<p>Agree with much of what has already been said, but especially the part about “admitting the family”… What I realized after writing the essays and interviewing with the admissions officers is that it is even more important that you and your child feel it is the right place for your family. Like others, I researched each school and wrote essays that I felt would be attractive to each. However, after being on one of the campuses for a few hours, I knew the fit wasn’t right.
I will share an embarrassing story, but an experience that was key in our decision making. My son and I toured a BS last year where the freshman all have private rooms. As we walked around campus, I noticed that most of the students were walking alone with their heads down. All of the girls looked like equestrians. Later, when I was interviewed, I asked the AO, “Are these kids happy?” I knew he was taken aback and that I got a “black mark.” I left and told my son that I had blown the interview for him, but I couldn’t help myself. Regardless of how well established and prestigious the school is, I know my kid. He would not have fit in well there, and ultimately that is the most important consideration.
The parent essay is just one small piece of the larger puzzle, but it is important to put your best foot forward. Give the admissions committee a glimpse of the child they’re evaluating from the perspective of the people who have his best interests in mind.</p>
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<p>I agree that they do, but I felt what they were looking for in a parent statement was another recommendation letter. Although it would be obviously biased, which I suspect they expect, it would provide one more angle to look at the applicant.</p>
<p>Thank you past, present & possible future prep families for weighing in on this. You all have terrific points & your advice is pretty much along the lines of where my head already was on this, so good to know I was on the right track. (Even the procrastination part but that’s probably obvious-given the date I’m writing this. :)</p>
<p>I do notice myself composing bits & pieces of it while driving, or loading the dishwasher, say. Even before I nod off at night. But I still haven’t put pen to paper as of yet for fear of “not writing something worthy enough” to fully express what we feel in our hearts. </p>
<p>Oh well, guess it’ll come soon enough. And that “soon enough” will have to come before Jan 15th.</p>
<p>Having said that, any more “BTDT insight” is more than welcome & highly appreciated. Cheers.</p>
<p>Goforprep, don’t agonize about it! In my lighthearted moments, I sometimes suspect schools ask for parent essays to keep the parents from meddling with their children’s essays!</p>
<p>Two questions admissions officers would want answered, in my opinion, are: is the student mature enough to board, and are the parents ready to support their child boarding? If your family is new to boarding, I recommend your essay show you believe your child is ready to attend school away from home. If your child attended summer camp, for example, I would mention that, even if she failed macrame. </p>
<p>Sometimes I think parents think admissions people will be swayed by further evidence of applicants’ brilliance. The application includes lots of quantifiable proof of children’s academic skills from other sources. Boarding is new for the applicants, so evidence of the ability to leave home as a high school freshman is more valuable than more evidence on the academic side.</p>
<p>@Periwinkle I can’t agree more. I wish I could give you +1 pt for your comment, but unfortunately I can’t since I’ve already given you one.</p>
<p>Thanks! Agree with everything you said- great advice and the thought occurred to me too-“Keep the parents busy with the essay so they’ll stay out of the kid’s hair for a while!” Ha!</p>
<p>I also agree that these parent essays really have little to do with school accomplishments and reporting more tales of academic excellence. I think I get it now and just need to find the right words. Basically, what I feel in my heart is what I need to get across to the schools and hopefully that’ll give them a glimpse into what’s it’s been like for us, as parents, to have had such a neat kid in our lives. (The kid who opens the car door for me every morning as we head off to school, (even though he’s never been asked), the kid whose friend’s parents always tell us they love having him around, the kid who goes out of his way to talk to the kid, sitting alone at lunch, the kid who never complains when asked to do chores even though most of his friends have maids who do their cleaning, and most of all the kid who we’ll miss more than anything if he actually does leave for boarding school in the fall, but someone we love so much that we could never refuse such an amazing opportunity, should it present itself on March 10th.</p>
<p>Thank you for the feedback! It’s nice to know it’s been useful!</p>