<p>A school my son applied to just requested more information that's outside of the application material. It was a personal email specific to things mentioned in the essays. Is this a good sign that maybe he's being considered? I know they're all considered but like considered, considered? </p>
<p>No one can say for sure but it does sound encouraging. I’m so guarded when it comes to this stuff so I’m probably the wrong person to weigh in. K1 applied as a 3G legacy to his school and I was a constant killjoy even though I knew he’d probably get in. He was accepted, but I felt it was necessary (knowing the competition) to keep his expectations in check. </p>
<p>I’m with PhotographerMom. Sounds encouraging, but don’t read TOO much into it.</p>
<p>yeah, my excitement is already fizzled down to reality, lol. I’m wondering if it’s something that fills in a gap between the common SSAT form and the school’s application. Though it wasn’t one of those extras that are put for an individual school on SSAT’s site. I know we had at least one of those from other school’s. </p>
<p>I feel similarly- my daughter received an ‘early happy birthday’ email last week from the head of admissions from one of her favorite schools- it said: ‘your essays were lovely- a treat to read’. Sounds great … but I just tried not to react too much- she will most likely have disappointments on M10 and that is fine- but if she is going to fall, I’d rather it not be from up in the clouds…</p>
<p>@freshlook that sounds VERY promising! But I’m doing the same thing as everyone. Staying grounded.</p>
<p>Last year I got a call from the AO 3 days before M10 to confirm that D2 wanted to board rather than be a day student. She said some pretty encouraging things (and she was admitted 3 days later). She was an applicant for junior year so a bit different, but…</p>
<p>We got a letter from a Hades school acknowledging D as
legacy, but letter rife with “heavy competition” and “many highly qualified applicant” caveats. D is at the very highest end of all qualifications, so it is hard to not read into the letter, but still trying to. If the legacy school is the only one she gets into, she would be very happy to go there. I think the first choice may actually be another school though. She also would like to be admitted somewhere completely “on her own” or based strictly on her ability. I am trying to relax a little knowing we probably have a solid school option. </p>
<p>^^My gut feeling is that this is a standard letter sent to all legacy applicants to prep them for possible disappointment coming on M10. If this is one of those schools, the legacy family will receive a call prior to M10 if there’s an incoming rejection or WL decision.</p>
<p>^^ Correct. It’s a standard letter sent to manage expectations. </p>
<p>Hmm. I haven’t received a letter from the HADES school I am a legacy at. Maybe they assumed that I figured that I wasn’t getting in :)</p>
<p>I doubt that. I think every school has a unique approach and wouldn’t read too much into it. </p>
<p>While being a standard letter its subtext is probably urging you to acknowledge the legacy and commit as a first choice…</p>
<p>^^ No. The reason for the letter is to manage expectations M10. They are not asking for a commitment nor are they asking for a response. The school is not urging you to do anything. </p>
<p>^^Realistically, unless the kid is a “superstar”, ie a “want” and a “need” for the school as well as a great student with a great personality, a legacy school will weigh their legacy applicants by the interest that student shows, all other things being equal. A BS, same as a college, does not want to offer a place to someone who will not take it. Many schools will look at a student who is a known legacy at a similar school and make the assumption that the applicant will go to their legacy school. Same as the legacy school will not feel the love if a legacy applicant not do anything except just apply. The letter is standard and it does manage expectations. But people are people and AO’s are people too. They guess same as the rest of us about motivations. So while the letter and the school is not officially urging you to do anything, they are wondering about your interest. Again, there will be kids that are accepted by many schools, no matter what. They are in a very exclusive minority of the applicant pool.</p>
<p>One of my fears is that non-legacy school will assume that legacy school is our first choice. While I (the parent) believe that non-legacy is first choice, D did not want to do a first choice letter. The question I put to her was, if you were accepted, is there a school that you know 100% you would attend and she said no. She wants to d</p>
<p>Do revisits. One school with a spectacularly lackluster tour guide pushed a school from #1 to #5. A fantastic tour and interview could have done the same in the opposite direction. She is all go with your gut and I have probably done more research and have definitely done more CC lurking so I have some top runners based on other factors like fit and culture. Ultimately we will be riding the love the school that loves you bus and she will be fine. </p>
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<p>Wouldn’t it be a violation of TSAO promise?</p>
<p>^^I think this call usually happens on the 8th or 9th of March, supposedly close enough to M10 to cause any major disturbance. Apparently, it’s done pretty openly so I suspect there might be another “agreement”, which may not be in writing and is definitely not published anywhere, among these schools regarding legacy families. Also, from what I’ve gathered, not ALL TSAO schools do that.</p>
<p>@mhmm: The letter is a formality that goes out when a school has a large number of legacy applicants. It’s a courtesy. They can’t take everyone (in the legacy pool), so if you read what smushymon said was in the letter, it’s not hard to conclude why they sent it. They’re just preparing everyone because there will be some families that won’t take rejection well. Trust me, I know how this works. I’m a 3G BS alum and my oldest son is a 3G legacy at his school on his father’s side. He was also accepted ED as a 3G legacy for college. I’m not just guessing at this stuff. My large extended family has legacies running around all over the place and this type of letter is not uncommon before decisions. The school is doing the best they can and they’re are managing expectations. Period.</p>
<p>@Smushymon: Did you tell the non-legacy school you’re applying as a legacy at another BS? If you didn’t tell them- how would they know? And if you did tell them- Why?? </p>