates/Catholics that present good options for strong academics and strong lacrosse.

First, Visi requires a Cub for a Day visit. It is all day (8:30 am to 2:30 pm), and it is not optional like most schools. Accordingly, it requires missing a day of school which is not optimal for most high-academic achievers, especially if they have had to miss for other visits this quarter.

Second, Visi requires a unique student essay, with topics that do not overlap with any other school. While there are other examples of specific essay requirements (St John's for example), most area privates have a version of a student questionnaire that allows for reuse of common language and themes.

Third, Visi requests four additional and unique recommendations, beyond the required math and english teacher recommendations which are standard: (1) Principal or Counselor recommendation; (2) Personal recommendation for Leadership; (3) Personal recommendation for Character; and (4) Personal recommendation for Service. While these are "optional", it is clearly suggested that they be submitted, and a thoughtful applicant would not fail to do so. Indeed, I respect that Visi asks for these additional recommendations, as they can provide a more comprehensive picture of the applicant, but they do represent additional work.

So that's six specific individual tasks, including a full day visit, a multi-hour essay effort, and engaging several recommenders.

We might consider undertaking this significant additional work, while balancing current academics, sports, family commitments and holidays--even though we have choices higher up on our list--if we knew that the lacrosse situation was settled and presented a strong opportunity.

So not "full of it", and my point stands.

Wow. You probably spent more time and effort writing that DCUM post than would have taken you to complete the so-called additional steps (save for the Cub for a day - but who would want to go to a school without shadowing first?). Also, unless your kid is the next Charlotte North, why in the world would you make that a factor in your decision not to apply? Kids get recruited from club - not HS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We decided not to apply for 9th grade next year. Program is too uncertain, and the Visi app has a number of additional requirements beyond the standard. Hope they get everything settled. We had strong recommendations on the school from alumnae, parents, and lacrosse people, but it's December this week and no idea who will coach.

What were the additional requirements beyond standard. Please be specific because I think you are full of it.

PP here. Not sure what about that balanced post above made you decide I was full of it, but happy to specify.

The Visi application has several requirements beyond those mandated by the applications for most top privates/Catholics that present good options for strong academics and strong lacrosse.

First, Visi requires a Cub for a Day visit. It is all day (8:30 am to 2:30 pm), and it is not optional like most schools. Accordingly, it requires missing a day of school which is not optimal for most high-academic achievers, especially if they have had to miss for other visits this quarter.

Second, Visi requires a unique student essay, with topics that do not overlap with any other school. While there are other examples of specific essay requirements (St John's for example), most area privates have a version of a student questionnaire that allows for reuse of common language and themes.

Third, Visi requests four additional and unique recommendations, beyond the required math and english teacher recommendations which are standard: (1) Principal or Counselor recommendation; (2) Personal recommendation for Leadership; (3) Personal recommendation for Character; and (4) Personal recommendation for Service. While these are "optional", it is clearly suggested that they be submitted, and a thoughtful applicant would not fail to do so. Indeed, I respect that Visi asks for these additional recommendations, as they can provide a more comprehensive picture of the applicant, but they do represent additional work.

So that's six specific individual tasks, including a full day visit, a multi-hour essay effort, and engaging several recommenders.

We might consider undertaking this significant additional work, while balancing current academics, sports, family commitments and holidays--even though we have choices higher up on our list--if we knew that the lacrosse situation was settled and presented a strong opportunity.

So not "full of it", and my point stands.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We decided not to apply for 9th grade next year. Program is too uncertain, and the Visi app has a number of additional requirements beyond the standard. Hope they get everything settled. We had strong recommendations on the school from alumnae, parents, and lacrosse people, but it's December this week and no idea who will coach.

What were the additional requirements beyond standard. Please be specific because I think you are full of it.

PP here. Not sure what about that balanced post above made you decide I was full of it, but happy to specify.

The Visi application has several requirements beyond those mandated by the applications for most top privates/Catholics that present good options for strong academics and strong lacrosse.

First, Visi requires a Cub for a Day visit. It is all day (8:30 am to 2:30 pm), and it is not optional like most schools. Accordingly, it requires missing a day of school which is not optimal for most high-academic achievers, especially if they have had to miss for other visits this quarter.

Second, Visi requires a unique student essay, with topics that do not overlap with any other school. While there are other examples of specific essay requirements (St John's for example), most area privates have a version of a student questionnaire that allows for reuse of common language and themes.

Third, Visi requests four additional and unique recommendations, beyond the required math and english teacher recommendations which are standard: (1) Principal or Counselor recommendation; (2) Personal recommendation for Leadership; (3) Personal recommendation for Character; and (4) Personal recommendation for Service. While these are "optional", it is clearly suggested that they be submitted, and a thoughtful applicant would not fail to do so. Indeed, I respect that Visi asks for these additional recommendations, as they can provide a more comprehensive picture of the applicant, but they do represent additional work.

So that's six specific individual tasks, including a full day visit, a multi-hour essay effort, and engaging several recommenders.

We might consider undertaking this significant additional work, while balancing current academics, sports, family commitments and holidays--even though we have choices higher up on our list--if we knew that the lacrosse situation was settled and presented a strong opportunity.

So not "full of it", and my point stands.

Visi is pretty demanding, so probably was not the right place anyway. Good luck to your DD.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We decided not to apply for 9th grade next year. Program is too uncertain, and the Visi app has a number of additional requirements beyond the standard. Hope they get everything settled. We had strong recommendations on the school from alumnae, parents, and lacrosse people, but it's December this week and no idea who will coach.

What were the additional requirements beyond standard. Please be specific because I think you are full of it.

PP here. Not sure what about that balanced post above made you decide I was full of it, but happy to specify.

The Visi application has several requirements beyond those mandated by the applications for most top privates/Catholics that present good options for strong academics and strong lacrosse.

First, Visi requires a Cub for a Day visit. It is all day (8:30 am to 2:30 pm), and it is not optional like most schools. Accordingly, it requires missing a day of school which is not optimal for most high-academic achievers, especially if they have had to miss for other visits this quarter.

Second, Visi requires a unique student essay, with topics that do not overlap with any other school. While there are other examples of specific essay requirements (St John's for example), most area privates have a version of a student questionnaire that allows for reuse of common language and themes.

Third, Visi requests four additional and unique recommendations, beyond the required math and english teacher recommendations which are standard: (1) Principal or Counselor recommendation; (2) Personal recommendation for Leadership; (3) Personal recommendation for Character; and (4) Personal recommendation for Service. While these are "optional", it is clearly suggested that they be submitted, and a thoughtful applicant would not fail to do so. Indeed, I respect that Visi asks for these additional recommendations, as they can provide a more comprehensive picture of the applicant, but they do represent additional work.

So that's six specific individual tasks, including a full day visit, a multi-hour essay effort, and engaging several recommenders.

We might consider undertaking this significant additional work, while balancing current academics, sports, family commitments and holidays--even though we have choices higher up on our list--if we knew that the lacrosse situation was settled and presented a strong opportunity.

So not "full of it", and my point stands.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We decided not to apply for 9th grade next year. Program is too uncertain, and the Visi app has a number of additional requirements beyond the standard. Hope they get everything settled. We had strong recommendations on the school from alumnae, parents, and lacrosse people, but it's December this week and no idea who will coach.

What were the additional requirements beyond standard. Please be specific because I think you are full of it.

PP here. Not sure what about that balanced post above made you decide I was full of it, but happy to specify.

The Visi application has several requirements beyond those mandated by the applications for most top privates/Catholics that present good options for strong academics and strong lacrosse.

First, Visi requires a Cub for a Day visit. It is all day (8:30 am to 2:30 pm), and it is not optional like most schools. Accordingly, it requires missing a day of school which is not optimal for most high-academic achievers, especially if they have had to miss for other visits this quarter.

Second, Visi requires a unique student essay, with topics that do not overlap with any other school. While there are other examples of specific essay requirements (St John's for example), most area privates have a version of a student questionnaire that allows for reuse of common language and themes.

Third, Visi requests four additional and unique recommendations, beyond the required math and english teacher recommendations which are standard: (1) Principal or Counselor recommendation; (2) Personal recommendation for Leadership; (3) Personal recommendation for Character; and (4) Personal recommendation for Service. While these are "optional", it is clearly suggested that they be submitted, and a thoughtful applicant would not fail to do so. Indeed, I respect that Visi asks for these additional recommendations, as they can provide a more comprehensive picture of the applicant, but they do represent additional work.

So that's six specific individual tasks, including a full day visit, a multi-hour essay effort, and engaging several recommenders.

We might consider undertaking this significant additional work, while balancing current academics, sports, family commitments and holidays--even though we have choices higher up on our list--if we knew that the lacrosse situation was settled and presented a strong opportunity.

So not "full of it", and my point stands.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We decided not to apply for 9th grade next year. Program is too uncertain, and the Visi app has a number of additional requirements beyond the standard. Hope they get everything settled. We had strong recommendations on the school from alumnae, parents, and lacrosse people, but it's December this week and no idea who will coach.

What were the additional requirements beyond standard. Please be specific because I think you are full of it.

Anonymous wrote:We decided not to apply for 9th grade next year. Program is too uncertain, and the Visi app has a number of additional requirements beyond the standard. Hope they get everything settled. We had strong recommendations on the school from alumnae, parents, and lacrosse people, but it's December this week and no idea who will coach.

Anonymous wrote:With the talent level that Visi has (the sisters in particular) and the top level schedule they play, I would actually think plenty of good young coaches would be interested. I don't know enough about the culture of the school or how much they pay. It certainly seems coaching a perennially nationally ranked team with top tier D1 players against other high profile teams would look great on any resume. The time requirements lend themselves to the school hiring them as a teacher too. My daughter's team plays them this coming season. She knows a few of the players. It would be a shame if the program was in such disarray come tryouts in February and to start the season.