Waiting Lists at Private School
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Waiting Lists at Private School
April 2011
Our daughter was put on the waiting list for the private high
schools she applied to. We are so sad she didn't get in and she
seemed to us so qualified. Who did get in we wonder, and what
could we have done better to have improved her chances?
anon
As the parent of a private HS freshman (who was wait listed
at one of his first choice schools--despite great grades and
test scores), my advice is to call the admissions director of
your first (and maybe 2nd) choice school and ask for more
information about your daughters standing as an applicant.
You can reaffirm your interest in the event a spot opens up
(sometimes things change over the summer), and explore the
viability of applying as a sophomore next year. Also, enlist
the advice and/or help of your middle school principal or
head as they might have insight into your situation, and/or
steer you to a viable alternative school. Good luck.
A sympathetic parent
I totally agree with the reply from ''A sympathetic parent''. I would go
further to say - to be VERY clear with your 1st and maybe 2nd choice
school that if a space opened up you would be there within the hour to
sign the contract and pay tuition. Between now and the end of the month
there will be students who do not accept the admission, for many
reasons, and spaces will open up. Some schools rank their waiting list
and others do not. So if it is an unranked waiting list anyone on
waitlist can be offered a spot that opens up, and as time continues
schools become very interested in finalizing the class roster if they
have a number of students who do not sign contracts.
If you were looking for a large scholarship this may be affecting your
application since scholarship resources are very scarce at the high
school level.
Please do not be shy about asking your community resources - former
teachers, principals, religious leader, or activity leader to add
additional support to your efforts. Keep it rational and respectful, but
from experience it does work. In the end your student really needs to
get into only one school. Good luck - from experience the private
schools in the Bay Area are excellent but there is heavy pressure on
admissions. You might also look at boarding schools if you do not find a
suitable public program in the area.
Above all as DIFFICULT as this is please share with your student that
this is not about her worthiness or ability. It may be because their
were just many many girls applying this year, yes numbers do affect
outcomes. There are not enough seats in private school in the Bay Area
for people who want them - college will be a much much easier process.
Also if she has any concerns about being admitted from a waitlist - no
one will know unless she tells them. All the students that walk in the
first day of class are the students in the class.
Go For IT
My belief is that if you really love a school, you can eventually get
into it (presuming your child has been waitlisted and there are no
extenuating circumstances that would preclude her from being a
candidate). It is important that the school hear from you and that they
know they are your daughter's number one choice. Write them a love
letter, explaining what you love about them, what your family could
bring to the school (special skills, willingness to do extra
volunteering, etc.), why the school is a particular fit for your family
and your daughter. Become a very friendly squeaky wheel: make sure
Admissions folks know who you are, be pleasant and persistent, ask them
if they mind if you call on occasion to find out about the wait list
status. There are plenty of folks who change their minds, move, decide
on pubic options, etc. Most schools do not have an ordinal wait list
(they won't tell you where your daughter is on their list); all things
being equal, if you let them know how much getting in means to your
family and kindly persist (never get presumptuous or obnoxious!), it's
amazing how you will find your daughter at the top of the list. Most of
all, do not take the initial rejection personally; there are so many
variables in the decision-making algorithm and many of them have nothing
to do with your daughter in particular. Once in, she will be a beloved
student just as all others are. The initial rejection will be a distant
memory, only called to fore when you find yourself writing another
family this sort of encouraging email. Stick with it; chances are you
will prevail! Best of luck.
mom of a wait listed girl who got in
March 1998
Private School Waitlists
Just a note to those who may be feeling badly because they've been
waitlisted at a favorite school. Don't despair! The waiting lists are
going to start moving along quickly. I personally know of potential
openings coming up at some highly coveted schools, including St. Paul's,
Windrush, Bentley, and Prospect-Sierra. So if you're waitlisted, call
the school of your choice and tell them that they are your first choice.
(And don't forget to immediately notify schools which have accepted you
if you are going to decline, so that others may take your place.)
A Mom
this page was last updated: Nov 19, 2011
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