We have worked with families for years to help them navigate every aspect of the high school admissions process. Below, we’ve outlined tips for what to do (and what not to do) as we head into admissions season.
Do: Start with the right list.
Families who start with an open mind and a clear understanding of their family and child’s needs and values have a much better chance of ending up at the “right” school: a school where they can truly thrive, academically, socially, and emotionally.
I always tell families they need to know what they are saying no to, be it boarding school, single-sex education, or schools with slightly longer commutes. Lists should initially include a range of schools and should narrow as families become more familiar with each.
Don’t: Go only off of friends’ experiences.
Some children thrive in a hyper-rigorous atmosphere, feeling inspired by peers who push them to do better. Others need to have a wide variety of sports or access to special music or art programs.
Too often parents tell me what they’ve heard from their friends (which is certainly a starting point) without diving deeper into the differences between individual children.
Do: Let your child do the hard work.
Unlike pre-school admissions, high school admissions is really about your child. Their interview matters a lot more than your interview, their essays need to be truly their own, and they should be engaged and excited about the schools as they visit and tour.
Don’t: Let your child make uninformed decisions.
7th, 8th, and 9th graders are beginning to understand what they like and want, but they struggle, developmentally, to see far into the future.
Middle school students often judge schools based on how connected they feel to their tour guide on a certain day or what they hear their friends are doing. A good admissions consultant takes into account a child’s articulated desires and values without allowing them to make choices that the grown-ups surrounding them need to make.
Do: Express enthusiasm.
High schools, like colleges, need to accept the right amount of applicants. In other words, admissions officers need to pay attention to their yield (how many applicants are likely to come) so that they do not over or under-admit.
Tours, visits, interviews and essays are all opportunities to express enthusiasm, and there may be appropriate ways to send letters once applications are submitted. Families applying out from K-12 schools will especially need to diligently articulate their reasons for searching for new schools.
Don’t: Express one first choice.
Expressing a first choice when your child is applying to multiple schools can hurt your child’s chances at the other schools on their list. Schools do talk, and it’s important to leave open as many options as possible so that your child can make final decisions during revists.
Having a specific strategy, an organized approach, and the right advice is key.
If your family is going through this process (or considering going through this process), let's find a time to chat about your goals and answer questions you may have. Click below to book a call with our team!
Warmly,
Sasha DeWind
CEO
Tutor Associates
