<p>It was difficult last year to exercise control over the process. Exeter e-mails at 6 AM (parent and child), Andover acceptances also arrive early (first Fed-Ex delivery), while Groton and SPS wait until after school (purportedly not to interfere with school) and the rest drift in that day or next. So the news, and the day, tends to run away with itself quickly. It was impossible for my daughter to concentrate on anything else. Best to set up a calm plan the night before and expect it to get shot to hell the next day.</p>
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<p>:D 
:D</p>
<p>We actually had a decision day injury last year. After a steady stream of not-so-good news, my son finally saw a large package by the mailbox. In his rush to get to it, he did an unplanned (but beautifully executed!) forward flip on the icy path. (yes, there was ice in March last year!) He made it to the mailbox, then limped back to the house to discover that the giant package was . . . a waitlist notification! Talk about “insult to injury.” I still haven’t forgiven that school for not just sending a skinny envelope like everyone else.</p>
<p>They sent a package for a waitlist? Hunh? </p>
<p>I was about to say that there’s no need to open envelopes, as a skinny envelope generally means a waitlist or rejection, and a large envelope means an acceptance. So, usually it does, but not always.</p>
<p>I would open them anyway. We almost disregarded Andover’s skinny envelope but it was a two page letter, waitlist, and they sent additional ones in the months afterwards. Might was well open them all - except Lawrenceville - their rejection letters are pretty rude. IMHO. Get a skinny letter from them, peek at it, burn it then salt the earth beneath it. :(</p>
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<p>Sorry, I guess I should clarify . . . it was actually a financial aid waitlist - so the kid was accepted (in theory) and hence the package, but offered zero financial aid (as opposed to the full FA we required). So, yeah, okay, you could say he was accepted, but this was the only school that sent the full acceptance package, as opposed to a polite letter explaining why he wouldn’t be able to attend.</p>
<p>It actually took a few minutes to even find the financial aid letter buried in amongst the other stuff. :(</p>
<p>Bumping this thread as the hours tick down to M10 . . .</p>
<p>@dodgersmom
We had a very similar experience last year and it was heart wrenching, to say the least. My daughter rec’d a congratulatory phone call from the school on her cell phone and spent the day so incredibly happy. But waiting for her when she got home was the “big envelope” that included the critical piece of information – FA waitlisted.</p>
<p>Oh, that sounds terrible…to get a congratulatory phone call (or huge package), only to find out that it’s a wait list! </p>
<p>goodness, I’m beginning to dread tomorrow! But, as usual, daughter is less nervous than we are, and she seems much more relaxed and at ease with whatever tomorrow brings. </p>
<p>Well, good luck and best wishes to all of you! One thing is certain: this board is full of many wonderful parents who would go to great lengths help their children fulfill their goals and dreams. Not to mention full of a whole bunch of smart, interesting, and talented kids!!</p>
<p>We were taken aback last year by how very fiercely competitive it is to get into these schools.</p>
<p>Despite the admissions outcome, all the kids who applied should be praised for demonstrating courage. They took the initiative to to venture out of their safety zone (i.e. the comfortable, familiar setting of their present school) and TRY. I have no doubt these same kids will find success in life because of their moxy!</p>