<p>Funny, I've been able to wait very patiently, and be the voice of "don't count your chickens," but with decisions so close...</p>
<p>IF ds is fortunate enough to have a choice at the end of the next few days, what will tip the scales? What will the factors be for you/your child? </p>
<p>I'm thinking fin aid pkgs, distance, %boarders, ummm, what else?</p>
<p>Whether the school’s values and goals fit with our family’s.</p>
<p>The “peer culture” at the school - are the values that the school looks for in accepted students in line with the values we’ve tried to instill in our child? Are the students who are currently attending the school the type of kids I’d like mine to live with and learn from? (Harder to discern at some schools than others, but I think it’s reflected in the kinds of questions asked on admissions essays, information found in the student handbooks, what you read in the school newspaper, info from past “senior speeches,” what the Head emphasizes in blogs/chapel talks, etc.)</p>
<p>We had to feel reasonably certain the school’s stated goals and values fit with our own before sending in apps. Peer culture is really important, and so much more difficult to assess. I’m specifically thinking of schools where we liked what the staff had to say, course selection, etc, but our tours didn’t feel productive. I’m hoping revisits will help, IF we have a choice–though I suspect IF ds gets offered admission and enough FA from his first choice, it’ll be a done deal. </p>
<p>This process = a whole lot of IF-ing for me ;)</p>
<p>FA is the ultimate deciding factor for us. But among the 4 schools my daughter applied to, assuming she’s got any kind of choice to make, will hinge on many things. One big one: Is she willing to work to be “average” at one of the more academically oriented schools, or would she rather be “above average” at one of the other schools?</p>
<p>Good points, all. We were, for the most part, happy enough with each school DC applied to to feel he could attend. However, with more time to learn about the schools, more nuances have emerged which we didn’t see before. So now we feel we have a much more solid ranking of preferred schools based on values and peer culture. If he has the choices he’s hoping for, there will have to be further scrutiny of those final 2 or so…and that is what revisits are for, I guess. </p>
<p>123mama, can you say more on what made a tour feel productive or not for you? This might help on revisits too.</p>
<p>STLmom, glad you brought up your last point - that is key also.</p>
<p>We felt tours were more “productive” when conducted by students who had been at the school longer (ie, juniors or seniors). Freshmen were great for their enthusiasm, but most were unable to answer questions outside of their direct, limited, experience. It was also helpful when we were toured by kids who had some common ground with my kiddo. Boarding school is an adjustment for all, but different for someone coming from a top suburban public school, inner city public, small private, FA/no FA needed, etc. </p>
<p>I also agree, as time has gone on, we’ve found out a bit more about the culture of each school, which will shape decisions, if there is a decision to be made. :)</p>
<p>Bumping, for those with a choice to make, regardless of which schools you’re choosing between.</p>
<p>Just curious, what is the source you used to make an informed decision about the school’s values and peer cultures? Mountainhikers’ post named “kinds of questions asked on admissions essays, information found in the student handbooks, what you read in the school newspaper, info from past senior speeches, what the Head emphasizes in blogs/chapel talks”. It’s really difficult to get a pulse on schools that are far from our home and places where we do not know any students currently there. Seems like many schools have a reputation for either being a party school or a serious academic intense school. It’s hard to get a feel for the right balance of academics, extra curriculars and social life.</p>
<p>Balancing location, off campus neighborhood (availability of restaurants, stores and apts for much later), availability to do research, study abroad programs, and how common to major/minor or double major are some other elements that will weigh in.</p>
<p>Sorry, …I need to read closer…I did not have my coffee yet. I just realized you’re talking about pre school admission and I was referring to college admission.</p>