My current eighth grader is likely applying to various household name boarding schools for next school year. Of course we know he may not be accepted anywhere he applies. Nevertheless, I have the following question: With an eye toward maintaining high matriculation rates, do boarding schools of similar admission selectivity confer about applicants such that only one or two tend to accept any one applicant, or does each admissions office make its admission decisions independently, which could result in a high number of acceptances for one applicant and, therefore, worse matriculation stats for the schools not attended?
I had the same question when we went through the process a few years ago. Disclosure: I have no special insight into what happens in admissions offices.
But now on the other side of it, I highly doubt it. They don’t have the time during admissions season to horse trade. There doesn’t seem to be a pattern like that in the results – some really talented kids don’t get in anywhere and there are others who get into a lot. I think they all only pick the kids they really truly want. Plus there are so many kids that they really truly want that they don’t need to compare lists. I think they instead use financial aid to woo the kids they really want. Plus, most schools don’t publicize their yield rates, so yield wouldn’t be a motivator.
That said, it is a small community, and they know each other. I can imagine that after April 10 they compare notes over a beer or two.
I agree with @CateCAParent in the years my kids have been at BS, application review season is this odd time when AOs are locked away and if you see them on campus they joke about having escaped their caves for a second. They also tend to be very frank about their methods once you’re admitted. I highly doubt they confer with other AOs before making their choices.
It’s a good question, often wondered about. The answer is no.
These schools will compete for students, and at times if they think they are unlikely to “get” a kid, they may simply reject the applicant even if the applicant is well qualified and would otherwise be admitted.
BS AOs sometimes speak to middle school secondary school counselors, and may ask whether Johnny or Jennifer is likely to attend if given an offer. Some parents or applicants will tell their counselors their top choices in hopes this kind of conversation occurs - this can also backfire, IMO.
Agreed.
In a word, no.
From the archives, here’s an other thread on this topic:
From what I know about how schools work, it’s very important to them that they not “collude”, so no, it is highly unlikely that they would confer about applicants.
They might make assumptions about where they fit in your pecking order and not admit you if they have picked up that they are at the bottom. For example, if you are a fourth generation legacy at another school, you should have a good reason for your interest in the school (and it’s not that hard to come up with one) or they might pass on you figuring that they’d just be wasting their acceptance on you.
There is one caveat – if you are applying through a program (like ABC), it’s not unusual for the program coordinator to convey to the schools how your choices are ranked. In those cases, you may not be admitted to your lower ranked choices if you are likely to be successful at your higher choices. Iow, you don’t lose out because you are accepted to your top choices and the schools you aren’t wild about can admit students who want to be there. (This works well for the programs too because they get more students placed.) For most applicants here who are applying on their own, this scenario won’t apply to them.
But please understand that the schools aren’t focused on yield because they care about the number itself. They are trying to manage enrollment and to create a class. Every student who goes elsewhere is one they thought would bring something to their community and who now risks creating an unbalanced community - too many girls, not enough musicians, too many local kids, etc. So if you look like a good fit to them and that your interest is genuine, you really don’t need to worry. Look at the results threads from prior years and you’ll see quite a few kids who had a number of good options.
One of my kids applied to 5 schools considered among the more selective/prestigious and got into all 5. And this was the 2nd kid who had the older sibling’s school among the ones applied to. I don’t think they collude.
A sizable percentage of applications don’t qualify for FA, so…
Many of the feeder private middle schools do this as well with an aim to getting better matriculation for their whole class of graduates.
+1000 re: private middle school SS counselors conferring with AOs about likelihood for matriculation if accepted. That is definitely a thing.
Thanks so much everybody for sharing your insights and experience on this matter! Much appreciated.
If it occurs, I suspect that it would be with respect to certain students who are in need of full financial aid.
P.S. Such collusion could draw the scrutiny of regulators (anti-trust, price-fixing type concerns) so unlikely that it happens in the current market.
@doschicos - sure, but there are unicorns that stand out from the pack - Especially urms or those from underrepresented geographical areas, or maybe athletes(?) that do need aid.
The schools don’t need to woo those who are on the bs track anyway. But if the schools are shooting for diversity or need a specific niche filled, and they all are on that hunt, financial aid is a tool.
I don’t think there are any constraints for schools in how they evaluate financial need like there are in colleges, are there? I know in Cal high schools can’t recruit for sports, but I figured schools would stretch more financially for the kids they really need for whatever reason. Could be wrong.