Prep School Admission Process

yankeefan1234 · 01-25-2011, 03:33 PM

Once schools receive you application and reading begins on Feb. 1st.... what happens? like how do the review your application? and who gets the final say, about if you make it or not?

WBJC2BS · 01-25-2011, 03:57 PM

I don't know the process, but would love to find out. Somewhere I heard that the decision is by a committee of three, with each member independently rendering a grading. A triple "A" typically means admission plus FA if needed, and a triple B is the minimum needed to get in.

yankeefan1234 · 01-25-2011, 04:04 PM

k thanx! anyone else know anything... bump

SevenDad · 01-25-2011, 04:20 PM

Only a current/former AO (or a trusted relative/friend of one) can say for sure. It's a "black box" process and I'm each school has their own take on it.

Here's what I envision: The AOs are assigned initial reads of files of kids they interviewed, and then they bring their "first cuts" to a group meeting (probably meetings, plural) where other AOs read and weigh in on applicants files. I could see how some AOs might lobby for/defend the admission of kids they were charmed by in person who might have more mundane applications/on-paper stats.

I'd imagine that the team also has a list of open spots/school needs they are trying to fill (like the always-in-demand underwater tuba player), and they try to fill those slots first. After that, they move on to the strongest candidates who may or may not fill a specific need. I also think there are diversity goals (geographic, socio-economic, and ethnic) that are kept in mind throughout the process.

But what do I know, I'm just a dad of a prospect.

2010 hopeful · 01-25-2011, 04:23 PM

The Beehive | The Dean?s Journal

Here's a link to a blog that Andover's Dean of admissions created that talks about the admission process at Andover. The process is different at all schools but I am sure some of the practices at PA are similar to other schools.

Be sure to check out the other entries into the "Dean's Journal", there's a lot of really good advice.

DAndrew · 01-25-2011, 04:27 PM

It may slightly vary from school to school, but roughly the process is something like this: first, your file will be read by at least one faculty member and your interviewer. Then they'd recommend you to the AO in charge of the grade, and eventually signed off by the dean of admissions. Anywhere along the way there is naysayer it'd be re-read by someone else. So, some of the applicants may already have been accepted in mid Feb while others as late as in early March. That's my understanding anyway.

yankeefan1234 · 01-25-2011, 06:13 PM

Thanx for the help guys!

WBJC2BS · 01-25-2011, 06:16 PM

I understand that the admission process (at least the application reading/grading part) is truly (or at least mostly) need-blind. Each school may have slightly different processes, but let's say at some point they reach a list of admissible names.

Question is, do they rank these first cut by desirability? Also, when they finally come to exam each student's FA need, do they start by filling from top of the list to the last till their budget tops out?

I must be a very complex system as the school trying to juggle many priorities: academics, athletics, diversities and other needs. How do they weigh each categories? I would think to compare desirability, they would have to use a grading system of some sort. Also where does common sense play into this? For example, if there are three FA applicants, one needs full aid and the other two only needs half. If they are about equally admissible, wouldn't the school incline to deny the 1st applicant so to support two equally good candidates with their resource?

yankeefan1234 · 01-25-2011, 06:21 PM

First off, when I interviewed with Hotchkiss they told me that the SSAT was the least important part, this is because it just backs up your grades and provides sense of what your school is like academically.
On another note, no 2 applicants are the same, yes they may in fact have the same grades/SSAT's but it is doubtful they will have the same interview, EC's, REC's, and essays...
Anyway, not nearly every school is need-blind, the only one's I know of are Andover and Exeter: I think
Lastly, my question is,
If you had an amazing interview and your interviewer loved you but you didn't look as good on paper meaning, grades and essays, would your interviewer push to get you in?
Like is every interviewer allowed to admit 5 +/- students based upon there interview?

WBJC2BS · 01-25-2011, 06:30 PM

I posted a similar question before. Basically the interview is just after all an interview. It will add to your overall profile, but I don't think the interviewer is going out of her/his way to push for anything for any one applicant, particular when doing so would go against other committee member's opinions.

yankeefan1234 · 01-25-2011, 06:44 PM

Anybody's else aspects.... Thanks.. good thread so far!

jaharrison1620 · 01-25-2011, 06:45 PM

I think they also look at who might actually benefit more from the education.

SevenDad · 01-25-2011, 06:46 PM

@WBJC2BS: I dunno, something tells me that AOs must get a "put" or two...and it's not like they are going to use these slots to place kids who don't deserve it. That would only undermine an AO's standing with his/her peers.

@yankeefan1234: The only schools that truly have a need-blind policy (at least those that state it in writing) are Andover and St. Andrew's (DE). This was covered on a post a few months ago.

2010 hopeful · 01-25-2011, 06:52 PM

Exeter is not need-blind. Andover and St. Andrews School (DE) are the only need blind institutions I believe.

Quote:

Students who apply for financial aid may be in a more competitive situation for admission to Exeter.

Source: http://www.exeter.edu/documents/Appl...structions.pdf

Quote:

Andover admits outstanding students regardless of their families' ability to pay the cost of an Andover education. We are proud to say that we meet 100 percent of each admitted student's demonstrated financial need. Through our need-blind admission initiative, we encourage all qualified applicants to consider Andover, regardless of whether they can afford the full cost of attendance. Upon admission, applicants can be confident that their financial need, as determined by Andover's financial aid office, will be met.

Source: Phillips Academy - Access & Affordability

Quote:

Since our founding, one of the hallmarks of St. Andrew's School has been our deep commitment to providing an exemplary educational opportunity to students regardless of their financial means. At a time when many boarding schools have become accessible only to the affluent in America, St. Andrew's commitment to need-blind admissions and socioeconomic diversity within the School enables us to develop a truly distinctive student body and School culture.

Source: St. Andrew's School: Admission » Tuition & Financial Aid

Edit: SevenDad beat me to it!

ifax108 · 01-25-2011, 06:59 PM

I think your interviewer can help you a lot in the process. I've heard that the interview can "get you in" if went really well.