Hi All,
I am a parent of a private high school applicant. One of the school’s parent essay includes 5 questions. I’d like to ask how long it will be proper for each of the questions.
Thanks
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Do they not give suggested length? If not the answer is to make them short. No one wants to read multi paragraph parent essays.
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Yeah the Gateway questions definitely had specific word counts listed.
No, the questions are on Ravenna. No hint on the length. That is why I am puzzled. Should I ask the OA about it?
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IMHO, the best philosophy with the parent statements is “do no harm.” Very long could do harm.
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I had the same question when my child was applying. I asked the AOs, and the answers were vague.
I’d like to think that at the goal is to make sure the parent at the very least won’t undermine the school’s mission. If there are special concerns, especially if a lot of aid is being requested, it might be worth it to expand. Succinctly, not a novel.
They’re looking for information, not to be wowed by the parent’s creative writing.
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I’d do 300-500 if there’s no specification. A few sentences for each question should be your guide. They truly are not looking for more than you are not a trouble maker or pia and you support your kid’s endeavor.
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a/k/a “don’t be more interesting than your kid”
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Well, unless the “interesting” is for development reasons.
But the people who are “interesting” for development reasons don’t need to write much in the application.
Although there are some people who are “interesting” for other reasons that might be relevant. There are several students that I know who come from special circumstances. Like, chronic illnesses - which are not just financial issues.
For example, if you aren’t physically capable of transporting your kid daily to school and other activities, that might be why you are considering boarding school. Sort of a “Stella Dallas” thing.
For sure. Perhaps it’d be better said as “don’t be more memorable than your kid” though now that I think about it this was advice aimed at the parent interviews more than the parent essays.
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Again, for parent interviews, if the parent is famous, that might be tough to do.
But most of us are not famous, so we only need be affable, and show some evidence of liking the school.
I think my parent statements should have been briefer, in retrospect. They know that the reason you’re applying is that you want something different from where you’re at.
But it worked out.
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Excellent response by @stalecookies as usual. They AOs are mainly looking for reasons you’re sending your kids their way. There are commonplace statements like “We would like our kids to become independent, learn about themselves and find their passion, etc.” Apart from those, you should also mention specific aspect(s) that you like about the school, interesting tidbits about your kid, and how they can bring diversity to the community.
It is extremely difficult for parents to help increase the chances for admission. My personal advice is to be true and straightforward, and definitely not overly promotional. 300 words should be sufficient for conveying your key messages. Anything above that could add to the burden of the reader and hurt your chances, IMHO.
Good luck!
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It’s not so strange that OP moved up to honors. Ime, a kid who really excels at one level may be “promoted” ro the next “track”. Likewise, a kid who struggles may move down. I had a kid who ping ponged this way through high school - pretty much every year - because he was always on the cusp.
But this can also be complicated by which class a kid excelled in. For some, either algebra or geometry comes very easily, but not both. So breezing by one year in the one that plays to your strengths may not in fact suggest that the next year will be so easy.
Thanks for all your inputs. They are very helpful.
I have another question. For question such as your kid’s strengths or weaknesses, is it better just list those traits or 1-2 traits with an anecdote for each? I feel like if I elaborate the anecdote, it will make my answer lengthy, which I don’t like.
You might consider listing several, but then saying that the “two that really stand out are…” and then expanding on those two with examples of each.
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Agreed, this has been our approach to the same issue. Tried to create a narrative with a few paragraphs, more interesting that way.
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