<p>Neatoburrito, I think there are kids on the waitlist who do get called, if a similar kid declines the school’s offer. For example, the #3 trumpet player will get a call if #1 and #2 go elsewhere. The admissions committee needs to supply kids to the whole school. </p>
<p>I don’t think they waitlist kids to not hurt their feelings. They turn down quite a few every year. I also think that relying on a wait list is harder for the family. If you’re rejected, it’s like ripping off a band-aid. It hurts, but you pick up and move on, because you have no other option. Eventually, you’re able to say, “their loss.” Remaining on a waitlist is really difficult, because it won’t quite let the hope die, and it can prevent a student from making worthwhile plans.</p>
<p>Congratulations Erlanger! Good luck Chelsea1!</p>
<p>How do you know that Andover’s wait list is closed? We’ve not received any letter from them stating that it is closed. We got an email a couple of weeks ago saying that they were over enrolled and will not be going to the wait list at this time. Though it is a very bleak situation, the email did not indicate that the wait list is closed.</p>
<p>I posted this in an earlier thread and repeat in part:
My opinion only but I believe the reality is that if there was any movement on the waitlist at most of those BS mentioned regularly here on CC that there will not be anymore. My intuition was also repeated to me by the powers at be a month ago. The schools move very quickly, if need be, with the waitlist after March 10th and it usually does not take long for applicants to acquiesce. Of course things happen and maybe one or two openings appear in a few of the schools between now and September. Openings coming in all sorts of rare forms from cold feet to absolute tragedy. I believe most here will agree that a good private education is invaluable and parents will travel to the ends of the earth to get that for their children. So I think no more waitlist movement.</p>
<p>Sometimes schools are looking for a particular demographic to fill out a school mission - example, they need a bassoon player plus folks from the Midwest. If a bassoon player from missouri with decent stats applies mid summer they will take them. If you don’t happen to play bassoon, you stay on the waitlist, waiting for the piccolo player to die.</p>
<p>Biohelpmom, I looked at the list and there were some great schools I’d love to go to. However, the ones I would like to apply to are not in New Jersey, which is where I live. <em>sighs</em> My parents, when I applied as a boarding student for Peddie, were already reluctant about sending me as a boarding and not as a day student. Although this sounds childish, can you help me convince them that applying now for other schools out of state will help? <em>laughs</em></p>
<p>boarderkid, NJ is very close to PA, and if your parents are willing to broaden the geography just a bit, you and your parents could try Hill School, George School, Westtown and Mercersburg.</p>
<p>boarderkid – Why don’t you pm scotland45? His/her son was unsuccessful in gaining admission the regular cycle and needs financial aid. Scotland45 spent time on the telephone calling boarding schools to find out which ones still had openings and might offer financial aid. Now his/her son is going to a qualify boarding school with fa, after the regular admissions cycle.</p>
<p>Boarderkid, I concur with burbparent. As a full pay, which I know you are, there are many schools that would still be interested in enrolling you.</p>
<p>boarderkid – If you are a full pay and restricted to NJ, you or your parents can call Blair Academy to see if they have any openings. It’s a great school where you will receive a quality education. I don’t know if they have any openings at this point. If you apply again next year, re-apply to your waitlist schools, but take a look at a few more. If your parents want to be within a 2-hour drive to your school, there are great options in NJ and PA. Some in CT & NY might also fit the distance criteria depending on where you live.</p>
<p>I’d love to apply to more schools to see if they have any openings, but I don’t think my parents would be too happy about it. My parents aren’t sure if they really want to pay $35,000+ for four years now, but can’t they always apply for FA later?</p>
<p>Thanks Burb Parent and pan1956 for all the useful information, though :)</p>
<p>Your parents certainly can apply for FA if their circumstances change (ie, loss of job, Bernie Madoff wiped out their savings). Schools today are very sensitive to those issues, and have committed themselves to help their current families. However, you cant apply for FA if you dont qualify for it, just because you decided that the cost is too high. If thats your strategy, you may reconsider the bs idea since if your parents do pay the 35Kplus for the first year, and then wont be able to get FA for the following years and cant pay for the rest of your schooling, then the 35K was a huge waste of cash. On another note — there are a number of really great private day schools in NJ – have you considered them? Perhaps your parents may be more open to that idea?</p>