Getting into elite school-- forums?

[musicianmom]

I've decided I need to "swing for the fences" and try to get my oldest into the city's top private school. I think it would be the perfect place for her and I'll never forgive myself if I don't try.

 

Is there a forum like this for straightforward discussion about private school admissions? Especially in the area of financial aid? I read the school's stats that 30% of their students in our income bracket get financial aid, so it's not impossible.

Edited May 22, 2022 by musicianmom

[wapiti]

You might try here: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/

 

Cost and distance are indeed big obstacles.  Financial aid for high school is generally far less generous than for college.  Expect major sacrifice even if you do succeed in getting aid.  Unfortunately, you probably won't know how much FA without going through the whole admissions process, but it is worth calling to discuss with the FA office.

 

Factor in the cost of transportation - if you can drive, the cost of gas, and if you can't, the cost of bus if they have it (for my dd, her private high school bus runs about $1500 for the school year).  Check the website for this info and ask about the possibility of carpooling from your area, i.e. ask about how many students come from your neighborhood.

 

ETA, 35 miles is quite far, even if it's not across an urban area.  Add in an urban rush hour.  Drive at the appropriate time to see how long it really takes.  (In my area, morning traffic can add anywhere from 25% longer on a typical morning to 100% longer on a snowy one.)

 

I do know people who have moved for high school.  If this school is very important to you, that may be worth considering.

Edited February 16, 2016 by wapiti

[musicianmom]

Moving is a very strong possibility.

[Nart]

I don't know about any forums but I would look to see what admissions test is required and start preparing your child. Is it the SSAT? My nephews both attended private school and my brother said that the beginning of 6th grade at their school my nephews had lots of homework and some school work that prepared them for the SSAT. Their private school ended at 6th and the school worked hard to get their students admitted into the top private schools in the area. Many kids also had private tutors that worked with them to get them ready to do well on the SSAT.

[musicianmom]

She will have to take the ISEE for middle school. She is a good test-taker and I think she'll probably do well after a few practice tests to get her familiar with the format and the language of the test. Prepping is going to be her summer project. 

[Pen]

Don't know of a forum, but wanted to say 35 miles is a long way. Maybe see if there are others going there from your area and see how they manage it. Or might there be a family local to the school she could stay with during the school week?

[FairProspects]

Yes to everything Wapiti posted. Our private school operates a bus but it runs an additional $2000 for the year. Financial aid for tuition does exist, but it is usually a 30% or less scholarship and is income based. 35 miles is far. That would be way too far for us. We drive about half that distance across an urban area and the commute time doubles before school and after any afterschool activities. Depending on the area, I would seriously consider moving if she does gain admission.

[MBM]

College Confidential might have advice. Here is a thread about prep school admissions:

 

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/

[mathnerd]

Factor in a lot of other costs to the $25K - uniforms, field trips, bus (this is better than driving), extra curriculars, donations if they are a nonprofit, supplies, book fee etc. Some private schools say that kids should eat school lunch without any exceptions and the charges for that vary from $5 to $8 per day. If you call their admissions office, they will provide a list of all the additional expenses because this is a common question from parents.

 

Besides this, the higher the percentile scores on ISEE the better the chances for admissions - in our area, the schools say that any score above 80 percentile is acceptable, but, what we have seen anecdotally is that kids who score 96-99 percentile are the first to get the seats and the rest are put on waiting lists. It is ultra competitive in my area for private school seats, so this could be area specific.

 

As wapiti says, drive there at the correct times of the day and see how the commute looks like. Consider moving as the only possibility because high school homework and team sports etc will add on to the commute.

 

When applying, make a portfolio for your daughter - outside test scores (standardized, talent search ...), recommendation letters, work samples, awards won etc. Ask her to write a letter that showcases her strengths and what she can contribute to the school as well as what she hopes to gain by attending that school.

 

Sign up for a shadowing day for your child at that school - in our area, there are parent shadowing days (parent sits in the back of the classroom quietly observing and then asks questions later to the admin) and child shadowing days (where child is partnered with another child of the same gender for a day and they show them around and they sit in the classes). This will give you a better idea of what to expect from that school and if it is worth the money and the effort of moving.

 

Good luck.

Edited February 18, 2016 by mathnerd

[musicianmom]

Well, since posting this, I have discovered that a closer, (much) cheaper school is actually doing a really good job and could be a good option. We wouldn't have to move or bite our nails worrying about financial aid. Dd studied their website and was impressed, so we're going to pursue that and see what happens. The elite school is still a dream, but it's more my dream, so if I don't project that onto my kid she'll probably be fine!