Does anyone have some good tips in regard to applying to HS privates? Do we need to get the apps out asap? Parent essay advice? Applying to TT mostly and asking for FA.
Read each school's app guidelines and admissions pages in detail. Some schools schedule interviews right away, others will not do until the application is in. Create a spreadsheet with all the categories. This will get you familiar with the schools, their culture, etc. Schools are turned off when they can tell a family or applicant does not get their mission, understand the details (e.g., high school starts in 8th, not 9th, etc). Get a sense of the ISEE cutoffs, etc. Our family has been through this four times, but no FA. Be yourself and encourage DC to practice interview a few times before DC goes on first one. DC #2 was so nervous even during practice interview that DC babbled for nearly 10 minutes before I finally had to cut off and break it down on what is essential and what is extraneous in an answer.
No advice for parent essay other than be genuine. The student is much more the focus than the parent for high school admissions. Schools just want to ensure that the parents/caregivers understand school's mission and support it and is not going to be a PITA.
When DD applied last fall, I attended a few seminars hosted by the Parents' League. The one about ISEE and SSAT was very helpful. There was also a panel with about 4 or 5 admissions directors from various NYC private schools who answered questions which was very informative.
It's really important for the student to really be themselves during the interview. The admissions people are trained to know how to make a kid feel comfortable and ask questions to draw them out. The admissions people can tell if he/she is groomed.
Would you give the same advice about middle school admissions? We are applying to a few this year for 6th as a backup to D2 publics, so we're not super gung ho but would like to have an option or two.
Read each school's app guidelines and admissions pages in detail. Some schools schedule interviews right away, others will not do until the application is in. Create a spreadsheet with all the categories. This will get you familiar with the schools, their culture, etc. Schools are turned off when they can tell a family or applicant does not get their mission, understand the details (e.g., high school starts in 8th, not 9th, etc). Get a sense of the ISEE cutoffs, etc. Our family has been through this four times, but no FA. Be yourself and encourage DC to practice interview a few times before DC goes on first one. DC #2 was so nervous even during practice interview that DC babbled for nearly 10 minutes before I finally had to cut off and break it down on what is essential and what is extraneous in an answer.
No advice for parent essay other than be genuine. The student is much more the focus than the parent for high school admissions. Schools just want to ensure that the parents/caregivers understand school's mission and support it and is not going to be a PITA.
When DD applied last fall, I attended a few seminars hosted by the Parents' League. The one about ISEE and SSAT was very helpful. There was also a panel with about 4 or 5 admissions directors from various NYC private schools who answered questions which was very informative.
It's really important for the student to really be themselves during the interview. The admissions people are trained to know how to make a kid feel comfortable and ask questions to draw them out. The admissions people can tell if he/she is groomed.
Would you give the same advice about middle school admissions? We are applying to a few this year for 6th as a backup to D2 publics, so we're not super gung ho but would like to have an option or two.