The admissions folks are extremely busy. In her first paragraph, Lana makes the mistake of sounding both frustrated and presumptuous. This section provides a glimpse into the boarding school admissions process. So, if your first-choice school waitlists you, what do you do? 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. Click here to get in touch! Two factors are important to consider: SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT in your child's application process. One of the effects of COVID-19 on private school admissions is that more families are choosing private school for their children; thus, the competition has increased. View their 2023 rankings, tuition cost, acceptance rates, reviews and more. Now that families have received offers to a kindergarten program, they will have to make appointments to pre-register at that school in person by May 23. Lana comes across as someone who planned her application process poorly. Hire a Boarding School Admissions Expert to Help AvoidMistakes! Don't fret about the school's decision. The most competitive schools are least likely to offer places to applicants on their waitlists. Similar to colleges, many private schools have a part of the admission decision process called the waitlist. -- A. Mehta (Clifton, NJ). Attending orientation events serves more than one purpose. Most institutions require a certain number of students who can pay full freight. We are so happy we did. Applications to the primary campus at Penn State, a Big Ten School . We are specialists in helping students off the waitlist and students who have been rejected gain acceptance to their top choice schools. Your professional educational consultant will be able to tell you how each school on your list handles waitlisting. However, bear in mind that each school has its unique way of deciding who gets an acceptance letter and who gets waitlisted. Basically, a waitlist means that you may not have received an acceptance to the school yet, but you might still be offered an opportunity to enroll after the first round of enrollments are processed. This video offers advice on how to deal with a waitlist. Be realistic as you develop your list of schools. You may be disappointed about the initial outcome, but there is still hope that the schools answer will change. So did large state schools like the University of California, Los Angeles, where freshman applications increased 28 percent. At Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington, Vermont, enrollment surged by 11 percent as of September 8, 2020, when school picked up for the year. By that time you will understand the process of choosing a school so much better. 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. 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. "Sample Letters of Continued Interest." Once the application is complete, you can upload your childs academic records right to your account and proceed to schedule their test. Kindergarten - $230 to $270 per week. Your child has been waitlisted or rejected from his or her top-choice schools. Some automatically invite students on the waitlist, too. Don't give it another thought. If she is waitlisted at a very selective school, probably not. Some schools automatically invite waitlisted students to accepted students events, but not always. View all posts by drpaulloweadmissionsexpert. Reputation: 31. Alex addressed his letter to the Director of Admissions, which is a good choice. Congrats. 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. You applied to several schools. That list should include three categories of schools: + schools which are very competitive or a reach, + schools which your child stands a good chance of getting into, + schools which are almost certain to admit your child (safe schools). Plus, now you've been through the process once and you know what to expect for the application and interview. For some students, attending Academy A is such a huge dream that it's worth it to wait a year and reapply. 3. Youve made your way through the private school admission process. They believe that you might be a strong candidate. We are specialists in helping students off the waitlist and students who have been rejected gain acceptance to their top choice schools. The other two schools to which you applied have offered you places. When parents call our firm to inquire about our services, they engage us because they understand the importance of investing in their childs educational future. No one wants to be left without a place to start classes in the fall if the student doesn't get off the waitlist. What do you do now? Dr. Lowe specializes in providing exclusive concierge-type admissions advisory services for U.S. and international students who are interested in applying to top U.S. boarding and day schools. Sample Supplemental Essay for College Admissions: Why This College? We'll call you" policy applies. How To Improve Your SSAT Quantitative Score, Admissions Test Preparation: 2 Strategies, https://www.privateschoolreview.com/blog/admissions-to-private-school-a-z, http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theartofgettingaccepted/f/waitlist_faq.htm, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/after-youve-applied/what-to-do-if-youre-waitlisted. Just remember, you shouldnt go overboard when it comes to showing how much you want to attend. waitlist. Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students get into their top choice private school and colleges after they have been waitlisted, deferred or rejected. As I mentioned above, the arrival of a waitlisting letter can create both confusion and disappointment. We'll call you" policy applies. 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. Anyone have any idea what percent of kids are waitlisted? Wager, Liz. Instead, drop them a handwritten note and thank them for their consideration. A school may not look at anything new, and may have a policy enforcing this. Discuss those feelings candidly and honestly together. Prep School Parents. Tips for Answering the University of Pennsylvania Supplemental Essay Prompts [2022-2023], Top STEM MBA Programs: A Comprehensive List and Overview of STEM-OPT Eligible B-Schools. A friend who used Dr. Lowe told us about his company. WAIT-LISTED means that we love your child, but we dont have spot available today, tomorrow or perhaps never. 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. Know that admissions professionals are working hard to create the perfect balance of right-fit students for the next school year. After all, you have already determined that all the schools you applied to were great fits. https://www.thoughtco.com/private-school-waitlist-tips-4135599 (accessed March 4, 2023). Tips for Appealing a College Rejection Decision, Sample Appeal Letter for a College Rejection. When will you get a definite answer?, Unfortunately, said Brown, schools are rarely able to predict if and when they will tap into their waitlist. Many schools say that the student is being added to a waitlist. (2021, February 10). What Is "Yield" in the College Admissions Process? It may not be enough to impact her status, but it shows the Admissions Office she cares about the school and really does want to be there. It means they have offered admission to all the students they originally planned to accept. . Alex's letter is fairly short. What exactly does this mean? Institutional Need Drives Need-Aware Waitlists From colleges' perspectives, need-aware admissions makes sense. Here, with only a few short paragraphs, Alex gets his message across without being too wordy. We are currently accepting wait list applications for 2021-2022 school year. But you really want to go to the school which waitlisted you. At most private schools, there are three different responses an applicant can receive: accepted, waitlisted (sometimes called the wait pool), or denied. But don't let that discourage you from writing a LOCI. Private School Admissions Advisors is a division of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group. Don't hold your breath. This season is very busy for schools as they try to determine which students plan to enroll. And why do schools waitlist applicants? 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. Contact us on Facebook. Questions? rather than accepting the benefits of a consultants professional skills and years of experience in private admissions diplomacy. This is good information to include, but more importantly, Alex goes intowhyit is his top choice. It is also a good time to chat with an adviser, like a physician expert at . Hope Scholarship Program. That's where the waitlisting comes in. It just doesn't seem fair. What's the Next Step? In some areas, this is a rolling process, so you may be given a place at any time. Your child will be confused because she thought the school liked her and liked it. Toddler - $250 to $350 per week. Before sending anything to a school, be sure to read both your decision letter and the admissions website carefully to see if the school has said anything about sending additional information. Do you give up or pick yourself back up, dust yourself, and move on to the next event? . It's not the end of the world. That said, it can't hurt, and your display of interest in the program and your dedication and outreach may help. Parents make a lot of mistakes on their child's application. This video from AdmissionsQuest offers some good advice about waitlisting. American Heritage Schools was recently named the #1 Private School for academic success with the highest number of National Merit Scholars of all private schools in the nation. Honestly, in the end, that is all that matters. @boardingschoolreview. The instructions may include when and how often you should call to check on your childs status. Even though our daughter had top SSAT and TOEFL scores and wasfirst in her class she was not accepted to top boarding schools. Many schools offer a grace period before you have to pay the full tuition, at which time your child is legally obliged to attend. This is not the answer any parent wants to hear, of course, but it is what it is. Fax: 212-737-7389 I hope that explains how waitlisting works. Dealing With College Wait Lists, Deferrals, and Rejections. While you wait, write the school a letter to let them know your intentions and thank them for their help throughout the process but dont call too frequently. Remember that not every student accepted in the first round will enroll at the private school where you were waitlisted. Students have to be realistic and remember that theres always the chance that theymay not make it off the waiting list at their first choice school. Instead, it waitlisted you. Private School, College, BS/MD Program, Graduate and Medical School Admissions Advisor & Educational Consultant. Be content with the fact that your first choice thought highly enough of you that it waitlisted you. Once you have decided whether you'll stay on the waitlist, talk to your school counselor as soon as possible to discuss the situation and gain your counselor's insights. Each application represents a promising young student eager to grow as a part of our family. Talk to the private school and say thank you. Should you take a place at another school or decide you do not want to remain on the waitlist, communicate this immediately as well. Spaces do open up. It's one thing to let the school know they are your top choice, for this is a small but helpful piece of information. Were your scores not good enough? The measure of one's character is how one deals with setbacks and adversities. 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). Does anyone know if they waitlist everyone? Private schools have a finite amount of open spaces each year, which means there will inevitably be more good-fit students than seats. Still, you do need to be patient. Jagodowski, Stacy. The adage applies: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. (d) every three to four weeks (if the school allows contact). They may notget off of the waitlist, but with these letters, they have demonstrated themselves to be interested students with additional information to help their cases. 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. Whatever anger and frustration Alex is feeling does not appear in the letter, and he shows a pleasing level of maturity and professionalism. It will make up any shortfall from the pool of applicants on the waitlist. Sometimes, it can take weeks or even months for new enrollment positions to become available. Prep School Admissions. 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. Check out the Charter School Program Statistics (PDF) for more details. Log in. Local MetroWest private schools see enrollment bump. 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. Having 25 empty seats will wreak havoc with any private school's finances. For example, let's say the school has places for 100 students. 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. Finally, Lana writes that she is desperate; she's been rejected at other schools, and accepted to a school she doesn't want to attend. And why do schools waitlist applicants? See the glass as half full. Since March 2nd, my firm has been inundated with continuous inquires (phone calls and emails) from stunned and stressed-out parents because their children are wait-listed. But what happens if only 75 of those families accept the places which have been offered? Instead, she focuses on the positive and shows her improvement by sending the scores to the school. Advisory services are free to all members. Youve narrowed down your options to the best private schools for your child. However, if you tackle it methodically, you will get good results. That kind of attention to detail and individual interest can set you apart from others on the waitlist. 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. For example, using our hypothetical 100 places available, the admissions office sends out 125 acceptance letters. It makes more sense to accept a place at one of the schools which has accepted you. Please share it with your child who has been waitlisted by one or more of the boarding schools she applied to. It will make up any shortfall from the pool of applicants who are on the waitlist. Find answers to the most common questions, learn when its too late to apply and get familiar with the Boarding School Admission Application, Admissions Checklist For Boarding School Applicants, Marketing Your School: Filling Your Seats, Using the Boarding Schools Admission Application Form, 10 Things You Must Not Forget When Applying, A Roadmap For The Boarding School Admissions Process, Accommodated Testing as Part of the Private School Admission Process, International Students: Offsite And Virtual Visits, Understanding the Post-Graduate (PG) Year. Private schools have their own admissions policy, but most involve an application, interview, and potentially an entrance exam. Email Us, Parents League of New York is a 501(c)(3) charity. This is not the answer any parent wants to hear, of course, but it is what it is. Demand for private schools leads to waitlist pool and expansion So far it's been unprecedented demand for many of their schools, which means there are already waitlists for this fall.. There is probably a long wait list of ummm. How should you feel? Instead of presenting new information, such as higher test scores or a new award, she reiterates the achievements she has already listed on her application. 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. Most private schools hold special events for newly accepted students. Top schools rarely reject students outright. The adage applies: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. 4. She knows her schools. So what should you do when you're waitlisted at private school? Sample Supplemental Essay for College Admissions: Why This College? While being waitlisted is not a positive experience, you shouldn't let that disappointment come through in your LOCI. Learn more about when and how to apply, why the deadlines are important and what to do when your child is accepted. If you have friends or other parents who have a relationship with the admissions director, it is okay to ask them to put in a good word, too. The answer, as in most cases, depends on a number of different factors. While many families will celebrate their childs acceptance into the. ThoughtCo. Credits | Privacy Policy and Terms, Financial Aid: Making Independent School Affordable, what-age-should-my-child-start-preschool.jpg. * America's Premier Independent Educational Consultants for Private School Admissions *, Waitlisted or rejected top US private schools, E-mail:info@privateschooladmissionsadvisors.com Woodbridge: 203.387.1574| Greenwich: 203.542.7288| Manhattan:212.829.4341 |White Plains: 914.705.5519 | Fort Lee: 201.490.1037, 2023Pinnacle Educational Center All rights reserved. : Which schools waitlist everybody? It means your student meets the criteria for admission but the class has been filled.