Private school admission is certainly serious and in many ways an art rather than a science. But, sometimes we (parents and admission professionals) believe we can control and plan everything.

Here’s a parody (N.Y. Preschool Starts DNA Testing For Admission) in the vein of Jonathan Swift that made me laugh, and pause.

DNA is no more destiny than finding the perfect school. But, sometimes we believe we can always find the perfect measure, the perfect advantage, the perfect school.

“If I were an international family being wooed by a public school system that recently added a boarding program, I’d start my research by asking some questions.”

An “ah, ha” moment struck me after we published that piece.

Our recently published free E-book, “An International Student’s Guide to Applying to Private School,” covers exactly these topics/questions in more detail and with a more detailed eye toward execution.

Author and colleague, Christine Chapman takes international families through the thinking; the “nuts and bolts” of applying to private school in North America and Europe.

She covers some of the questions and issues (as well as how to address them) that I raised in “Shrinking Public Schools Turn to International Boarding Programs as a Lifeline.”

If you’re an international family considering a traditional boarding school, private day school or a home stay-public school experience, “An International Student’s Guide to Applying to Private School,” Ms Chapman offers sound advice and templates for good planning.

No longer an applicant- you’ve either been invited to become part of a school community, been placed on a waiting list, or, the school has decided that the fit was not right.

You’ve moved from which schools to apply, to choosing the school that you might attend for a number of years.

With this movement comes a commensurate shift in your evaluation of your school opportunities. We hope you’ve some great options. The trick now is how to choose the best school option.

Over the years, we’ve produced a number of resources that can help you think through and develop a framework for choosing the school that best fits. Some address specific points in the post admission decision process others provide an overall framework.

I invite you read and download as many as you like; post comments; and post questions in our Private School Forum.

Broad Reference:

Mastering The Private School Admission Process is our larger comprehensive admission process ebook that covers decision letters as part of the larger admission process.

Specific Action or Step References:

• Preparing for the Admission Notification and Financial Aid Letter (about.com)
• The Admission Process: Decision Time!

The Day is Upon Us

It’s almost here; the letters will arrive soon. Admission committees have made their decisions based on the best information available and they have done their best to match each school and student. Remember, no school wants a poor match between student and school.

Be prepared for a series of mixed emotions. If you’re like most students, you will gain admission to some schools and not others. This is the way that it should work. Every student is not a good fit with every school and vice versa. Take a deep breath. If a decision doesn’t result exactly as you had hoped, don’t despair.

Focus on and respond to the good that has resulted from the process. Chances are that you have been accepted to the schools in which you have the best opportunity to do well….

• Tips for Students Accepted at a Private School
• Waitlisted at a Private School? 
• The Admission Process: Ongoing Correspondence
• Accepted Student Re-Visit Days

Not Grant Handa. Skip it. Move on to a passage you understand.

While you might not be able to study for a standardized test- in a classic sense- there are certain things that you can learn and practice in order to improve your score. Much involves understanding what the test is doing and how best to approach the test using some strategies.

Grant Handa over at Prepped and Polished, a test preparation firm, offers a healthy take on approaching the SSAT reading comprehension section.

While these are Handa’s headings, I certainly recommend reading his explanations of each:

1. You choose which passages to read.
2. Don’t read the entire passage like a book.
3. Separate “specific” vs “general” questions.
4. Be careful on “definition” questions.
5. Be a skeptic.

Fundamentally, practice and learn the test; let go of the need to read in order; be skeptical; and, don’t get bogged down.

Standardized test need not be feared. Practice can help one can gain an understanding how the test and its questions work. Armed with knowledge, students can develop strategies and practices that help them move through the test more efficiently and effectively.

It’s just a tough time in the admission cycle. Still, quiet, busy, loaded with thinking.

Admission officers and schools want to do what’s best for every child. Parents want the best for that same child. Sometimes, the best answer is ‘yes.’ Sometimes, the best answer is ‘no.’

Andrew Weller at Ridley College (a coed boarding school in St. Catharines, Canada) has a nice story up on his Independent School Admission Musing Blog chronicling his personal delivery of a difference making decision:

“Over my career I have had the opportunity on occasion to tell a student of their admission in person or over the phone before they got our packet, but this may well be the first time I have hand-delivered it…

When he hit the key line in the letter that confirmed where he thought this letter was going, his eyes got huge and his smile even bigger and his head shot up like a jack-in-the-box as he looked at me. And then he looked right back down to finish reading the letter. When he was done, he looked up and he said nothing, the bright glare reflecting off his braces sending the message of his delight. I simply smiled back, shook his hand, said congratulations, and went on my way.”(AW)

I know that not every admission and financial conversation, and decision, will go the way everyone hopes over the coming months. But Weller presents readers with an opportunity to reflect and think about the lasting power of decision well taken.

As school people, a lot of us live with the desire to be able to be successful and reach, every student, every day. We can’t. It doesn’t work like that. Not every school fits every student and not every faculty member fits every student.

In the private school world, sometimes our inability to reach a student is purely monetary. That’s a blunt reality.

Implicit in Weller’s piece, though, is a reminder to keep an eye on the bigger picture. Our greatest responsibility lies in work with those students we have, those before us.

Additional resources:

Ridley College - www.ridleycollege.com

Boarding school in Canada

Many students (and parents!) worry about private school admission essays because of the unknowns. Is the essay an unofficial test of a student’s writing ability? Is there a formula that successful applicants follow?

Application essays are meant to give schools insight into a student’s personality, interests, and thought process. Most of the application comprises biographical information, grades, test scores, and activities. The essay and interview provide two opportunities for the admissions office to get to know students beyond numbers and statistics, providing a human element to the application. Private schools are communities, and admissions officers try to picture how prospective students will fit their schools, so the essay should give a sense of the student beyond what’s already listed in the application.

Keeping this in mind, here are a few tips to help you approach the essay:

1. Start early. The essays aren’t long, but it may take time to come up with an idea you feel good about. Give yourself that time instead of trying to think of a topic and write about it the week of your application deadline.
2. Brainstorm. For every essay prompt, come up with two or three possible topics. Jot down notes on what you might write about. Discuss your ideas with a parent or teacher to work them out. Is there one idea you’re more excited about?
3. Tell a story. As you begin to write your essay, keep in mind that your reader is someone who wants to know more about you. Your essay should have correct spelling and grammar, but your writing style does not have to be highly formal or academic — in fact, you can use dialogue and give personal examples.
4. Be concrete. You’ll notice that the essay topics are pretty broad, such as “Describe an activity you care about.” Oftentimes, students respond by over-generalizing or making vague statements. Anyone can write, “I like to sing because it’s fun” or “I love basketball because I like being on a team.” Give details about your experience. Show why you care about an activity instead of simply saying that you do.
5. Be authentic. Don’t try to guess what the admissions officer wants to hear and write to that. Admissions officers read hundreds of applications and can see through this. You want to put your best foot forward and stay positive in your application. At the same time, be yourself.

Finally, for parents — when working with your student on an admissions essay, remember that admissions officers understand grade level expectations. A private school admissions essay will differ from a college or graduate school essay, so it’s important to adjust your expectations accordingly. Help your student with brainstorming and copyediting and give them feedback on their drafts, but let them do all of the writing. Don’t lose the spark of your student’s voice and personality in an attempt to perfect the essay. Instead, encourage your student to clarify experiences and ideas so that schools can begin to recognize the unique child you already know so well.

Photo credit: trinhfelix via Creative Commons

Last night, a reader submitted the title question and it makes for a great post this time of year. Here’s our answer:

There’s no guarantee that a private school will have an opening and move to accept you from their waiting list.

The first order of business is not to close the door(s) at any other school or schools to which you’ve been accepted. These schools are ‘in the bag’ and you should make sure you decide which one you’d like to attend.

That said, if you’re committed ot pursuing a waiting list opportunity, we suggest some basic waiting list strategies.

• Follow-up with the school that has wait listed you.
• Let them know that your first choice is to attend their school and that you will commit to them if extended a place for next year.
• Ask where you stand on the waiting list? Near the top or bottom? Are you likely to be offered a spot? If acceptance is unlikely, you’re better off putting your energy toward choosing a school that has offered you admission.
• If financial aid is part of the equation, you need to find out if an aid package will arrive with a possible acceptance. Acceptance with no financial aid can be an admission deal breaker.

Call or send a note to the admission officer working with you and begin a conversation. Stay realistic and understand that a school that has accepted you- outright- possibly with a financial aid package- might be the best school fit for you.

CBC journalist/humorist Rick Mercer recently took his self-depricating style to Brentwood College School to introduce viewers to the Canadian boarding school’s rowing program.

Mercer sets the seriousness and success of Brentwood’s rowing program quickly.  The school has produced 23 Olympians; 21 of them rowers.  He speaks with alumni and Beijing Olympic silver medalists Scott Frandsen and Dave Calder who are preparing for the London games.

In true Mercer fashion, he sets himself as the dupe/foil as students, coaches and alumni take him through the rowing fundamentals.

If you’re unfamiliar with Mercer and his Rick Mercer Report, the show airs weekly on the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) and has been running since 2004.

Preparing for the verbal section

The verbal section of both tests relies heavily on a strong grasp of vocabulary. This means understanding definitions and usage. Below are some ways to prepare:

• Make flashcards of suggested vocabulary words you get from a teacher, tutor or the internet. Include synonyms and antonyms on the flashcards
• Seek out word games and puzzles. The World Food Programme has an online test tool at freerice.com that tests your vocabulary. There are lots of other games, including crossword puzzles, board games and more that are fun ways to incorporate the new words you are learning
• Start early! Just like your math skills, vocabulary is not something you can successfully cram the week before the test. Start early and set yourself a goal of new words to learn each week. Always review the previous words and use as many of the words you are learning in your writing and your speaking.

Reading comprehension strategies

The reading comprehension section will include 6-7 short passages and 40 questions about the content. Below are some strategies to use when taking this part of the exam:

• Do a first read of the passage quickly. You want to get a general idea of the passage without spending too much time trying to remember specific details before reading the questions. A good way to do this is to focus on the beginning and the end of the passage. These sections often contain the central points of the piece.
• When answering the questions, refer back to the passage. You want to choose the answer that is given in the passage, even if there is another answer that you know is factually correct. Remember that the answers to all the questions are in the passage – your challenge is to use context clues and inference to find them.
• Pace yourself. It’s important that you read carefully enough to get the main details of the passage and understand completely what each question is asking. However, if you get stuck on a difficult question take your best guess and then move on to the next one!

Essay writing strategies

The essay will be judged based on the ability to answer the question, the organization behind the essay and your ability to write clearly and coherently. It’s important to remember that the readers know this is a first draft essay, they are not expecting perfection but they are expecting raw good ideas and a demonstration of composition basics. Below are some strategies to use when taking this part of the exam:

• Make a plan. Jot down an outline or some notes on how you will structure and approach your answer to the question given.
• Choose subjects you are comfortable and prepared to write about. Don’t necessarily structure your essay on the truest answer or the one you think will impress readers. Instead, choose something you can write well about. A well articulated example is better than one that is impressive but poorly written.
• Use the beginning and the end to structure your essay. Make sure that your essay has a beginning, middle and an end. Use the beginning to outline what you are going to talk about, the middle to back up your point and expand on examples. The end of your essay should reinforce your main points and be consistent with the beginning of your essay.

Photo credit: roswellsgirl via Creative Commons

“Private School Rejection? Don’t Panic Yet” covers some well travelled ground quoting a couple of consultants and touching lightly on the concept of ‘school fit’ and he’s certainly correct to do so. Quoting from his interviews:

“‘I explain that often schools reject children and families who are not the right fit for their school, rather than it being a reflection of numbers or anything wrong with their application,’ said Liz Perelstein, a consultant based in White Plains, N.Y.

‘Sometimes the denial to a school is a good thing,’ said Jean Baldwin, a District-based consultant. ‘If the student is not right for the program or the curriculum, he or she will not flourish.’

His message is on, but could be stronger.

We’ve been writing, and preaching ‘best school fit’ for years.

Fit isn’t just part of the private school admission process. The process is, fundamentally, about school fit. The fanciest school with greatest reputation is not the best school for every child. The best school for any particular student is the school that will take the student’s growth the furthest while he/she is there.

As we write in “Best Boarding Schools:”

The notion of the ‘best school’ is much like the concept of ‘best kid’- prompting the follow-up questions: Best, how? Best at what? What exactly do you mean by best? Best athlete? Best Latin scholar? Best calculus student? Best behaved? Best debater?

Several schools are quite rich with endowments larger than many colleges. Some schools have students with astounding SAT scores. Some schools produce a disproportionate number of high caliber athletes.

Which school is best? It all depends…

A good fit requires thorough understanding of both student and school. Not every school fits every student and not every student fits every school…

Boarding schools come in all flavors, perspectives and sizes- just like families and kids. Each boarding school offers a particular perspective or way of working and this method works best for students who benefit from the approach.

Frame your thinking about the opportunities and programs that your student needs. Does this school have these programs and support what’s best for my student?…

What’s the best school? The school that provides the most fertile environment for your student’s growth.

Matthews and his interviewees are spot-on observing that parents can have difficulty finding, or lose, perspective in the admission process. It’s just plain difficult to honestly assess your child when clouded by the lenses that want nothing but the best for him/her.

This is where the eyes, ears, perspectives and professional expertise of a consultant can come in handy.

An educational consultant can help with everything from student assessment to final school selection. Their services are not inexpensive, but many families find their contributions to finding the best school for their student invaluable.

Photo credit: BierDoctor via Creative Commons