I just think it’s strange to hold on to the application. Why not just close it out by putting us on the waitlist? And then let us know over the summer if a spot opens up?
Oh no! I figured I would log in and check and this would all be done for you by now. SO sorry you still have this odd limbo status. Does the school even employ a WL system? You probably are doing this already, but nothing wrong with checking in so they know there is still interest on your part. If nothing else, you might find out what the real story is here now that school is out or almost out for the year.
aw thanks @judbeeski. Yes, they employ a WL and when I called on Monday, they told me her application was still ‘being read’ by the committee and that hopefully they would have a decision out to us by the end of this week. Who knows!
@chemmchimney I hope she chooses Dublin! It’s a pretty amazing place.
I would also add to possibly look into a school with rolling admissions! My daughter’s school has rolling admissions and I know they have a few spots in certain grade levels.
We just went through this, unexpectedly. Only even later: first interviews and applications in the second half of June.
We started off by telling our kid, "You may not know where you are going until Labor Day weekend, We beat that a bit: 8/10.
A few “Lessons learned.”
- There is apparently a meeting of AD’s in June called, “The Liar’s Club,” because all present say they are fully subscribed.
- “Summer Melt” occurs when, for whatever reasons, a student’s family declines to pay the initial tuition bill (or commitment to a payment plan). Dates vary by school.
- Additional “melt” occurs when, say, School A offers acceptance to student N off their waiting list. But student N had in the meantime committed to School B. Sometimes Student N declines (enrollment fees are thousands of dollars) in which case School A continues down the list. If Student N accepts, then School B now has an empty bed to fill.
- Stuff happens. Kids get sick, parents divorce, parent gets new job opportunity, etc. A friend of mine got in a terrible car crash and had to take a year off.
- Schools have a business plan and a budget predicated on a certain number of students. “Full” equals “business plan met.” Some schools purposely hold back a few beds for late discretionary enrollments. This is completely at their discretion.
- Pick up the phone and call. Email responses seem Pro Forma. We had an interview and applied at a school one week after they emailed us they were not accepting applications.
- It takes longer then you think. Even if the AO loves your kid, there will be a committee meeting to decide their fate. The application will always be pushed up to the AD, maybe even other Deans or the Head of School.
Hoping you found a good fit for your child @Garandman! Three weeks into this school year and I can safely say that my daughter is happy with how everything turned out—after staying on the waiting list for her top choice until the bitter end of summer and ultimately not getting a spot. Plan B school is surprising her at every turn!
^^I love it when the universe delivers like this!