<p>During casual conversation at school, two different students have told my child that they have already been promised a spot at 2 very competitive private schools. (Neither one of these applicants are recruited athletes nor did their parents donate a new library.) Do you think that this could be true? I thought that most all schools followed the March 10th rule. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Independent day schools have different notification dates. Sometimes it as early as January. The March 10th date is used by boarding schools and some day schools.</p>
<p>(1) If you’re talking about day schools, and not boarding schools, then who knows? I guess anything is possible.</p>
<p>(2) If you’re talking about boarding schools, then it is highly likely that both students were led on by false expectations and false promises from interviewers or others. We hear stories here all the time, unfortunately, about interviewers saying things like, “I can’t wait to see you here next Fall!” or “I wish all candidates were as qualified as you!” and so on . . . you get the idea.</p>
<p>(3) Finally, of course, there are students who are just flat out bragging about something that doesn’t exist.</p>
<p>Tell your child not to worry about it. And best of luck to your family on March 10!</p>
<p>Some schools have an early decision, which is binding. I know Ashville offers that and notifies students on Jan. 10th.
zp</p>
<p>If the schools these kids applied to are ISL or TSAO schools then what you’re hearing is wishful thinking. Some kids hear “I hope I’ll see you in the fall” from an admissions officer or, “We could sure use you in goal” from a coach as an offer of admission, but in reality it’s not. There are schools with rolling admissions or early notification dates, but the schools that say they abide by a March 10 notification date do. I know a ton of kids who have applied to prep schools and I’ve never heard of a kid guaranteed a place early at a March 10th school. Not faculty kids, not siblings, not athletic recruits, not the children of major donors. The schools have too much to lose by slipping up and making an early offer.</p>
<p>The kids may have heard encouraging noises from people in the know. While this is not an offer it may be a good sign. Either way they’re going to have to wait for March 10th along with your child.</p>
<p>On the flip side, I have heard of schools contacting select families (usually legacy, faculty or sibling) a bit early as a courtesy to let them know that their child will not be offered a place at the school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the ideas. Both of the schools I am talking about have a March 10th notification date.</p>
<p>Are the schools you are talking about GLADCHEMS schools?</p>
<p>Yes they are.</p>
<p>I incline to agree with Sue22, it’s wishful, youthful thinking. The kids might have misunderstood an adult saying something like, “You’re as good as in!” What do the parents say? If the children are accepted, they would be planning for revisits.</p>
<p>If the family has received an enrollment contract in the mail then prospective has a guaranteed spot. Otherwise, it’s anyone’s guess.</p>
<p>I am not surprised, it could be real. There are always things others can’t see.</p>
<p>In an email to all applicants, Groton talks about a “Quiet Period.” Here’s the quote.</p>
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<p>If the school in question is part of the ISL, than it is clearly breaking this agreement.</p>
<p>The key word with the quiet period is “initiate”. The obvious loophole is that applicants can contact teachers and coaches.</p>
<p>zp</p>
<p>Yeah. I knew I was getting in like a month or two before letters went out.</p>
<p>^the letters havent gone out yet</p>
<p>I just heard today from a friend that Exeter notified her last week that her daughter was not accepted. Phone call, I’m told. The family has legacy-type connections. I suppose they wanted to show some preferential treatment rather than regular cold, bad news. Keep those donations coming… Membership has its privileges. Anyway, if they reach out and tell students that they weren’t accepted before March 10th, I can imagine them letting a few know beforehand that they were - - or can expect to be.</p>
<p>We’ve heard (positive) from two schools, both Southern boarding. My sense is that some of the Southern schools notify acceptances quickly when they feel it offers a recruiting advantage. But admissions are less competitive than at many of the schools to the north, so they may feel they need to move more aggressively for attractive candidates.</p>
<p>I would be willing to bet that no one - even the poster who said they knew a month in advance they were in - got an actual contract before March 10 from a school that has agreed to the March 10 date.<br>
Yes, there are the legacy calls to break the bad news early.
The sorry, no FA calls, but we will accept you calls so parents know that in advance.
There are MANY admins saying things like “can’t wait to see you in the fall.”
My daughter got emails last week from two coaches at a school saying “we hope our HADES school is your first choice” and “we would love to have you come play for us.” Does not mean she is in.<br>
I know a PG athletic recruit at a Ten Schools School that was told by an Ed consult in mid February that they are “in” and the info apparently came from admissions at the school - but no contract yet. </p>
<p>Other than the rolling admissions schools and the southern schools, there are is “early decision” for prep schools and all “in advance” notices are not anything 100% until the contract arrives.</p>
<p>My son got a call from his top choice on his cell phone today while in school. When he returned the missed call the secretary told him she was unable to tell who had made the call. Is this a good sign?</p>
<p>@mmmnh: Is it a Ten Schools member?</p>