I was curious; Have any of you going through the BS application process thought about asking to shadow a student at any of the schools you’re applying to? If you were, when would be the best time to ask?
At this point, wouldn’t it make more sense for one to wait after they’re accepted (IF they’re accepted) to shadow, because they’ve already submitted their applications and everything?
But what if one is excited about the school and can’t wait to see it again?
When is a good time to shadow? Is it ever a good time to shadow? To shadow or not to shadow?! :-??
Lots of schools offer a “revisit” day to accepted applicants when they can shadow a student for the day. Have you checked whether the school(s) you have applied to offer this?
A local private school we are also applying to has shadow days during the admissions process - you sign up for them in the same way that you sign up for an admissions interview. Since this was the one time a “shadow” option is being offered we took them up on it last month.
You can look on their admissions website-- but most BS match you with a current student to "shadow"that student at revisit day (once you’ve been accepted). A few have you sit in on some classes on interview day. Since your application is in and presumably you’ve already interviewed, I would say you probably need to just wait for revisit day at this point. If you were invited by a coach to attend a game, or a music director to attend a concert, or any other similar invitation, of course you can do that-- but, otherwise, I think you just need to wait to hear from them in March.
Generally speaking, schools (especially those most “in demand”) DO NOT let you “shadow” a student before you are admitted. Doing so (multiply your request times a up to thousand or more) would interfere in the regular school day for both the student who is hosting you as well as the rest of the class. When we were in “apply” mode, I really did want my kid to be able to see what it was like…but it really was never an option.
Some schools allow a bit of shadowing during open houses. For example, at the Emma Willard Open house I’m pretty sure kids attended an actual class.
A caveat I’ll offer to this year’s cycle of applicants is to be very aware of “revisit theater” (things that are really only done for revisit that might paint a more favorable picture to prospects) at any school you visit. Know that after M10, the schools are in “sell mode”…try to look for more “real” pictures of student life anywhere/anyway you can.
I don’t know if the official term is called shadowing, but it’s basically just following a student and sitting in on their classes, sitting with them at lunch, and following them through their day as if you’re a shadow. @mathman1201
Hi - in my experience a lot of the day schools offer shadowing as an option. It wouldn’t hurt to ask Admissions of the school you’re interested if you could shadow a student. Maybe not for the entire day, but sitting in on one class might be reasonable. Good luck