Letting Schools Know about Top Choice Status?

@ChoatieMom, the questions are asked in the AO-to-child interview. A great heads-up to those who have not yet interviewed to be prepared with an answer! I can’t see where disclosing other schools would necessarily be very detrimental, but I do agree there is no benefit to the student.

And, as for the quote, I hesitated with putting a “conventional wisdom” out there with no back up. I am referring to the psychic effect of passing through an initiation rite and winning the trophy that you want (it works better if others also strive for it and are denied it). Having chosen and been chosen sometimes provides that extra morale to push through tough situations, or overlook perceived slights, to a higher level of performance than if there were no selectivity and it was not one’s choice.

I am sure it is not always true. Sometimes we are lucky when we avoid the thing we thought we wanted.

I understand, @ItsJustSchool. You may be amused to know that one AO asked ChoatieKid what his FC school was and, without hesitation or mistake, he named the rival school. The AO relayed this to us and laughed so hard, we thought he was going to pop something. We laughed, too. And guess what, horrified readers? The earth did not open, and the sun kept rising and setting. It’s all good.

It seems to me that when a discerning adult is interviewing a 13 year old child, it is the rare child who can skillfully hedge the “What other schools are you applying to?” question. By not answering honestly you assume the risk of coming off as not forthright or having something to hide. Besides it may help determine “fit” if you are interested in schools with similar philosophies. I agree that the answer to this question could be used against you, however appearing less than honest may hurt you more.

On Saturday we completed school visits for our two kids - 16 total! It turns out they both ended their visits at the same school (a month apart) and they both LOVED it!

The AO that saw K1 said it was his best interview this season. The report from his colleague AO who interviewed K2 was equally positive. K2 saw girls who were smart, shared her style and with whom she identified. K1 was taken with the place. His response on leaving: “wow”!

I asked the AO whether a FC letter could help either applicant: “absolutely if it is true we want to hear from the applicant and we want it written by hand.”

This is a well regarded school that any of us would be proud for our kids to attend. Subsequent contact from various levels of the school: HM, a dean and our AO, encourage us that this may be the beginnings of a fit. Surprisingly, K2 had been leaning toward this school’s main rival as her FC. That may no longer be the case.

With easy access from our home and relatives just 40 minutes away we would LOVE for the kids to have this school as an option. We had always thought it best for our kids to attend different schools. It may turn out that best fit for each is the same place. The brave thing to do as parents is to embrace their choices and desires.

K2 was inclined NOT to like it because K1 was so psyched about it. She got over that quickly - a sign of a mature child. That says something about the warm welcome she enjoyed on campus, and her maturity to lead this process.

S’94

That’s a pretty compelling anecdote for FC letter written by hand. What school?

If you apply to other schools that also use the Standard App, they can tell what schools you have applied to. Most schools say on their websites “do not send emails or letters” to admissions other than what is requested in the admissions packet. Followup phone calls however are not restricted, and if you happen to remember a question you wanted to ask that your son/daughter forgot about in the interview…well you can get your name back in front of them for memory. We found that some AO did ask what other schools my DD was applying to so they could one-up their school by comparison. Legacy is BIG at every school, they are honored and revered and mentioned during the school year.

@ColoradoBorn

I wasn’t aware of this. We used both the SSAT and Gateway common apps. I looked around their websites and cannot find any information on this. Seems like that would be disclosed, at least in the Privacy Statement. Do you have a source? I’d like to know more about what they can/cannot see.

et fix username reference

@momonymous I don’t think the Standard Apps disclose that information. On Gateway app, the question was part of school specific “Short questions and essay.” Most schools did ask what other schools are you applying question there. Since there are no school specific questions on SSAT app, I don’t see the question asked there.

In the Gateway FAQs, they say that schools will not know if you are applying through Gateway to other schools.

I know the question is the Standard App. I do not have information on that. For Gateway:

https://applywithus.kayako.com/gateway/Knowledgebase/Article/View/30/4/applying-to-multiple-schools

Since it is an obvious and common concern, I would be surprised if the Standard App does not also protect this information.

It started out as a fight but reality came during today’s plane ride K1 did write a FC letter. We’ll see. Now K2.

Also family friends are big donors at one of the 8 schools both K1 and K2 are applying. They will recommend the kids only if it is their first choice and they will attend no matter what. We are taking a pass.

K2 has also decided the same school is her first choice. Letter will be mailed in the morning.