<p>toombs, I’m glad your son is getting excited about Hotchkiss. The tricky thing about a waitlist can be that it postpones when a child starts feeling excited and a real part of the school, but that happily isn’t the case for your family.</p>
<p>My S said even if he got off a waitlist he would still go to SMS.
I think he was/is offended he wasnt picked right off.
He was taken off a waitlist very early at another school, we went to revisit day and he didnt like the school. Personally I think he would have liked it if he was offered a spot rather than waitlisted.</p>
<p>I think its a fine line btwn being accepted at a school that you know you are wanted at, rather than hoping to get off a waitlist. I dont know if I would take that chance. S is very excited to be going to SMS in the fall. Its a good feeling to be wanted from the begining.</p>
<p>Based on what I have seen in the past, I believe that at this time of year if Exeter (or any other of the “top” schools) takes students off the wait list, they are likely to be students who either have a legacy at the school or are not currently committed to attend a peer school, such as Hotchkiss. I’m sure there are exceptions, but that is the trend I have seen in day and boarding schools. As much as people like to compare the schools and say which is better, the people who run these schools are more friends than foes.</p>
<p>I don’t like the waitlist game at all. Expecially for FP, there’s no “excuse” other than they had reservations about you being their first pick; and they still keep you waiting even after they know you were accepted by a peer school. If your offer is from a comparable school, I say drop from the waitlist sooner rather than later. We dropped from the waitlists as soon as it was possible, immediately feeling relived and moved on.</p>
<p>My opinion only but I believe the reality is that if there was any movement on the waitlist at most of those BS mentioned regularly here on CC that there will not be anymore. My intuition was also repeated to me by the powers at be a month ago. The schools move very quickly, if need be, with the waitlist after March 10th and it usually does not take them long to acquiesce. Of course things happen and maybe one or two openings appear in a few of the schools between now and September. Openings coming in all sorts of rare forms from cold feet to absolute tragedy. With respect to the economy, it will get worse but it will be nothing compared to going forward for the young people just getting starting. I believe most here will agree that a good private education is invaluable and parents will travel to the ends of the earth to get that for their children. So I think no more waitlist movement. Personally, I’d take Hotchkiss over Exeter anyway.</p>
<p>I agree with ops, I’d thankfully take Hotchkiss and never give it another thought.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the input. I agree: the WL game is not much fun. Still, I think that I’ll stay at the gaming table until I have to pay the “big bucks” on July 1. Why not? It doesn’t cost me anything to see the cards Exeter may play by then. If none so played, then game over. No big deal…so to speak.</p>
<p>I’m just trying to figure out things for next year and being an independent thinker I want to be able to choose the schools I’d like to apply and then hear what my parents have to say.</p>
<p>I respectfully disagree with why a parent would hold on to a wl when the kid seems “all in” with the one they have accepted. Not having any experience with Exeter, I’m confused how Hotchkiss (accept) and Exeter(wl) can be compared. Size, location, community and most of all, they WANT you more! I’d pick Hotchkiss 100%. It’s a great school, great environment. I’m becoming a huge fan of this school. Go for it, you’ll be happy to have the decision made and your s/d will be totally committed to the school. Now, start getting the “what to bring” list going!!! :)</p>
<p>Seriously, I’d like to know because I might find myself in that position next year. Yikes!!!Are there big differences between the schools so much so that one would hold out hope? I’m not understanding it.</p>
<p>It’s like debating lexus and beamers.</p>
<p>hahaha :]</p>
<p>imho: Both luxury cars–</p>
<pre><code> Lexus=low maintance
BMW=high maintance
</code></pre>
<p>I am baffled by the attitude that a school doesn’t really want you if they put you on a waitlist and that you’re better off at the school that really wanted you in the first place. Huh???</p>
<p>There is so much that goes into school decisions–lack of space, so many legacies and siblings, they’re not sure of your interest level…</p>
<p>If you want a school, don’t worry about how or when you got in!</p>
<p>Kentschoolie, there are two reasons to keep the door ajar at Exeter.</p>
<p>One, we can stay on the WL for about another 2.5 months without costs, so why not? Two, the college placements at Exeter are better than Hotchkiss. I have compared each school’s list of the Top 25 colleges to which its students have enrolled over the past several years, and Exeter has the better list without a doubt. (In all other areas of comparison, Hotchkiss, in our opinion, equals or, in several cases, exceeds Exeter, e.g. greater natural beauty, smaller student body, tighter community, friendlier atmosphere, etc.) </p>
<p>Will such a factor tilt the scales in favor of Exeter, assuming that my son should ever come off its WL soon? No, not at all; but if (and a sizeable IF it is ) Exeter takes my son off its WL, then he, my wife and I will give this factor its proper weight. </p>
<p>So, as Exeter works through its WL over the next 2 and a half months, we will sit and wait. Why not?</p>
<p>Bad karma.</p>
<p>why not embrace Hotchkiss since it sounds like it is where you will end up anyway?</p>
<p>We ae embracing Hotchkiss. We just haven’t walked down the aisle with her yet. Currently, we have every intent, however, to swap vows on July 1.</p>
<p>But you never know.</p>
<p>Theres nothing wrong sitting out the wl if thats what you are looking for. However, it does seem to me that the schools are different enough that based on your child, you should know where he will fit in best, and act accordingly. Academically the schools are on par, but socially they are miles apart. Disregard the college acceptance numbers since both schools are tier 1, its upto an individual to get into a college of their choice. The fact that Exeter’s list is better, means nothing to one particular child – Exeter has a larger pool of kids with hooks than Hotchkiss.</p>
<p>"Exeter has a larger pool of kids with hooks than Hotchkiss. "</p>
<p>Is it true in terms of percentage of the student body? Is there any solid statistics about the legacy and other hooks that lead to top college placement for both schools?</p>
<p>I didn’t read through all 15 pages, but I’m interested to know if anyone got into Andover off the waitlist.</p>
<p>We had a 78% matriculation rate this year which is exceptionally high (we are splitting up dorms to accomodate everyone). Did ANYONE get off the waitlist at all?</p>
<p>From all that I have read and heard, nobody got off the Andover WL. I think that such is the same for SPS and DA. If anyone knows something to the contrary, please advise.</p>
<p>Occasionally, even if the school is overenrolled and doesn’t officially go to the wait list, a small number of WL or late applicants are accepted to fill specific athletic or development office needs.</p>