You may be disappointed about the initial outcome, but there is still hope that the schools answer will change. Two factors are important to consider: Many parents are mistakenly drawing from their skills as corporate executives, tiger moms, financiers, etc. The school may give you specific instructions concerning communications after the waitlist notification. -- Parent (Greenwich, CT), "We used a local education agent and the results were bad. Despite that . Schools that maintain lists tend to be smaller, have a smaller number of applicants and may use the sign-up date as a basis for entry. The adage applies: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. So, I asked ChatGPT to explain itself. When Will Medical Schools Give You an Answer? By using the phrase "when I'm enrolled" she is presuming that her letter will be enough to take her off the waitlist; this makes her come off as arrogant and less likely to succeed in her attempt. Keep your letter short. What to do if your child is on a private school wait list. The most competitive schools are least likely to offer places to applicants on their waitlists. So, if your first-choice school waitlists you, what do you do? Does anyone know if they waitlist everyone? Sample Letters of Continued Interest. Then keep the idea of waitlisting out front as you begin to define the list of schools you would like to consider. Don't fret about the school's decision. Reiterate that being put on the waitlist doesnt mean they did anything wrong. The admissions staff know that historically they will receive 90-100 acceptances when they send out 125 acceptance letters. Once you are on the wait list though, don't be shy. She knows her schools. Your professional educational consultant will be able to tell you how each school on your list handles waitlisting. Alex addressed his letter to the Director of Admissions, which is a good choice. This section provides a glimpse into the boarding school admissions process. Listen to her advice and recommendations. Dr. Lowe and his team of admissions advisors alsovisit prestigious and elite private schools, where they have the unique opportunity of interacting one-on-one with heads of schools, directors of admissions and senior admissions personnel. An in depth look at the private school application process. Again, it is okay to check in with the school periodically, especially if you are nearing deadlines at other schools, but try not to be a pest. Realize that some colleges and universities do not welcome letters of continued interest. . It has 838 students in grades 5-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1. They might see that you are a genuine applicant for them. The "Don't call us. She previously worked as a faculty copy editor at Southern Connecticut State University. Some schools will allow you to accept the agreement and make your enrollment deposit payment, and give you grace period to back out before the full tuition charges are legally binding. Be practical. It will make up any shortfall from the pool of applicants who are on the waitlist. If a school asks your child to accept or reject their spot on their waitlist, your child should do so as soon as possible using whatever method the school specifies. Don't give it another thought. What this designation means is that typically the applicant is qualified to attend the school, but the school doesnt have enough spaces available. Dr. Lowe and his team reviewed the situation, continuously discussed what we needed to do on Skype and helpedour sonin reapplying. The 9 Mistakes You Dont Want to Make on an MBA Waitlist, The 9 Mistakes You Dont Want to Make on a Med School Waitlist, The 9 Mistakes You Dont Want to Make on a Law School Waitlist. Do you stand a chance of being offered a place if your child is waitlisted? @boardingschoolreview. The "Don't call us. They may not always tell you where you need to improve, but chances are it won't hurt to work on improving your academic grades, SSAT test scores, or get involved in a new activity. Tuition payments can usually be paid in instalments across the year . The successful outcome is invaluable and preferable compared to the prospect of their child being waitlisted again and again and again. Honestly, in the end, that is all that matters. However, if you tackle it methodically, you will get good results. Alex briefly mentions that this school is his top choice. Schools typically offer places to more applicants than they have places for on the theory and experience that they will receive enough acceptances to fill all their seats. The measure of one's character is how one deals with setbacks and adversities. Discuss those feelings candidly and honestly together. Join Admission Academy, our yearlong event program that supports families step-by-step through the private school admissions process. The measure of one's character is how one deals with setbacks and adversities. You risk annoying them which could jeopardize your chance to come off the waitlist. A waitlist means that for each grade prospective students are ranked so that when a spot opens up the first on the list gets an offer. Private schools like The Hun School of Princeton receive hundreds or even thousands of applications for each upcoming school year. Families can expect one of three outcomes as the admissions season for independent schools draws to a close: admit, deny or waitlist. You can re-apply next year and make the same mistakes endingin another rejection. Finding the right school for your child is a major project. We don't see how much of an improvement these scores are from her old ones. That will minimize disappointment and stress when the acceptance letters come out in March. Sample Supplemental Essay for College Admissions: Why This College? Don't give it another thought. Reapplying can also show that you are still serious about your child attending his or her school of choice. The adage applies: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. https://www.privateschoolreview.com/blog/5-tips-for-a-successful-admissions-interview, https://www.privateschoolreview.com/blog/choosing-schools-look-beyond-the-competitive-schools. Most institutions require a certain number of students who can pay full freight. Our 1st choice "Choose DISD" school lottery has us #30-something on the waitlist. This video offers advice on how to deal with a waitlist. Treat that waitlisting as the equivalent of a rejection because, for all practical purposes, that is what it is. You will hear of their decision as soon as they can make one.. What this designation means is that typically the applicant is qualified to attend the school, but the school doesn't have enough spaces available. Tuition is $32,000 for the highest grade offered. However, you shouldn't share this fact with colleges. It's another thing to act as though this is your only option, your last resort. That doesnt mean hound them daily, but rather, gently remind the admission office of your interest in attending and ask about the potential for getting off the waiting list every few weeks. Maybe get something in writing that your spot is ready for you. The safest course of action is to hire a professional educational consultant. Alex thanks the Director at the close of the letter, and his writing/communication skills are strong. Having 25 empty seats will wreak havoc with any private school's finances. In closing, there are two things to keep in mind. You applied to several schools. Your child will be confused because she thought the school liked her and liked it. Don't harass your admissions office representative 24/7 asking about when you'll hear about a final decision. Some families are waiting for final confirmation of their state scholarships for final enrollment, and there is a possibility that we might have . It will make up any shortfall from the pool of applicants on the waitlist. Whatever anger and frustration Alex is feeling does not appear in the letter, and he shows a pleasing level of maturity and professionalism. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. After months of research, school visits, interviews, and tests, you find out that you've been waitlisted. SOUTHBOROUGH Sending a third-grader to Fay School costs $31,780 per year, according to the small private school's website. Waitlists may be active for just the notification period that a school is enrolling students, or it may continue to be active through the spring and sometimes into the summer. As soon as you know that youre off the waitlist at your top school, notify any schools that are waiting to hear your final decision immediately. We are specialists in helping students off the waitlist and students who have been rejected gain acceptance to their top choice schools. Jagodowski, Stacy. Of course, this doesn't come without a caveat. If you decide that school isnt right for you or that you dont want to wait to see if you receive an offer, you can tell the school youve decided to pursue another opportunity. Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Local MetroWest private schools see enrollment bump. Most schools do end up accepting students who are initially on the waitlist. We have observed an increase in applications (and therefore waitlisted applicants) in schools in the tri-state area, especially the Fairchester area (Westchester and Fairfield Counties) and Northern New Jersey. Each application represents a promising young student eager to grow as a part of our family. So, I am writing this essay from the candidate's point of view and yours. Jagodowski, Stacy. (St Kevin's charges $500, and has more than 5000 children on its . This will hold his or her place. The next opening goes to the second person on the list, and so on. Private schools, like colleges, can only admit so many students. 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Private School, MBA Waitlist Strategies for Business School Applicants, Month-by-Month Senior Year College Application Deadlines, M.A., Communications and Information Management, Bay Path College, B.A., Journalism and Design, Mount Holyoke College. Campus Tour |Careers |Privacy Policy | Sitemap A good first step is to make sure you write them a note specifically saying that youre still interested and why. Just talk to parents at schools and you'll find this to be true. Your child will thrive in any of the schools on your shortlist. This is not the answer any parent wants to hear, of course, but it is what it is. This is a good ideabecause going on at length about your interest, your improved test scores, or your passion for education may come off as sounding desperate or vain, and it wastes the time of the admissions staff. The admissions folks are extremely busy. If she is waitlisted at a very selective school, probably not. Sometimes, it can take weeks or even months for new enrollment positions to become available. Thank the admissions folks for their efforts. Generally, if you're on the waitlist, the admissions committee is just . Your fit is as perfect as that of a cozy glove on a cold hand. Learn About Waitlists. Email Us, Parents League of New York is a 501(c)(3) charity. Here's a roadmap to finding the school you want. You can ask them if their waitlist is a ranked list of potential students, or if its more like a wait pool where all candidates are grouped together. It's highly unlikely that someone will ever fault you for having nice manners! But your first choice didn't accept you. As I mentioned above, the arrival of a waitlisting letter can create both confusion and disappointment. If she is waitlisted at a very selective school, probably not. 41: 2537: February 26, 2023 This is good information to include, but more importantly, Alex goes intowhyit is his top choice. Check out the Charter School Program Statistics (PDF) for more details. The answer, as in most cases, depends on a number of different factors. First, you will feel frustrated having spent all that time and effort visiting schools and applying to them. We'll call you" policy applies. The adage applies: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. SchoolChoice waitlists for kindergarten through 12th grade remain active until late September 2023. (b) weekly by email or mail. So when he applied to Hackley, Rye Country Day, Brunswick, Dalton andMasterswas twice rejected we were devastated. Your professional educational consultant will be able to tell you how each school on your list handles waitlisting. Remember that you will go through a very similar process when she applies to college in a few years. Wager, Liz. When we saw the numbers jump from 400 to 600 recently, we decided we just couldn't . The Wait List. This video from AdmissionsQuest offers some good advice about waitlisting. These seven tips from Admission.org will help your child leave a lasting impression in virtual interviews with the most competitive private schools. Spaces open up all the time. The issue with the term "waitlist" is that parents often associate a numerical order with this processmeaning, if my child is first on the waitlist, he or she will be the first one offered a spot when it opens. For over 55 years, our mission of knowledge, integrity, and compassion through developing the full potential of each child to be an active, intelligent, creative, and contributing member of society. And, what are the next steps you should take as a family?, First, dont panic: being placed on the waitlist at your private school of choice is not the end of your journey., At most private schools, there are three different responses an applicant can receive: accepted, waitlisted (sometimes called the wait pool), or denied., When your child is accepted, they have a saved spot for the next school year if you choose to accept it. After all, colleges want to admit students who know how to follow directions. - Admission offices may take a student off a wait list as late as August. Teen suicide is the 3rd largest killer of young adults between the ages of 15-24. For schools with more applicants than spaces, the waitlist represents the group of applicants that could be a right fit if more seats open up., Schools are very intentional about their waitlists, said Frankie Brown, director of admissions and financial aid at Sidwell Friends School, in an Admission Academy webinar. Do be aware, however, if you put a deposit down to a school that has accepted you, you will forfeit that deposit should you decide to choose another school. Sample Recommendation Letter for Graduate School, Dealing With Wait Lists, Deferrals, and Rejections, What to Do If Your College Application Is Deferred, A Sample Response to a College Deferral Letter, How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest. The waitlist isnt a race and there really isn't anything you can do to speed up the process. But you want to go to the school which waitlisted you. During our brief discussion, I sensed his positive energy and passion in helping families and his confidence that he could help us. This is not the answer any parent wants to hear, of course, but it is what it is. Size: 5 KB. Click here to get in touch! Some schools will even waive some parts of the application process if you're re-applying for the following year. "To Whom It May Concern" sounds generic and impersonal, something you want to avoid. She doesn't come across as angry or presumptuous, and she states her case well while remembering her letter does not guarantee she will be accepted. Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada. Taking the initiative to show youre invested in the school cant hurt. This is a family decision. I can tell you from my first-hand experience that you wonder what you did wrong. Be realistic as you develop your list of schools. If your child is accepted at another great-fit school, you may choose to enroll there. By Carol Lippert Gray Published: February 13, 2012. The main topics of a waitlist letter should be The Private School Waitlist: What to Do Now. But don't let that discourage you from writing a LOCI. You and I can prevent it. "The Private School Waitlist: What to Do Now." Now, what do you do? 7 Simple Steps to Writing an Excellent Diversity Essay, 4 Ways to Show How Youll Contribute in the Future, How to Write About Your Research Interests, Tips for Answering the Yale University Supplemental Essays and Short Answer Questions [2022-2023]. If you decide that you are still invested and want to wait for an offer of acceptance, you can have another chance to speak to the admission office to reiterate your desire to attend if you wish to remain on the waitlist. Our son was accepted to Hackley." Are you just beginning the process of choosing a school for your child? Listen to her advice and recommendations. Jagodowski, Stacy. Your child has been waitlisted or rejected from his or her top-choice schools. That's where the waitlist comes into play. This year, waiting lists are expected to be the worst ever (meaning the longest ever). I'm trying to figure out if we have any chances of getting in. Some schools require students to communicate via an online portal, which is fine, but you can also follow up with a nice handwritten note - just make sure your penmanship is good! She goes on to point out the ways in which the admissions office has made a mistake in placing her on the waitlist. "Our son had applied but was rejected in applications to Loomis, Andover,Exeter, Kent, Lawrenceville, St. Paul's, Choate, Taft, Milton and Deerfield. A letter of continued interest does not guarantee your eventual acceptance to the school, and it may not improve your chances at all. Type the student's name and address. Tours, interviews, essays, and more: applying to private schools is an involved process. Reputation: 31. An understanding of real-time changes, as well as nuances particular to each school at a particular point in time are important for successful outcomes in private school admissions to top schools. What Does Waitlisted Mean Being waitlisted is unlike being deferred and means the college has finished reviewing your file and made a decision to put you on a waiting list for admission. --D.Liu (Beijing), "Thank you for all your help and advice! As Brown noted, it is often difficult for a school to foresee if and when they will turn to their waitlist. Your child will thrive in any of the schools on your shortlist. Remember, it's important to communicate with both your first-choice school where youve been waitlisted, and your second-choice school where youve been accepted, so that you know where you stand in the admission process with each school, and what each school needs from you. They know our reputation and want the best! Are you just beginning the process of choosing a school for your child? Toddler - $250 to $350 per week. https://www.thoughtco.com/sample-letters-of-continued-interest-4040198 (accessed March 4, 2023). Anonymous: I am pretty sure Maret does. Instead, it waitlisted you. Private schools have a finite amount of open spaces each year, which means there will inevitably be more good-fit students than seats. Life on a PhD Waitlist: Is There Anything You Can Do? visit prestigious and elite private schools, Dr Paul Lowe Admissions Advisor Independent Educational Consultant, View all posts by drpaulloweadmissionsexpert, Dr Paul Lowe Admissions Advisor Independent Educational Consultant(77), Regular Decision Notification Dates:2023, Top Boarding Schools that Offer the Best Lacrosse Programs(2023). Remember that not every student accepted in the first round will enroll at the private school where you were waitlisted. Learn more about when and how to apply, why the deadlines are important and what to do when your child is accepted. Experts suggest wait-listed applicants carefully follow a college's specific procedures and take these seven steps if they're hoping to get admitted: Accept a spot on the waitlist. She writes well, and she keeps the letter short and respectful. Read the most up-to-date advice on finding and applying to your best-fit school.. New York, NY 10028 Andy Mayfield, director of admissions at St Paul's School for boys, said, 'About 600 apply for 90 places. Utilizing data from the Common Data Set, a collaborative data-sharing project among institutions of higher education, The Daily Princetonian analyzed trends in undergraduate waitlist admissions at a collection of the country's most selective colleges and universities. Since most students apply to several schools, they have to settle on one final choice, which means if a student is admitted at more than one school, that student will decline the offer of admission at all but one school. In her first paragraph, Lana makes the mistake of sounding both frustrated and presumptuous. How can you increase the chances of your child moving from the waitlist to acceptance? Many parents also fail to fully appreciate and understand the human element of diplomacy in the selection process and decisions in private school admissions. Colleges usually let waitlisted candidates know after May 1st, once they've received deposits from accepted students. Some schools automatically invite waitlisted students to accepted students events, but not always. If you are looking for more information about NYC schools and the admissions process in general, subscribe to our email list to receive our timely emails about admissions resources, events, advice and school news. I hope that explains how waitlisting works. What exactly does this mean? When you develop your shortlist of schools this way, you won't be disappointed when one of the very competitive schools on your list rejects your child outright or possibly waitlists her. Download. How Do Girls Benefit From Single-Sex Education? While it never hurts to express your interest in the school and remain on its waitlist, it is never a good idea to pester the admissions staff. The pandemic has led to a surge in applications at the most competitive colleges -- public and private. For example, using our hypothetical 100 places available, the admissions office sends out 125 acceptance letters. Prep School Admissions. Be practical. Job Layoffs and Its Effect on BS/MDPrograms, Boarding School Admissions Trends in2023, Dr. Paul Lowe discusses Fairfax County Public High Schools-Virginia, Happy New Year from BS/MD Admissions Advisor Dr. PaulLowe, Congratulations to Our Clients Who Were Accepted ED Brown and Brown PLME2027. So, knowing that not everyone they originally accept will come to their school, they put you on the list to acce. Remember, they have waitlists, too, and those students are hoping to hear the same good news you just did. Having specific reasons for being interested in a school can show the Admissions Office that you have done your research and that your interest in their school is informed and sincere. This season is very busy for schools as they try to determine which students plan to enroll. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. If she did, in fact, plan her application process poorly, fair enough many students do. CostsMost private international schools in Miami will incur fees, you will typically have to pay annual fees to cover tuition and school fees, some offer boarding facilities which you'll need to factor into your costs. In some areas, this is a rolling process, so you may be given a place at any time. The 4 Best Review Books for the ISEE and SSAT, How to Handle College Deferrals, Waitlists, and Rejections, How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest, The Meaning of Single-Choice Early Action and Restrictive Early Action. Pre-Kindergarten - $200 to $265 per week. The most competitive schools are least likely to offer places to applicants on their waitlists. If possible, address your letter to a person, being sure to spell his or her name and title correctly. "Sample Letters of Continued Interest." Prep School Admissions. Tips for Appealing a College Rejection Decision, Sample Appeal Letter for a College Rejection. If you have been placed on the wait-list of schools that you were not keen to attend in the first place, and you have received acceptances from a school or schools that you did want to attend, then your wait-list status holds no significance. Parents must bring their child . Schools may or may not admit students from the waitlist. What Age Does Independent Kindergarten Start in NYC. She knows which ones will be a good fit for your child. Just remember, however, that these deposit payments are usually not refundable, so you risk losing that money. But it never hurts to try, and new information that strengthens your application can make a difference. Should you have more questions about the waitlists and how to navigate admissions decisions for independent and private schools, please contact the Parents League office by email at [emailprotected] or call 212-737-7385 to speak to a school advisor. AI (Artificial Intelligence), specifically ChatGPT, poses some serious challenges for teachers. That means, you can secure your spot at your backup school but still have time to wait it out and see if you get accepted at your first choice school. The other two schools to which you applied have offered you places. But what if circumstances conspire to produce the number on the low end of the yield scale? Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, Sr. is the co-founder and CEO of Pinnacle Educational Center; and is one of the world's leading independent educational consultants and expert admissions advisors. First, the good newsthe college thinks you're worth a shot. During the waitlist process, you should generally aim to contact the waitlisting school (a) every other day if it's really your number-one choice. And why do schools waitlist applicants? If youre backed up against deadlines at other schools, call to ask the likelihood that you might be offered a spot. Dr. Lowe helps U.S. and international students gain admissions into top U.S. private schools even after they have been wait-listed and rejected. Talk to the private school and say thank you. rather than accepting the benefits of a consultants professional skills and years of experience in private admissions diplomacy. you are number 101 in the eyes of the admission office. Contact us on Facebook. (2021, February 10). Hiring Dr. Lowe at Private School Admissions Advisors was the best money I have ever spent. Drop them a handwritten note and thank them for their consideration. 3. Here are some tips if you've been waitlisted: Pre-register at the school where your child won a seat it won't affect your standing on waitlists elsewhere. Put another way, look beyond the competitive schools as you explore all your options and develop your shortlist of schools to visit. Finally, respect boundaries once you've been waitlisted at your dream school. We encourage families who are interested in enrolling in our school to visit our campus for a. Guessing it'll only move enough if dozens of applicants get into their actual preferred school after other admissions decisions are released next week and/or . Being on a college waitlist typically means that you are placed within a "holding pattern" of sorts. Paragraph #2. We are the only firm (because of our knowledge, experience, expertise and long-term relationships) that has this type of specialized, More about Dr Lowe and visits to private schools. Just remember, you shouldnt go overboard when it comes to showing how much you want to attend. From teacher recommendations to the acceptance letter, we'll explore some of the most crucial aspects of applying to private school. For example, if you send in a deposit and accept a place at one of the schools which has offered you a place, you will forfeit your deposit if the waitlisting school finally offers you a place and you accept it. Be content with the fact that your first choice thought highly enough of you that it waitlisted you. Remember that you will go through a very similar process in a few years when she applies to college. Charter schools are largely free to innovate, and often provide more effective programs and choice to diverse groups of students.